Jim, the Hunter Arms factory workers used an old screw driver with a "V" shaped wedge ground in it and what looked like a 3/32" nail punch. It was inserted in the small hole of the top lever shaft and used the "V" shaped tool to push against the nail set to align it to the trigger plate housing.
Like you stated, the screws were loose, but then you needed to either push the trigger plate housing down or push the top lever shaft down to fit.
They did this all the time and made it look easy. I did it once, and that was it for me. One slip and it glides across the receiver and can then gouge the wood. I only do it occasionaly and that little hole won't hurt a thing.
Runs, if you check the screws again, you will see that the side plate connecting screw has a thinner head than the rear trigger plate to top tang. You can readily see this when it is a Grade 2 or better as the side plate connecting screw is engraved.
Fishnfowler, looking at your picture it looks that the side plate was not on when this happened. That is why the jaw pad is on the clamp in my picture so that can't happen.
Last edited by JDW; 02/14/12 08:58 PM.
