FX trigger not resetting fix and the anatomy of the trigger

A quite common seen "issue" in the FX triggers is that it is not resetting the trigger after engaging the first stage. After half a year of use the trigger of my Crown started to have this issue and I didn't like it so it had to be fixed. After trying some things I think I found the fix for it. The following is directly applicable for the Crown, other similar FX trigger might have a slightly different division of the screws in the trigger but function the same.

First disconnect the air source and bleed the plenum (regulated chamber), I also took the barrel out but that was just for cleaning.

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Then remove the trigger assembly with a 2 mm hex key.

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There are 5 little bolts/screws in the trigger assembly:

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The screw are used for the following:

  1. The first screw is for the second stage assembly (spring loaded ball bearing). This screw provides the weight and length of your second stage, screw in to decreas the second stage length and unscrew to increase the length. If you don't feel a second stage this screw needs to be screwed in, this will also prevent an unpredictable trigger.
  2. The second screw is used to engage the safety. If you can still shoot despite of having the safety on this screw needs to be screwed in, if you can't get the safety activated this screw needs to be unscrewed a little,
  3. The third/middle screw is to hold the spring in place which is for the weight of the first stage of the trigger and to tip the sear up when the guns is being cocked to make it ready to engage. This screw can't be used to increase first stage weight but the spring under the trigger can be shortened to decrease the weight. Shorten it too much and the trigger won't reset anymore!!!!
  4. The 4th one is to fix the trigger assembly to the trigger roll.
  5. The 5th screw is to change the length of the first stage, unscrew to increase the length, screw it in to decrease the length.
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    After removing the trigger assembly remove the other trigger parts by pushing out the 2 mm pins that are used to hold them in place.

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    This is how the trigger is placed inside the breech:

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    The first thing I tried was polishing the sides of the trigger roll but that didn't solve the issue. After playing with the parts a little I felt that the sear was scraping over the trigger roll so I decided to polish that contact surface depicted by the red arrow below.

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    To do this I used my Fallkniven CC4 ceramic sharpening stone (very fine grit) and my leather strop with diamond paste (6 micron). The one thing to remember here is that the edges of the sear and the trigger roll must remain 90 degrees and sharp!!!!!! If you remove the sharp edge there is a chance that the trigger won't function anymore in the way it should be!

    By dragging and rolling at the same time with the trigger roll the sear edge will remain in tact and no flat spots will be sanded into the trigger roll. The sear you can just rock back and forth on a slow pace to see exactly what you're doing (for example slightly tilting it).

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    It is a bit hard to see in this photo but the polished edge of the trigger roll reflects the imperfections of the table it's laying on. After this insert the trigger roll and the sear catch back into the trigger housing in the breech with the 2 mm pins. Now carefully apply some high quality grease (with a not too high viscosity, so no tar like substance 😜) on the polished parts of the trigger assembly. I used Molykote Multilub for this, just because it's works great and is easily available where I live.

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    And at last put the trigger assembly back onto the trigger roll and check if the trigger still is adjusted to your liking. If not than adjust accordingly. Testing the trigger can be done by cocking the gun, relax the cocking arm up to the point you don't feel the spring tension anymore but keep your fingers very close to it to catch it when you engage the trigger. If you keep the cocking arm cocked the trigger will always reset because you tip the rear of the sear upwards which increases the force on the return spring and thus you can't test the trigger properly in this way.

    And don't forget to clean all the excess/previous grease of the trigger parts while their out of the breech ;)

    If you have any remarks please comment and I will look into it :)
 
I have noticed the same behavior o my Royale trigger. My "fix" is much less elegant. I have found that a very light coating of light synthetic oil on the pin that acts as the hinge works great and (for me) lasts several months. And this worked through the cold N.Y. winter months.

I put just enough oil on my fingers to feel slippery and then roll the pin between my fingers to transfer some to it. Again this is a very light coating.
 
I have noticed the same behavior o my Royale trigger. My "fix" is much less elegant. I have found that a very light coating of light synthetic oil on the pin that acts as the hinge works great and (for me) lasts several months. And this worked through the cold N.Y. winter months.

I put just enough oil on my fingers to feel slippery and then roll the pin between my fingers to transfer some to it. Again this is a very light coating.

I've tried that too and it indeed worked but it didn't completely fixed the sticky feeling for me. Your fix is a good way to start, if it helps it's also fine :)
 
😃 Thanks very much!! 

I went to Krale Schietsport because suddenly my first stage was gone. The rifle is still in warranty so I didn't want to temper with it yet. They changed something and my first stage was back. Later that day I found out that my safety did not work anymore. I was planning on visiting Krale again when I stumbled on your nice article. ☺️I fixed the safety with the second crew. 

Is it normal that the first stage ends with a sort of click? Has this anything to do with the second crew?

Regards,

Jos (JosD @ luchtbuks.net)
 
JosDam, I think I know what your referring to about the click. I feel it when I have a good defined second stage and I've become accustomed to it and like that's it there as long as it's consistent. Usually if that goes away than so does that defined second stage stopping point and then I start getting some misfires. Just a small tweak on the second stage screw clockwise and it's good again. Oh, and btw my first stage won't rebound on it's own but that's probably because I replaced the factory spring with one that is shorter and lighter. I'm ok with that because now I have a lighter first stage which allows me to adjust the second stage lighter. Last check it was about 11-12oz. If I decide not to shoot I normally just de-cock the hammer or pull the side lever back and reset the trigger. To answer your question I don't think it has anything to do with the second screw as in the third photo.

JK
 
Oh, and btw my first stage won't rebound on it's own but that's probably because I replaced the factory spring with one that is shorter and lighter. JK

I had that same "problem" but did not know it was not normal behavior. I had never shot a Crown before. But suddenly the "won't rebound" disappeared but also my first stage. After adjusting the second screw my first stage was back and stil rebounds. ;-)
 
After fussing with my Crown trigger endlessly, I have decided, the only way to make it acceptable is to adjust it as a single stage trigger. Like most triggers currently marketed as two-stage triggers, it really is not. So far, mine is good as single stage at around 8 ounces. Anyone wishing to see how a true two-stage trigger is designed should look at the Steyr or Anschutz match rifles, separate springs and weight adjustments for each stage. It appears some folks are finding acceptable setups as "two-stage", whatever works for you. 
 
Awesome writeup. Are you able to make adjustments without taking off the trigger guard? I “lost” my 1st stage and was thinking about lengthening it to see if it comes back

You probably actually lost the 2nd stage. This means that the 2nd stage screw is either too far in or out. If you want a second stage the spring loaded ball bearing screw should not touch the frame in rest but when you move the trigger it should touch before the trigger releases the sear. I normally do my rough adjustment without the stock on and do the fine adjustment with the stock on.

It indeed isn't a steyr or anschutz trigger, not even close but with the right adjustment you can have a very good trigger on the Crown. It however requires some parts from the FX Boss: link

@Tomiboy, if you make sure the ball bearings are properly lubricated with grease they will stick to the power wheel so they don't get lost that easily.

@mtnGhost molykote is not obligatory, it's just a decent multi purpose grease that's easily available where I live. Most greases that have decent lubrication without being too sticky in the cold will be sufficient.


 


You probably actually lost the 2nd stage. This means that the 2nd stage screw is either too far in or out. If you want a second stage the spring loaded ball bearing screw should not touch the frame in rest but when you move the trigger it should touch before the trigger releases the sear. I normally do my rough adjustment without the stock on and do the fine adjustment with the stock on.

Thanks for the info, ill look into that.