Glass rod SA trigger?

Q

Quincy

New member
I'm in the market for a new center fire target pistol. Primarily used for casual bullseye. Price range up to say $800, less would be better, but we'll see if anythings available. It needs to be accurate and have a single action trigger. I've yet to find a da/sa or striker that's even close to a decent target trigger. What's currently out there has a trigger similar to a decent bolt action of old, or even my DW 15-2? I have a decent .22 and shoot a Feinwerkbau 65 at home when I can't get to the range, so something along those lines. Prefer single stage, but it could be two stage if done right. It doesn't have to be a 24 ounce trigger either, 3-5 pounds is fine, as long as it has minimal creep and overtravel; or at least adjustable overtravel. Your thoughts and suggestions always appreciated.

Q
 
CZ sells a couple of target guns and they offer trigger work for their 75B series guns. If you decide on a CZ 75B have them put the adjustable sights on it as well.
 
You are talking about a 1911 here. While other triggers can be made to be as good as a 1911, the 1911 still has the advantage of everything you're looking for in a package less than $800 all in.

DA/SA service pistols and striker fired pistols are not designed to have a trigger like what you're speaking of. Keep in mind that one of the primary safety features of a striker gun is a longer pull. Walther PPQ comes about the closest to having a good trigger, it's a 2-stage style trigger that breaks cleanly right about 4 pounds.

In your price range, look at the Springfield Range Officer. You will be hard pressed to find anything nicer in a range gun for less than a grand (BTW, Witness Elite Match has a nice trigger as well, but you need to have big mitts for that since they are all built on the Tanfoglio large frame these days).
 
Pete2 is correct. You can get lucky with this but you'll want to feel the trigger in the shop/store. You'll find that with 1911s you'll have some that feel great and some that feel a little gritty to start with, but often times it cleans up nicely. 1911 is one of the easiest pistols to work with as well... I just had my latest one all in parts at the kitchen table last night fitting a Greider trigger to it (it's something I do to all my 1911s as soon as I get them; I've shot 1911s enough to know what I like in one).

In order to be almost "guaranteed" of a a smooth glass rod break in a 1911, sight unseen, you're talking Dan Wesson there and you'll need to look at closer to $1,200 for a Heritage or $1,500 for a used Valor.

1911s, for me, are the ideal range pistol due to the straight horizontal trigger movement, the balance of the all steel, 5" barreled design, and the thinner grip that can easily be customized to be almost whatever you want by simply changing grip panels. You can buy a "decent" one with a Springfield Armory and continue to get it worked on as time goes on if you'd like, or leave it bone stock and it will be just fine.
 
There are a lot more nice SA pistols on the used market than currently in production. This was a major lament in the "plastic pistols" thread.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I'm fine with a used pistol by the way. I need a little schooling on 1911's though. As I understand it, some have a drop safety, some don't; 70 series vs. 80 series maybe or some other term. Also, can the flat main spring housing be replaced with a curved one? I'll have to do some reading, but thanks.
 
You can swap flat for arched mainspring housings on model 1911s so long as they meet specs.

Series 70 1911s do not have a firing pin block mechanism. Series 80s do. Some folks feel that the extra parts on the Series 80 pistols degrade trigger action. Others don't. Some folks feel that with a titanium firing pin and extra power firing pin spring, Series 70 pistols are drop-safe enough.
 
CZ Shadow.

Used Dan Wesson Heritage.

CZ Custom purchased 75 B SA with a premium trigger job.

CZ's without a firing pin block can be better than 1911's. 1911's with all tool steel internals properly fit can be pretty darn amazing.

Go to store and try a CZ Tactical Sports trigger.....amazing!

Series 70 type do not have a drop safety per say, but are still pretty darn drop safe. I mean the sear is locked to the hammer and the firing pin is held back by a spring. It's not just banging around like an AR that are ALL considered safe!
 
Is protection against a loaded pistol going off if it's dropped actually a problem?
I've only ever seen two guns dropped and neither one went off.
A single action revolver and a 1911 cocked and locked.
Both fell more or less on the hammer, from loose fitting holsters (to hasten those fast draws) when the wearer bent over picking up brass.
Is the risk is as dangerous as corporate lawyers imagine?
Did you ever seen anyone drop a handgun?
If so, did it actually fire?
Curious minds want to know.
 
Martowski said:

1911s, for me, are the ideal range pistol due to the straight horizontal trigger movement, the balance of the all steel, 5" barreled design, and the thinner grip that can easily be customized to be almost whatever you want by simply changing grip panels. You can buy a "decent" one with a Springfield Armory and continue to get it worked on as time goes on if you'd like, or leave it bone stock and it will be just fine.
Click to expand...

Yeah, love that straight back trigger of the 1911 design.
 
Drop safety

The reason I asked about the drop safety is I do NOT want one, nor do I want a magazine disconnect. I'm looking for a range/target pistol, not a carry piece. Anything other than the standard thumb safety and the grip safety on a 1911 is superfluous for my needs; and will only make the trigger less than ideal.

Q
 
Both the CZ Tactical Sport and the Witness Elite Limited have great triggers right out of the box. Both new cost more than $1,000. Try used. For greater than $1,000 there is no limit. I like the triggers on 1911 STI's and SIG X-Series p226.

My Springfield 1911 Range Officer's trigger was gritty. Had a local gunsmith tinker with it. Cost me $50.
 
I think your best bet is a model 1911 simply because so many people know how to work on them and so many aftermarket parts are readily available. The linear rather than pivoting trigger pull is definitely an advantage.

If the 1911 model you buy does not have an adjustable trigger, they are very easy to fit. There are adjustable 1911 triggers that can be set up to reduce both trigger take up and over travel.

I would consider getting something like a Springfield Armory Mil-spec 1911 which is a Series 70 type pistol. Have a gunsmith do a trigger job on it, fit an adjustable trigger, and maybe a National Match barrel bushing. New SA Mil-spec 1911s can be had for $600 NIB these days, and you could likely have the other work done and have a very nice pistol for $800.
 
Springfield Armory will all be Series 70. Sig and Kimber will have drop safeties. Not really needed on a pure range gun for the most part, but yes... firearms can discharge when dropped. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's possible.

1911s are very easy to work on yourself, but if you don't know what you're doing be very careful or pay someone who is. MSH swaps are about the easiest thing ever... I do them all the time. But, if you don't know what you're doing and the sear spring comes out, you might have a tough time getting it back in and functioning. Again, easy 5 min thing for someone with experience but can be a lesson in frustration for someone not (trust me, I know from earlier experience).
 
....Springfield is an ok 1911.....I thought we were talking about glass rod triggers?? They don't necessarily have that. Try before you buy.
 
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