Anyone Else LIke 1911 With Short Trigger?

[Commander Crusty]

I'm not a particularly good shot with a 1911, and I believe most of the problem is the long triggers. I shoot revolvers better. I shot my M&P .45 pretty well (short trigger).

Since I'm thinking about getting a 1911 for 2011, I just wonder about the short trigger option. What do you think? My main pick is the Springfield GI LW Commander--partly because I like the parkerized I'm-supposed-to-be-scratched-up finish, but mostly because I feel the short trigger will be easier for me to handle.

Comments? Feedback?

 

[Sniper X]

I don't know if that will help, but think it is more of a learning curve to learn to shoot a 1911. When I started shooting 1911s I could not shoot them anywhere near as well as I could after just a few trips to the range and learning where in the hand they need to be, and where (what part) of my finger needed to be used on the trigger to make them shoot well. The whole thing IMHO on a 1911 is grip grip grip....as in what grip you use. NOT the TYPE of grip on the 1911, but the style grip you use on the frame. I personally use two handed both thumbs pointing down range with both palms on the grips style and it works perfectly.

 

[Olympus]

I believe that Sniper X is using the correct, or most recommended grip for the 1911. I was never taught to shoot that way though and I've shot 1911s for years. Now that people try to get me to change to the grip that Sniper X describes, it just feels weird and uncomfortable to me and I actually shoot worse that way. A lot of it has to do with my confidence in that grip. Feeling weird and being new, I don't feel confident and it shows in my shooting.

I think probably the biggest factor in accurately shooting the 1911 is practice. It is better to start out using the correct or recommended form so you aren't developing bad habits right off the bat. But practice is going to make all the difference.

 

[rellascout]

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4584332856867071363#

Proper grip is essential for shooting any pistol.

 

[Rail Driver]

As has already been noted, your grip on the pistol will be more important than the trigger style. That being said, I have smallish hands, and a short trigger works better for me than a long trigger does. Both of my 1911s have short triggers installed.

 

[AK103K]

Ive always preferred the short trigger/arched mainspring housing combo, as the gun points more naturally for me with that set up.

Your best bet is try and find one set up each way, and see what feels best to you. The original configuration was the 1911, which was a flat MSH and long trigger, then they changed it with the 1911A1 to the arched MSH with the short trigger. Now days, you see all sorts of configurations.

 

[K9american]

I have a SA Mil-Spec with a short trigger and a Colt Commander with long trigger. I much prefer the long trigger as I have long fingers and that puts the pad of my index finger where it needs to be.

Seems to me "short vs long" trigger depends on the anatomy of your hand.

 

[Greg528iT]

that's the beauty of the 1911, you can swap the trigger and or the MSH to get it to fit your hand.

rellascout, thanks for the video. I've seen it a couple times. I will point out though, he uses a full length guide rod. That's just terrible..
or great..
just kidding.. I know it's a love hate thing here.

 

[Hanshi]

Having small hands, the short trigger works best for me; though I can do okay with both.

 

[9mmepiphany]

What makes you think it is the length of trigger trigger causing the problem?

Are you having to compromise your grip to get the pad of your finger to meet the face of the trigger?

How are you gripping your pistol?
Where are your thumbs and fingers resting as you begin your trigger press?

 

[rkammer]

I also prefer the short trigger & arched MSH for my 1911s. They feel better in my hand and I also shoot better. The gun also has a better natural pointing accuracy with short trigger and arched MSH.

 

[Slamfire]

Yes, I like short triggers!

I have short stubby fingers.

Firearms are made for those long fingered freaks. so I have to adapt mine to fit me.

 

[Drail]

For best performance with a 1911 you need to choose the trigger length and MSH shape that will allow you to grip the gun so that the bore lines up with your forearm and places your finger's pad on the trigger in such a way that you are pulling the trigger straight back to fire. If your finger is not resting only on the trigger's face most people will be applying pressure to the sides of the trigger and this will steer the gun off target. This is one of the reasons the military specified the change to the A1 model with the scalloped cut behind the trigger guard. If the gun is set up so that it fits your hand it is a very easy gun to hit with.

 

[wrench]

I have small hands, and I love short triggers on 1911s

 

[458lottTN]

Unless you really don't like tinkering with your guns, don't necessarily make your choice based on the stock configuration. Find the setup you like, then choose your 1911 based on the features you can't easily change. The GI series limits your sight options unless you want to have a dovetail cut in the slide for the front sight. Most of the moving parts on a 1911 are relatively cheap and easy to change.

Nothing wrong with GI type guns, but I see a lot of people get them as starter 1911's that end up trading for something else because they want dot sights or night sights.

Course, nothing wrong with trading, either.

 

[Quack]

once you go flat, you never go back

 

[R0CKETMAN]

Put two short Harrisons in last week. Only way to go.

 

[royal barnes]

Small hands and short fingers equals short triggers and slim grips.

 

[hexidismal]

Personally, I have no love for the short triggers. My hands are very large, with long gangly fingers. The standard 1911 grip in general has always felt a bit small for me. For the pad of my index finger to rest even on the medium trigger it's a slightly uncomfortable and awkward bend which I've just trained myself to do anyway.

 

[Slamfire]

Personally, I have no love for the short triggers. My hands are very large, with long gangly fingers. The standard 1911 grip in general has always felt a bit small for me. For the pad of my index finger to rest even on the medium trigger it's a slightly uncomfortable and awkward bend which I've just trained myself to do anyway.

Try a Beretta M92. Big grip frame. Made for those monsters with big hands and long fingers.

 

[Greg528iT]

AND I just remembered why short triggers were OEM on 1911s.

Gloved fingers / hands. I went to the range Friday, it was 25°, 4" of snow. I didn't have tacticool gloves. I wore my thinner but flannel lined gloves. I have decent tactile feel with those. My short trigger 1911, gloved finger dropped right in. Long trigger, um not so much, made going from trigger safe to shooting a little slower. I'm pretty sure in the middle of a war, who knows where, (eastern front of Germany) a warrior will need his gloves on.

 

[Jed Carter]

I shoot both short and long trigger 1911s, the short triggers are matched with a curved mainspring housing. The length of pull seems the same to me, only the shoe is different. Most "GI, Milspec" 1911s are not considered accurate 1911s, they are just a close quarter weapon. If you want to get some accuracy out of an entry level parkerized 1911 get an STI Spartan with adjustable sights and STIs sweet out of the box trigger and your shooting with a 1911 should improve. You could always change the trigger to fit your hand better down the road if needed.