Needing help understanding proper trigger pull

[Troy26]

Before anyone starts jumping on me, I have done a search and found a coupleumbers here and there, but still didn't feel like I had a satisfactory answer, so here's my question:

What's the acceptable range for trigger pull in a defensive firearm?

Also, do special trigger types (for example the DAK) affect that range at all?

 

[peacemaker45]

What sort of numbers are you looking for? Length of pull? length of reset? Pull weight?

I don't know what other people find to be an acceptable range, but what I find acceptable is a single action only trigger that breaks cleanly at between 2 and 5 lbs. Although I do have one set of SAA clones that break at 18 oz. I wouldn't feel especially unsafe with them, as I used them for over a year in SASS matches, and am very familiar with that trigger, but I wouldn't want to have to deal with a a DA calling me a "cowboy on a hair trigger." My 1911s are almost all set at about 3.5 lbs.

~~~Mat

 

[CWL]

I set trigger pull weight for my M1911s at 4 1/2lbs. Light enough for me and never had a problem with them being over/under sensitive. I feel this wt. is right for me since the travel (trigger pull) distance on my SD pistols are =/<.25 inch.

It really depends on your choice of pistol, example: Sigs have notoriously long trigger pulls in their SA/DA pistols.

 

[Coronach]

Yes, it really depends upon a number of variables.

1. Use of the gun. You specify defensive, so we'll go with that. The conventional wisdom is that defensive pistols should have heavier pulls than raceguns, but some take that too far, requiring three grown men and a boy to manage a pull of the trigger.

2. Type of action. Is it a SA gun with a manual safety? If so, you can go pretty light and remain safe, since the safety should be engaged until you're basically ready to shoot. A gun without a manual safety (be it a partially cocked striker design, SA, an especially a DAO or DA/SA), generally has a stiffer pull, in order to make ADs or NDs harder (think foreign object in the trigger guard).

3. Length of the trigger pull. The longer it is, the less important weight is in maintaining safety, to a point.

Mike

 

[Troy26]

It really depends on your choice of pistol, example: Sigs have notoriously long trigger pulls in their SA/DA pistols.

Can you annot adjust the length of the pull jsut as you can the weight?

 

[Geronimo45]

What's the acceptable range for trigger pull in a defensive firearm?

3.5-20lbs, I guess. Some of the little pocket pistols have a trigger pull out of all proportion for their size (20lbs) and some SA semis have adjustable trigger pulls (can be brought down to around 3lbs, maybe lower).
I like 10-15 pound pull for DA, and 5-ish in SA. Not too heavy, not too light.