Tennessee Triggers

[galudwig]

Does anyone have any experience with double-set triggers made by Dru Hedgecock?  I'm looking at a set on fleabay and they are of the double-set, single lever type.  Seller says they are all machined and they appear well made.  Just curious if anyone has used them and how they liked them.  Thanks!

galudwig

[Ken G]

I have no experience with them and for all I know they are great triggers BUT they don't look like a TN trigger to me. 

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=4616.0
Ken

[galudwig]

Thanks for the information and link Ken! The pics and the tutorial are a great reference. Not sure if I'm up to building a set on my own at this stage of my career though.

galudwig

[Bob Roller]

I have never used the Hedgecock triggers but the ones I have seen are well made
and if I couldn't make my own,I would not hesitate to use them. I THINK Dru Hedgecock
was in Ohio.

Bob Roller

[deano]

I have a couple of sets I traded for a few years ago, I believe the Hedgecock triggers are similar quality to a set of Davis triggers. Nice spring action and a crisp let off and a different shape to the triggers, as previously stated I wouldn't call them typical TN without a good bit of work.

Davis triggers are widely available so use them as your pricing guide. Check the size to be sure they will fit the gun you want to build as mine are similar in size to small Davis.

Ken

[Dennis Glazener]

 

I THINK Dru Hedgecock
was in Ohio.

Bob Roller

Dru lives in Walkertown NC not far from Winston Salem. Makes nice triggers and most anything else in the muzzleloader line.
Dennis

[WadePatton]

Hey Ken nice toot on the triggs.

I never thought of using store-bought ones w/o modifying them somewhat for shape.  now i think i'll make a run when i get some stock. 

oh yeah, and i'll be grinding!   

[Ken G]

I wish there were commercially available TN triggers.  The front trigger lobe is a very noticeable trait once you know what it should look like. Even modifying a set is a lot of work. 
If you've ever made a set, you will know $40 to $50 is a deal! 
Ken

[galudwig]

Thanks for the great info guys; just what I was looking for.  Hey deano, the comparison really helps to.  I'm in a building class w/Hershel/John House in January and will be building a late iron-mounted rifle.  I have two sets of triggers in stock to choose from for the build and I was wondering if I should look at other options while I have time.  Currently, I have a small Davis double-set, double lever and a Cain double-set, single lever (with the fancy, turned front trigger).  I have the small Davis in two rifles and love them.     I have another Cain in squirrel rifle and love it too.    I know the small Davis is wrong for the southern gun, but I don't know if the Cain would "fit" the style better.  Any opinions on that? 

I'm kinda' like you guys in wishing there was a commercially available set of southern style triggers available.  With the popularity of iron mounted southern guns, you think someone would make it so.

Thanks again.

galudwig

[WadePatton]

I wish there were commercially available TN triggers.  The front trigger lobe is a very noticeable trait once you know what it should look like. Even modifying a set is a lot of work. 
If you've ever made a set, you will know $40 to $50 is a deal! 
Ken

of course there is nothing handmade that industry (even small industry) can't supply cheaper.  i'm not in it for cheaper, never was.  that's why the hand-made world is dominated by guys/gals who have day jobs.

i'm working on getting one of those-so i can afford to make my own triggers.

[Dave R]

If you want to purchase a new set of Hedgecock triggers email me!
Dave R

[deano]

Hi Galudwig,

Nothing finer than a set of Cain triggers, I am hoarding a set myself for the "perfect rifle".

I am not an expert but from my observations the Appalachian built rifles didn't have a lot of decoration on them, but many builders prided themselves on the triggers they built. Look at the pictures and you will see well finished and unique triggers on many guns with so-so locks and barely finished hardware and stocks that are little more than a straight grain board.

Maybe the House's can help with the direction you will modify either of the locks you have available in your training session.

Ken

[bgf]

I don't know if it is relevant, but I thought I'd throw it out there. 

Having experienced both L&R and Davis triggers, I'd take the L&R as a  better platform for customization.  Following Ken's tutorial, I think you could use everything but the trigger blades, i.e. the plate, the springs, screws if desired, and so on.  I am using a DST 6 right now -- it was leftover in my parts box.  For a target rifle, I thought it will be fine, I'll just shorten the plate and triggers.  Well, the plate had a void right where I cut it (that's fine, I'll either ignore it or weld it), so if I had tried to bend it, it would have broken.  Add to that the reason I didn't use them in the first place: the triggers are made of what appears to be ultra-hard air-hardening steel.  Very difficult to file or cut, and must be red hot to do any shaping.  You cannot simply anneal -- it takes a fairly involved process.

The only advantage I am aware of with the Davis triggers is that they require slightly less wood removal than the L&R's, due to the springs (wire) used.  The L&R's use pretty old-school flat springs, but that would be more appropriate in most cases, anyway.

[Bob Roller]

This is the reason I do not trust foundries with my quality control,
glass hard trigger bars and voids in critical areas..

Bob Roller

[Bob Roller]

My own observations of Appalachian made rifles bear out Deano's observation.
Anything was "grist for the mill"that would get the piece to go off when it was
supposed to.I saw one many years ago in "Red"Farris' shop that had the thimbles
soldered to the botton flat and then inlet thru the rod channel in the stock. The
barrel was tied to the gun by the ramrod being in place plus the tang screw.The trigger was a large cut nail
bent around a pin,screw or nail? and the trigger guard was a screen door pull handle.
Primitive?Yep.Effective,no doubt about it and all the decorations of an axe handle.
I like it and still do.

Bob Roller

[WadePatton]

good info bgf.  i'll make a mental note.  could just use the store-bought stuff as a pattern for nice easy metal.

variations on 4130 is what i use in my "other world".  no need for stuff like that here.

[T.C.Albert]

For what its worth, it seems like in some cases, especially if making direct copies of specific southern styled guns...the triggers need to be be custom made from scratch in order to fit under a unique trigger guard. I have a set of hand forged hardware for making a copy of an original  "Daniels" rifle that will require custom made or seriously modified triggers for that reason. Just for cases like that alone I think its good to know how to make up a set of triggers when need be.
tca