Trigger Upgrade: Timney, 25 Cent, or Leave the Damn Thing Alone?

[TropicalVibe]

So, as my journey to improve incremental aspects of the Howa 6.5G mini go, I am considering adding a Timney trigger. I have read all of the great recommendations and wisdom from threads on this board and priced this one out. I even thought I might just take a few bites out of the factory trigger spring to see if I could clean it up myself. If that doesn’t do it, Timney is on deck. Has anyone here tried the trigger job on the factory one and if so how did it turn out?

I really like two-stage triggers and have not had too much trouble with the factory one. It could be a little smoother, and maybe a touch lighter. Is the Timney a two-stage and adjustable?

I borrowed a friends Wheeler trigger pull gauge to get a baseline on the factory pull weight. I was very surprised to get a consistent 2 1/2lb pull. I’m not sure I need to take too much off of that pull weight, 1/2lb maybe. All of this being said, I would like to know your thoughts on the value of the upgrade in my scenario.

Thanks in advance!

[grayfox]

Timney’s I’ve had are all 1 stage. I did the howa spring trim and it does help a bit. I also added a timney and tbh I like the timney the best... although for my current Howa I’m keeping the factory trigger b/c like you say I’ve got it to 2.5 and that works fine for me. If I need to I’ll maybe trim the spring. An aussie bloke has a Howa trigger replacement for $12-15 or so eBay I think, it takes couple of weeks to get over here is all. These all will do fine, mostly it depends on what you want in your trigger and your budget. The timney is easy to drop in, I will say. But the Howa for now is fine for me.

[fabbrisd]

GunBloke has his kit's avail in 1/2lb increments from 1lb - up - sure you can use the Howa adjustment - but for $15 you can dial-in to exact pull and see how you like GunBloke's feel ..

[fabbrisd]

On trigger "upgrade" if you get the itch reach out to riflebasix... super smooth. Give them a call 1st - righteous guys..

[Owyhee H]

I tried the GunBloke trigger springs in a couple howas and they did not help. These were not mini's. He might have sent the wrong springs but I could not achieve the pull he was advertising. I sent him a couple messages on the subject and never heard back......poor customer service.

My mini has the stock trigger with a trimmed spring and it is great for a hunting rifle at <3lbs. I personally don't think it is a good idea to go lower than 2 1/2lbs in a hunting rifle.

If you want to go really low for a target rifle you should probably replace and get one of the triggers that is designed for the desired weight pull. The howa trigger is a (well done) mass produced trigger but will never match a custom trigger.

[Highbrow]

I went with the Timney on my Howa Long Range 6.5 Creedmoor. Was a distinct improvement. My Howa Mini Grrr seems fine and I left it alone.

[Laman]

Took my Howa trigger down to a crisp 2lb's with the spring trimming. I like the two stage and this trigger is perfect now for hunting. I even don't mind the safety that some whine about. For what is worth I'm a big Timmney fan, just felt it wasn't needed in this case.

[TropicalVibe]

Timney’s I’ve had are all 1 stage. I did the howa spring trim and it does help a bit. I also added a timney and tbh I like the timney the best... although for my current Howa I’m keeping the factory trigger b/c like you say I’ve got it to 2.5 and that works fine for me. If I need to I’ll maybe trim the spring. An aussie bloke has a Howa trigger replacement for $12-15 or so eBay I think, it takes couple of weeks to get over here is all. These all will do fine, mostly it depends on what you want in your trigger and your budget. The timney is easy to drop in, I will say. But the Howa for now is fine for me.

Thanks grayfox, I suspected it was 1 stage. I will look into the bloke solution too.

[TropicalVibe]

On trigger "upgrade" if you get the itch reach out to riflebasix... super smooth. Give them a call 1st - righteous guys..

thanks for the heads up fabbrisd!

[TropicalVibe]

I tried the GunBloke trigger springs in a couple howas and they did not help. These were not mini's. He might have sent the wrong springs but I could not achieve the pull he was advertising. I sent him a couple messages on the subject and never heard back......poor customer service.

My mini has the stock trigger with a trimmed spring and it is great for a hunting rifle at <3lbs. I personally don't think it is a good idea to go lower than 2 1/2lbs in a hunting rifle.

If you want to go really low for a target rifle you should probably replace and get one of the triggers that is designed for the desired weight pull. The howa trigger is a (well done) mass produced trigger but will never match a custom trigger.

Owyhee, O appreciate the feedback on the bloke and the Timney. I think at this point, I am going to stick with the factory trigger.

[TropicalVibe]

Thanks for the info Laman and Hibrow!

I was convinced that the general consensus on this board was the Timney is a needed upgrade. Maybe I just got lucky and my factory one is good enough for now.

[Nodak]

If you go gunbloke do 1.5 or higher. He warned me but I went 1lbs anyway. It ended up needing recocks . Ended up going stock and trimming it.

[wannabustbunnies]

I have 4 Howas, 2 of the mini actions. I have a consistent 2lb on all of them by changing out the main trigger spring. I bought a 10 pack of the size needed for about $5. The size I bought was 0.5mm spring thickness X 4mm spring diameter X 10mm in length

[TropicalVibe]

I have 4 Howas, 2 of the mini actions. I have a consistent 2lb on all of them by changing out the main trigger spring. I bought a 10 pack of the size needed for about $5. The size I bought was 0.5mm spring thickness X 4mm spring diameter X 10mm in length

I appreciate the info and specs. I might give that a try.

[tdbru]

WBB,
would you care to share where you ordered those springs from and what the companies product number was on that 10 pack?
thanks,
tdbru

[wannabustbunnies]

I got mine from eBay. This is the seller that I got mine from
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wire-Dia-0-5mm-...2876270427

[grayfox]

I just finished "adjusting" my latest howa spring by 1 loop, now it is 2.5 lbs, perfect for me.
The gun bloke guy would have been my next stop, although I do admit to liking that timney... the 2.5 one.

[jasper2408]

I am using the 1lb pull spring kit from Gunbloke in my Howa mini and it has worked OK for me. I have not experienced any problems with cocking. I do not hunt so a 1lb pull is used for target shooting only. I don't recommend 1lb for hunting. I have slammed the rifle down on the buttstock with and without a dummy round in the chamber and it has never fired on its own.

There are 2 springs with the kit and if you don't get the smaller of the 2 springs where it seats correctly you will get problems. I did trim the factory spring at first and I was not able to get the creep out of it so I ordered the Gunbloke springs and it now breaks nice and crisp at 1lb exactly on my gauge. Just my .02.

[Harpoon1]

I got mine from eBay. This is the seller that I got mine from
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wire-Dia-0-5mm-...2876270427

Says “Does not ship to United States” in Red Letters! Bummer!


Closer I found here in the states was McMaster-Carr has 0.5mm x 4.5mm x 10mm.

Don’t know if the 4.5mm OD would interfere with anything internally?

[wannabustbunnies]

Wasn't aware they didn't ship to the USA. I am in Australia. If you put those dimensions into an eBay search does no other sellers come up?
Not sure if that extra little diameter would foul anything or not. It may change the spring rate slightly