Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
I'm a "gun guy" and when the discussion turns to firearms, there will often be talk about trigger pull weight. I understand the desire for a decent trigger that exhibits a clean break in SA or a smooth DA pull. However, some people seem to think that a light trigger is the only factor in accuracy. They obsess with the action of the trigger.
There are lots of reasons for these attitudes, not the least of which is the human tendency to blame the equipment for your own failings.
The purpose of seeking a light pull weight is so that the efforts to manipulate the trigger do not disturb the aim. But we can go a little too far in this quest,
When we are dealing with bench rest target rifles, we can probably get pretty extreme in our quest for a light trigger and still be safe. When dealing with hunting rifles and general purpose rifles - a hair trigger is not the best idea. For most applications, a clean, crisp trigger with little or no creep and no over-travel; can have a pull weight of a few pounds and still be an excellent trigger. A super light trigger pull is really not desirable.
When we are talking about single action handguns (revolvers and pistols), The same rules apply. We want a clean trigger, with plenty of sear engagement, no creep, no over travel. We can afford to have a few pounds of pull weight to release the hammer. A good trigger doesn't have to be a super light trigger.
Then we get into the area of the Double Action trigger. This is where I need to remember to stay calm when talking to others.
Unlike a single action system where the sear merely releases the hammer or striker, in a DA system the trigger loads the hammer spring and then releases it. Some people equate a lightweight DA pull with accuracy. While it's true that an excessively heavy DA trigger will make it difficult to maintain sight alignment, the trigger pull weight is not the sole factor in accuracy.
The quest for lightweight DA pull can quickly go too far. A Smooth DA pull is far more desirable than a light DA pull.
Reducing the strength of the hammer spring (a common tactic to reduce trigger pull weight) can decrease reliable ignition. The lightest trigger in the world will be useless if the gun doesn't go bang when you need it to go bang.
Reducing hammer spring weight can also increase lock time and therefore decrease accuracy.
Another common tactic to reduce DA pull weight is to reduce the power of the trigger return spring (rebound spring ). There are problems here as well. Reducing the strength of the rebound spring will make trigger reset less positive and maybe even slower. Some exhibition shooters like the late Ed McGivern, actually used heavier rebound springs in an effort to speed up the trigger reset.
There's a lot more to accurate shooting than a light trigger pull weight.
Under the heading of, "let he who has not sinned, cast the first stone"; allow me to say that I've done more than my share of tweaking DA revolver actions.
After many years of gaining empirical knowledge (empirical knowledge is learning what doesn't work ), I've learned that a smooth DA trigger is far, far, more useful than a light DA trigger.
Reliable ignition, fast lock time, positive reset and safety are the goals.
There are lots of reasons for these attitudes, not the least of which is the human tendency to blame the equipment for your own failings.
The purpose of seeking a light pull weight is so that the efforts to manipulate the trigger do not disturb the aim. But we can go a little too far in this quest,
When we are dealing with bench rest target rifles, we can probably get pretty extreme in our quest for a light trigger and still be safe. When dealing with hunting rifles and general purpose rifles - a hair trigger is not the best idea. For most applications, a clean, crisp trigger with little or no creep and no over-travel; can have a pull weight of a few pounds and still be an excellent trigger. A super light trigger pull is really not desirable.
When we are talking about single action handguns (revolvers and pistols), The same rules apply. We want a clean trigger, with plenty of sear engagement, no creep, no over travel. We can afford to have a few pounds of pull weight to release the hammer. A good trigger doesn't have to be a super light trigger.
Then we get into the area of the Double Action trigger. This is where I need to remember to stay calm when talking to others.
Unlike a single action system where the sear merely releases the hammer or striker, in a DA system the trigger loads the hammer spring and then releases it. Some people equate a lightweight DA pull with accuracy. While it's true that an excessively heavy DA trigger will make it difficult to maintain sight alignment, the trigger pull weight is not the sole factor in accuracy.
The quest for lightweight DA pull can quickly go too far. A Smooth DA pull is far more desirable than a light DA pull.
Reducing the strength of the hammer spring (a common tactic to reduce trigger pull weight) can decrease reliable ignition. The lightest trigger in the world will be useless if the gun doesn't go bang when you need it to go bang.
Reducing hammer spring weight can also increase lock time and therefore decrease accuracy.
Another common tactic to reduce DA pull weight is to reduce the power of the trigger return spring (rebound spring ). There are problems here as well. Reducing the strength of the rebound spring will make trigger reset less positive and maybe even slower. Some exhibition shooters like the late Ed McGivern, actually used heavier rebound springs in an effort to speed up the trigger reset.
There's a lot more to accurate shooting than a light trigger pull weight.
Under the heading of, "let he who has not sinned, cast the first stone"; allow me to say that I've done more than my share of tweaking DA revolver actions.
After many years of gaining empirical knowledge (empirical knowledge is learning what doesn't work ), I've learned that a smooth DA trigger is far, far, more useful than a light DA trigger.
Reliable ignition, fast lock time, positive reset and safety are the goals.