Glass rod SA trigger?

The Springfield 1911 in the two examples of the Range Officer model, that I've shot, had good triggers...a fairly clean break at 5-6 lbs. or so. Don't recall if there was a set screw in the trigger to allow future adjustment of over-travel and both had good accuracy for a non-worked over gun (~2-3" @ 25 yds with target grade loads).

Another good choice, and one seldom seen as such here, is Ruger's SR1911 or the commander version, the SR1911 CMD. I own both and have found them as good, accuracy wise, as several of my Colts over the years (some tricked out with Wilson match barrels/bushings). Triggers on the Rugers, right out of the box, were good if not great. But I'd opine that expecting a truly match grade trigger on a gun for less than $800 is akin to winning a Porche in a lottery. As they came to me, both were 4.5 to 6 lbs. out of the box and improved with some use.

And BTW, IIRC, a match trigger on a 1911, in NRA Bullseye competition, must lift a 4.5 lb. weight for safety purposes...specs change over the years, but less than that on a gun that may be used for carry purposes is not a good idea.

Both Rugers are steel frame guns, and for me that precludes carry...just too heavy. For that chore, carry that is, I prefer a Sig 1911 RCS with its alloy frame, shorter (4") bbl. and Officer's Model grip length. But the steel framed guns make great range companions and both have the accuracy that makes practice fun. With target grade handloads they will both beat the magical sub-2" grouping at 25 yds, giving me all I'm capable of holding for on the Standard American target.

Both Rugers (and their alloy version) have all the features that are inherent in a good carry gun: Novak sights, flared mag well, two magazines furnished, checkered back strap without the 1911a1 arch, extended controls for easy reach, and an adjustable trigger. For me, and I've got just over 50 years of experience with the 1911 in a variety of roles, those two Rugers are the cat's meow.

Whatever you get, here's a little trick with a less than sterling trigger, that has served me well with a new 1911. I've appreciably smoothed the let-off on several of my guns by applying hard thumb pressure to the hammer while dry-firing. This burnishes the interface between the mating parts of the trigger mechanism.

Here are cpl of representative targets. First one is my Sig from 10 yds, the day my son gave it to me. The 2nd of my then new 5" SR1911 with a good handload from the 15 yd line.

Best Regards, Rod



 
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I put a Harrison designs extreme service short trigger in my Springfield Loaded model, and it is the best trigger i have ever experienced, out of all sorts of pistols and revolvers
 
Start by going to your local shop and trying a few on for size. The 1911A1 fits most people's hand though. Your budget will curtail what is available commercially.
MSRP on a BNIB Springfield Armory Inc. Range Officer is $945.00(A new Colt Series 70 runs a grand or so). Comes with adjustable sights and a match grade barrel. Currently on sale at Cabela's with a mail in thingy for 4 mags, a holster and mag pouch for $764.88. Used RO's are running about $100ish less on Gunbroker
"...glass rod triggers...don't necessarily have that..." Neither does any other $800ish commercially available pistol.
 
$

So if $800 isn't enough for a proper trigger, how much does a quality centerfire pistol cost that has one; or at least be smithed into a target trigger?
 
So if $800 isn't enough for a proper trigger, how much does a quality centerfire pistol cost that has one; or at least be smithed into a target trigger?
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Trigger feels will always be very subjective. How "glass rod" is enough? I have a Rock Island GI and after $20 bucks and 20 minutes (C&S reduced weight sear spring and a 21 pound Ed Brown mainspring) it has a better trigger than 95% of all other pistols that I have ever fired. And that would be a good number. It's only drawback was the take up, which could be fixed with a little money but it's not a big deal to me. A competitor who typically fires firearms worked for competition would likely balk at it, but you really do get 90% of the way there with a good series 70 1911. Obviously some of the higher quality names will likely start out with better triggers. I've heard that EAA has a couple of very solid competition ready guns with great triggers, but have no personal experience. I shot a friends CZ75B SAO that had some work done... that was a very sweet shooter and likely the best trigger I've ever pulled in a semi-auto.
 
You can probably buy an entry level model 1911 like a Rock Island Armory for less than $400, change out the trigger, sear, hammer, disconnector and the sear spring, and with a little stoning of the sear and hammer, get an outstanding trigger for under $800.

But for a target pistol, an excellent trigger is only one piece of the puzzle. You are probably also looking at a National Match barrel, National Match barrel bushing, high quality adjustable sights, and maybe some slide to frame tightening as well.

From a financial standpoint, you are probably better going for a pistol that has most of the features needed for accuracy, then working on the trigger as necessary.
 
Of all my guns, my favorite triggers are:

Sig X-Five
Browning Hi-Power (C-Series Belgian)
STI 2011 Custom
1970's Colt Gold Cup

Out of those four, the X-Five trigger is my favorite; then the Hi-Power (I think it must have had some work done to it). The other two are about equal.

My favorite DA/SA trigger is my Tanfoglio Stock 10mm. It's as close to a true single action in single action mode as I've experienced. This is compared to: Steyr GB, S&W 659, CZ 75B, Megastar 45
 
It needs to be accurate and have a single action trigger.
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I went with the above mentioned Springfield Range Officer. The trigger breaks very cleanly right about 5lbs. For true one handed bullseye most probably shoot around a 3.5lb or so.
The accuracy has been quite good , the best of any factory semi-auto centerfire pistol I have owned.
 
You'll have to go used and you'll have to pay a little more than $800.00, but there's never been a semi-auto center-fire pistol that has a better sa trigger pull than the Smith & Wesson Model 52; a pistol designed for serious Bullseye competition.
 
Some folks feel that with a titanium firing pin and extra power firing pin spring, Series 70 pistols are drop-safe enough.
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And SOME of us think they are drop safe enough exactly the way they were designed and built in 1911!

Skans, if you have a Hi-Power with a good trigger pull, it HAS had some work done on it, and done by someone who knew what they were doing!

Most of the replies have focused on the 1911 pattern guns, simply because the 1911 design is the service pistol that best lends itself to being adapted to a target gun.

Some years ago, I inherited my Father's Colt Government Model. Its a pre series 70 gun, that someone had some work done on in the late 60s. It has a sweet trigger, "Micro" adjustable sights, and if I do my part, will still keep 5 rounds in one ragged (approx. 2") hole at 25yds. A better shot could probably do even better with it.

There is another pistol I was going to mention, that no one else did, until this..
You'll have to go used and you'll have to pay a little more than $800.00, but there's never been a semi-auto center-fire pistol that has a better sa trigger pull than the Smith & Wesson Model 52; a pistol designed for serious Bullseye competition.
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I don't know what they go for today, no idea if you can find one close to your price point, but if you're looking for a TARGET pistol (not a match grade service pistol) you won't find a better one. .38 Special full wadcutter only. It's a match gun, nothing else, and a pretty good one.

Good Luck!
 
Well I've learned something, never heard of a S & W 52 or 952 until now. They seem to be upwards of $1200 or more for a -2. Very interesting, thank you.
 
Someone beat me to it but a Smith 52 will have a better trigger than any 1911 under 2K. I have a 52 and a 952. The price on 952s are out of sight but you will see a honest, shooter grade 52 under $1000 if you look around. The word around S&W was they lost money on the 52s because they would not let one out unless it was perfect and dog-nuts accurate. The only thing they shoot is 38 Special wadcutters but they are such a treat to shoot. Nothing else like them. YMMV
 
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