Glock trigger - Perfection or So-So?

[Godsgunman]

I recently purchased my first Glock ever, a gen 3 26. I finally had a chance to take it out to the farm and put some rounds through it. First off I'd like to comment on the fit and feel of the gun. I personally like the size of the 26 for a CC weapon. Even though the grip is short and and my pinkie goes under the magazine base, I find it fits my hand very well and have no problem gripping the gun. I find the 26 to point pretty naturally for me also. The grip texturing seems to be pretty aggressive, maybe a little too aggressive IMO as I found it a little rough on the fingers while shooting but nothing problematic. The sights are standard Glock sights which I will probably replace with nights. The gun is plenty accurate from SD ranges and even back to 15 yds I was able to keep all 10 shots within an area of 5", which is pretty good for me especially with a new gun. As expected from a Glock there were no FTF or FTE with a mixed bag of ammo from FMJs to HPs and differing weights 115gr + 124gr.
Now on to the trigger. I found the trigger to be un-impresssive at best. I am more of a hammer gun guy and love a smooth DA pull and a nice SA pull even better. He trigger pull on the Glock is neither, kind of in between the two. In all honesty the trigger pull kind of reminds me of a stapler. Ever open a stapler and squeeze the top part to "shoot" a staple at your buddy in school? To me it feels like that. You have a little "takeup" or "staging" and then you come to where it stiffens and "click" you fire the staple. Not "perfection" IMHO. Effective, yes. Consistent, yes. Gets the job done, yes. Perfection, no.
Overall a great reliable gun that goes "bang" everytime and one that you can count on when needed.

 

[ny32182]

Not "perfection" IMHO. Effective, yes. Consistent, yes. Gets the job done, yes. Perfection, no.

The trigger works perfectly to its design intent and philosophy... if you want a target/bullseye single action trigger you will need a different gun. You can lighten it if you want, but at the end of the day it is a DAO style trigger that will never break like a single action.

 

[ball3006]

Glock triggers are a bit different. However, once you get used to it, it is a non issue. Just like my C&R rifles. All the triggers are different so you just have to remember to use proper trigger manulipation, squeeze the trigger until it goes off. Once you understand that, things are fine....chris3

 

[holdencm9]

Your thoughts mimic mine with the Glock trigger, although it will probably smooth out a little bit as you put more rounds through it. Everyone complains about the S&W M&P trigger but personally I found it to be better than Glock, out of the box at least. That said, I manage to shoot all my friends' Glocks very well, even though I wouldn't say it fits my hand or points naturally, that doesn't really matter when you are just poking holes at the range. And like ny said, it is not intended to be a bullseye trigger. It will never compete with a single action on a good 1911, for instance.

Also trigger feel is pretty subjective for each person and also, there is probably a lot of variation within the same make and model of gun, so it is possible you got one that is a little on the gritty side.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

It is exactly and specifically only the trigger which has not only allowed any past Glocks in my possession to pass on to other more appreciative owners but in fact hastened the sales.

While I recognize that they operate the way they were designed to operate - I as a consumer can't stand them (triggers) and don't care to "get used to them" at this time.

Outstanding guns, great industry support, exceptional array of products but just as with DA/SA, I'm not climbing on board.

I kinda look at it like my passion for motorcycles: there are a great many "classic" bikes I'd love to own save one or two features - if they have a right side shift or foot clutch - I'm not goin' there to avoid the new learning/familiarity curve required.

 

[TMann]

Using a Glock trigger is definitely less satisfying from an aesthetic point of view than a nice SA trigger (1911 or Ruger MKII) or even a smooth DA revolver. The mushy takeup and split-trigger design don't afford the same tactile experience as the other guns.

Despite that, I have always found the Glock to be a very easy gun to shoot. Once you get used to it, the Glock trigger is surprisingly easy to control. My main HD and carry guns are both Glocks, and I shoot them as well as any of my other handguns.

Choices are a good thing. If you like your Glock, stay with it. If you can't stand the way it feels, find something else that works well for you.

TMann

 

[ku4hx]

I own double action revolvers, single action revolvers, shotguns, black powder revolvers and long guns, modern rifles and modern pistols. They all have triggers and different types of guns have different trigger feel. That's not only true across all guns, but also within specific gun types.

