Installation Guide & FAQ: FT Hammerhead Drop in Trigger

Updated Jan 1, 2020

The FT Hammerhead is simple to install and has a fast reset, with a smooth and crisp trigger pull. The trigger was designed for competition settings where competitors need quick, easy to install, and affordable replacements that can handle upwards of 4000 shots on harder primers. The following installation guide recommends some actions to take during installation to ensure optimal performance.

A video that summarizes major installation points can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlMtX7b2NB0


Preliminary Check 

1. Add oil to the trigger parts and the internal parts within the trigger housing before use. While we do add some oil before each shipment, storage, transportation can make trigger parts dry, potentially giving it a sandpaper feeling. Adding oil to break in the parts on initial installation ensures the trigger pull weight remains light and parts remain crisp.

2. Make sure the set screws on the bottom of the trigger are aligned. The set screws are set before each shipment, however in the rare occurrence the set screws are not aligned this will produce some pull weight issues. This can be quickly fixed and adjusted with the included Allen wrench.

3. Safety Check. If a safety reset issue occurs for the lower spec- please make sure the trigger and set screws are tight. This adjustment is required for certain lower specifications detailed below on section: Set Screw Adjustments

Do I need to do anything specific for my lower brand?

Given milspec and different commercial specs on the market, the Hammerhead aims to account for as many major specifications as possible without sacrificing drift, pull weight inconsistencies, and other issues that may necessitate the purchase of additional parts such as anti rotation pins. While a looser fit can accommodate more specifications there are tradeoffs in performance, the Hammerhead opts for a tighter fit on some models to save customers from having to purchase additional parts:

The FT Hammerhead has been documented and tested on the following commercial specifications to drop in without issue and function optimally without any adjustments after adding oil. This list will be updated frequently as we document more specifications:

  • Aero
  • Anderson
  • Andro Corp
  • DPMS
  • Spikes Tactical (tighter fit)
  • Stag
  • LWRC M61C

The FT Hammerhead has been documented and reported by customers on the following commercial specifications to drop in without issue, but require set screw adjustments to make sure they are tight in order to prevent any pull weight or safety reset misfire issues. This is because of the slightly different lateral specifications:

  • Adam's Arms
  • Bushmaster
  • Diamond Back

The FT Hammerhead has been documented and reported by customers on the following commercial specifications to drop in without issue, but require set screw adjustments to make sure the trigger rests at the correct height in order to prevent any safety selector. This is because of the slightly different vertical specifications of the following lower compartments:

  • Savage Lower + Timber Creek ambi safety (this selector switch has been documented to work well with the FT Hammerhead + Anderson and Aero)

The following specifications cut the lower compartment corners a little differently than major specifications, necessitating adjustments to the Hammerhead before it can drop in:

  • Black Dawn
  • Palmetto State Armory (Pin misalignment on some versions)


Set Screw Adjustments

The FT Hammerhead includes an allen wrench for adjusting the set screws located on the bottom of the trigger housing. The hammer and hammer spring will need to be disengaged to view the two holes from the top of the trigger housing where the allen wrench can be inserted to adjust the set screws.

The primary purpose of the set screws is to ensure the trigger sits level on the bottom of the lower compartment. If the trigger is not sitting level this will cause additional pressure on the internal trigger spring adversely affecting the pull weight.

On certain specifications a safety reset misfire issue occurs when the set screws are not tight, causing the trigger to lean backwards and upset the internal balance between hammer and trigger catch. This can be quickly addressed by tightening the set screws. We explain and show an example of fixing a safety reset misfire issue in our instructional guide on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlMtX7b2NB0