Let's Talk About Triggers For A Moment

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

In the old days of Smith & Wesson (and maybe some
others ?) target revolvers use to come with a 1/2"
grooved trigger; especially on N-frame models such
as the 25, 27, 29, and 57. Also, on models such as
the 28 a narrow grooved trigger was used.

But it seems like on later production weapons, all
companies (with S&W being the leader) have gotten
away from that idea; and are now producing most
of their revolvers with a smooth combat trigger.

The old triggers seemed to have a "feel" for the tip
of your trigger finger to rest upon; and with practice
ones finger could be trained to return to that exact
position. But, with the combat trigger it seems like
you waste time when shooting targets, searching
momentarily for that "feel".

In a true "combat type situation" its not going to
make much difference; but when target shooting I
definitely notice the difference.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[BluesBear]

Ala Dan, I too, like the .400 or .500 grooved Target Triggers on S&Ws.
I even like the wide grooved triggers in the J-frames.

And there's nothing much smoother than a good S&W 1917 with a wide grooved trigger.

Even in rapid fire I just seem to do better using those rather than the smooth versions. I also prefer the big target hammer.

In fact, right now, I am looking for a affordable Target Trigger and Target Hammer for my Model 28-2.

 

[FPrice]

Ala Dan...

I prefer a wide smooth trigger myself. I don't like the wide, serrated triggers as they tend to irriatate my trigger finger. Of course you can have a bad smooth trigger. I had a nice S&W Model 13 that had a smooth trigger. Unfortunately the face of the trigger was not flat, it was sharply rounded so all the force was focused in a very small area. THAT trigger was a pain to use.

 

[STEVE M]

I think they started getting away from wide/grooved triggers when police

started doing all there shooting double action. You are right about the

wide grooved trigger feeling better for single action work, but the number

of gun buyers who understand that and could take advantage of it or in

the minority.

 

[Ankeny]

I shot a lot of PPC back in the 1970's. I really did prefer the 3/4 combat trigger narrowed just a bit and polished like a mirror. Essentially, I ended up with a smooth trigger about the width of a stock narrow trigger but it was very smooth. Of course, the vast majority of decent PPC shooters shot the entire course double action, including the 50 yard line. I used the narrow trigger because the pull was ever so light on the DA side.

From PPC I went to NRA Action pistol and then into Steel Challenge. My tastes changed a bit and I went to the 3/4 wide combat trigger. In steel shooting speed rules supreme. To get that speed, the trigger must return as quickly as the finger so the return spring is set up a little stiffer than in PPC. A slightly wider trigger gives more surface area for the finger and the DA stroke will be perceived to be lighter. Last year I made a big run at IPSC revolver division in an effort to become one of only a handful of M class revolver shooters. I went with a 3/4 wide combat trigger narrowed very slightly because I set my revolver up with a fast return spring and I left plenty of strain on the main spring.

So much for width, why smooth? FWIW, when shooting quickly double action, a lot of us tend to shift the placement of our finger on the trigger oh so very slightly. I am not saying it's good form to do so, but most of us find ourselves naturally sticking the trigger finger in a little further when in warp drive. It's a fact of life. A smooth trigger will accomodate that shift better than a grooved trigger.

Well, that's one school of thought. Not saying it's right, but you asked.

 

[HSMITH]

I like smooth triggers too. Ankeny's 3/4 narrowed just a tad and mirror smooth sounds about ideal to me. I need to get off my lazy butt and polish a few more.......

 

[Standing Wolf]

Grooved triggers make it easier for me to return the pad of my trigger finger to the exact same spot shot after shot.

 

[Josey]

I like the Colt combat checkered triggers. I like a aggressive checkering on my hammer also. Width is not that important to me. I appreciate a trigger/hammer that I can feel traction on. Smooth and wide is OK for speed.

 

[P95Carry]

Here's another vote for the wide and grooved! I love the M27 trigger .... it's luxury to me.

I am looking for a affordable Target Trigger and Target Hammer for my Model 28-2.

Bear ... if you find anything let me know ... I'd like to do the same for my M28-2 .. only prob is I'd want to keep it's bobbed hammer.

In fact thinking on it .. it had so much silky smoothing work done ... this is a soft butter D/A ..... maybe I should leave well alone.

Still love the wide triggers tho!

 

[BluesBear]

For an automatic I too prefer the old style Colt checkered triggers with a wide spur hammer. I was only talking about revolvers.

