Trigger Pull

[Good Ol' Boy]

If this is not consistent with the General forum feel free to move it.

So I ordered a Lyman trigger gauge yesterday and it showed up today. I was like a kid in a candy shop. Only tried a couple of guns but am anxious to test everything I have.

My wife's new PPS M2 averaged 5.5lbs. My G17 gen 4 with a stock trigger save for the .25 job measured around 3.5lbs average. My $99 Savage B64 from Wally World with a Mcarbo trigger kit measured around 2.5lbs. My old used Marlin 81 which I knew had a extremely light trigger measured an average of 10 oz. I haven't done anything to it but it really is scary light.

All measurements were using a bench vise and middle to bottom of trigger, straight back.


So, what tips do you have using this gauge and what are some of your pulls your proud of?


I still have many guns I want to try out...

 

[troy fairweather]

like all scales let the warm up some, and do a few pull before to get the most precise reading. guns in cold weather will have heaver pulls.

 

[Purple Bikerr]

I remember my High School math teacher telling us to do 5 measurements. Toss out the high one and the low one, then average the others.
Reason was the high and low were anomalies. Probably different now, but that is how I was taught, and that is how I measure my trigger pulls.

 

[22250Rem]

I got spoiled using my buddy's until he retired to New Mexico....... So that's when I got a Lyman digital gauge. I like it and I've also heard things about having it on for a while before use, (even though it has a timed, automatic shutoff). Try to be consistent with every pull the same slow & steady movement much like firing the gun, aka trigger control, with the gun firmly in a gun vise. Out of all my firearms the lightest pull is 1 lb. 3 oz. on the old Model 67 Winchester single shot 22 that's been in the family since the latter 1930's...... It's a worn sear but I do have a replacement if it gets worse. Some of the heaviest are both north of seven pounds..... A Marlin 30AS lever gun in 30-30 and the Henry single shot I picked up last month. Got some aftermarket triggers like a Timney, a Dayton Traister, (sp?) and a Riflebasix on other stuff that are all around 2.5 lbs. You're gonna have fun with it and now you can measure trigger pulls on all the rifles your friends own, also.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

When I measured my LC9s, and verified to me that I did not need to EDC this light a trigger. Then began a search and found the Micro 9 double action which has made be a believer. I am done with light Striker fired triggers. DA all the way.

 

[Drail]

Always take the average from 5 or 6 tries to factor out the variables of human error when pulling the trigger. Sometimes you will pull the trigger straight back - other times you may introduce an angle or position the gauge high or low. I would avoid digital gauges powered by a battery. A mechanical spring gauge will be more consistent over long periods of time (unless you drop it on a concrete floor - then you'll want to buy a new gauge).

 

[Waveski]

When I measured my LC9s, and verified to me that I did not need to EDC this light a trigger. /QUOTE

So , what did the LC9 weigh in at? And , how light is too light in your opinion?

 

[loose noose]

I've got a Timney trigger on one of my AR-15 with a 20" 1/7 bull barrel that I've used for informal bench rest shooting that breaks right at 1.5#s, to me that is scary light, anything lighter is in my opinion unsafe except for bench rest shooting.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

The trigger pull was down to 4lbs. It was not only the pull weight,but the way the trigger functions. If you have a LC9S you know what I am talking about The free play, then the quick break. As Hickcock45 said of the light trigger of the LC9S, "almost like a target gun". I will have to agree with him on this one. I understand some folks like this. I have even seen some guys install kits to bring them down to 3lbs of pull. Each his own. Like I said earlier, I just enjoy a smooth DA. at 5 1/2 -6lbs of pull. And even a stronger pull on some guns like the LCR.

By the way, I like the LC9S. Nice little gun. Sure shot a lot of rounds down range. I still shoot it, but just do not carry it. Strictly a range gun. (mine also had the safety, of which I was very use to using) that was never a issue for me.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

Another toy that I use all the time is the Digital Scale. Amazing the amount of things I have weighed. Holsters, number of rounds, magazines, compared barrels, receivers etc.

EX/

 

[Hangingrock]

Terminology, I use press as opposed to pull. Examples (S&W M67 DA-10Lbs / SA-3.25Lbs) - (S&W M66-2 DA-8.25Lbs / SA-3.25 Lbs) and S&W 4506 (DA-10 Lbs / SA 5 Lbs) To the best of my knowledge Mfgr-Stock.