These days it seems all the gunwriters, with the possible exception of Mr. Taffin, rave about extremely light trigger pulls. The reason I give Mr. Taffin an out here is because I read and enjoyed his review of the New Agent DA from Colt, and he stated that the trigger was heavy, but good, if I recall correctly.
For myself, I do not believe that a very light let off is a good thing. At my skill level, it is very easy for me to drop the hammer when I don't want it dropped, when the pull is too light. Now, I'm not waving the flag for very heavy pulls either. A heavy pull requires greater concentration, which may be a good thing, and advances shooter fatigue, which is not a good thing at all.
I think a crisp trigger, even if on the heavy side, is better than a gritty, or mushy, or variable one.
Now what is a light trigger? I think along lines of whether or not it takes much to release it. Yep, this is subjective. Different people have differing hand strength. Also, differing dimensions which translates into more, or less leverage on that trigger. Still the trigger that releases with a twitch of the finger is for me-too light.
Conversely, a heavy trigger is one where the act of squeezing the trigger causes the front sight to leave the target. A little wiggle is expected, but when the gun regularly torques enough that the front sight moves noticeably, then this is indeed too heavy of a pull.
Probably the best pull is one with short travel, consistent weight, and little variation. I want a trigger that needs to be actually pulled to work, but one that is mechanically crisp. Now, I'm wondering what works best for you?
Triggers
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I should make clear that I believe, as taught by my late friend Stan, an outstanding shot, and multiple award winner with the Naval Marksmanship Team, that trigger control is the single most important aspect to accurate shooting.
Sight picture, stance, ammunition, all take a back seat to trigger control.
I agree. To expand a bit, I would describe a good trigger as one that is consistent and controllable. The two worst triggers I ever encountered were on:
1) A GI issue 1911 made in 1918. It had to have a twenty pound pull at least. It was so tought that my hand would start quivering long before a letoff.
2) Every Desert Eagle I ever tried. They have interminable creep. It's so bad that I always wonder if they are ever to go off.
MW, I can honestly say I've never run into a gun with a 20 lbs trigger pull! Must have been something dysfunctional there, the army was famous for the "recruits" stripping their pistols down, throwing the parts into vats, then fishing them out and slapping the guns together. Its a miracle the guns worked at all.
A good friend who spent 8 years active duty as a medic once said that military and intelligence are two mutually exclusive terms.
Best wishes
I was always under the impression that Military Intelligence was where the word OXYMORON originated!
Seriously I have had some Rugers both rifle and handguns with a creepy 6 plus pound pull. I've also had some 1911's that were as bad or worse. I some cases spring kits and 'smithing' were the only way to correct. Many times, firing 250 to 350 rounds made everything right as rain.
i have to admit that I am and old throwback, and since a large part of my youth in the compant of DA revolvers, I am fairly immune to the little things that tend to throw folks into appoplexy about trigger pulls. SA?DA of whatever you call the triggers on most of the striker shellshuckers I am rather unfazed because I am watching the sights and trying to consistently increase the pressure until there is a loud noise..
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