Trigger overtravel screw & Colt Series 80

[stumbler]

How do you adjust the trigger overtravel screw on a Colt Series 80 and not have it interfere with the series 80 parts? I know if the screw is not adjusted correctly, the firing pin plunger will not be moved up enough to allow the firing pin to clear the plunger and this will cause nicks on the plunger (the nicks will "hang up" the plunger, causing trigger lockup eventually :confused: ).

[stumbler]

After consideration, would this work?
1. Field strip the gun
2. Lower the hammer
3. Unscrew the overtravel screw
4. Pull the trigger and hold it back
5. Measure the height of the firing pin lock plunger lever from frame
6. Screw the overtravel screw in enough to keep the FP lock plunger lever from reducing height measured in step 5.
7. Reassemble the gun

Opinions? :confused:

[John Harrison]

That'll work. I'd also color the plunger with black marker, assemble and dry fire a few dozen times to confirm that your over travel screw setting is correct and that the firing pin is not marking the plunger.
I'd also note that the trigger's travel can be stopped by the grip safety's arm. If you've done a beavetail job, you'll want to be sure it doesn't act as a stop. Good Luck!

[wichaka]

Just stick a pencil in the barrel, eraser first and start adjusting. Then when your done with the last trial, hold the trigger in and thumb the hammer to see if the sear is hitting the hooks or 1/2 cock notch, if it is you've got more adjusting to do. If not, hopefully you used some blue lock-tite before you started to insure the screw won't move.

[stumbler]

Thanks guys! :)

[1911Tuner]

Just for what it's worth...I don't allow an overtravel screw in a carry gun.
No sense in handin' Murphy an engraved invitation. There's an overtravel stop
already in the design. It's underneath the lug on the grip safety that blocks
the trigger.

That being said. The timing of the safety levers is thus:

The lever should stand .060-.075 above the frame rail when the pretravel is taken out of the trigger, just as the trigger puts pressure on the sear, but before the sear moves...and...it should stand .090 to .110 above the frame when the trigger is fully rearward. Ideal is somewhere close to the middle of the two spreads.

Luck!

Tuner

[stumbler]

Thanks Tuner. Could we get this posted as a sticky? (Kuhnhausen's does not have this that I've seen) :)

[1911Tuner]

I dunno stumbler...I reckon you'd hafta ask the boss about that. :)

[stumbler]

John, What do you say?