Why are revolver triggers generally better than semi-auto?

[AirPower]

I have a couple of revolvers, a Smith M65 and a Colt Trooper, both are really nice and crisp in single action. Even in double action, the pull is still very nice and with clean break. They're not customized and just the way they came from factory.

I simply could not find an off the shelf semi-auto that have triggers like that. Even my Colt 1911's dedicated single action doesn't feel as crisp. I'm sure 1911 could be made better, but I really doubt that Glocks or Beretta can be much better.

Why couldnt' they make the semiauto triggers better?

 

[jbauch357]

While they may never have the clean and crisp break of a revolver, or 1911 - I think you would be amazed at how nice you can make a GLOCK trigger with the right amount of break in and polishing of internal parts.

FWIW off the shelf I can't stand the triggers of GLOCKs and almost sold my G26 cause of it - now thousands of rounds (and a couple felt polishing discs) the trigger feels almost as smooth as my Ruger GP100 revolver.

Same thing with S&W M&P pistols, the range rentals feel awesome - a new one feels horrible (I bought one new off the shelf and sold it a couple weeks later the trigger was so bad).

 

[Hawk]

My 1911 derivitives are generally better on average than my revolvers with respect to single action though I'll grant that I agree with your assesment of the Colt - mine's a series 80 and it seems I can feel every little hitch and giddy-yup while the firing pin block is disengaging.

An fresh-out-of-the-box Colt 1911 series 80 wouldn't be my first choice if comparing 1911 triggers was on the agenda.

...

When I'm in the mood to grumble and whine I generally wonder when and who decided defensive revolvers had to be learned and practiced double action only - the single action is so nice and nowadays we don't get to use it without the range babes kicking sand in our faces.

 

[Jason M]

Here is my opinion…

The revolver trigger mechanism does not have to reach around the magazine to cock and drop the hammer. Therefore, there are fewer moving parts and the action can be made simpler and smoother thusly. Furthermore, revolvers do not have to function with peripheral devices built in to the weapon like thumb safeties and de-cockers which bring with them little levers and disconnects that add to the melee of friction causing apparatus in semi-auto triggers.

Further still, many DA/SA (like my SIG) and “special” DAO triggers (Glock and XD pistols) have a full draw initial pull with a 60% reduced reengagement of the trigger for quick follow-ups. This mechanism is incorporated in to the trigger and again adds things to the moving parts. The more moving parts you have, the more likely you are to encounter inconsistencies and whatnot.

In addition, I consider my Sig P226 trigger to be a fine DA/SA trigger. The double action stage of the first shot is a smooth and consistent pull with a clean break. The remaining single-action pulls are crisp 4 pound pulls and they, too, feel very consistent.

 

[Drail]

Because a revolver isn't going to double or go full auto with a 1 1/2 pound trigger.

 

[BlindJustice]

Double Action - I'd guess the revolver's have better leverage in their
actions - not sure about your Colt Trooper, but the S&W 65 is a K-frame
probably the best S&W DA - it was the first, it has a leaf main spring and
lower weight to each part than it's larger siblings the L and N frames. And
yes another factor is being able to take a single action down to less than 3
lbs, and after the hammer falls there's no danger of the hammer fontinuing to
fall on the next round like a 1911 that has been taken down below say 3.5 lBs.
makers of the 1911 can make the gun without a lot of exacting trigger tuning by getting the trigger in the 4.5 - 5.5 lbs range, and it was originally
designed as a military pistol which the military prefer to have a higher effort
trigger pull so as to avoid Accidental/Negligent Discharge.

Also the 1911 as well as some other semi-auto designs have a short coil spring which for the 1911 is 23 lbs - many trigger jobs include replacing the
Main SPring to a 19 lb spring.

Double Action Semi-Autos - depends on each individual design
I actually like the DA pull on my CZ 75B better than my L-frame
Smith a 686P, but my K-frame 617 .22 LR 10 shot cyl. has it
beat. THe N-frame 625 has a LONG reset to the DA pull but a very
light SA pull - ok, it's had the Master Revolver Action job from
the S&W Performance center but still it's got a lot of
reciprocating mass in the cylinder and just bigger parts
overall than the 617

Revolvers with coil main spring? Post WWII S&W redesigned
the old weaker frame, but leaf Main Spring I frame
and the J-frame with a coil Main SPring was created. It is
said to have less feel than the other S&W revolvers
and also the trigger pull is limited in how much it can be
reduced. Ruger revolvers DA/SA are different and some have
gears and I have little experience shooting them, or recalling
how they are different.

Mechanisms and 'feel' a lot of subjectiveness but
certain characteristics can be agreed to by most.

Randall

 

[jad0110]

When I'm in the mood to grumble and whine I generally wonder when and who decided defensive revolvers had to be learned and practiced double action only - the single action is so nice and nowadays we don't get to use it without the range babes kicking sand in our faces.

Not sure which part of the country you are from, but where I live most folks at the range shooting revolvers do so in SA. A revolver shooter ignoring the hammer thingie is a rare thing in these parts.

I've made the same observations though about the actions, I just never really thought about why. I do prefer my DA smiths to even my 1911, though the 1911 is pretty decent after having an action job. Even in stock form, the trigger actions of my S&Ws are smoother and more consistent than any other gun I've owned, to say nothing of your typical off-the-shelf semi auto these days. And pre-war Colts and S&W are a study in perfection, particular in DA IMHO.

