Howa 1500 HACT Trigger Job (reducing the trigger pull weight)

[@bretthl1]

Apologies for the gum chewing!

[@tintin6900]

No need to apologize. The fact that you helped many Howa fans weights much more than that sound.

[@brentkimbrough6550]

It drove me NUTS! LOL. The info was to good to quit watching though. Thanks for making this video!!!

[@EvaTheDivarobloxplays]

Thought you swallowed it @ 8:05. Lol...good info!

[@stjepansuman]

accepted !!!!! ;-)

[@ptw7200able]

The gum chewing kills me lol

[@SalmonKingLodge]

Thank you very much for this video. I used it to install a set of 1.5 lb. springs in my new Weatherby Vanguard. Amazing difference - light with no creep. I've never worked on a trigger before, so, on my 1st assembly I did not have the sear engaged so the trigger would not move. Took it apart, re-watched you video and now I have an amazingly light, crisp trigger pull.

[@deanpeterson2272]

You just saved me $180. And it works, I even tried to make the trigger malfunction , I had no accidental discharges... still a safe rifle.

[@kljasla1961]

Thanks for a quality video. I followed your instructions and now have a trigger break at 1.3lbs. A huge improvement on the prior minimum factory setting. The only addition that I did from your instructions was to apply a small amount of heat to the cut end of the spring and then pushed it back to a nice flat bearing surface....👍👍👍

[@joenelson1033]

thanks for the video ! got mine down to 1.5 pounds and love my Howa even more now !

[@firstthes2811]

Followed your example all except the cutting of the spring. Because I didn't want to damage the factory spring, and void the warranty as well, I took a spring from a ball point pen, cut it so it was a little longer than the factory length because it is a lighter spring. I followed your excellent instructions (except for the gum chewing, lol) and 2 lbs on the money. Works for me but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone unless they are willing to accept full responsibility for a lighter trigger pull. Thanks for the video. Much appreciated.

[@jacksonrabon4817]

That's a really good idea

[@tamieheadrick8786]

This modification worked great on my rifle nice and light. Drop tested it repeated , slammed the bolt seems very safe I'm happy with it .

[@thehandycamper]

Great video. I did this today. With the screw backed out, it was 3.5lbs, same as original. With 1.25 coils cut, it's now 1lb 11oz.

[@bretthl1]

Nice!

[@RicardoGonzalez-ug6xm]

Just took off a coil & 1/3rd like you did & the trigger feels awesome 🤘🏾 thanks for your mad skillz Macgyver keep on going with more triggers 👊🏽 Edit…. Just did another trigger & lost a c clip 🤦🏽‍♂️ harbor freight has a 300pc kit with multiple sizes & the smallest c clip in the kit will work , it’s smaller than original but you can force it in place …it worked for me . The kit is $7 fyi

[@rogananitasmith8283]

Great demo video mate. Easy to follow and enough cautions and warnings for the cerebrally challenged. Thank you

[@bretthl1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@billyallen1752]

Great video. But the chewing drove me nuts. It’s so loud. 🤨😬🤯

[@onlymarkallen]

Thanks for the info. I did this on a Weatherby Vanguard (same rifle). I took out 1 and 2/3 coils and ended up with about a 1# trigger with the adjustment screw all the way out. Of course you could increase the pull again with the adjustment but I like it just the way it is. Perfect. Just be careful not to take out too much coil as he says. Took maybe 20 mins total. It is an essentially perfect breaking trigger, it just needs a little help. Thanks again.

[@MrRanggong]

Thanks for the tutorial. Great job. By clipping 1.5 coils I was able to take my trigger from 3lb-6 oz to 1lb-10 oz and the safety still functions as it should.

[@bretthl1]

Glad it helped

[@bullseyeshooting8672]

This is was MOST excellent, followed your guide for my HOWA HCR chassis rifle. The HCR has the same action and barrel as the 1500

[@ThumpertTheFascistCottontail]

Followed your instructions and everything went fine. Thanks for the video.

