TriStar T-100 stiff safety

[Flibuoy1]

When purchased some 6 months and 500 rounds ago my T-100 had a very stiff safety in both directions. Cleaning, oil, repeatedly working it made no difference. It was simply impossible to manipulate the safety with a normal grip. There was a thread long ago here about the same subject and I believe it was Brian who said removing 1/2 coil from the spring that keeps pressure on the wee BB that provides the detention. I waited for the procedure to do this...for awhile...today I took a breath and did it. I ended up taking a full coil off due to ham handing. For me it was a two person job to reassemble job. After fully seating everything without the BB, I backed pin out just enough to fit BB and manipulated to its seat. Works fine, plenty of detention feel...similar to what we would expect.

My uneducated guess would be this stiff safety might apply across more models

One observation on the sear group etc...mine was very well finished with no machine marks to the naked eye in good light. So much so I felt there would be an inconsequential improvement if worked on. Nice.

I had to adjust rear sight due to not noticing it was clearly not centered with ribbing. It shot several inches left and low at only 10 yards. A minute with a drift and hammer brought it centered both on ribs and, more importantly, on the target. Now the front sight??? I have not heard of a no machining fix. Any suggestions?

Oh, allow plenty of time for the safety fix, avoid coffee, do it in good light and remember to breath.

[Brian Ahearn]

The stiff safety is normal on canik /tristar pistols I can eliminate that issue in about 20 minutes it is an easy fix -requires some polishing of the safety and a slight spring mod.

[Flibuoy1]

I think the term "typical" fits better than "normal" when referring to my particular pistol's former safety stiffness. As we know it was built by Canik55. I doubt that TriStar is in anyway responsible for the production...don't they just import the product?  Regardless...call it a clone of a Tanfoglio 941FS, call it late for dinner...the safety was unsafe in its stiffness. It was a distraction at the range and conceivably a self defense trap. In my case the area between frame detents was badly marred by the pressure of a wee and smooth tiny BB. I expect some visible wear marks on sliding part mating surfaces as they improve themselves, contributing to smoothness and reliability...but....

I am not a gunsmith...not even a bad gunsmith...I am just a guy that knew the safety was too stiff and there was a fix. I encourage those unhappy with the safety to fix it or get it fixed. Again, if you fix it yourself allow time, have good light and ease up on coffee and just do it. Remember to expect the BB to come out before the shaft is removed completely...my spring stayed in the recess but yours might not....so figure out how to keep them contained.

Not meant to sound like a dig on the T-100...mine is a great pointing, good shooting, well made pistol. In fact everything about this pistol was so nice it literally screamed stiff safety. From what little I know about the sibling C-100 they are twins that look a little different...

[Brian Ahearn]

Caniks normal on the safety is terrible -down right terrible -now it's is easy to fix though , overall they are decent pistols with  decent factory finish as well. I have spent close to 2 1/2 years modding and refinishing these pistols and have  3 in my current canik collect with plans to add 2 more. Good value and accuracy for the money- yeah they come with cheap grips and a stiff safety which is usable .  Things like grips and sights are easily improved with Cz and aftermarket parts. Dave at Cajun makes some really nice trigger parts with short reach reduction kits coming soon as well. I am sure that I will always have Caniks in my collection because they shoot just as nice as my CZ's.

[Bob928]

I have the Shark C which I think is basically a T-100. My safety was too stiff as well so I just took a punch to the shaft to push the lever out a smidgen. Worked the safety a bunch of times and it works much better now. I may go ahead and take a bit off the spring though if it doesn't loosen up a bit more in a reasonable amount of time. At least I can work it with my right thumb now instead of using both thumbs. Great shooting pistol. Terrific trigger. I can't imagine it being better but I'm not a firearms expert. I just love to shoot.