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Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

HPLLC

HPLLC

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 17, 2009
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Wales WI
www.griffinarmament.com
I was cleaning up at the shop and got sidetracked. Pulled out a trigger pull gauge and tested the pretravel weight of my LMT MWS trigger- it was 44 ounces...

So I tested the pull weight. 68 ounces. 4.25 lbs. I shotgunned the MWS and discovered the previous owner had assembled the trigger spring in an abnormal way to take some weight off it. (This explains 4.25lbs as opposed to 5-6lbs which is more normal as far as I know.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Anyway-</span>

I pulled out my JP trigger kit with the (reduced weight yellow trigger spring only) figuring 44 ounces of pretravel weight is excessive (2/3's of the total pull weight) . The trigger spring's job is only to return the trigger forward. So it doesn't need to be several pounds- it just has to get the job done.

The trigger pull weight dropped instantly to 48 ounces. (3 lbs)

Now it feels really good- as good or better than my memory of my M110 trigger in the military. And there is a very discernable second stage. I didn't measure the pretravel, but it might be 20 ounces now.

p_452000007_1.jpg


http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/pid=7582/Product/AR-15-REDUCED-POWER-SPRING-KIT

You can get the trigger spring here. <span style="font-weight: bold"> $10 for a trigger that has to be as good as some of the several hundred dollar options out there. </span>
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Re25</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks, I have a new kit sitting around that I was going to sell but Ill try this and compare it to my KAC triggers. Ill post before and after results next week using my crap RCBS gauge. </div></div>

I also have the crappy RCBS gauge! It's not digital but it gets the job done-

I'm looking forward to seeing your results.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

So just the replace the trigger spring only correct?

I'll have to do this. I replaced it with a Geissele on the MWS but I have the factory lmt trigger in another rifle.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nato762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So just the replace the trigger spring only correct?


</div></div>

Correct. I pulled the spring out of a JP AR15 trigger kit, so all I had is the hammer spring, and the trigger spring, and I didn't want to use the hammer spring out of a (possibly irrational fear) it would lighten the primer strikes.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

A Snipers Hide member here messaged me the following:
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So I did this. Holy smokes it's like a whole new feel.</div></div>

Then a range report a week or two later:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Worked like a champ. Shot prairie dogs yesterday. No FTF!

Big thanks to you. I suspect your idea is going to catch on. :)</div></div>
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

Just to be clear, I only replace the trigger spring.
I'm going to do it to all my AR's now :)
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Conrad101st</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just to be clear, I only replace the trigger spring.
I'm going to do it to all my AR's now :) </div></div>

So did I. I would try one AR first- I don't know how well it will work there. I was shocked at how much weight fell off the MWS trigger and how much better it felt with the spring swap. If that would happen with an AR trigger I'd be pretty surprised.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LVdubbin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I can't wait to try this! </div></div>

Let us know how it works for you. It deffinitely makes sense to save $150 and get a useful trigger without swapping the whole system IMO.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

Another option for you guys is to bend the stock trigger spring legs...this will also lighten the overall pull weight. In addition, you can also fully compress the disconnector spring several times as well (to help seat it).

One of my Geissele SSA-E triggers was coming in at 4lbs instead of 3.5lbs. I contacted Geissele and Bill advised me to try the aforementioned mods to decrease the pull weight. Sure enough, it worked - I had to some perform some trial & fit a few times to get it just right.

I actually ended up getting my overall trigger pull to just slightly over 3lbs w/full ignition & reliability
cool.gif


my $0.02

AvsFan
grin.gif


ETA: Spelling
crazy.gif
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AvsFan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another option for you guys is to bend the stock trigger spring legs...this will also lighten the overall pull weight. In addition, you can also fully compress the disconnector spring several times as well (to help seat it).

One of my Geissele SSA-E triggers was coming in at 4lbs instead of 3.5lbs. I contacted Geissele and Bill advised me to try the aforementioned mods to decrease the pull weight. Sure enough, it worked - I had to some perform some trial & fit a few times to get it just right.

I actually ended up getting my overall trigger pull to just slightly over 3lbs w/full ignition & reliability
cool.gif


my $0.02

AvsFan
grin.gif


ETA: Spelling
crazy.gif
</div></div>

All you can play with there is spring travel. Spring weight is dictated largely by the wire temper, material and diameter. IMO you're more likely to result in an unsafe trigger by manipulating the travel range than by manipulating the spring rate (or load rating).

I dropped 2-3 lbs off my trigger by swapping out the trigger spring. It costs ~$10 to buy one, and the stock spring can be lightened ~1 lb by your estimate. So it's an extra pound or two for $10.

With a Geissele you probably don't need it, but with an OEM LMT, the 2-3 lbs I dropped resulted in 3lbs for the OEM trigger (same weight as yours).

People keep suggesting reliability will be lost. The hammer spring controls the ignition reliability. I've run the yellow trigger spring 14,000 rounds on an M4 carbine I used in Iraq in 2004-2005. No issues. There is no reliability loss from using the lighter trigger spring.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

That's a good point - as, I didn't think of the factory LMT as a 5-6lbs trigger. You're right, I don't think modifying the springs would reduce the weight enough & still be reliable.

AvsFan
blush.gif
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

I've put in both of the springs into my AR-15 and had maybe 5 light primer hits out of 500. It stays in the back of my mind whenever I pull the trigger...
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

Maybe you should put the oem hammer spring back in.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Conrad101st</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe you should put the oem hammer spring back in. </div></div>
I ordered 2 kits from Brownell's for my AR 10's. I would also suggest the hammer spring be put back in.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Griffin Armament</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: nato762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So just the replace the trigger spring only correct?


</div></div>

Correct. I pulled the spring out of a JP AR15 trigger kit, so all I had is the hammer spring, and the trigger spring, and I didn't want to use the hammer spring out of a (possibly irrational fear) it would lighten the primer strikes.
</div></div>

Thanks griffinarmament for the heads up. I put the trigger spring you suggested in my MWS and my Armalite AR 10. What a difference, I was amazed at the difference it made in the trigger pull.
 
Re: Lightening an LMT MWS trigger (my experience)

thanks for the tip. I needed that one

BEST ADVISE FOR THE MONEY ON THE SITE! so much better
 
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