[@k31scout39]

Very good video, thank you. I cut 1 and 1/2 of the coil off and went from 2.9lbs down to 1 1/2lbs. Amazing. Folks, make sure the trigger assembly is torqued down good to the action or the trigger and safety won't work properly.

[@bretthl1]

Great tip!

[@St3v30h]

Thanks alot, brought it down from 3 to 1 1/2 LB. Cheers

[@johnmccollister4636]

Video is well done, thank you for taking the time to put it together. Your illustration is excellent and made the spring modification very simple. After 2 goes I was able to get a 2lb trigger and have no need to pick up a Timney. The trigger feels outstanding and is very predictable.

[@julieannecharters6132]

no need to cut/butcher the spring just carefully drill into the spring pocket to make it a bit deeper,does not need much.still leaves plenty of meat for threaded adjuster and lock nut. have mine set at 2lb no less for a hunting rifle .good hard bump test as well.

[@davidtitanmallorca9381]

Gracias por el video me sirvió para solucionar el problema de dureza de mi disparador 👏👏

[@spungee75]

Wow, this worked wonders on my Vanguard S2 .308. I cut about 1 coil and I like the way it feels now, still secure but lighter.

[@rayekyle6172]

The video was great. I cut it the same. Adjusted the screw inward to set it just under 2 pounds.

[@motorcyclecafe]

Although I don't agree with trimming springs this is an excellent video and very helpful, thank you!

[@frogdog97]

Thanks for doing this. One and a third coils removed is just about perfect. My trigger is really nice now.

[@mitch9020]

i watched your video and followed it. thankyou so much. very happy with my trigger. awesome job 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Jatzcracka]

Excellent video. I was able to adjust my trigger exactly as i required. Very informative.

[@bruceinnawoods3610]

For reference, the screw that secures the trigger to the action is about 30 inch pounds from factory

[@hhaappyymmaacc]

Thanks SO much! Exactly what i was coming here for.

[@charltonlwalker]

I’ve watched 2 other videos of folks doing this mod and they install the cut end down into the screw housing so the smooth/uncut end interacts with the actuator.

[@rachelpatterson1047]

Outstanding video even with the gum chewing. LOL. You saved me from having to buy a new trigger for my Howa HCR. Thanks Al Patterson

[@henrywhetstone8485]

www.weatherby.com/media/weatherby/manuals/Vanguard%20Series%202%20Owners%20Manual%20Rev%205%202-29-12.pdf Same trigger see page 15. Simple lock nut and screw is correct way.

[@sigdriver1]

Thank you for sharing! 2018 models has the adjustment screw removed & blocked off by epoxy from factory. If wasn't for your tutorial my only option would have been a gunsmith, or spend big $$ on a replacement Timney. 2 full coils brought the pull down to less than 3 lbs which is more than sufficient for target shooting and still "safe".

[@bretthl1]

Good to know about this change. Thanks!

[@jacksonrabon4817]

I seen on a forum where howa said you can take the epoxy off and adjust it

[@dylane8422]

Thank you for the vid! Helped a ton! Just a tid bit of info for you regarding the Allen screw torque; I took mine out using a Wheeler torque wrench to see how high the torque was set at the factory. (hasn't ever been taken out). I read a peak torque of about 24 lb-in. Doesn't appear to have lock tight on it. I'll probably play it a little safe and re torque to about 20. :)

[@MakingStrategyWork]

I bought a Timney replacement trigger but alas found that it doesn't lock the bolt. I wish I had seen this video beforehand.

[@brandonwoods2985]

Started to work on this. Go to take out the trigger and my complete set of allen wrenches is missing the 3mm. Uggg!

[@jaimerivas3118]

I must have messed something up I followed your video to the T but now my safety isn’t working not sure what I did wrong

[@littledaddynesbit4193]

....I thought the weight could be adjusted with the tension nut on the front of the trigger without cutting the spring down, or at least it can on my Lithgow LA02..?

[@bretthl1]

Limited spring travel. As you back out the screw on the front of the trigger a point comes where the spring bottoms out in its pocket and can't decompress further. May not be the case for older triggers but the ones around the time of this vid have been modified. I would not be surprised if later versions have further modifications.

