All good questions and answers from pepper.

As for the trigger, the rifle basix trigger has basically the same design but it is finished better. Surfaces and edges are truer and more refined, It's what you would have if you took your factory trigger to a good gunsmith and had him hone and polish it, etc. You may just have crud in the mechanism, too. SPray lighter fluid in there as pepper said and it might suit you when done. Don't be afraid to take it apart and play with it. Just don't file or polish anything, you're not ready for that.

As for recoil and your stock,,, your current stock is not all that whimpy. another might not help much. Depends on your "body build" etc. Might also be the way you hold and grip it. Make sure you have the stock firmly in the pocket of your shoulder. Use pads. Muzzle rise is mostly due to the weight of the barrel and cartridge. Heavier barrel would help, but might not be as much a problem as you think it is. Might just need to learn to shoot better and be careful not to develop a flinch. all comes with time and experience. Many people will tell you the best way to learn is to get a .22LR, cheap ammo, little to no recoil, fun. Learn to hold, learn trigger control, learn to sight... keep it up. Don't shoot if you get tired or feel scared of it. You will definitely learn to flinch and become recoil sensitive and its hard to break. ALso, let the barrel cool between shots maybe a few minutes. You can damage or shorten it's life by overheating the first part of the barrel right infront of the chamber called the throat. It gets hit by HOT gases with every shot and will eventually burn away.