As to pistols, Rugers, Glocks, Colts, Smiths and etc. all have a slightly different feel and action. But the same can be said of automatic and manual transmissions. You just have to learn to use what you want to learn to use. As for me, I like them all and don't arbitrarily limit myself based on how something feels at first blush. If I'd have done that in my dating years, I'd never have met my wife. Or most of the women I knew at one time.

As to Glock triggers specifically, meh ... no big deal. I like shooting mine and getting used to them was just a normal event in this shooter's life. I can say the same for my 1967 vintage Ruger Blackhawk, my BHP and in fact all the various types of guns I have. Glocks are Glocks and always will be. I chose to master them; wife prefers the Ruger SR series. We still get along famously.

 

[Cesiumsponge]

I find the gen3 grip texture insufficient and stippled mine more aggressively. The trigger pull smoothes out with the "25 cent trigger polish" or 5000 rounds, whichever comes first, but the fundamental pull doesn't change. Under stress shooting, minor quips like trigger smoothness are irrelevant. Having run 1911s and Glocks through training and stressfire drills, the only thing that matters is the trigger break. I actually do better with my Glock than my Kimber. The squishy Glock trigger still gets me a 80-90% hit rate on an IPSC at 100 yards.

 

[BP Hunter]

Of all the handguns I have handled and fired, the Glock trigger seems to fit me the best. As much as I like the clean break of the my Taurus 1911, the DAO Glock trigger somehow agrees with my trigger pull. It is the only trigger that allowws me to double tap successfully.

 

[Ky Larry]

I don't like any striker fired pistol. I like the feel of a hammer fired pistol. This is just a personal thing with me. Glock triggers feel likea handful of mush. However,they go bang just about every time and are accurate. There are enough choices out there that everybody should find something that works for them. I don't bash Glocks. They just don't work for me. You should shoot what works for you.

 

[Godsgunman]

Yeah I'm definitely not trying to Glock bash or anything like that. As I said it is definitely a quality reliable weapon and pretty dang accurate. Having put less than 150 rounds through it there's definitely plenty of time for me to get used to the trigger feel since that seems to be my biggest issue with it. There are worse problems to have I guess, since it is a reliable gun and built to last. Time will tell.

 

[C0untZer0]

StockGlock triggers are horrible

 

[wally]

StockGlock triggers are horrible

I'd agree with you, until gen 4. Prior Glocks I couldn't shoot worth a crap unless I put the 3lb trigger connector in, and then I'd be real leery of it as a carry pistol, but my Glocks are full size and range toys so its worked out OK (I've a 17 & 21 gen 2, 20 gen3SF, & 17L gen3).

The gen4 Glock 22 I could shoot great out of the box, just enough better trigger combined with the not so fat and blocky frame (no insert used) makes a world of difference for me. This one I would be comfortable carrying.

 

[MrBorland]

The Glocks I've shot with factory triggers had some wicked letoff. It was very obvious during dry fire, with the muzzle really jarring when the sear broke. Everything I've shot through them ended up going left, despite experimenting with grip, trigger finger placement, speed, etc. I recently shot a friend's Glock after he tuned the trigger to reduce the harsh letoff, and it made a big difference.

 

[Sigokat]

I recently purchased my first Glock ever, a gen 3 26. I finally had a chance to take it out to the farm and put some rounds through it. First off I'd like to comment on the fit and feel of the gun. I personally like the size of the 26 for a CC weapon. Even though the grip is short and and my pinkie goes under the magazine base, I find it fits my hand very well and have no problem gripping the gun. I find the 26 to point pretty naturally for me also. The grip texturing seems to be pretty aggressive, maybe a little too aggressive IMO as I found it a little rough on the fingers while shooting but nothing problematic. The sights are standard Glock sights which I will probably replace with nights. The gun is plenty accurate from SD ranges and even back to 15 yds I was able to keep all 10 shots within an area of 5", which is pretty good for me especially with a new gun. As expected from a Glock there were no FTF or FTE with a mixed bag of ammo from FMJs to HPs and differing weights 115gr + 124gr.
Now on to the trigger. I found the trigger to be un-impresssive at best. I am more of a hammer gun guy and love a smooth DA pull and a nice SA pull even better. He trigger pull on the Glock is neither, kind of in between the two. In all honesty the trigger pull kind of reminds me of a stapler. Ever open a stapler and squeeze the top part to "shoot" a staple at your buddy in school? To me it feels like that. You have a little "takeup" or "staging" and then you come to where it stiffens and "click" you fire the staple. Not "perfection" IMHO. Effective, yes. Consistent, yes. Gets the job done, yes. Perfection, no.
Overall a great reliable gun that goes "bang" everytime and one that you can count on when needed.

