trigger on a Winnie 88

[Don in BC]

I'm re-doing the wood work for a friend on a 1970 Winchester 88 lever chambered in .308. The trigger on this gun has considerable creep and substantial weight . Any suggestions? Any trigger kits available or should I refer him to a gunsmith? I have had the bolt and trigger mechanism all apart and inspected the sear for unusual grooves or wear. All looks smooth. No rounded off corners that I could see. Any advice?

Don

[Fw 190]

I think the trigger on the 88 is not readily modified.

[brotherjack]

I've been told that if you want to see a gunsmith go pale, you should walk into his shop with a Model 88 and ask for a "nice crisp 3 pound trigger".

I'm not sure if that means it can be done, but it's a real pain - or if that means you've just asked the impossible. ??

[bjjzak]

Originally Posted by brotherjack

I've been told that if you want to see a gunsmith go pale, you should walk into his shop with a Model 88 and ask for a "nice crisp 3 pound trigger".

I'm not sure if that means it can be done, but it's a real pain - or if that means you've just asked the impossible. ??

You should also take a lot of money with you. Anything is possible if you're willing to pay!

There's probably a few guys who could do this, but unless you're in love with the gun, by the time you're finished, you might be better off getting another gun.. If you're mechanically inclined, enjoy grief and agony and have a good chunk of spare time, pm me and I can loan you the Winchester factory service manual I have. Bought it to try on mine, and figured I didn't love it quite that much! The overall design does not lend itself to easy modifications. You can try polishing and trueing all mating surfaces, and lubing with some Brownells action magic lube. Check the Brownells web site , there might actually be a spring kit for these things, who knows?
Good luck either way!

Blaine in Regina, SK.

[Don in BC]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will leave well enough alone.....

Don

[lever308]

I like the trigger action on my 88.
Seems like silk compared to my 94, talk about crude trigger action.
The only time I noticed trigger pull was at the range.
Every deer I've shot has no recoil, and the trigger was like butter on hot corn.