[@Henkieerasmus]

Good Video Works Perfect thanks man!

[@charltonlwalker]

Will a drop in Timney work with a mini action? I’m not going to attempt this.

[@jacklucas7265]

Could you have simply removed the tension screw to gain access to the actuator screw? Thanks for you video.

[@bretthl1]

Jack Lucas: The spring is captured and cannot be accessed by simply removing the adjustment screw.

[@jacklucas7265]

Thanks for your expeditious response.

[@stephenhunter7260]

Great vid. Well done.

[@Go69]

There is a set screw right on the face of the trigger housing.. any reason you just don't back the set screw out a little bit? That set screw is applying force to the very spring you removed and trimmed. I might be wrong... but looking at the video it does appear that set screw is there to allow adjustment of the spring pressure without disassembly of the unit.. I could be wrong though... Ima tear mine apart tomorrow and see what I can do to lighten it up. Mines about 3 lbs. right now, but I want it lower than that.

[@bretthl1]

Correct ... however there is limited adjustment with that screw. If you go too far clipping the spring then that adjustment screw can compensate.

[@Go69]

@@bretthl1 I just did my trigger today. I shortened the spring a little too much and got the trigger down into the OUNCES range.. I did end up having to turn the set screw in for TWO reasons; 1. Because the sear would not catch on the actuator until I turned the screw in. 2. Turning the screw in brought my pull weight back up to a safe level. Took less than 30 minutes start to finish. Highly recommend doing this work. Makes the rifle that much better.

[@leedstao]

Mine has white (silicon ?) cover the screw, not sure it is adjustable.

[@bretthl1]

Try scraping the coating off the screw. The coating is probably some type of enamel paint or epoxy.

[@Go69]

@@leedstao That white crud is easily removable with your fingernail.. Seriously... Touch it and you will see that it comes right off...

[@countrykang8]

Great video. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@johnfrederikson2002]

Very nice job; thanks a bunch. J.

[@robertbrandywine]

Too bad I already replaced mine with Timney's. BTW, my Timney's *do* lock the bolt. I kind of hated setting aside the factory trigger on my Vanguards as they are a real quality piece of work. They're better quality than the Timney's I replaced them with.

[@427vot]

Super good! Thanks. Do you know how similar this trigger set up is to the Weatherby Vanguard? They look the same. I want to try it on my gun.

[@bretthl1]

Others have posted that they are the same trigger. Should be easy to check. If it is an older trigger it may have more adjustable range than the version I worked with here. Let us know, thanks.

[@nzhunting6835]

Howa makes the vanguard, they are basically the same apart from stock and markings

[@zook60]

I just cut 1 and 1/3 coil off my 2018 223, its now fantastic I was about to order a Timmney but wont bother now.

[@HerrGesetz]

Thank you!!

[@bradleyscholz5297]

Thanks a lot great video

[@user-mt4vo4ey5n]

Good vid. I do wonder how many people have done this and their trigger didn't get back to proper functionality. Noting wrong with the instruction, just some guys just are not that great about putting things back together after they've taken them apart.

[@Simon-talks]

I wonder how many people ate too many burgers and died in their 50's.....or got killed hang gliding......or made the mistake of marrying bad women multiple times.....or....

[@JG10rBull]

I didn't have to do this, ive a old WEATHERBY And the is also a seaer adjustment on the back of the trigger like the front one.. you adjust that and super light trigger... weatherby said dont do it.. so be careful

[@charltonlwalker]

REMOVE E-CLIPS INSIDE A SANDWICH BAG. THEY WILL GO FLYING. My opinion in this mod. The factory trigger is a functional 2 stage trigger. I cut coils off and now I have a virtually non existent first stage followed by a rather stiff 2nd stage that has no creep. I’m not a fan of how much variability I get with the 2 stages and trigger weight after the mod. Sometimes there is a very small first stage followed by a semi stiff 2nd stage. Sometimes there’s virtually no first stage and bam, trigger fires. I’ll probably just buy the aftermarket spring. I’m in the fence about this mod cause it kinda made the trigger worse albeit somewhat lighter.

