I inherited a Weatherby Mark V .224 Magnum Varmintmaster from my father several years ago. It now has the self-destructing trigger issue that it is known for and I am looking for a solution. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Any Weatherby Fans Here?
- Thread starter JeffD607
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
What is a self destructing trigger issue?
Always wanted a WBY 22. I had Athena trap gun
Always wanted a WBY 22. I had Athena trap gun
Since Wisners quit making the replacement housings unless you want to spend big bucks on the upgrade to the new trigger system ebay is a good bet. I found an excellent serviceable trigger there when I needed one.
OP
The trigger housing is made of pot metal so, with time, they crack and fall apart. I don't believe the 22 had this issue. It was just the Mark V rifles.
BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2006
- Messages
- 6,219
- Reaction score
- 6,681
I have a Japanese made Weatherby XXII. Excellent shooter, though the original bolt handle and the replacement I bought from Numrich don't fit.
I have owned several Mark Vs for many years now and have never heard of this trigger issue, and certainly never experienced anything resembling what is described. Is this related only to the old Varmintmaster-size action or to all Mark Vs? Was this a temporary problem that was cured by a certain date, or… ?
Primarily German/JP Sohn manufactured Weatherbys. IIRC they transitioned to Japan/Howa in 1973 or so.
I had a JP Sohn Mark V Varmintmaster in 22-250 for 50 years or so, maybe still have it. . . .can't remember, never had a problem with the trigger.
OP
It is my understanding that it is only the early Mark V's and possibly limited to the German made rifles. Mine is an early 4 digit serial number with no prefix that was made in Germany. The underside of the barrel is stamped 63, which I understand to be the year of manufacture. I have since bought a Timney trigger and it has been sent back to Timney to be modified to fit. I have also found an original on Ebay that I think will fit.
OP
UPDATE - I bought a Timney trigger for a German model Mark V. The bolt stop was too large to fit through the receiver so, Timney had me mail the trigger to them, they made the modification at no cost and sent it back to me. I still had to take it to a local gunsmith because the new trigger was wider than the old one so, the slot in the trigger guard had to be widened. All back together and works like a charm!
The Weatherby's were great looking guns multi lug bolts, shrouded bolt at firing pin and at times some the the most fantastic wood.
But I never had one that was accurate, some people blamed it on their free bore. They made a model for the European market it had a single push forward set trigger, ridiculous for a dangerous game rifle.
My final experience was with a 460 magazine box breaking when following up a wounded buffalo had I needed the next shot it would not have chamber. My conclusion was they do not build their large calibers for serious work as the majority of them are not used as such.
Weatherby did design some great calibers my favorite the 340, which I had built on a Win pre 64, I used this gun until I designed my own .338.
But I never had one that was accurate, some people blamed it on their free bore. They made a model for the European market it had a single push forward set trigger, ridiculous for a dangerous game rifle.
My final experience was with a 460 magazine box breaking when following up a wounded buffalo had I needed the next shot it would not have chamber. My conclusion was they do not build their large calibers for serious work as the majority of them are not used as such.
Weatherby did design some great calibers my favorite the 340, which I had built on a Win pre 64, I used this gun until I designed my own .338.
