I have found the only way to properly check the hammer and sear engagement and assure their proper function is to remove the stock and then reinstall the sears and cock the action--both hammers in the firing position--remove the barrels. Now with the trigger plate removed place a hard wood block over each firing pin hole and one by one push down on the sear arm (at the point the trigger blades contact) it should take some downward force to release a properly engaged hammer/sear--it should be smooth and crisp. If this is okay cock the hammers and carefully install the trigger plate tightening the front trigger plate screw snugly, the tang screw (the longest one) to where its end is level with the top tang (behind the safety slider) and then put in the trigger plate wedge screw snugly--until the tang screw slightly loosens. With the hammers cocked and the safety on inspect the trigger blades and the trigger blade/sear interface:
1. With the safety on there should be a slight gap
(0.02 inch) between the trigger blades and the
sears. This space should be approximately the same
for both trigger blade/sear interfaces. When the
safety is off the only pressure on the sears will
be a slight force of the trigger spring.
2. If with the safety on the trigger blades/sears are
touching then they are likely putting pressure on
the sears and possibly partially moving the sear/
hammer interface closer to releasing the
hammer(s)--a dangerous condition. This can be
caused by the sear arms being bent or the trigger
blades being improperly adjusted (filed).
I now use this check after purchasing a CE grade Fox that had no trigger blade/sear gap, bent sears and minimal hammer/sear engagement--the hammer notch and sear engagement points were crudely filed. . I believe someone was trying to reduce trigger pull forces. I have found that if the action is as described in #1 above, without the stock, then finding the clearance problem with the stock installed is easily solved.
Fox SXS
