Single trigger, is it simple to replace with set triggers?

[Timberdog]

I have a Craig Hoagland fliintlock rifle I love, except single trigger. It is a very good single trigger. But I find it hard to transition from my set trigger rifles to having to actually "pull" a trigger. Easier if it was similar to my other rifles, but I can live happily with it.

Question - Is it a "big deal" to buy set triggers and install? Hard to ask an intelligent question when you're not familiar (my statement of "big deal")..I'm not a gun maker.  I figure it's a little more than "plug and play"...but is it a trigger replacement thing or also a lock thing?

Thanks (I can only peruse this site in evenings so in advance, I appreciate any and all who make me smarter if you don't hear me say it online).

[smylee grouch]

Welcome Timberdog: It might be an easy replacement if your lock has a fly. Another consideration would be if the trigger guard bow is large enough to fit the two triggers and a finger. These would be two of the questions that need to be asked. There might be more to think about also but the two mentioned would be the first to consider. IMHO

[Pukka Bundook]

As Smylee says, Timberdog.
If the guard bow  is too short for double triggers, a single set May work, depending on all else.

Cheers,
Richard.

[54ball]

 The short answer is no! It's not easy to do this on a finished rifle. It can have a snowball effect. Another thing, it's not just the triggers but the tang bolt too.

 If the trigger is good, practice and get used too it.
 Do you shoot a shotgun? Do you shoot a pistol? Do you drive a truck and a car? Can you drive an automatic and a straight shift?
 See. With enough practice you can master an individual task specific for an individual tool.

 If the trigger is not so good. The lock may need a polish and tune.

[Mike Brooks]

If it was easy everybody would be doing it.

[Pukka Bundook]

This reminds of the Praying Hands quotation;
   
"God grant me the power to change the things I can, accept the things I can't, and the wisdom to know the difference".

[Dale Halterman]

No, I'm afraid it is not that simple.

Not only do you have to make sure the trigger guard is big enough, but that it is in the right place. The placement of a set trigger is critical, both vertically and front to back.

You may also find that the profile of the set trigger plate doesn't match the bottom of the stock.

Can it be done? Yes. Is it simple? No. If you are not a gunmaker, as you say, I would advise against it.

Dale H

[JTR]

Simple? Easy?
You can answer most of those questions. As mentioned, and the biggest question is does the lock have a fly? It needs one.
Next, will double triggers fit in the TG bow? If not, you'll need to use a single set trigger, or, use a new trigger guard that will fit two triggers.
As mentioned, will the tang bolt clear the triggers. It should, and a look at its location will answer that question.
You'd need to remove a bit of wood for double trigger setup, but that's no big deal.
Probably the biggest issue would be the relationship between the sear bar on the lock and the trigger bar to trip it.
If the lock and trigger are common purchased parts, a new trigger set can most likely be made to work by adjusting the trigger bar/sear fit.

If you do the work yourself, it's the cost of the new parts.
If you have someone else do it, its the cost of the new parts, and say $250/300-ish in labor.

John   

[Darkhorse]

I would say no. Because I've done something similar. TOW's Isacc Haines kits are inlet for a single trigger. Track said set triggers absolutely would not fit. But I went ahead and ordered a set of Davis set triggers anyway. A big problem was the stock was already inlet for the trigger guard which had to be moved back. There were numerous other issues also. But I did what I had to do and fit them to the stock and triggerguard. Ended up looking and working real good so it can be done. But I don't recommend it.
FWIW I don't care for set triggers. I like my single triggers. A well setup single trigger will outshoot any set trigger I've ever owned.

[EC121]

I have both types and like the singles better for general shooting and hunting.  It is nice to be able to put your finger on the trigger before settling into the shot.  It might depend on the weight of your single trigger pull.  A bit of polishing and some judicious thinning of the sear spring(order a spare sear spring before doing this), and you might be surprised at the improvement.

[Joey R]

Could he use a single set trigger? I don't know,just asking.

[Timberdog]

Wow, greater advice than anticipated (meaning thank you for your time to educate me). THANK YOU ALL!

Some of these I certainly didn't think of, but I followed all comments and understand them (even the funny ones LOL!).

I have to look up tumbler, I stare at the lock every cleaning but sadly need to look it up to identify what it is (Google Search coming up). 

I'm not going to worry with it per the education in the above that I agree with. Thank you too for the cost estimate opinion for someone else to install (my curiosity is over!).

It's a very well done single trigger, no complaints on it.  It just isn't the touch and boom effect, requires more conscious trigger manipulation obviously than set triggers.  I walk around house with a piece of wood in the lock to dry fire practice to get used to it again is all. I only use it to squirrel hunt...(.40 cal, but have a .44 and .45 that get used for same purpose).

Another element of truth supporting "beware of the man with one gun, he probably knows how to use it".  I fail...sometimes...😂

Interesting question on single set trigger above my reply, but I reckon the trigger alignment issue discussed above may affect that seemingly easy solution.

Y'all are great and helpful; thanks again.

[EC121]

I had a rifle with a single set trigger.  Ended up removing the parts and using the trigger plate for a conventional single trigger.  To me it was irritating to have to get my finger behind the trigger to push it forward.  Also it didn't work.   

[Bob Roller]

Could he use a single set trigger? I don't know,just asking.

If a single set can be found with a low profile it can be changed.
Most of the flint locks I made for the Boutet pistol had the sear
higher up at full cock to clear a high profile single set..
If there is room for a higher profile single set then that's good.
Measure the distance with a ruler with the lock at half and full
cock and see what you have for room.

Bob Roller

[Darkhorse]

Awhile back a friend asked how I fit the set triggers into the Haines stock as he was thinking about doing the same. It had been awhile since I'd done it and had to think about it, I'm sure I forgot some things but my reply is pretty close. I did fail to mention how i blended in the original triggerguard mortices into the stock so it would'nt show. Anyway this is a close rundown.

It’s been over 10 years since I built this rifle but I’ve been thinking about it and this is how I think I fit those set triggers. I’m pretty positive it’s how I did it. I’ve also measured it against another Haines I built earlier.
First find the end of the sear bar and and make a mark on your stock to show position of the sear bar.
Find the center of the trigger bars on the set trigger where they overlap. Mark this spot on the trigger bar side and bottom. You will inlet straight down, maintaining center as either trigger bar should fire the gun. Take care here. Inlet as deep as possible while maintaining trigger function. Trigger parts move when the rear trigger is set. Gun must not fire when the rear trigger is set. Inlet a little deeper and test function. Test often.
You will probably have part of the trigger bar proud of the stock when you reach the proper depth. Just file this flush later on.
I had to move the position of the trigger guard itself to the rear ½” to fit set triggers inside. Remember, the rear trigger remains to the rear when set which reduces the room inside the trigger bow.
When inletting trigger guard the front of trigger bar and inside front of bow will overlap. I cut a small convex radius on the front of the trigger bar so both parts fit together.
Grind end of rear trigger and file trigger guard bow behind of rear trigger until it fits and functions.
Look at it all and think about it for awhile before you start. You may find easier ways than the steps I’ve listed to accomplish the same thing.
I have a photo of where I radiused the front of the trigger bar to fit the trigger guard.
Good Luck,
Ron (Darkhorse)