How light a trigger is too light?
- Thread starter Cruzer
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lonegunman
New member
about 4 lbs for me.
I haven't found a DAO that could be considered too light. Length of trigger pull on all but the quick action/trigger safety designs are acceptably long.
I consider no manual safety to be a drawback in a design. It is incumbent upon any owner to practice the manual of arms so they can correctly operate it.
For single action it is generally agreed upon that about 4-4.5 lb is the lower limit. Really, a loaded Glock is equivalent to a single action with the safety off. I don't know if you were including the Glock trigger design in your DAO/no safety criteria.
I consider no manual safety to be a drawback in a design. It is incumbent upon any owner to practice the manual of arms so they can correctly operate it.
For single action it is generally agreed upon that about 4-4.5 lb is the lower limit. Really, a loaded Glock is equivalent to a single action with the safety off. I don't know if you were including the Glock trigger design in your DAO/no safety criteria.
Cavè Canem
New member
I have a 3.5lbs connector on my G30 which is also one of my carry weapons. I have the standard 5lbs (5.5? I forget which) on my G23 and I also carry that.
As long as you have good training and are familiar with the gun, I would say probably 3lbs would be the limit.
As long as you have good training and are familiar with the gun, I would say probably 3lbs would be the limit.
I'd have to disagree with that CC. I think anything under 4 lbs is too light for a carry pistol with a 5 lb pull preferable. A light trigger pull for a target or a practice pistol is fine, but in a situation where the adrenalin is flowing rapidly, a "light" pull just may cause an ND. It's a case of "I didn't know my own strength". I have no data to back up these statements, so it is purely an opinion. But I do know that under stress, 5 lbs sure feels very light.
jimsbowies
New member
imitation sincerest form of flattery?
To answer your question, take a look at what the custom shops put on theirs.....I think you'll find that 3.5lbs is about as low as they go on "carry guns".......3.5 to 4.0 is what Wilson, Baer, Gunsite, Springfield Custom, Clark, Brown, etc.....advertise.
To answer your question, take a look at what the custom shops put on theirs.....I think you'll find that 3.5lbs is about as low as they go on "carry guns".......3.5 to 4.0 is what Wilson, Baer, Gunsite, Springfield Custom, Clark, Brown, etc.....advertise.
pdmoderator
New member
It's too light when it goes off when you just think about pulling it. 
My HK is a DAO and about 8 pounds. Still getting used to it.
- pdmoderator
My HK is a DAO and about 8 pounds. Still getting used to it.
- pdmoderator
Teddy Jacobson at Actions By T only does actions and may do more than anybody. A significant % of his business is LEO's - he's an ex copy. He tunes the street package to 4lbs SA and about 8-9lbs DA - 9lbs on my CZ 85.
There are target pistols and rifles with pulls under 1 lb. Military rifle triggers seem to run 6-8lbs.
There are target pistols and rifles with pulls under 1 lb. Military rifle triggers seem to run 6-8lbs.
It depends what you intend.
I recently sold a Kahr with a nice 8 lbs. DAO trigger because I felt it was too light for pocket carry. If I was going to go to the trouble of a holster, I take a P7. If it's going into a pocket or waistband, 10 lbs. is probably the limit.
If it's for holster carry, the Glock standard trigger at 5.5 is probably close to the minimum.
You have to ask yourself, why did they make it DAO? Not to be super light, but to be both safe and shootable without a safety. If a DAO has a trigger pull equating to a SA, what was the point; the illusion of safety?
I recently sold a Kahr with a nice 8 lbs. DAO trigger because I felt it was too light for pocket carry. If I was going to go to the trouble of a holster, I take a P7. If it's going into a pocket or waistband, 10 lbs. is probably the limit.
If it's for holster carry, the Glock standard trigger at 5.5 is probably close to the minimum.
You have to ask yourself, why did they make it DAO? Not to be super light, but to be both safe and shootable without a safety. If a DAO has a trigger pull equating to a SA, what was the point; the illusion of safety?
BEAT ME UP
My 1911 goes at under 2lb.
My other carry guns range from (SA we're talking) 2.5--7lb.
These are my guns, so don't complain.
My 1911 gives me the highest confidence; I found myself picking it for the times I was/am most scarediest............yes, I know it's got a very 'controllable' trigger............
My 1911 goes at under 2lb.
My other carry guns range from (SA we're talking) 2.5--7lb.
These are my guns, so don't complain.
My 1911 gives me the highest confidence; I found myself picking it for the times I was/am most scarediest............yes, I know it's got a very 'controllable' trigger............
"Your" is the possessive form of "you", as in "this is YOUR gun". "You're" is the shortened form of "you are", as in "YOU'RE going shooting". Not the same.
Anyway, now that that is out of the way, I agree with the concensus - 4.5 lbs. In fact, I am about to have a trigger job done on my Kimber to smooth up and slightly reduce the factory trigger it came with.
Anyway, now that that is out of the way, I agree with the concensus - 4.5 lbs. In fact, I am about to have a trigger job done on my Kimber to smooth up and slightly reduce the factory trigger it came with.