[BigMick]

Since I mostly carry DA/SA pistols these days I've noticed something that tends to come up when people talk about safely carrying their pistol in double action. That is, a long heavy first trigger pull. Most people tend to think that in order to safely carry a DA/SA pistol for protection you should never install springs that would lighten your double action pull below 10lbs or so. My question is why not? People carry striker fired guns with a trigger pull closer to the 5 to 6lb mark and find it perfectly safe. Is it because of the trigger safety? I'm not sure, because after all, the trigger safety or "dingus", as I've heard it called, is nothing more than a drop safety. So if it's universally accepted that a safe trigger pull weight for a double action only striker fired gun is 5.5 to 6lbs or even less, why is it that a double action first pull of a DA/SA need be in the 10lb and up range? After all they have drop safetys built in as well, they're just not visible.

I put an 11 pound spring in my CZ P01 and I think it feels great, and not too light in my opinion, but some would think I have a death wish or that I'm just asking for a negligent discharge, or that if I ever have to pull it in a self defense situation that it will go off before I want it too. Why would a Glock not do the same with its much lighter, shorter trigger pull? I admit that i may be totally missing something, so those of you that know why this is, please help me to understand the line of thinking behind this. And yes, this is a rant.

 

[Reswob]

Carry in a proper holster that covers the trigger (and keep your finger off it until ready to shoot) and theoretically any trigger would be equally safe.

Now, if installing a lighter spring effects function (light strikes?), then you have a real safety problem.

 

[GcB]

I’m not concerned with the light trigger pull but with light primer strikes.
7# ~ 8# DA is fine with me, but I’d be comfortable with more or less without safety concerning me.

 

[DirectDrive]

An 11 pound spring and you're concerned about an ND ?
You are from a different planet than I.
Maybe you would be better served with a weapon that had an external safety ?

 

[sciolist]

The trigger in my (production) Tanfo is #4.75/#1.5. I don't see much reason to go up much from there for a carry gun, although I'm still carrying Glocks.

 

[BEEF_SUPREME!]

I trust the glock trigger, and safety, but I don't take it for granted.

Is it like a light single action where all of the energy needed to fire a round is already stored? No.

Does it take a lot of force/ movement on the trigger to fire a round, also no.

I feel completely comfortable wearing it in a holster, but I insert it into the holster very carefully.

As for shooting, the finger stays on the frame until it's time.

I can't speak to the DA/SA style of pistols. Striker fired stuff works for me.

 

[GcB]

An 11 pound spring and you're concerned about an ND ?
You are from a different planet than I.
Maybe you would be better served with a weapon that had an external safety ?

The 11# spring in that gun probably gives a 6-7# DA pull

 

[ithaca_deerslayer]

Glocks are noted for trigger AD's. Some people are more careful and keep the trigger covered in a kydex holster, and look the gun back into the holster so as to not get clothing in the trigger and causing and AD. More trouble is thought to happen if people don't do mods correctly.

People are generally less concerned about a DA trigger that has twice the weight. However, the more you lighten a DA trigger, then the more Glock like concerns and caution you may want to have.

Also the light DA primer strikes, already mentioned by someone else

 

[Dave Lively]

I wouldn't put lighter springs in a DA/SA pistol for the same reason I don't put lighter springs in my sole revolver, light springs mean lighter primer strikes. Even if it usually works I would worry about it failing when I need it most.

I view the trigger safety as protection against a gun going off when it is dropped and nothing else. But being drop safe is very important. Back in the 80s when junky little 25s like the Raven were popular I used to read a lot of stories about people getting hurt by dropped guns. Even with light springs a DA/SA pistol should be drop safe so it should be just as safe or safer than a striker fired gun.

A long and heavy DA pull also reduces the chance of a negligent discharge while holstering the pistol or having your finger on the trigger when you shouldn't. I have decided the advantages of a striker fired pistol outweighs the additional risks but can understand while a lot of people prefer DA/SA.

