How important is the trigger on a shotgun

[Dimis]

i read alot about how important triggers are on rifles and handguns but i wanted to know how important it is to have a clean crisp trigger on shotguns
i know its just a "scattergun" but some people spend alot on trigger work or new trigger groups for other types of firearms and i never see anyone talk about shotguns

 

[ArmedBear]

It's important, but different.

You don't want a hair trigger. However, a clean, consistent trigger is really helpful. A smooth 5 lbs. can be wonderful.

Also, 2-barrel guns can have different trigger pulls on each barrel, since internally they're more or less like two single-shots next to each other. Having them match is also helpful, since as you swing through a target, the gun goes off with the same exact pressure and timing.

I have to say that, assuming the trigger pull is not really terrrible, I care more about the actual trigger. Somewhat wide, round and smooth works for me. Some wide, smooth serrated ones are nice. I don't much care for the 870/1100 trigger, which is a nasty little piece of metal that Remington should have improved years ago. It might cost a few more cents to make, but it would feel SO much better.

 

[oneounceload]

If you shoot one of the really cheap shotguns from China or Turkey, and then shoot a K-80 or Perazzi or similar - you would not believe the differences - much like shooting a tunes pistol or rifle versus some milsurp POS........When you're shooting two shots as in sporting clays, that second shot might be hampered by a lousy trigger

 

[ArmedBear]

Yeah, a Perazzi trigger feels GREAT. I'm not even sure how to describe it, other than that it just feels right, not too heavy or light, smooth as glass -- and VERY consistent.

 

[oneounceload]

excellent add-on point AB! - the consistency.......a good trigger will feel the same, crisp as glass, from your first shot to your 250,000th shot

 

[ArmedBear]

Clay sports involving doubles, as well as bird hunting, are not much different from, say, NRA Timed or Rapid Fire Pistol.

If the trigger feels different from shot to shot, you will miss more often.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Triggers on the shotguns we have are hauling anchors by the pound steady and surely back until BOOM! No hair triggers here.

You dont want hair trigger shotguns. And you dont want to have it fire when you bump into it or knock on it while doing whatever around it.

So folks in the hills would work the guns until they fire when pumped one into the chamber... no trigger necessary... I think such paranoia will get them hurt or killed.

Dont worry, the shotgun triggers are pretty good and crisp. Just smooth does it. Jerking it because you are too weak on the finger will only throw you off target down to the left.

 

[cougar1717]

Don't get me wrong because you do get what you pay for, but the metrics of shooting a shotgun are a lot different than shooting a rifle or pistol, and I'm not sure that you can compare since things that make you a better rifle shooter will work against the things that make you a better shotgun shooter. The trigger pull on a shotgun is usually really short. There seem to be a lot of more important factors that help a person shoot a shotgun better before trigger considerations come into play. Here are a couple things to look at first: Does the shotgun fit you correctly? Are you comfortable with the gun? Have you had enough practice with it to know where it shoots? Does it shoot where you look? If a person figures out those four things, the equipment doesn't matter as much.