Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Mannlicher Schoenauer DST Question

I have a new to me Mannlicher Schoenauer rifle, Model 1950 improved. My question is can the rear (set) trigger be adjusted so that the pull is not quite as heavy?

Also, if I engage the set trigger, and decide not fire the rifle, how do I go about disengaging the set trigger?

I'm not sure if the set trigger, which actually "sets" the firing trigger can be adjusted. When clean they are very smooth but require a firm pull to set. You may simply have some grit or dust buildup in it if it is too stiff.

To "unset" the firing trigger, you must lift the bolt. Take it out of battery so you do not fire the cartridge in the chamber, then pull the firing trigger.

You can for sure adjust the pull of the firing trigger by turning the little screw in the bottom of the trigger group.

Enjoy a fine rifle!

The rear trigger cocking effort is dictated only by the tension of the kickoff spring...so no, it is not adjustable. You can thin that spring by hand filing, but I strongly recommend you do not do so.

I agree with most of whats been said above, but be VERY careful manipulating the rifle when the set trigger is engaged. If you cant put the bolt safety on because of scope interference, then open the bolt , as suggested by WTM45. I have had MS rifles for ever, and am comfortable de-setting the trigger by re-pulling the Rear trigger, holding it back and tripping the front trigger then easing the Rear trigger forward to un sprung rest. I suggest you try this with the rifle unloaded and the bolt safety on. I dont trust the side safety for any of the above( I assume you 1950 model has both safeties) Read this again and then do some experimentation, then do what your comfortable with. Dry firing the sets is akin to dry firing on an empty chamber, and you dont want to have to find and pay for MS parts these days. I had to go to the factory in Steyr Austria and beg for a extractor for one of mine...thank you Herr Hannl. Only have three left.

Thanks for taking time to share your knowledge with me and the other users of this forum. In my original post, I failed to mention that my rifle has a nifty Greener safety on it. The safety is mounted on the bolt side of the rifle which works good for me as I am left handed.

Thanks again for your willingness to share and educate.

CRF75 ~

I have a 1966 Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer MCA .243 and a 1975 SMS M72 .22-250, both of which have the double-set triggers.

Some time ago, I was amazed to have a female friend of mine bring me two articles about these fine rifles, as her late husband had one and she recalled having the articles. Unfortunately, I don't recall the authors of said articles and, at present, cannot locate them. However, I do recall one of them stating that the triggers ARE, in fact, adjustable, but that it's a fool's folly to attempt to do so. The reason cited is that they can be adjusted too lightly to where you've created an extremely unsafe situation. It stated that, should you unintentionally (or otherwise) adjust the trigger so lightly, that when the rifle is pointed skyward, it can cause the trigger to pull itself, if you will, simply based on the weight of the trigger alone. Pointing the rifle skyward notwithstanding, a mere bump to the rifle, under such extreme adjustment, could result in the rifle firing.

I love the triggers on mine and they are EXTREMELY TOUCHY. If ever there were a "Hair Trigger," the set triggers on both of mine would fit that description. They're SO light to the touch, that a mere thought of pulling one when "set" dang near makes the rifle go BOOM! Both were factory set and I wouldn't dare try to adjust them to a lighter setting. I've never tested the weight of pull, but they're so light, I'm inspired to say they're likely in the low Oz. range. Believe me when I say that I've had them go off before I was ready. I never put my finger in the trigger guard until I'm on target, so no harm, no foul. But dadgum! Hardly a touch...

When I find the articles, I'll let you know the information.

I'm interested for sure. I have two but only one with DST. Be Well, RZ.