[@antonschator2007]

Thanks for the video. I would avoid cutting a spring, because that makes it harder (increases the spring constant) and shorter. A shorter spring could be too short to push the actuator far enough for it to work properly. Instead you could either make a softer springs yourself (thinner wire, more coils) or you could put in a spring kit. An Australian company sells 1.5 lbs spring kits for the Howa for about $15, .

[@bretthl1]

You're welcome. If you cut the spring a little too short then you can can compensate with the actuator adjustment screw. That's why I say in the video to take your time and cut small. Please link that Aussie company here and I'll pin it.

[@lyerger8232]

The video it's self was of good quality . I was able to see what you were doing. But why are you working on trigger pull without a trigger pull gauge ? Did you do drop test afterwords ?

[@bretthl1]

Yes, hard butt slam on the table. You know I would use a pull gauge if doing this for a customer that knew their target weight but for myself just getting the break that is comfortable works for me.

[@henrywhetstone8485]

The little nut and screw in front of trigger is actually how you are supposed to adjust the trigger.

[@bretthl1]

That is correct however the screw will only decompress the actuator spring so far. If you want it lighter the actuator spring has to be trimmed.

[@petej222]

E-clip? is that what they are called in the states?

[@davejones6006]

Call em C clips in Canadastan

[@irontunik506]

What was the true pull weight you achieved ? I got an APC coming and will be doing this to my trigger. I'm looking to get 1.5lb pull. Is that possible? Or should I just get a timney

[@bretthl1]

1.5 lbs no problem. Try it. Better money spent on a re-barrel.

[@B.immel31]

Great video... But damn... cows chew quieter than you! But I get it, you are just munchin on some gum and their is a microphone that accentuates the noise.

[@vinshanestrickland4179]

Good video

[@dylb0tt]

"After reducing the length of the actuator spring it may be possible to back out the tension screw such that the actuator will not engage the sear when the bolt is cycled." By this, do you mean there is the danger of the rifle firing when the bolt is cycled? Sorry, just not clear on what this line means.

[@bretthl1]

Should not fire when the bolt is cycled.

[@jacklucas7265]

Did you measure the weight of the trigger pull after you made the modification? I am interested because I recently bought a Howa varmint barrel 22-250 and I measured the pull weight with a Wheeler trigger pull scale and I get 2.5 - 3.0 lbs of pull. I prefer about 1.5 lbs. Thanks.

[@bretthl1]

I did not measure the pull weight with a gauge; by feel only. I agree that the HACT trigger stock is ~ 3lbs. The absolute lower limit of this trigger is governed by the sear spring force and friction between the sear and actuator. By trimming the actuator spring I am satisfied with the pull weight. All I can say is it is much lighter than stock.

[@Sean-oc6kf]

I used my Lyman digital pull gauge. Just got a brand new Howa 1500, was 3lb 13oz straight out of the box. I backed the adjustment screw out slightly so it just contacts the spring, but doesn't compress it, it protrudes .161 inches from the surface. when i cut 1 coil the pull dropped to 2lb 3oz. When i cut an additional 1/3 coil, pull dropped to 1lb 9oz.

[@bretthl1]

Good data, thanks.

[@desabc221]

Great video. It looks like you put one of the pins in from the wrong side? Was that intentional?

[@bretthl1]

Either direction is fine, they are symmetrical.

[@sigdriver1]

when doing the trigger mod I looked at the pins closely and 'grooves' for circlip are equidistant on both sides therefore ambidextrous. It does not affect the functionality.

[@jpriour3]

I wish somebody would name a real torque value for attaching triggers.

[@bruceinnawoods3610]

I believe I did 25in/lb, which I got by checking the factory torque before removing.

[@MrMixbars]

Is this the same with the Howa mini action?

