My shooting partner has a Howa1500 in 243 cal. It shoots very well but the trigger is really too heavy, has anyone fitted an aftermarket unit like a Timney, if so is it worth doing and are there any problems?
Howa 1500 trigger replacement
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kennyc
Well-Known Member
has he tried adjusting it ? and what is too heavy?
My son has a 1500 heavy barrel -an earlier one- that had a completely uncooperative trigger. There was no adjusting it to a reasonable pull. I replaced that trigger and two others on 1500s using Timneys. Worth it? Only if your friend wants a better trigger. I didn't have any problems installing them.~Muir
whitehackle
Well-Known Member
Not worth it. Get in touch with mike norris, he can tune these trigger to whatever spec you want, no more than half the price of a timney trigger.
Or at all. I am no slouch on triggers and this old Howa defied everything short of disassembly and retrofit. Timney dropped right in and the prairiedogs popped in their tracks.~Muir
This comes up regularly, and as always the same old "Timney" advice and so on follows it.
You need to determine which trigger it is. Is it the early Howa single stage trigger, or is it the much later 2 stage HACT trigger?
Then, go to ebay and select which spring kit you want. Find it in this store.
Gunbloke ebay
I know of propably two dozen people who have replaced their trigger springs with these, and all have been very happy with the outcome. I have three of these kits, all 2lb. They now "break like glass" as we like to say.
Far more cost effective for a budget rifle like the Howa.
Thanks for all the help. The rifle concerned has, as far as I can tell, a two-stage, non-adjustable trigger. It has a blob of sealant type material on the screw at the rear of the unit. Would this mean it's the HACT trigger?
kennyc
Well-Known Member
no they all use the sealant to lock the adjustment screw as far as I know, if you don't even know its adjustable then I would advise giving the job to someone competent to do it.
Thanks for the extremely helpful post kennyc!
No, the unit is not adjustable but as it is a two-stage trigger an earlier sensibly helpful post from Dodgyknees asked if it was the later two stage HACT trigger. I was asking whether a two-stage trigger meant it was the HACT unit. I believe that it is possible to get some adjustment by using the single screw I described but not recommended?
No, the unit is not adjustable but as it is a two-stage trigger an earlier sensibly helpful post from Dodgyknees asked if it was the later two stage HACT trigger. I was asking whether a two-stage trigger meant it was the HACT unit. I believe that it is possible to get some adjustment by using the single screw I described but not recommended?
nun_hunter
Well-Known Member
I have the newer HACT trigger (two stage) and has the Bob of rubber sealant over the adjuster screw. I bought a set of springs for it and swapped them over quite easily. I've only adjusted the trigger screw (had to remove some of the rubber sealant) a small amount but it's light enough for a varmint rifle. The HACT trigger is actually really good and has a lovely crisp break to it but it is just a bit too heavy set from the factory for my liking.
kennyc
Well-Known Member
I have 3 Howas, one with the earlier trigger which I have adjusted to 3lbs which I am happy with for a rifle that gets bounced around when out, and I can get sub MOA groups with it on the range so don't see the need for any change, the other two have the HACT triggers and to be honest I havent bothered trying to adjust as I am happy with them for the purpose, my comment was based on the fact that you appeared to know little about the triggers and they are the only thing stopping that lump of lead from tearing off on its holidays!
I have seen the results of over eager "fettling" of triggers trying to get a light trigger pull, and would be scared to be around them in use, hence my suggestion to get a Pro to do it.
If you feel confident then they are easy triggers to adjust, both old and new, and the spring kits would seem to me to be a no-brainer. YMMV
The HACT trigger was introduced in 2012. It is very easy to tell which one you have. Watch the YouTube videos that explain the difference! The old one has two screws, front and back, while the HACT has one screw, on the front. You'll also learn a lot about how the triggers work. If it is two stage, with one screw on the front, it is HACT.
The aftermarket spring installation is extremely straightforward. Sure, you can get a gunsmith to do it if you aren't handy. But it is at the very simple end of the mods spectrum. And no, it won't result in a dangerous rifle. In the simplest terms the trigger will either work or it will not. This is a function of the design. You can test it to your hearts content with it out of the rifle.
I'll probably get told off for encouraging you to do it yourself, whatever. Its up to you.
I shoot 600-700m regularly with my one Howa and I am extremely deadly with it, even if I say so myself. You do not want to be a goat. At no time past, present or future would I consider replacing the trigger with a Timney or similar. Simply not necessary, plus it goes against the ethos of a budget rifle that shoots well.
The aftermarket spring installation is extremely straightforward. Sure, you can get a gunsmith to do it if you aren't handy. But it is at the very simple end of the mods spectrum. And no, it won't result in a dangerous rifle. In the simplest terms the trigger will either work or it will not. This is a function of the design. You can test it to your hearts content with it out of the rifle.
I'll probably get told off for encouraging you to do it yourself, whatever. Its up to you.
I shoot 600-700m regularly with my one Howa and I am extremely deadly with it, even if I say so myself. You do not want to be a goat. At no time past, present or future would I consider replacing the trigger with a Timney or similar. Simply not necessary, plus it goes against the ethos of a budget rifle that shoots well.
Thanks, everyone for your help, much appreciated.
Thanks too kennyc for taking the trouble to reply. My original query which I didn't put over very well was were there more than one two-stage trigger type for the Howa 1500. If my response to your first post was a little edgy, I apologise, toothache was getting the better of me!
Thanks too kennyc for taking the trouble to reply. My original query which I didn't put over very well was were there more than one two-stage trigger type for the Howa 1500. If my response to your first post was a little edgy, I apologise, toothache was getting the better of me!
howa243
Well-Known Member
I dont like the trigger in mine but just put up with it, however this thread has made me re-think. Mine just feels not very sensitive, difficult to know when it is going to break. Will a new spring help that?
levigsp
Well-Known Member
I have used both old and new Howa rifles and I think both triggers are useless, as Howa 243 says, they are vague and unresponsive, you never know then they are going to release. I am truly amazed by the marksmanship of some posters who are able to use guns with these triggers, I certainly couldn't use them for range use and never on live.
whitehackle
Well-Known Member
Mine in the earlier trigger, that mike norris worked on. So not impossible to do. But he does not just adjust springs to get the desired weight. He polishes the crucial surface's on the trigger, by hand, down to around 6000 grit (if I remember rightly) until it is like a mirror. Then adjust it to you liking. I think mine is around 2 lb, with zero creep.
I dont know why anyone would buy a aftermarket trigger???
He can do the triggers by post. Alot cheaper than a timny, and just as good
I dont know why anyone would buy a aftermarket trigger???
He can do the triggers by post. Alot cheaper than a timny, and just as good
levigsp
Well-Known Member
I have my trigger on all guns the same poundage and I have spoken to many gunsmiths and all have said it simply wouldn't be safe to tune either trigger to the level I use.
My test is to chamber a shell and bounce the butt on something hard, once or twice, if it goes off its not safe, if it doesn't its safe[in my book] I would love to see a Howa trigger go through this test and pass, that's why they are set so high to start with. And what's this nonsense about the cost, less then £50, when most people are happy paying hundreds on a scope to keep up with fashion or worse .
My test is to chamber a shell and bounce the butt on something hard, once or twice, if it goes off its not safe, if it doesn't its safe[in my book] I would love to see a Howa trigger go through this test and pass, that's why they are set so high to start with. And what's this nonsense about the cost, less then £50, when most people are happy paying hundreds on a scope to keep up with fashion or worse .
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