 

[HSMITH]

Hammers and triggers regularly go through eBay. Also they are regularly posted for sale on the Smith and Wesson forum, and a "WTB" ad in the classifieds over there will get you what you want as well.

 

[JohnKSa]

IIRC, Jerry Miculek prefers a grooved trigger. He says he has trouble with blisters if he uses a smooth trigger.

 

[BluesBear]

Chris, the advantage is that the triggers are the same for K & N frames. So if you're only looking for a trigger they'er easier to find.

It's just that I am a cheapskate and I think $50+ for a trigger or hammer is a little too high. I have even seen stripped hammers going for more than that on eBay.

And I have just given up on finding any genuine S&W N-frame Smooth Target grips.

 

[Ankeny]

Well I'll be darned, learn something new every day. I always thought Jerry used a .312 smooth trigger.

 

[Ala Dan]

Att: Bear My Friend-

Those smooth S&W N-frame (original) grips are just
about a thing of the past! Seems like folks that have
them mounted on weapons, don't want to even talk
about departing with them.

The last ones I had was a beautiful smooth, dark set
of Rosewood's on you guessed it; a 4" Smith & Wesson
model 28-2. If memory serves me correctly, I think I
bought them through Gil Hebard Guns of Knoxville, IL?

On another note-

$50 bucks for a S&W target hammer or trigger seems
like highway robbery! I don't guess I realized that
those things were that scarce.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[JohnKSa]

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m0BQY/9_48/89808627/p3/article.jhtml?term=

Dunno if this guy is right or wrong, but he's under the same impression I am...

 

[Ankeny]

JohnKSa:

Thanks for the link. I found this interesting:

I also know that he (Jerry M.) knows that most shooters do better with the smooth surface and prefer to make contact with the distal joint of the trigger finger, and this set-up is ideal for that.

Kind of like Jerry Barnhart teaching folks not to wrap the index finger of the support hand around the front of the trigger guard, then he does it himself, lol. Do as I say not as I do.

 

[JohnKSa]

WARNING!
***Thread HiJack Alert!****

What reason does Barnhart give for telling folks to keep their finger off the trigger guard?

 

[BluesBear]

I don't see it as a "do as I say not as I do" thingy at all.
It's all a matter of what will be the best seller.

S&W designed the revolver for the widest sales appeal. It seems that most people today either prefer or have been led to believe that a smooth trigger is better. JM prefers a serrated trigger. I myself prefer a wide serrated trigger. I just shoot better with a serrated one than I do with the smooth ones. Apparantly Jerry does too.

Just as I prefer a short, checkered steel trigger on a 1911 when most are buying ones with long triggers. What's best for one may not be the most popular. But then I didn't start shooting to be popular.

 

[VictorLouis]

I like the old .285" serrated triggers the best.

The kind that normally come on M28s, and some M19s. However, once I doctor the .312" smooth ones to my liking, they're fine. IOW, I'm not going to go to the trouble of changing them out just for .27".

 

[BluesBear]

VictorLouis if you ever come across a S&W Trigger, wide Target type #5843 I'll gladly swap you for a really nice .265 serrated from a Model 28. I'll swap the matching hammer too.

 

[Ankeny]

"Do as I say not as I do..." was used as a figure of speech, nothing more. I guess I'll just ask Jerry myself.

As for the hijack alert, Barnhart teaches folks to shoot with the index finger of the support hand below the trigger guard as do all of the top flight IPSC trainers. But watch him shoot...

 

[JNewell]

Number me among the group that prefers a smooth trigger. Actually, I most prefer a relatively narrow smooth trigger. I shoot DA almost entirely and I think the gun moves less through the trigger stroke.

If I shot mostly SA, wide and serrated would be better.

As it is, all I get out of the wide, serrated TTs is chewed-up fingers...

 

[Ankeny]

JNewell:

You are in good company. In IPSC revolver division there is only one Grandmaster shooter and seven earned Masters. I have a pretty good idea of what most of those guys use and I think you would have a tough time getting them to change. OTOH, I think they would probably do well no matter which trigger style they used.

FWIW, I am glad this topic came up because I did learn quit a bit. The guy at the top of the heap does indeed use a serrated trigger. Jerry Miculek discusses why he uses a serrated trigger in his film "Ultimate Revolver". What he says makes a whole lot of sense, but it still comes down to personal preference. Frankly, I don't think changing my trigger will make a whole lot of difference, but what the hey, I am a gamer and I'll try anything. I think I'll use a serrated trigger in my IDPA wheelgun.