[@vinshanestrickland4179]

Jesus which one is it a 1/2 or 3/4 or 1/3 or 2/3rd s 🤔

[@Simon-talks]

he said 1 and 1/3rd

[@concernedcanadian8460]

What weight did you get that trigger pull down to? I love my Howa rifles and think the trigger is absolutely fantastic right out of the box. Take up the slack, no creep, clean crisp break. Best factory trigger I've shot. The only rifle I have with a cleaner break is maybe my CZ527, it's got a single set trigger that is crazy good when used in the set mode, but that adds a step to your trigger pull.

[@bretthl1]

I do not have a trigger scale but I can tell you it is very light with no creep.

[@JimTrivial]

have you shot a tikka? Because I have yet to find a better factory trigger than that

[@davejones6006]

I was going to ask if you were chewing gum….good video though

[@derekkt49]

Well I just did it and I like the results. I just hope it’s safe. I got it down to exactly 2.5 lbs. Next time I go to the range I’m going to take the scope off and drop test the sh!t out of it.

[@bretthl1]

... and what was your assessment?

[@derekkt49]

I took a hard look of how the Trigger and sear engagement works and I don't think that the inertia form dropping it will make it go off. As far as the trigger pull, I'm vary satisfied with how light it is. its very crisp and consistent. The only issue I have with it is the over-travel, it's horrendous.Ill end up swapping it out when I can afford it but for right now, this is a good fix. I just hope one of your viewers doesn't take it to far and eventually have a malfunction.

[@superhall229]

Please stop with the gum, GREAT video anyway.

[@falseprofit4u]

No need to cut the coil spring ..... just heated mine up on a screwdriver shaft with a cigarette lighter till it was beginning to glow a bit and compressed it down eaisily about 3-4 mm .... point here is once you cut it's gone but if you over shrink spring length it's a reversal to stretch back a little.

[@isaidme0]

false profit never a good idea to heat springs. It weakens the steel!

[@Nightmarehc130]

cant tell how much you reduced pull...throw a trigger scale and show the trigger pull weight.....

[@bruceinnawoods3610]

Word of caution. Those E clips FUCKING FLY out sometimes, so be REALLY careful to not lose them

[@stuartsmith4882]

Bryce Aus/k/ Also affectionately known as “Jesus clips”, as in Jesus where did that go.....

[@johnsykes706]

@@stuartsmith4882 About to make the same comment, had to laugh when I saw someone beat me to it.

[@michaelrichter8973]

Why not just back out the tension screw,i did this to an old style howa trigger and it worked fine,i really dont like howas safety,some people bad mouth the remington 700 saftey,let me tell you,folks something i know for sure the 700 trigger and saftey is vastly superior to howa,!Now im not knocking the howas as the ones iown and ones ive worked with shoot great,most of the time better than remingtons,rugers savages,I know this will make some guys mad at me, but this has been my expereince,and i own all the mentioned brands

[@bretthl1]

On these newer Howa triggers the tension screw allows only a limited adjustment range, hence the spring needs to be shortened. I can't speak to the Remington safety because I have never owned one.

[@Dougarrowhead]

Weatherby or howa have never had to recall guns or had any lawsuits. Remington has. I know someone with a remington with a faulty safety that will fire while unloading the gun.

[@D70340]

@@Dougarrowhead And this is why HOWA is still in business, and remington, is not. I stopped buying remingtons decades ago after i bought my first HOWA.

[@Simon-talks]

Remington is complete crap, while Howa is still doing fantastic.

[@bruceinnawoods3610]

Got my trigger down to about 1.5lb doing this

[@graigdonovan7882]

Why not just undue the adjustment screw on the front and access the spring there.

[@bretthl1]

The spring travel is limited by the depth of the hole.

[@kiyoshiishihara6748]

When you are messing around with trigger you must to perform drop test Gun Should not fire accidentally

[@bretthl1]

I do a drop test on one of my Howa rifles here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oprciGytfpmda5o

[@rjbelle3427]

Hey thanks for not telling us there is a clip on both sides, now I lost the one for the trigger on the other side

[@shitsngiggles8371]

Some people don't need to gunsmith

[@Simon-talks]

lol