BENDING THE BOW ON T/GS

[yip]

  IS IT ADVISABLE TO BEND THE BOW TO ACCOMIDATE THE TRIGGER? AND TO  WHAT EXTENT.

[Bob Roller]

  IS IT ADVISABLE TO BEND THE BOW TO ACCOMIDATE THE TRIGGER? AND TO  WHAT EXTENT.

Several variables there.What material? Brass,silver,iron or steel?Why should it be bent or otherwise altered?
Bob Roller
 

[rich pierce]

It depends on the guard, whether it is annealed, and what re-shaping is needed. Is there a reason the triggers cannot be modified?

Bending the bow, which is what you’re considering, is tricky without generating twists or changing the angles of the front and rear extensions on a musket or fowling gun guard. Same with the handrail on a rifle guard. I recommend using a 2x4 as a help to keep it all straight. Make cuts in the2x4 which is on edge with a bandsaw, coping saw, etc to allow support of the front and rear extensions at the correct angles to each other. Saw out a pocket for the bow, with the desired final shape. Use wooden punches (sized to fit) struck by a hammer to move things as you wish.

Or if you’re good and careful freehand it. Either way be sure to correct for slant or ruined alignment of the centers of the front and rear extensions.

[Dennis Glazener]

Be careful, some alloys will break before they bend. Ask me how I kmow
Dennis

[Herb]

I can tell you about Hawken trigger guards.  Which rifle are you building?

[Scota4570]

Need pictures....

If the trigger is just a bit to long I'd shorten it, much easier. 

Some brass is like working cold taffy.  Some of the yellow alloys are brittle.  Making smooth bends is not always easy. 

[yip]

 this t/g is soft brass , just a yad to shallow. i think i'll go ahead and give it a little tap.

[mikeyfirelock]

For minor adjustments, clamp 2 bolts vertically in your vise and you can insert the guard between them and CAREFULLY make adjustments.  Works well if you  control your enthusiasm and haven’t had too much coffee.

[heinz]

What Rich said is the best way to do it IF you already have the trigger guard fitted (inlet and holes drilled).  If it is not inlet you may try bending but, as noted earlier, you need to avoid developing a twist in the shape.  The 2X4 pattern helps avoid this.

[mountainman70]

Or other stuff.
 

[Mark Elliott]

If it is too shallow, and most of mine are, I just shorten or reshape the trigger.   Usually,  it is the rear set trigger that is the problem.   I generally heat it red hot and reshape it.   There is also generally a little grinding to shorten it when I tighten the radius.  Of course, the triggers need to be re-hardened and re-tempered.   I have all the stuff needed to do that including a heat treat oven.   Reshaping the trigger is usually easier than reshaping the trigger guard and than includes when I forge them myself.  Significantly changing the shape of the bow once the guard is finished is next to impossible whether it be soft brass or iron.