Remington R-51 Pistol Forum

One of these shapes is going to be the winner if I end up having to make my own trigger. The angles at which they sit in the guard may have to be tweaked slightly and an over-travel screw added so keep that in mind. Also, I think I'll add some shallow serrations to match the ones on the frame and slide. Suggestions, improvements, feedback? feel free to comment.

I wouldn't do anything real aggressive with the serrations on the trigger. Just curious if it would be possible to do this in aluminum? Since the frame is aluminum, why not a trigger in aluminum? You have already got me drooling on the keyboard!

Quote from: R51Fan2017 on December 13, 2017, 09:39:59 AM
I wouldn't do anything real aggressive with the serrations on the trigger. Just curious if it would be possible to do this in aluminum? Since the frame is aluminum, why not a trigger in aluminum? You have already got me drooling on the keyboard!

Yep, definitely aluminum.  Serrations would be very shallow if I add them. I was even thinking about a contrasting color to anodize it, maybe Big Green?

Quote from: funflyer on December 13, 2017, 09:46:20 AM

Yep, definitely aluminum.  Serrations would be very shallow if I add them. I was even thinking about a contrasting color to anodize it, maybe Big Green?

Big Green on a black gun?? I don't know about that. Maybe zombie green!

Since the R51 grip panels are easily replaceable, I painted mine bright orange, with a carefully placed "green" in the big 'R' letter, then sealed it all with clear gloss enamel. It looks great (to me, anyway!), and I can always replace the grips if I want. It would seem there's a new color trend in handguns? The gray I see coming out on some pistols...Yes, the R51 trigger shape is a little 'off' somehow as my finger enters the trigger guard, but the let-off and function of the trigger action itself is fine. I like the gun!

When I had the SIG 938, I picked up an aftermarket titainum trigger for it.  Slightly oxidised if not anodised surface.  So varying hues of color.

Looked quite handsome!

But that gun was not for me!
The safety was always and forever going from safe to fire for no known reason.  I even removed the off side dual lever, with no real improvement.

Plus, I couldnt hit squat with the first mag full of ammo.  Once I emptied that first mag and settled down to shoot, and concentrated very, very hard, it was quite accurate.

But that "getting used to it", had to happen all over again the next time I shot it.
Certainly not a good self defence pistol for me.

Not a trace of such, with other guns, and certainly not the R51!

Quote from: funflyer on December 13, 2017, 09:29:35 AM
One of these shapes is going to be the winner if I end up having to make my own trigger. The angles at which they sit in the guard may have to be tweaked slightly and an over-travel screw added so keep that in mind. Also, I think I'll add some shallow serrations to match the ones on the frame and slide. Suggestions, improvements, feedback? feel free to comment.

I for one would be happy if you could get some of the lateral movement out the trigger. I've gotten use to it.. but I still don't like it. As far as the design..I like a relatively deep curve... as long as the trigger doesn't have "holes" in it, I'm good  ...Arlis

Got a few parts in the mail today. Trigger job might begin sooner than I thought.

Quote from: R51Fan2017 on December 13, 2017, 12:27:54 PM

Quote from: funflyer on December 13, 2017, 09:46:20 AM

Yep, definitely aluminum.  Serrations would be very shallow if I add them. I was even thinking about a contrasting color to anodize it, maybe Big Green?

Big Green on a black gun?? I don't know about that. Maybe zombie green!

AWWW! Puke!!!

Quote from: funflyer on December 13, 2017, 09:29:35 AM
One of these shapes is going to be the winner if I end up having to make my own trigger. The angles at which they sit in the guard may have to be tweaked slightly and an over-travel screw added so keep that in mind. Also, I think I'll add some shallow serrations to match the ones on the frame and slide. Suggestions, improvements, feedback? feel free to comment.

FunFlyer,
I like number 4!
Forget the striations!  And the over travel screw, not enough room.
Do you have the equipment to do this???   I hope so.
Blackie

I own just enough equipment to be dangerous ;). I have a small mill and lathe but they're manual so every operation takes time to set up. The new trigger could take 8 to 10 hours of machining on my mill. Before I moved, I used to make parts, mostly for small engines, on a friends mill. His had 3 axis digital readout (not CNC) so with just a bit of math I could do in 10 minutes what takes an hour to do on mine. It'll get done but will take some time.

If someone markets a popularly priced replacement trigger, they'd be in good shape! I think many owners would want one...

Quote from: springfield art on December 19, 2017, 12:42:08 PM
If someone markets a popularly priced replacement trigger, they'd be in good shape! I think many owners would want one...

