Model 52 trigger adjustment

[macarthur]

My model 52-1 has a 2lb trigger. I want to make it 2.5lbs to be legal for bullseye.

Looking inside the 52 with one grip panel off, I see what seems to be a flat spring which has a little tab that holds it in place (similar to a 1911; the tab is anchored in a small hole in the frame backstrap). I'm thinking that if I open up the gun to access that flat spring, and bend it forward slightly, I can increase the pull weight on the trigger, in the same fashion as is done for a 1911.

But I've never done it, and am hoping for input from someone who's been there, done that, and can say that it is a correct methodology.

Does anyone have instructions for disassembling the 52, or experience with trigger weight adjustment?

 

[Ignatz]

I changed my 52 from a 2.5# to 3# by putting in a "special" heavier sear spring. When I first put in in my trigger weight was too heavy, so I had to bend the little sear spring to get closer to 3#.
On yours, maybe just put a new mainspring in. If yours was shortened, or replaced with a lighter than stock spring that could lighten the trigger weight a little.
Then maybe bend the sear spring to get the correct trigger weight.
I dropped the trigger weight a half #in my 745 by putting in a lighter wolff mainspring, and trigger bar spring.
The main spring is the easiest try, then bending the sear spring...the trigger bar spring was a pain on my 745.
With "stock parts, you 52 trigger should lift 2.5#'s

 

[macarthur]

Thanks for the inputs, Ignatz. Checking the mainspring to make sure it's stock is a good idea. I had thought to immediately try to bend the sear spring, but I think replacing the mainspring with a new one should be tried first, per your suggestion.

The other problem that I have is getting the gun apart. I theorize on how to do it as follows:
1.Take off the slide. Put hammer in 'fired' position.
2. Knock out the pin at the bottom of the grip.
3. Slide off the backstrap housing.

I have taken down my 1911's many times, and am familiar with that procedure. Hopefully the 52 won't be very different.

I ordered a book online (NRA firearms assembly/disassembly for pistols) that supposedly tells how to do this. Any comments you may have are welcome.

I really like my 52-1, and especially appreciate the lower trigger weight. I shoot the centerfire matches with my 1911 and a 3.5# trigger. Having this 2lb trigger (illegal though it may be) is really fun! (I haven't used the 52 for any matches yet, so there's no cheating). I expect that moving to a 2.5# trigger (from 2#) will not be too traumatic.

At 50 feet, offhand, I got 13 of 15 shots in the black (2 shots still on paper but out of the black). I attribute this success to the super light (2lb) trigger. Too bad it's not legal.

Any comments you may have on disassembly are welcome.