Maximus ... How much better with improved trigger?

[Marc In Iowa]

So far, my best pellet is .177 JSB Exact RS (7.3 grain). 10-shot groups are 1 to 1.5 CTC at 25 yards.

It has the factory, stiff and mushy trigger. If I were to keep this rifle, I'd be doing either the Alliance Hobby trigger or Mrod gen 1 trigger upgrade.

For those with upgraded triggers, how much better has it made your groups?

[shultz]

My maxi is .22, not really apples to apples....

My group consistency improved with trigger mods, the gun shot the same groups, as long as I did my part controlling the cruddy trigger... at 25 yds, 1/2" or less with pellets it likes.

Installing a trigger alone won't do IMHO. Stoning and polishing the stamped sear, doing the 3 screw mod, using a lighter trigger return spring will go a long way to making a better trigger for next to no cost.

I did install a new trigger blade as well. Having a wider blade face, with a little more curve, makes the trigger feel better to my finger, don't really do squat for pull.

Also, I think the heavy hammer spring contributes to the healthy pull. It also gave me a descending shot string with no bell curve. I used an old stock, disco hammer spring and installed a power adjuster. I can't get the same first few shots of FPS that the heavy spring produced now. However, I can get a bell curve and a reasonable 25 fpe tune.

Never put an mrod trigger pack on a disco or maxi. I do like my mrod triggers though.

[addertooth]

The (well known) upgraded brass trigger is a great improvement, with the additional adjustment screws in the kit and the softer spring. 
An additional barrel clamp is on the rifle.  The rifle has the 6.5 inch TKO (but neither improves or worsens the accuracy).

25 meters 22 caliber H&N field target Trophy pellets.  Shot off a shaky TV dinner tray-table while sitting on a 5 gallon bucket.
It was one ragged hole, ten shots. A dime is 0.7 inches in diameter.  The pellets were .22 diameter.  I suspect center to center the ragged hole was maybe 0.3 (if that) inches center to center. 

[Marc In Iowa]

My maxi is .22, not really apples to apples....

My group consistency improved with trigger mods, the gun shot the same groups, as long as I did my part controlling the cruddy trigger... at 25 yds, 1/2" or less with pellets it likes.

1/2" or less at 25 yards would be real nice.

[Old Corps]

Don't buy that overpriced trigger from Alliance! Get this from Baker Air Guns.
https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/discovery-triggers/
Makes it much easier to get consistent accuracy and is an inexpensive fix. Easy to install & adjust and it looks pretty as well!

Ed

[Marc In Iowa]

The standard brass trigger is a great improvement, with the additional adjustment screws in the kit and the softer spring. 
An additional barrel clamp is on the rifle.  The rifle has the 6.5 inch TKO (but neither improves or worsens the accuracy).

25 meters 22 caliber H&N field target Trophy pellets.  Shot off a shaky TV dinner tray-table while sitting on a 5 gallon bucket.
It was one ragged hole, ten shots. A dime is 0.7 inches in diameter.  The pellets were .22 diameter.  I suspect center to center the ragged hole was maybe 0.3 (if that) inches center to center.

.3" CTC at 25m would very nice to get to.

Sounds like I need the new brass trigger with the 2 screws and softer spring.

[Old Corps]

Marc-Don't want you to miss my post above your last.

Ed

[Marc In Iowa]

Don't buy that overpriced trigger from Alliance! Get this from Baker Air Guns.
https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/discovery-triggers/
Makes it much easier to get consistent accuracy and is an inexpensive fix. Easy to install & adjust and it looks pretty as well!

Ed

Thanks, Ed. Looks about the same geometry and about 1/2 the cost.

[Tater]

I put a Baker trigger in my wife's Maximus. Huge improvement, even though I didn't polish much otherwise.

[Old Corps]

Don't buy that overpriced trigger from Alliance! Get this from Baker Air Guns.
https://www.bakerairguns.com/product/discovery-triggers/
Makes it much easier to get consistent accuracy and is an inexpensive fix. Easy to install & adjust and it looks pretty as well!

Ed

Thanks, Ed. Looks about the same geometry and about 1/2 the cost.

Exactly!

Ed

[Marc In Iowa]

I put a Baker trigger in my wife's Maximus. Huge improvement, even though I didn't polish much otherwise.

A huge improvement you could notice in your groups?

[KnifeMaker]

The Baker trigger worked well for me. At least at first. As time went on, it started not holding the hammer. Probably because I added the spring adjuster and had it at higher spring pressure.

I finally spent the money on the MRod, first Gen. Trigger. (Discos-R-Us has the best price).

The adjustability, and control makes for a very accurate, and predictable shot.
I would not be willing to go back to the factory, or Baker trigger.

The MRod trigger really makes "that" much difference!