 

[45caldan]

I view the trigger safety as protection against a gun going off when it is dropped and nothing else. But being drop safe is very important. Back in the 80s when junky little 25s like the Raven were popular I used to read a lot of stories about people getting hurt by dropped guns. Even with light springs a DA/SA pistol should be drop safe so it should be just as safe or safer than a striker fired gun.

I believe that is the actual purpose of a "dingus", to prevent the trigger from moving in case of a dropped gun.
It sure as hell isn't any kind of useful "safety" otherwise!

 

[BigMick]

An 11 pound spring and you're concerned about an ND ?
You are from a different planet than I.
Maybe you would be better served with a weapon that had an external safety ?

I'm not concerned with a ND I said other people acted like it was a concern. Furthermore the stock spring is a 20# spring, that doesn't mean it has a 20# trigger pull. Maybe I am from a different planet than you, I am from a planet where people on gun forums understand things like spring weights.

 

[BigMick]

I believe that is the actual purpose of a "dingus", to prevent the trigger from moving in case of a dropped gun.
It sure as hell isn't any kind of useful "safety" otherwise!

Like I said, it's a drop safety nothing more.

 

[holidaypf]

Since I mostly carry DA/SA pistols these days I've noticed something that tends to come up when people talk about safely carrying their pistol in double action. That is, a long heavy first trigger pull. Most people tend to think that in order to safely carry a DA/SA pistol for protection you should never install springs that would lighten your double action pull below 10lbs or so. My question is why not? People carry striker fired guns with a trigger pull closer to the 5 to 6lb mark and find it perfectly safe. Is it because of the trigger safety? I'm not sure, because after all, the trigger safety or "dingus", as I've heard it called, is nothing more than a drop safety. So if it's universally accepted that a safe trigger pull weight for a double action only striker fired gun is 5.5 to 6lbs or even less, why is it that a double action first pull of a DA/SA need be in the 10lb and up range? After all they have drop safetys built in as well, they're just not visible.

I put an 11 pound spring in my CZ P01 and I think it feels great, and not too light in my opinion, but some would think I have a death wish or that I'm just asking for a negligent discharge, or that if I ever have to pull it in a self defense situation that it will go off before I want it too. Why would a Glock not do the same with its much lighter, shorter trigger pull? I admit that i may be totally missing something, so those of you that know why this is, please help me to understand the line of thinking behind this. And yes, this is a rant.

Do you have the extended firing pin?

 

[BigMick]

Glocks are noted for trigger AD's. Some people are more careful and keep the trigger covered in a kydex holster, and look the gun back into the holster so as to not get clothing in the trigger and causing and AD. More trouble is thought to happen if people don't do mods correctly.

People are generally less concerned about a DA trigger that has twice the weight. However, the more you lighten a DA trigger, then the more Glock like concerns and caution you may want to have.

Also the light DA primer strikes, already mentioned by someone else

So far no light primer strikes. But I also haven't shot any ammo known for having hard primers, and probably won't.

 

[DirectDrive]

I'm not concerned with a ND I said other people acted like it was a concern. Furthermore the stock spring is a 20# spring, that doesn't mean it has a 20# trigger pull. Maybe I am from a different planet than you, I am from a planet where people on gun forums understand things like spring weights.

If you want to be on the good planet, you have to identify which spring.

 

[SargeMO]

Putting the 'safety' in the center of the trigger is sorta like writing the combination to a safe on the door, right above the dial.

 

[BigMick]

Do you have the extended firing pin?

Yes. I installed the ultralight spring kit from CGW.

 

[BigMick]

If you want to be on the good planet, you have to identify which spring.

Gotcha.

 

[holidaypf]

Yes. I installed the ultralight spring kit from CGW.

Mine is in the mail. :waving:

 

[BuckyP]

Putting the 'safety' in the center of the trigger is sorta like writing the combination to a safe on the door, right above the dial.

Well, at least honest people won’t open it.