I love the Glock trigger. Once I got used to the break and the reset points, and learned to use them to my advantage, I became very accurate, and fast with the Glock pistols. The reset and break points are essential to shooting them accurately.

I think it's not as good as some 1911 triggers (like my Kimber Custom Target II), but somewhat better than others (like my Colt Government Series 80). The Glock just requires less trigger travel than the Colt. I also prefer the Glock trigger, by far to the stock Sig P226 trigger. The Sig has such a long reset compared to the Glock factory trigger.

 

[2zulu1]

I have three Glocks, don't care for their triggers. What Glocks should have evolved to can be found on the recent Steyr A1s, one advantage is the Steyr has a short learning curve.

My finger gets pinched between the bottom of the trigger guard and finger on my G20s, thus limiting range time to 70-100 rounds max. By comparison, I can go 400 rounds easily with 1911s in 45 auto or 38 Super, there's no comparison between Glock triggers and my three Colt 1911s, or even a Citadel for that matter.

 

[the duck of death]

Don't like the Glock trigger? Why not fix it, I did--2lbs with no take up.

 

[2wheels]

They work, I don't think anyone will debate that.

But growing up shooting DA/SA autos, DA revolvers, and SAO 1911s, the first time I shot a Glock the first thing I thought was "this isn't a firearms trigger!". I can shoot a Glock just fine, but I don't particularly enjoy it.

Certainly beats a stock Sigma trigger though.

 

[amd6547]

I like the Glock trigger very well, and I am pretty accurate with it.
Recently, I have heard good things about the combination of the NY-1 trigger return with a light pull connector. Parts are cheap, I may try it.

 

[easyg]

While the stock Glock trigger is not exactly awe inspiring, no one can blame the trigger if they can't shoot the Glock well.

 

[greenlion]

Yeah, thats why GLOCKS are by far the top pistol choice for pro shooters shooting IDPA matches and most of the Nation's Law Enforcement Officers, because they have bad triggers. It really helps to win trophies and defend your life if the trigger on your gun sucks.

If you think GLOCK triggers suck, you MAY (I'm not saying absolutely, but MAY) have never spent the time to learn how they work.

 

[wanderinwalker]

While the stock Glock trigger is not exactly awe inspiring, no one can blame the trigger if they can't shoot the Glock well.

This sums it up pretty well IMO. To me there seem to be two kinds of shooters: 1) those who chase "the perfect" (trigger, grip angle, width, etc) and complain about anything that doesn't match their ideal (and use it as an excuse for poor shooting). 2) shooters who just grab whatever is given to them and make hits on target.

The Glock doesn't appeal to many in group 1, but that doesn't mean it won't work fine. To be fair, I'm not sensitive to grip angle/trigger/sight changes and hop from DA revolvers to Glocks and can handle a 1911 fine as well.

 

[hq]

For some weird, unexplainable reason, Glock triggers are downright horrible when you dry fire them, but they work in practice. For some (most?), that is; I recently found out that I'm one of them.

 

[Godsgunman]

WanderinWalker-
I, like you, generally find myself in the #2 category. I have owned and shot DAOs, SAOs, DA/SA and now the Glock style. I shoot them all pretty well and can adapt to angles and so on and so forth. I find the Glock trigger to just kinda fall into its own category as "different". As I stated in my review, its not for a lack of accuracy that I find it different but a lack of commonality for me. Hopefully I will learn to love the trigger as I break it in more since I do like the overall results of the 26 itself. Probably the best trigger I ever had was on a Taurus 908 but the darn thing was to unreliable with FTFs (beautiful gun to). Give me that gun with Glock reliability and I'd be in heaven ::sigh:: can't have it all I guess .

 

[Plan2Live]

As the saying goes, if you have to ask.....