The M.O.A. Trigger System’s pull weight is user-adjustable from three to five pounds. It exhibits little to no takeup, creep or overtravel.

In fact, this new generation is really a return to the classic pre-64 Model 70 design that made the rifle so famous in the first place--with some much-needed modern refinements and quality standards. The first, and most important refinement, is a completely new M.O.A. Trigger System, which Winchester claims is “the most precise three-lever trigger system ever offered to sportsmen.”

Operating on a simple pivoting lever principle, the trigger mechanism has been completely redesigned for zero takeup, virtually zero creep and perceptibly zero overtravel. The pull weight is user-adjustable from three to five pounds and is factory-set at 33⁄4 pounds. Because of the smooth, wider-than-typical trigger surface and 2:1 mechanical advantage created by the design geometry, it feels substantially less.

The actual trigger, called the “trigger piece” by Winchester, is a lever that bears against a pivoting “actuator” that supports the sear, which in turn retains the firing pin. As the trigger pushes against the actuator, the actuator is moved out of engagement with the sear, which then drops, allowing the firing pin to travel forward.

One benefit of this design is that there is zero takeup (i.e., no slack) in the system. Likewise, while there is a necessary amount of trigger movement (creep) while the actuator is pushed the distance to the point where the sear drops free, it is so slight as to be virtually imperceptible.

The overtravel adjustment screw allows you to control the amount of trigger movement and can be backed off to stop at just the exact point when the sear breaks free from the actuator--thereby eliminating perceptible overtravel.

This is a remarkably efficient and clean design, better than the vast majority of custom aftermarket triggers now available, and it’s housed in a solid steel framework that makes tampering with the internal parts’ engagement impossible, except for what is accessible via the two external adjustment screws. It’s the trigger we all wish the Model 70 had always had.

In addition, we’re seeing im-proved fit and finish in these new Model 70s, compared to recent New Haven production, as well as the classic pre-64 controlled-round feeding mechanism and blade-type ejector to allow full control when ejecting a fired case.

When pulling the bolt back slowly, the empty case pops out gently, which is perfect for target shooters and varminters. Pulling the bolt back rapidly causes the empty case to clear the port with greater force. The blade-type ejector helps to eliminate short-stroking malfunctions.

The classic Model 70 three-position safety has also been improved, eliminating the “sticking point” in the middle of the three-position movement that has afflicted recent-years’ Model 70 versions.

With the safety fully engaged, the firing pin is moved out of contact with the sear, as in the previous version. However, in the current refinement, the firing pin needs to travel less to separate from the sear. Because the swing of the three-position safety is the same as it was before, and it is moving the firing pin less, it operates with greater mechanical advantage in its stroke, causing the operation to feel smoother.

Convenient to operate with the thumb of either firing hand, the Model 70 safety lifts the firing pin away from the sear. When the safety selector is in the middle position, the action can still be operated, allowing unfired cartridges to be cycled with the safety on.