[97th Signalman]

I have a No4 MKI Enfield (Maltby ROF 1943) that is a mixmaster of parts put together by my gunsmith. It shoots well but there does seem to be something peculiar about the trigger. Most Enfields that I have handled or shot have decent 2-stage triggers. The stages are generally quite distinct.

However, on my rifle, while the trigger overall travel distance seem "normal", there is really only one stage. I get one long farily low effort travel with no distinct change in pull effort followed by a some what mushy and vague letoff. Basically, I have a mushy single stage trigger. It appears that the entire trigger action takes place driven only by the first (lower) bump on the trigger. The second bump (upper) seem to play no role in trigger letoff.

I know that one of the shortcomings of this design is the role that the lower forward stock fit plays in the trigger behavior which is why the design was changed on the MkII where the trigger is attached to the receiver rather than to the trigger guard.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? If so, what should I do to obtain a typical two-stage trigger fuction? I did take it to the builder and he put in a new trigger but it made absolutely no difference.

 

[pzjgr]

I believe you would have to relieve the first bump on the trigger with a stone, so at some point before let-off the second bump engages....but don't take my word for it, I would have to look it up....

Also, perhaps the top of your sear may be too thin, if you know what I mean.....try swapping sears?

 

[RH7777]

It is a problem with the bend of the trigger guard assembly and the stock.

Don't have time now to go into details, I'm sure our local "experts" will arrive shortly to give you details.

Don't do anything until you get the info. no grinding, no bending, or altering anything is highly recomended.

Your "gunsmith" doesn't know what he is doing IMO.

 

[Edward Horton]

As strange as this might seem the first thing to before adjusting your trigger on a No.4 Mk.1 with the trigger mounted on the trigger guard is make sure your bedding is adjusted properly.

Wood crush between the bottom of the receiver and the bottom of the trigger guard affects the bushing height which effects the trigger pull. The British would replace the fore stock if the wood crush was over .020 – twenty thousandths, the Canadians bend the trigger guard to adjust the trigger because replacement fore stocks are in short supply.

If you can insert a feeler gauge between the rear of the fore stock and the receiver socket you have a bedding problem that needs to be fixed before you do any trigger work.

To adjust the trigger simple bend the trigger guard slightly behind the magazine opening upward and reinstall and check the trigger pull. (readjust as necessary) Bending the trigger guard is a workaround for adjusting the lobe height on the trigger.

Step one is to remove the fore stock and reassemble the trigger guard and check trigger function.

 

[Aric]

look at the back of the trigger guard

On my No1, I had extra wood in the groove where the trigger mechanism is toward the pivot point on the handguard, had to make a bit more room and my 2 stage trigger came back, before that I had the same as you, a mushy single stage... not realy sure if it would be the same issue on a No.4 but worth a look.

 

[97th Signalman]

Enfield trigger issue solved

Thanks to input from this and other boards I was able to solve my problem. I checked for bedding problems and found none. I put a slight bend into the trigger guard assembly but that didn't help much. I finally ended up stoning down the lower (first stage) trigger lobe to lengthen the previously non-existent first stage pull. I now have a quarter-inch first-stage pull followed by a short but distinct second stage with a crisp letoff, so I am very pleased with the results.

The trigger performance now resembles my Bushmaster Varminter AR with a two-stage target trigger. The Enfield second stage pull requires a little higher effort than the AR but that is as it should be.

I did follow a suggestion from one board that I purchase a spare trigger from Numrich Gun Parts in case I were to mess up the trigger stoning. Fortunately, I had no such problem so I now have a spare trigger.

I wish to thank all those who offered suggestions, diagrams, photos, and hot links.