 

[MrBorland]

where I live most folks at the range shooting revolvers do so in SA. A revolver shooter ignoring the hammer thingie is a rare thing in these parts.

I tend to think we all see the same thing. Moreso, try searching Youtube for a decent vid of a wheelgun shooter (who's initials aren't JM) shooting DA. Given the popularity of revolvers as CCWs, you'd think you'd see more people at least trying to become minimally proficient shooting DA.

 

[Hawk]

Not sure which part of the country you are from, but where I live most folks at the range shooting revolvers do so in SA. A revolver shooter ignoring the hammer thingie is a rare thing in these parts.

North Texas.

The typical consensus is that one should practice in the manner one would use the thing - for a defensive revolver that's double action. I tend to shoot at a place that trains in the use of defensive handguns so, unless you turn up with a SAA, everyone with a revolver will be running double action.

If it's any of the timed competitions, it's double action.

There's one range around here that runs handgun bullseye - that would probably be SA.

No offense, but I think my part of the country is more mainstream than wherever you're finding all the folks using cocked double actions. All the growth seems to be in timed competitions of one type or another.

I would suspect that practice using SA is about as relevant to double action competition or defensive use as synchronized swimming is to auto racing.

 

[Jim K]

The reason is that revolvers do not have the disconnector mechanism and sear reset condition that is involved with auto pistols. In most revolvers, the sear is part of the trigger and interfaces directly with the hammer. In most auto pistols, the trigger interfaces with a trigger bar, which contacts the sear, which interfaces with the hammer or with a striker. All of these parts have clearances made necessary by the way they need to operate. The result is that even though a lot of the "slop" can be taken out, some must remain for safety and reliability.

Jim

 

[machinisttx]

Compare the number of parts/interfaces in that action to what's in your semi auto. Fewer parts = less friction = less leverage needed.

 

[makarovnik]

IMHO single action triggers tend to be better in both revolvers and semi-autos.

I personally have always shot better with autoloaders than revolvers. Double action shooting takes practice and good trigger control.

Give me a single action autoloader every time.

 

[jad0110]

Jim K,

You summed up the reasons pretty well, I've detail stripped my Smiths many times, but never thought of that.

No offense, but I think my part of the country is more mainstream than wherever you're finding all the folks using cocked double actions.

None taken.

Though as MrBorland does have point. North Texas may well be different than your average location .

I myself have gotten to the point where I prefer DA shooting on a DA wheelgun, as I usually do a tad better accuracy and speed-wise in DA unless I'm low on blood sugar or am otherwise tired. Perhaps 1 in 300 shots is in SA. When I first started shooting revolvers I did so in SA exclusively, though upon reading a number of posts here on THR of people who had thrown their hands up saying "it can't be done", I took it as a challenge . And it is nice being out of step with the rest of the folks on the firing line.

I guess it all boils down to preference, though a lot of people mistake a light trigger pull by itself as an indication of a great trigger. Out of the box, my Springfield 1911 mil-spec had a light pull, but it was about as junky as they come. I since had an action job performed on it, and it is much improved.

 

[SeanSw]

I am a merely competent shooter by any measure and often find our single berm range in use by shooters at the maximum distance with a selection of long arms. If they do not look too easily disturbed I'll ask if they wouldn't mind sharing the berm with another shooter. They are usually surprised to see someone stand back at their line with double action revolvers, being fired double action, and plinking small targets at the full distance. I rarely see revolvers in use at all, except by a few handloaders shooting SA.

Without state laws that allow CCW or hunting with a revolver it isn't surprising. There is no reason to get outside and practice DA. Do handgun hunters even shoot DA?

 

[MrBorland]

I have a couple of revolvers, a Smith M65 and a Colt Trooper, both are really nice and crisp in single action. Even in double action, the pull is still very nice and with clean break.

Personally, I've not found it categorically true that revolver triggers are better than semi-auto. To me, the triggers of the 2 platforms are simply different, and there are plenty of good and bad examples of each.

In most revolvers, the sear is part of the trigger and interfaces directly with the hammer. In most auto pistols, the trigger interfaces with a trigger bar, which contacts the sear, which interfaces with the hammer or with a striker. All of these parts have clearances made necessary by the way they need to operate. The result is that even though a lot of the "slop" can be taken out, some must remain for safety and reliability.

I'm assuming Jim is referring to a revolver's SA mechanism. That the sear interfaces directly with the hammer may also be technically true in DA, but there are a whole bunch of other interfaces that contribute to DA trigger quality, e.g. rebound slide/frame, rebound slide/trigger, hammer/frame, trigger/hand, hand/cylinder interface, etc, etc. From the factory, it's unlikely all these interfaces are perfect, so there's likely quite a bit of "slop" and roughness that can make a revolver trigger feel "like a stick being pulled along a picket fence".

I get the impression that some feel a trigger job is simply a matter of installing lighter springs, a little honing and dry firing the batsnot out of it. My suspicion, though, is that good revolver 'smiths instead spend a good deal of time smoothing each one of these interfaces.

No offense, but I think my part of the country is more mainstream than wherever you're finding all the folks using cocked double actions. All the growth seems to be in timed competitions of one type or another.

Another way to say it, is that competition's getting popular, so many compete with a revolver. And if you compete with a revolver, it'll likely be some form of combat action type shooting, shot in DA. True enough, but the thing is, most I see at the range aren't mingling with competitive shooters, and seem fairly uninfluenced by them.