I believe I received the rifle mount for my wheelchair in 2005
from my friend Dustin. We had talked and had looked on the Internet for
different types of wheelchair rifle mounts and one day I was surprised by
Dustin with this awesome gift. Now we just need to figure out how to mount it
to my wheelchair, because nothing is simple. All wheelchairs are not created
equal. That means nothing fits like it is supposed to. There was going to be a
need for some farming ingenuity.
I could tell right away that the way the instructions wanted
it mounted to my wheelchair was not going to work for me. The post where the
mount attaches would be right between my knees. This would suck for getting in
and out of the chair. Knowing my luck something not good would happen. So after
looking at it for a while we decided to mount it on the right side of my
wheelchair. This means I could actually leave it on the chair at all times not
having to worry about it getting in the way when transferring in and out of the
chair. I also figured out a way to rig up my fishing rod in the same rifle
mount. Two birds. But that's another story.
Here is the model I have. Click here.
After the obstacle of actually getting the rifle mount
mounted to my chair, we had one more problem. That was the trigger. We had many
different rudimentary ideas and tried many different rudimentary things. One of
the first ideas was to attach a heavy gauge wire on my right splint and I would
pull back on the trigger with that. This idea did not work because I couldn't
keep my arm up that long to get it into the trigger. Also once the wire hook
was in the trigger, I couldn't get it back out. Not very safe. Next we tried
attaching a string loop around the trigger, and then I would try to hook that
loop with the heavy gauge wire attached to my splint. This also didn't work and
wasn't very safe. Especially if I had a semi auto. I also bought some stuff and
things off of the internets that we tried for a trigger but none worked.
One day in 2009 when Tito and I were running out of ideas
for a trigger. A meeting of the minds came together randomly. I have no idea
but for some reason my uncle Gary, brother-in-law Brad, great friend Don B, my
dad, Tito my favorite Lawrence and myself were standing around trying to come
up with a solution for the trigger. Brad or Gary mentioned having some type of
lever that would trip the trigger and then my dad said we could attach it to
the trigger guard and then Don B said I have an idea. Within a couple days Don
B had the trigger machined out and it was ready for a test run. This is the
first time I shot with that trigger. The design is so easy and simple yet it
works perfectly. It only took us four years… But perfection takes time.
Since the first design of the trigger we really haven't had
to change much about it. Depending on what gun it is going to get mounted on,
sometimes the gap where it attaches to the trigger guard needs to be made a
little bigger. With a fine file this can be done quickly. But one of the best
things about this trigger mechanism is that it is pretty universal. I can
switch it from my Ruger 22 to my Remington Model 2600 and then to my Weatherby
shotgun with just a simple allen wrench. No adjustments need to be made. This
trigger mechanism even works on my Carbon Express Intercept crossbow. This
trigger mechanism has fit on every rifle I have tried it on. The only guns it
does not fit on are some shotguns. The reason is because some shotgun trigger
guards are rounded. For this trigger mechanism to work the trigger guard needs
to be flat below the trigger.
Once we got the trigger mechanism fine-tuned, I decided to
post a video to YouTube on my channel. After a while when this video was
watched and shared, I learned that there was a need for this trigger on the
market. A small-market but there was a need. I had a list of about 10 disabled
shooters that were interested if I could make more. The problem was where I
could get more made. Then someone suggested asking one of the trade schools in
the state. So I looked up the machinist instructor at North Dakota State
College of Science in Wahpeton, Steven Johnson. Johnson is an Associate
Professor/Chair for the Precision Machining Technology and Welding Technology
Departments at the college. Johnson was very interested and said his spring
semester class would use it for one of their class projects. Once I got the
blueprints or specs to Steve, the wheels were set in motion. I received the 20
triggers the beginning of May. The next week we had them tested and they were
ready to be shipped. I can't thank Johnson and his class enough for what they
have done for me and my fellow disabled shooters throughout the nation. We are
indebted.
Before I was going to send them out I knew I should probably
cover my backside. So I got a hold of my personal lawyer Neil and he wrote up a
waiver of liability form to send out to the possible recipients. They would
sign this waiver and return it before I would send them a trigger. No money was
exchanged or will be exchanged for these triggers. This is just something I
wanted to do for my fellow shooters.
Aim small, miss small my friends…
Thanks for reading, Clint
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