Jewell Triggers are a popular choice in the sport of long range precision shooting, and like everything else require regular cleaning and maintenance. In most cases they can be cleaned with charcoal lighter fluid or dropped into an ultrasonic cleaner. Should the situation require, they can be completely disassembled according to the Jewell Trigger Manual.

We ran into a situation where we had to dissemble a trigger due to the entrapment of some sticky dirt that couldn’t be removed with an ultrasonic cleaner. Our first step was to find some step by step instructions but we couldn’t find anything.

Recognizing that other shooters might be in the same situation we asked our audience if they would be interested in a detailed set of instructions. Based upon that feedback, we have produced the following step by step guide and video. These instructions will work with a left or right handed trigger – in our case we worked with a left handed BR model trigger with safety and bolt release.

Safe Harbor Statement: These instructions (written and video) are provided “as is” and presume a certain degree of skill and familiarity with firearms and triggers in particular. If you are not comfortable with your abilities seek professional help – you can always send the trigger to Jewell for service. These instructions may contain errors and omissions that could create an inoperable or unsafe trigger resulting in damage to property, injury or death. You assume all risks when undertaking this procedure.

Required Tools

Bladed and cross bladed jeweler’s screwdrivers are the only required tools. The bladed screwdriver is used to remove the retaining rings and the cross bladed screwdriver is used to remove the screws. Be sure to use a properly fitting cross bladed screwdriver. We also suggest that you purchase some spare 1/8″ retaining rings from the hardware store because you will certainly loose or damage one.

Step 1

Start with the side of the trigger that has the safety. If you don’t have a model with a safety, start with the side where all the screws are countersunk.

Remove the external safety spring starting with the smaller end that is furthest away from the safety handle. Once you do that, the larger part will slide out.

Step 2

Remove the retaining ring holding the safety mechanism in place. Once the safety mechanism is removed, remove the two remaining retaining rings.

Step 3

Press out the cross pins being mindful of which one goes where. They are of different lengths and one of them has a narrower groove than the other ones. If your trigger has a bolt release it will come off when you push out the cross pins.

Step 4

Remove the three screws. If the screws are too tight, mount the screwdriver in a vice and push the trigger against it. The screws do not use any type of thread locker. At this point you can remove the cover.

Step 5

Take a minute to observe the position of the internal parts and how they interact. Refer to the illustrations and narrative in the Jewell Trigger Manual and view the video from the 10 minute mark to the 13:20 mark. Inspect and clean parts as required.

Reassembly

Reassembly of a left hand trigger can be a bit trickier than reassembly of a right hand trigger as the post holding the sear bar is on the top cover versus the bottom cover. Start the video at 12:25 for further discussion and illustration of this.

Step 1

Insert the cross pins along with the bolt release (if your trigger has one). There is a spacer that goes around the top rear pin so don’t forget that (see 13:58 of video). It’s just to the right of the number 6 in the illustration below.

Insert the remaining pieces using the illustration below as a guide. Pay particular attention to the orientation of part 7 as there is a bevel on one side that should face part 13. Watch out for the spring (part 9) as it needs to be maneuvered to the side of the post. Be sure that part 6 interfaces with part 11, and part 7 interfaces with part 6 as illustrated below. If you have a safety, don’t forget part #14. Make sure everything is in the cocked position before you put on the cover.

BR trigger in cocked position

Trigger with safety

At this point a left hand trigger will look like the picture below. On a right handed trigger you can also install the sear (Jewell actually calls it the firing pin block).

Step 2

With the sear installed (right hand trigger) or held in place (left hand trigger) install the top cover. Don’t force anything.

Step 3

Install the three screws. This is subjective, but tighten them so they will remain secure but don’t strip them. There is no need to use thread locker.

Step 4

Install two retaining rings just above the trigger.

Step 5

Install the safety and retaining ring.

Step 6

Install the external safety spring starting with the larger end that is furthest away from the safety handle. Once you do that, snap in the smaller end. If the smaller end does not go in and the retaining ring does not stay in place, you mixed up the two top cross pins (one has a smaller diameter groove than the other). See the video starting at 20:25 where we discuss this.

Double check that all the retaining rings are snug. If any of them are loose, replace them. They can be easily distorted if you press on them and they are not aligned with the groove.

You will want to check the trigger for function before installation in the rifle (see video starting at 22:30).