Lightest Trigger Pull ?

[Greg All Calibers]

I did my own trigger job, as I have done on many of my guns before. I never remove any metal but do use a series of polishes and a low-speed dremel with a cloth-only buffing wheel.

On my GP-100, I use Wolff springs (main spring and trigger return springs)... however, I may have smoothed the trigger action TOO much.

In single action, it takes almost no effort to pull the trigger back. This makes it very accurate at the range since there is basically no pulling on the gun, however, it kind of takes you by surprise after it shoots.

I plan to have the trigger measured.
Question:
- How light is 'too light'?
- Do you like to feel alittle trigger movement before it drops the hammer?

Thanks, Greg

 

[Bob C]

With the gun cocked, push on the hammer with your thumb, fairly hard. If it falls, you've gone too far. If so, be comforted in that you're not the first to require a new hammer, trigger, or both.

 

[Jim K]

There is nothing wrong with the let off taking you by surprise as long as the hammer won't push off and you feel comfortable with the pull.

BUT, I certainly don't recommend too light a pull in a carry or home defense gun. A high degree of tension and a light trigger pull are not compatible; the result could be a disaster if you put a bullet where you don't want it to go.

Jim

 

[Greg All Calibers]

Bob:
fortunately, the hammer will not fall even with a fair amount of force behind it, as long as I do not touch the trigger.

Jim:
there is indeed NO perceptible trigger movement / let-off ... I just apply a small amount of pressure to the trigger and the hammer will fall.

I do not use this as my carry gun. It is used at the range only.

Is this viewed as a well-tuned trigger job ?

 

[DennisE]

Fire off 50 to 100 rounds. Do you get any 'light strikes' that fail to ignite the primer and fire the round? Dennis

 

[Greg All Calibers]

DennisE:
No light strikes, I am using the middle weight main-spring from the Wolff kit.

Just a Light Trigger !!

 

[Standing Wolf]

I once shot a Czech .22 K Hornet rifle with a set trigger whose set pull was under two ounces: that was the lowest the owner's scale would measure.

I have several match pistols whose pulls are in the one pound range. That's too light to qualify for bullseye competition, but since I no longer see well enough to compete, I've adjusted them on the light side for comfort and accuracy.

My carry gun's single action pull is 2.5 pounds. I believe if you practice, practice, and practice some more with light triggers, you'll be every bit as safe as with a heavier trigger, and measurably more accurate.

 

[larryw]

Greg, can I send my RedHawk for you to do next?

 

[JohnKSa]

Is this the same gun that you posted about where the trigger won't return anymore?

I'd say it's too light when the gun will no longer function correctly.

 

[bountyhunter]

The SA pull on my SW686 comp gun is 1.8# and the trigger travels about .050" from start to BANG. That's the nature of the beast. The rebound slide spring primarily determenes SA pull weight, you can increase it if the trigger is scaring you.

As for DA pull: for a comp gun, you can't get them too light until you start to get misfires. My "maximum tweaked" old 686 pulls DA at 5.2#, a feat I can not duplicate with any of the new SW junk I own. I have to settle for about 6.2# on those, still pretty light.

I don't recommend any of this for a defense or carry gun, just range toys.

 

[9mmepiphany]

i would be reluctant to go below 1.5lbs in SA...but as long as it doesn't push off.

my old PPC python had a SA about 1.5lbs,but i couldn't shoot it in "leg matches" because it was to light for the rules (i think it had to be 2.5lbs)

i also have a smith m-27 which was tuned by bob chow (camp perry champ) which was much like your gp-100. he put a trigger shoe on the narrow trigger and if you could feel all the serrations on the shoe, the shot was gone...i've never measured it.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I've got a Rossi M88 that in SA takes only the slightest touch to set off, but the hammer is secure. Took some getting used to, but it sure makes a nice pretty cloverleaf hole at 15 yrds with my home grown WC's.

On the other hand, I just finished working up the trigger on my old Glenfield Model 15, and went too far. It breaks at just a hair over 1 pound, but it also fires if you bump it on your knee. Could be embarrassing at the range. "Opps, sorry about that sir. I'll buy you a new hat."

 

[Grayrock]

Greg- did you used to have a stainless Ruger Security-Six? I bought one that sounds like your trigger job. You just breathe on it SA and it goes off. DA is fine. I do not let anyone shoot it I do not implicitly trust with my life. I have been thinking of having the trigger pull "heavied". It is good for target work and I don't mind the pull, but I know the gun and what to expect with it. It is not a carry piece.

G