Semi-auto pistol triggers; showing my ignorance

J-Bar said:

Is there an out of the box semi-auto center fire pistol that consistently has such a crisp trigger?

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1911s, Tokorevs, Beretta m51s, basically any single action.

But it's not a good habit to seek only these. The best advice I can give is just get used to the diversity of Semi-auto actions. Eventually you come to not mind it; DA/SA guns like the Beretta 92 or Sig P22- series feel very smooth but have a weird feel to them near the end point in single action; Striker fired can feel like breaking plastic but this too you can get consistent with. The only striker fired that has a feel that I'm still not used to is the P320. Doesn't have a traditional striker fired trigger, which might as well be the reason they're known for their problems.

I think you need to shoot all the different types enough that youre at least competent with them. That way, youll have a better idea of whats really what. DA, SA, striker, it really doesnt matter, its just a trigger. It only becomes a problem if you become fixated on it, which from what you often hear, does appear to be an issue.

If you keep your muscle tone up, so shooting a DA trigger DAO isnt a problem, you shouldn't have trouble with any of them, and you'll shoot better with all of them.

1911's can have really crisp triggers. I've heard the SIG P210 has a nice trigger but I've yet to hold one. Don't go the Hi Power route unless you want to do some smithing, they're singe action but heavy.

I do agree with the others though, its more about practice than the trigger. I almost exclusively shoot my revolvers in double action these days. My 2 carry revolvers are DAO.

A middle of the road to upper end 1911 should have a very good trigger to excellent trigger. Low end 1911's is a crap shoot but they can all be upgraded to very good triggers for not a lot of $$.

I have shot S&W revolvers with incredible triggers and some with pretty bad triggers. Semi-auto's are like this too, some excellent triggers and some so-so. For the most part striker fired triggers are not going to have as light of a trigger as hammer fired... in general.

For a striker fire tigger the Sig 365 has a pretty good trigger IMO .

MikeInOr said:

For the most part striker fired triggers are not going to have as light of a trigger as hammer fired... in general.

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My stock 1911 triggers and my stock Glock triggers feel very much the same to me, once you "take up the slack" on the Glocks. If youre accustomed to shooting two stage military-type triggers, you dont even think about doing it either.

And that "slack" isnt with each pull, its just the initial take up. The resets are very similar too.

I tend not to complain about trigger system but rather learn how to operate/use them.

Not many autos are going to have triggers that feel like a S&W revolver’s trigger in single-action mode. A high-end 1911 would be the best candidate, of the autos I have used.

The newer Sig P210 has an amazing trigger. By far the best of any newer pistol I own.

trackskippy said:

My stock 1911 triggers and my stock Glock triggers feel very much the same to me, once you "take up the slack" on the Glocks. If youre accustomed to shooting two stage military-type triggers, you dont even think about doing it either.

And that "slack" isnt with each pull, its just the initial take up. The resets are very similar too.

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I am an anti-trigger-snob. I enjoy shooting my mil surplus pistols as much as I enjoy shooting my competition 1911's and don't have troubles with heavy or gritty triggers. I was just trying to help the guy with the princess trigger finger find what pistols he might find most to his liking.

I am actually quite impressed with the quality of the trigger on my XD mod 2... but it is not a competition 1911 trigger and I doubt he would appreciate the XD mod 2 trigger.

Several of my SA autos have light, crisp triggers. Best part is they are all sub 4.0 lbs and reliably ignite anything they’ve been fed.




Stay safe.

Triggers for rifles or pistols are a make it or break it issue for me. I do have the right to own guns with very nice triggers. For semi-auto handguns without question it's 1911's. I have a Colt and Dan Wesson 1911 with very nice triggers.

Out of the box crisp triggers on a factory gun. Sure. $2500 and up.

The alternative is to learn how to make great triggers in sub $1000 guns and spend the difference on ammo.

I started shooting NRA 2700 handgun matches. One handed... etc. A superlative trigger was considered de rigueur. However, one must consider the actual requirements of what is sought. You didn't mention the purpose for the sidearm. For your consideration:

If the expected shot group is such and such, how good does one aspect of the arm require?
Does the rest of the mechanical aspect of the arm match the quality of the trigger? (I shot a High Power once that had a pretty fair trigger - for a High Power. However, the front of the slide was so worn it grouped 'minute of outhouse' at about fifty yards. No trigger work will help that.
On the other hand, is this is a defensive gun and one expects problems to be within twenty feet, a somewhat mushy trigger would serve. Base requirements on expected needs. Round up, usually.

The Sig 226 Legion SAO has a fantastic trigger.

I have a couple of decent 1911's,and their triggers are almost as good as my old S&W 29 when I shoot it SA.I bought a Sig P210 a few weeks ago,and it's probably better than any of my handguns.What's funny is that I've been shooting that 210 with two of my 3 Sig P320's,and when shooting offhand at most handgun ranges,and there's very little difference in group size.If I get out the 1911's,I almost always shoot them better than anything.I'll be doing a few hours at the range tomorrow,and I'm going to focus on the P210 because I don't think I've got used to it yet,and I think I can shoot it better than I do.If the shooting form is good,I think a pretty gnarly trigger can still be shot well,it just takes a little concentration and practice.

Back in the 90's when 3-D archery was booming I shot in the fingers class,and to prove a point,I took a finger tab apart and removed the calfskin layer that makes the surface of the tab slick.I shot my bow with the rubber layer contacting the string,which is a lot of drag.I shot it as well at 20 yards as I did with the calfskin.As long as the bow arm stays on target and the archer has a good follow through there won't be much change in POI or group size.Same is true with a pistol.A nasty trigger will sometimes bring to light other problems such as flinching or not following through.I actually am more prone to force the shot if I'm shooting a light crisp trigger.Sight goes across the bull and I try to get it to go,which usually results in a poor shot.

I have a Canik with about the best auto pistol trigger I've tried, minus a Springfield 1911 I tried.

Like pizza, there is a reason the 1911 stands as the standard for a great auto trigger…
Even the bad ones are pretty good!

I am a trigger snob. I shouldn’t have to do exercises different than my daily life to operate a trigger. Im a carpenter for crying out loud. A trigger is designed for a human to manipulate it. If it’s bad, don’t change my self, I change the trigger.

Being on the lower side of the pay scale, I’ve handled a number of RIA 1911s. While not the best tier for 1911s, every trigger I’ve tried has been nicer than average for a pistol. Maybe not for a 1911, but for an average of all handguns I’ve shot. And with most 1911s, they can be even be done at home. Changed, tuned and futzed with to perfection. No the real kind, not the plastic kind.

Um, Dan Wesson 1911 for the universal win?

I guess we should talk of budget, since I’ve laid out the cheap and the easy good. The rest will fall in between, some over.
The only thing necessary for a good trigger on anything is, money!
Any of the pistol models known for competition will have a plethora of aftermarket options, if not just great triggers from the box.


Now to be silly.

With less than four pound weight and short, smooth pull, my Magnum Research Desert Eagle has an incredible trigger. I have been frightened by bullseye shots often. Nearly goes off by itself. But the break is less like glass and more like a cannon going off…
I don’t know if I can recommend it just for its pleasant trigger.