Sear (firearm)
Encyclopedia
In a firearm
, the sear is the part of the trigger mechanism which holds the hammer or striker back until the correct amount of pressure has been applied to the trigger; at which point the hammer or striker is released to discharge the weapon. The sear may be a separate part or can be a surface incorporated into the trigger.
The term 'sear' is sometimes incorrectly used to describe a complete trigger group.
Within a trigger group any number of sears may exist. For example, a Ruger Blackhawk
single action revolver contains one for releasing the hammer. A Ruger Redhawk
double action revolver contains two, one for single action release, and the other for double action release. A Browning BLR
contains three sears all used simultaneously for hammer release. On many select-fire rifles, two sears exist, one for semi-automatic fire and the second for fully automatic fire. In such case, the fire select lever dis/engages one over the other.
Trigger sears are a key component for the trigger pull characteristics. Larger sears create creep while shorter ones produce a crisp pull. Aftermarket trigger companies such as Bold, Timney, and Jewel produce products in which sear contact is adjustable for personal preference. When a gunsmith does a 'trigger job' to improve the quality and release of a trigger pull, most often the work includes modifying the sear such as polishing it, lapping etc.
Within gun culture some weapons are notorious for having difficult sear-disengagement, like the Browning Hi-Power
, whilst others are prized as excellent.
Firearm
A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...
, the sear is the part of the trigger mechanism which holds the hammer or striker back until the correct amount of pressure has been applied to the trigger; at which point the hammer or striker is released to discharge the weapon. The sear may be a separate part or can be a surface incorporated into the trigger.
The term 'sear' is sometimes incorrectly used to describe a complete trigger group.
Within a trigger group any number of sears may exist. For example, a Ruger Blackhawk
Ruger Blackhawk
The Ruger Blackhawk is a 6-shot or 8-shot, single-action revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger. It is produced in a variety of finishes, calibers, and barrel lengths.-History:In the early 1950s, Westerns were popular in movies and television...
single action revolver contains one for releasing the hammer. A Ruger Redhawk
Ruger Redhawk
The Ruger Redhawk is a double/single action large frame revolver that was first introduced in 1979 by Sturm, Ruger & Company. Made from high grade steel, it is available with either a blued or stainless steel finish. The Redhawk is reinforced to handle extra stress, making it very popular for use...
double action revolver contains two, one for single action release, and the other for double action release. A Browning BLR
Browning BLR
The Browning BLR is a lever action rifle manufactured by Browning Arms Company. It comes in many different variations and is chambered in calibers from .22-250 Remington to .325 WSM to .450 Marlin.- Differences :...
contains three sears all used simultaneously for hammer release. On many select-fire rifles, two sears exist, one for semi-automatic fire and the second for fully automatic fire. In such case, the fire select lever dis/engages one over the other.
Trigger sears are a key component for the trigger pull characteristics. Larger sears create creep while shorter ones produce a crisp pull. Aftermarket trigger companies such as Bold, Timney, and Jewel produce products in which sear contact is adjustable for personal preference. When a gunsmith does a 'trigger job' to improve the quality and release of a trigger pull, most often the work includes modifying the sear such as polishing it, lapping etc.
Within gun culture some weapons are notorious for having difficult sear-disengagement, like the Browning Hi-Power
Browning Hi-Power
The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. It is based on a design by American firearms inventor John Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale of Herstal, Belgium. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized...
, whilst others are prized as excellent.