When you’re in the field, a poor trigger can make or break a shot. A heavy, gritty, or inconsistent pull throws off accuracy and forces you to overcompensate. Hunters value a clean break and predictable performance, but some factory setups miss the mark completely. These rifles might perform well in other areas, but their stock triggers leave much to be desired. If you want precision under pressure, you’ll want to steer clear of these options—or plan on budgeting for an immediate upgrade.

Remington 770

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The Remington 770 has earned a rough reputation among hunters, and its factory trigger is one of the main reasons why. It’s notoriously heavy and inconsistent, making precise shots harder than they need to be.

While the rifle itself was marketed as an affordable alternative for beginners, its trigger lacks the crisp break expected for hunting scenarios. Most owners who stick with the 770 end up replacing the trigger assembly entirely, as fine adjustments aren’t really an option out of the box.

Savage Axis (Original Model)

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Savage makes solid rifles today, but the original Axis model suffered from a heavy, gritty factory trigger. At over 6 pounds of pull, achieving steady accuracy without disturbing your sight picture became challenging.

Many shooters quickly swapped in aftermarket triggers or upgraded to the Axis II, which introduced Savage’s much-improved AccuTrigger system. If you’re considering picking up an older Axis on the used market, be prepared to factor in the cost of a trigger upgrade to unlock the rifle’s true potential.

Mossberg ATR 100

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The Mossberg ATR 100 gained popularity for its price, but it came with one significant drawback—a stiff, unpredictable factory trigger. Hunters often complained about excessive creep and a lack of a clean break.

Because the ATR targeted budget-conscious buyers, the trigger design wasn’t adjustable, leaving limited room for improvement without replacing it entirely. While the rifle’s accuracy can improve with a swap, it’s worth knowing that the stock trigger won’t deliver confidence when it matters most in the field.

Ruger American Predator (Early Models)

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While the current Ruger American Predator rifles perform well, early production runs struggled with inconsistent trigger feel. Some units shipped with triggers that felt spongy and unpredictable, frustrating shooters trying to maintain accuracy.

Ruger addressed many of these issues in later versions, introducing refinements to their Marksman Adjustable Trigger. If you’re shopping used, it’s worth double-checking the production year. Earlier rifles may require immediate adjustment or even an aftermarket replacement to achieve dependable results.

Remington 710

Remington

The Remington 710 tried to compete in the budget hunting rifle space, but its heavy, inconsistent factory trigger made it a tough sell. Hunters often complained about stacking creep and a sluggish break.

Combined with other known quality issues, the poor trigger performance has made the 710 one of the least recommended rifles for serious hunters. For anyone considering one today, it’s almost mandatory to upgrade the trigger if you want a smoother, safer, and more predictable pull in the field.

Thompson/Center Compass (Gen 1)

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The first-generation Thompson/Center Compass rifles came at an attractive price but featured one of the stiffest factory triggers in their class. Many users reported inconsistent pull weights and noticeable creep.

T/C improved the trigger system significantly in the Compass II, but the original rifles remain on the used market. If you plan on running one, expect to replace the trigger or make adjustments right away. The rifle has potential, but the stock trigger rarely delivers precision out of the box.

Winchester XPR (Early Production)

Winchester

The Winchester XPR entered the market as a budget-friendly alternative to the Model 70, but early production rifles had some of the least satisfying triggers in their category. Many came with a heavy pull and inconsistent reset.

Later updates improved the trigger design, but older models continue to draw mixed reviews among hunters. If you want to make the most of an early XPR, investing in a quality aftermarket replacement is the quickest way to make it a reliable performer under pressure.

Marlin X7

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Marlin’s X7 series earned attention for affordability, but the stock trigger system has a mixed reputation. The blade-style trigger safety caused inconsistent pull weights, and many shooters found the break less predictable than expected.

While Marlin eventually introduced refinements, the early rifles still left hunters frustrated when precision mattered. If you’re considering one now, upgrading the trigger is a near must if you want dependable shot placement—especially when hunting at longer ranges.

Remington Model 783 (First Generation)

Remington

The first-gen Remington 783 rifles were designed to replace the 770, but the factory trigger didn’t help much. While better than the 770, it still shipped overly heavy and inconsistent, limiting accuracy for hunters.

Remington later introduced adjustments to improve feel, but those early rifles require aftermarket fixes to meet modern expectations. If you plan on using one, a trigger replacement can make the rifle far more competitive alongside others in its price range.

Howa 1500 (Non-HACT Models)

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Newer Howa 1500 rifles equipped with the HACT trigger are excellent, but older, non-HACT versions left a lot to be desired. Those factory triggers were notoriously inconsistent, often varying from rifle to rifle.

Without the improvements of the modern two-stage HACT system, you can expect heavier pulls and less predictability. If you’re set on an older Howa, factor in the cost of upgrading the trigger. It’s the single biggest improvement you can make to unlock the rifle’s inherent accuracy.

Savage 110 (Pre-AccuTrigger Models)

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Before the introduction of Savage’s AccuTrigger, the 110 series rifles came with a rough, heavy factory setup. Many shooters complained about overtravel and creep that affected shot consistency.

The AccuTrigger transformed Savage’s reputation, but older rifles still pop up on the used market and carry those same drawbacks. If you’re considering an early 110, upgrading the trigger is almost mandatory to get reliable performance—especially when precision hunting shots are on the line.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.

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