Why can't they all be this way?????

[Peter M. Eick]

I just was playing around with my lyman digital trigger pull gauge. I happen to be swapping my Dan Wesson MD-15 barrels out so I measured the SA pull at 3 lbs 15 oz for the average of all 6 cylinders. This got me interested in my other favorites:

5 screw post war 38/44 outdoorsman 2 lb 15 oz
5 screw post war highway patrolman 2 lbs 13 oz
5 screw post war 357 magnum 2 lbs 8 oz.
5 screw post war k-22t 2 lbs 10 oz

Now the newer ones:

60's vintage Colt diamondback 4 lbs 8 oz
70's vintage DW MD-15 3 lbs 15 oz.
70's vintage Colt python 4 lbs 14.8 oz.
02 vintage DW 722 5 lbs 6 oz.


Notice a little trend here? The newer it is the heavier it is. Sure this isn't rocket science, we all know it, but why must it be this way.

So my compliments to S&W and the 1950's when triggers were in the 2 to 3 lb range and I guess I will wonder why they can't be that way all the time....

Oh well, sigh..........

 

[Old Fuff]

Such a suprise ......... Who would have thought?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Yeah, but I was surprised at how consistent the 50's guns were. All between 2 and 3 lbs. To bad my new ones aren't like that.

 

[mdsteele]

Yup it's a cryin shame.

I have two Smiths that have great triggers and they are older.
My new 617, while smooth is almost unbearable in the pull department.

I think it may have something to do with liability these days.

 

[Old Fuff]

Peter:

In the 50's they paid attention to trigger pull weight - especially on target grade guns (meaning anything with adjustable sights). They also didn't have too worry about being sued every time they turned around. Manufacturers today consider heavy trigger pulls to be a kind of self-defense.

 

[surfinUSA]

Its got nothing to do with liability. I sent a 629 back to Smith because the previous owner screwed up an attempt at a trigger job and the hammer would push off in single action. The gun came back perfect. The single action was crisp and light as a feather. Lighter than any other gun I've ever had (sorry I sold that one).

Its nothing more than economics. A good trigger takes time, effort, experience and money. Its much easier and cheaper for a manufacturer to send a gun with a mediocore trigger at a reasonable price and blame it on the lawyers.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Its nothing more than economics.

I think you're mainly right, although there's a lot of lawyer-phobia going around these days.

 

[Ky Larry]

I saw an article in the paper awhile back about a person who bought a new bicycle. He was riding it in the park after dark without lights and wrecked it resulting in a broken arm. He sued the bicycle maker because they didn't put a warning sticker telling him not to ride at night without lights. He won a large settlement from the bike maker. Law and common sense are mutually exclusive. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but,YES,IT IS THE LAWYERS!!!

 

[Litlman]

I think that it is a combo. of cost and liability. I now for a fact that when I bought my first new mtn. bike back in 1993 that I had to fill out a couple papers of common sense info. about the reflectors on the bike. What they were for and , that they should not be removed and how much protection that they give you. Sort of an informed consent because someone sued a bike co.

Why was that trigger pull so light???????? Guilty!
How hot was that coffee???

 

[surfinUSA]

For target or outdoors guns you can still get an outstanding trigger thats very light if you are willing to pay. They won't put a trigger that light on a gun that will be used in a high stress situation where it is likely to be pointed at someone.

For duty or self defense guns you won't usually see lighter than 4# but that is more a product of having a spring heavy enough to guarantee ignition under the most extreme conditions.

If a gun doesn't go off when its needed by an officer or civilian thats defective products liability and strictly on the manufacturer of the gun and/or ammo.

If you accidently shoot someone and the trigger is in industry norms (even if its not) the primary focus for liability will be the shooter, then the suposedly deep pockets of the manufacturer.