I'm asking, because I don't know, but I'm guessing there is some substantial liability to be concerned about in selling after market parts for handguns - especially safety-critical triggers.  Wouldn't this be the case?

Quote from: SCurmudgeon on December 19, 2017, 01:10:20 PMI'm asking, because I don't know, but I'm guessing there is some substantial liability to be concerned about in selling after market parts for handguns - especially safety-critical triggers.  Wouldn't this be the case?

Unfortunately in today's world you could sell someone a set of grips and somehow be liable for them shooting an intruder in self defense. We only have Lawyers and weak people to thank for that. However, I'm sure any manufacturer of gun parts would have plenty of liability insurance, they'd be crazy not to. Now, just to be perfectly clear, any work I do and show on the net is strictly for myself and my personal firearms. I have too much to lose to ever put myself in a situation of liability by making a gun part for anyone, ever!.

FunFlyer,
As far as liability goes, you are probably right.   It is a shame that the
Lawyers and Media run the country nowadays.
I agree with you.
Blackie

Quote from: 1911SHOOTER on December 19, 2017, 03:36:36 PM
FunFlyer,
As far as liability goes, you are probably right.   It is a shame that the
Lawyers and Media run the country nowadays.
I agree with you.
Blackie

Yep, better safe than sorry these days.

Anyway...I spent last evening in the shop tinkering and taking notes. First, the trigger pull has dropped to the 5 pound range. That's probably the hammer spring lightening up some or the sear/hammer contact breaking in, and once all the polishing is done, I'm hoping to see the pull dip into the 4s.

I also think you're right Blackie, forget the overtravel stop screw. As it stands now, there is approximately .1/8" of overtravel after the break. Shifting the trigger's position will essentially eliminate the need for a stop while decreasing the overtravel at the same time. How much? I'm going to try to get it to 1/32" - 1/16".

The bottom line. I'm figuring I can decrease the total trigger travel by about 30% without compromising safety. If all goes well, I will pitch my idea to some of the aftermarket trigger manufacturers.

...back to the shop. Stay tuned.

Been working on the prototype to get the correct angles. Used a piece of hardwood maple and it fits better than the plastic POS. Changed up the shape at the end and painted it just to see how it looks. It'll be close to #4 when it's finished but the curves have to be part of a perfect circle so i can use my rotary table to mill them. I really need a CNC mill.

Getting there. Had to order a few small end mills so I can do the detail work where the return spring goes.

Screwed the pooch on the first one, just 10 hours of work down the drain :'( >:( :(. Had a brain-fart when milling the pivot pin lug and cut it undersized by .050". It's supposed to finish to .150" thick so 1/3 less is only going to let it wear faster with use. It did fit real nice though, and only had about .005" lateral movement out at the tip. Oh well, I started another.

Spent the day in the shop and finished the trigger. I also polished the contact points between the sear and hammer to see how much of a difference it would make in the pull. Happy to report the pull is now averaging 4 pounds, 10 ounces, down from 5-2. Hoping to get to the range tomorrow.

That is really nice.  I admire folks that can make their own metal parts.

Looks great...how does it feel....the trigger pull is pretty good on gen2 already/   Compared to my Shield, Remington nailed the trigger pull...except for the wobble of course.

Todd,
you nailed it buddy!   Can't imagine why Big Green can't do that! 
Makes the pistol  look ten times better.   Dang me!  That is a good looking trigger.
Blackie
 

Great Job Todd! Looks nice!

That looks like what the trigger should have looked like in the first place.  Nice job!

Thanks guys,

150 rounds through it today with the new trigger and it feels so much better. No more slop makes it very easy to tell if my trigger finger isn't properly positioned and not pulling straight back. I tend to push left using too little finger and this really helps.

Of the 150 rounds I had only 1 FTF. That was a last (live) round stove-pipe. That makes 2 out of 680 rounds. 

I agree with everyone else, it looks great and makes me want one. Sell the design to an aftermarket manufacturer! I would like a skeletonized version though...

Quote from: GrandpaX12 on January 14, 2018, 07:55:53 PM
I agree with everyone else, it looks great and makes me want one. Sell the design to an aftermarket manufacturer! I would like a skeletonized version though...

I thought Galloway made a new trigger during the gen1 era, or was it just the trigger bar?

Quote from: funflyer on January 15, 2018, 10:59:39 AM

I thought Galloway made a new trigger during the gen1 era, or was it just the trigger bar?

Please Todd, hurry up and get this out there to an aftermarket manufacturer. I'm jealous!