KnifeMaker 

[shultz]

Marc,

Forgive me if you already know this...

Installing a new, or improving the stock trigger will do nothing for accuracy of the gun. It will, make it easier for you to shoot the gun more accurately...

Why am I saying this? If, you're controlling the trigger well as is, and shooting 1"-1 1/2" groups, these groups will likely NOT improve with a better trigger.

My groups were 1/2" or less BEFORE trigger mods. The trigger mods, simply made it easier on me to shoot these groups consistently...

[Dbez1]

I'm not much of a paper puncher so I can't give you specifics since I bought my Maximus used from a GTA member with the Mrod trigger already installed. The rifle easily shoots quarters at 60 yards. What may be of value to this thread is that I installed the Baker trigger on my Disco before I sold it, and it was a great improvement over the stock trigger but nowhere near the current Mrod trigger.  If maximum accuracy is your goal, my suggestion is to go with the Mrod trigger (the rifle won't be more accurate but there is a good chance YOU will shoot it better).  See the current thread about triggers.  The Baker is still very nice though.

[Marc In Iowa]

The MRod trigger really makes "that" much difference!

I've been wondering about that. The price for the MRod trigger is not an issue. I was prepared to buy an MRod but wanted the lighter, handier rifle of the Maximus.

So ... I pre-budgeted for the trigger upgrade and a TKO moderator. I did want to shoot the factory rifle first though. I'm disappointed in the accuracy so far. Hence my question for those who've done a trigger upgrade.

You have to mod the stock for a new trigger guard, yes?

[Marc In Iowa]

Marc,

Forgive me if you already know this...

Installing a new, or improving the stock trigger will do nothing for accuracy of the gun. It will, make it easier for you to shoot the gun more accurately...

Why am I saying this? If, you're controlling the trigger well as is, and shooting 1"-1 1/2" groups, these groups will likely NOT improve with a better trigger.

My groups were 1/2" or less BEFORE trigger mods. The trigger mods, simply made it easier on me to shoot these groups consistently...

Hmmm. At 25 yards, I'm shooting .7", 10-shot groups CTC with my Hammerli 850 COČ and my HW30S springer.

As I'm breaking in this Maximus, I'm really taking my time, working the breathing and trying to work through that factory trigger to get the best group I can. Which so far, is not very good. I'm resting the rifle on my deck railing with a nice bean bag. At 9x, my rested hold is pretty steady (hence the good, repeatable groups from the 850 and HW30S), but not perfectly rock solid.

Sounds like my accuracy might not improve that much with this particular Maximus.

Any thoughts on this?

[shultz]

It's called the crosman barrel lottery for good reason.

You may have a barrel that just won't shoot better. If, you think the trigger is really limiting your ability to shoot the rifle well, then I'd say trigger improvements might help you.

7.3gr is awful light, have you tried heavier pellets? Tried playing with velocity to improve groups? How does the crown look? Do pellets feed smoothly?

Burrs on the crown or leade will wreck an other wise accurate barrel.

[Marc In Iowa]

See the current thread about triggers.

Rambling thoughts on triggers? ... been reading that.

[2L8]

My Maximus .22 shots 1 hole to 1/4" at 25 yds. Seems to be not to particular about the pellets ether, 14.3  CPUM,CPHP, CP Phiranas and 14.66 H&N FTT 5.53  all shot the same if I do my part. While fixing the 2 air leaks I also "cleaned up" the stock trigger hoping to help with accuracy out to 50 and 75 yds. I do plan on the Mrod gen 1 trigger with ether the Challenger guard or the NP2 guard depending on how much time I have.

[Marc In Iowa]

It's called the crosman barrel lottery for good reason.

You may have a barrel that just won't shoot better. If, you think the trigger is really limiting your ability to shoot the rifle well, then I'd say trigger improvements might help you.

7.3gr is awful light, have you tried heavier pellets? Tried playing with velocity to improve groups? How does the crown look? Do pellets feed smoothly?

Burrs on the crown or leade will wreck an other wise accurate barrel.

So far, I've tried about 9 different pellets; AA (2), JSB sampler (4), H&N sampler (2) and one type of lead-free (H&N Field Target Trophy Green 5.56 gr). The lead ranges from 7.3 grain for the JSB Exact RS to about 11 grains. Oh, and CPHP 7.8 grain.

I've been shooting 10-shot groups from about 60% to ~20% fill? Just guessing, looking at the little gauge. I re-pump after each group. Trying to go for a consistent fill.

The pellets seem to feed smoothly.

I don't know much about crowning. I've read a few posts with pictures. I'll try to take a look tomorrow.

I am wondering if I got the short straw on the barrel lottery. I had read that the lottery came more into play on. 22 barrels ... but maybe not.