Trigger shapes

[Kevin]

I love watching gun reviews on YouTube. They all sort of mimic each other and use a lot of the same phrases… like talking about gripping a pistol, they will say, “get a good purchase.”

Anyway, they also love flat triggers. Now don’t get me wrong? Flat triggers look cool, but are they better?

The gun reviewers will all say the flat trigger is better. But I’ve always heard that flat triggers only work when you have a vertical gun grip. Which I suppose a semi-auto pistol does.

But at the same time, I’ve also thought a curved trigger shoe has a better nesting position for your finger.

Any thoughts?

 

[M118LR]

It could be a single action direct pull short throw thing? But my response is frowned upon. So guess this should be my one and only post.

So perhaps just a question. Why do most DA Revolvers have a curved trigger?

 

[s4s4u]

A curved trigger shoe will tend to locate your trigger finger to the apex of the arc in the trigger. This tends to offer a consistent trigger pull weight, but isn't very flexible.

With a straight trigger, trigger pull weight is more flexible based upon where your finger is located on the trigger shoe. If you press on the upper portion of the trigger shoe, the pull weight will be heavier than if you press on the lower portion of the trigger shoe. However, the distance that your finger needs to travel to complete the trigger press will increase (with typical hinged triggers), so it is a bit of a trade-off.

One can do similar with the curved trigger, but it won't be as consistent in rapid fire situations. Only the better of the best shooters will be able to take full advantage, but that said...one of the fastest trigger men in the business...Jerry Miculek...has no problem with the curved trigger of a S&W wheelgun...or anything else for that matter

 

[Neon Vernon]

Straight/flat triggers are all the rage these days, or so I gather from the innernets. I think the limitation is with the arc of motion of the trigger - a 1911 is perfectly manageable with a flat face trigger, but I notice that many of the aftermarket units for things like the Grock or M&P have a little hook or beak on the end to keep the finger from sliding downwards off the thing.

Personally I could do with a little less arc in the trigger of an Old Model, it starts to chew on my fingertip after a while.

 

[themousethatroared]

I'd like to read some expert opinions on this topic.

The aftermarket trigger for the LC9s is a straight trigger. It solves trigger slap and pinch, which may or may not be related to the shape, but that was what I was trying to solve, and the important part was to be able to use it without pain after 30 or 40 rounds.

The early P-Series had a mildly curved trigger with a larger radius, and they changed to a smaller radius in 1993. I like the milder curve. The triggers are not quite the same dimensions and the old one in the new frame wobbled a bit more than I liked. I worked on a drawing for a milder curved trigger for the newer frame, but have never had stainless 3d printed before, so I'm a little nervous to try to have one made. I'm having enough trouble with USPS losing my used parts orders to get things into working order before doing more adventurous things like triggers. Why does Denver USPS Distribution Center need so many sears?

 

[XUSNORDIE]

I have used a flat trigger on a 1911. Tossed it. I tried a straight trigger on a extremely light trigger on a precision rifle for ARA. Hated it. Tried a flat trigger on my AR varmint rig. Meh.

To me, all the hype about better leverage, consistent pad pressure, and lightened pull never came to reality. Maybe it's better for most but it bugged me. Long range rifle use w/straight trigger is supposed to be a "tap" vs "pull". MEH. I'll keep the queer triggers.....

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I just think it's the latest "cool thing" . . . but that's JMHO.

 

[RC44Mag]

First flat trigger I’ve used is my 365x. It was a natural shooting it from the first round, no issues or getting used to it.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

A slight thread wander . . .

The only trigger I truly dislike is the wide, grooved one in the OMSBH. Don't know how to describe it except to say it "buzzes" my trigger finger. After a couple of cylinders fired it's all I care to shoot with it. Yes, a glove fixes it, but I really don't like to wear a glove. I've considered filing the grooves smooth, but hate to destroy an old original trigger. 'Tis a puzzlement.

 

[blume357]

I'll have to add to Ale-8(1)'s post above, the only trigger I don't like is the stupid double trigger Glock came up with... still trying to figure out what it is supposed to do.
I like the flat triggers a bit better than the 'queer' ones but it could be just me falling for the 'this is new and better' hype... I did get pulled into joining 'The Legion' at Sig. (Which actually I don't regret)

 

[XUSNORDIE]

the only trigger I don't like is the stupid double trigger Glock came up with... still trying to figure out what it is supposed to do.

Blume it's not a double trigger. The center blade is a safety.....just like on Ruger pistols and rifles, Savage and so on......

 

[rcs9250]

I just think it's the latest "cool thing" . . . but that's JMHO.

Yep. It ain’t “tacticool” if it has a curved trigger.
Strictly genius marketing.

 

[Deer Hunter]

A slight thread wander . . .

The only trigger I truly dislike is the wide, grooved one in the OMSBH. Don't know how to describe it except to say it "buzzes" my trigger finger. After a couple of cylinders fired it's all I care to shoot with it. Yes, a glove fixes it, but I really don't like to wear a glove. I've considered filing the grooves smooth, but hate to destroy an old original trigger. 'Tis a puzzlement.

Replace it with a wide smooth trigger from the Old Army.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

Yep. It ain’t “tacticool” if it has a curved trigger.
Strictly genius marketing.

It's nothing new actually. Straight/Flat triggers have been popular for well over 20 years......especially when the AR craze hit. I admit I tried it on rifle and pistol back then during the craze and didn't care for it...but then I'm in that so called "Boomer" slot of life.

 

[DGW1949]

A slight thread wander . . .

The only trigger I truly dislike is the wide, grooved one in the OMSBH. Don't know how to describe it except to say it "buzzes" my trigger finger. After a couple of cylinders fired it's all I care to shoot with it. Yes, a glove fixes it, but I really don't like to wear a glove. I've considered filing the grooves smooth, but hate to destroy an old original trigger. 'Tis a puzzlement.

I agree.....Way back some 50 years ago when Ruger was still selling 3-screw parts, I bought a SBH trigger to use in my .357-BH because all of the gun rag writers were saying that a wide trigger gave the illusion of a lighter trigger pull....I hated it right off. And I hated the fact that I'd filed a wider slot in my XR3 trigger guard to accommodate the thing even more-so....
A lot of lessons learned in that escapade.

DGW

 

[eveled]

Blume it's not a double trigger. The center blade is a safety.....just like on Ruger pistols and rifles, Savage and so on......

No idea about the other brands

If they were a good idea JMB would have thought of it.

 

[DGW1949]

The 1911 trigger slides, most others pivot. Maybe a flat trigger surface works better for one than the other, but I'll never know....Reason is, the pad of my trigger finger has a convex curve that corresponds to the concave trigger surface on the JMB-designed trigger of my 1911A1 just as it is.
For the life of me, I can't see how that can be improved upon....But hey, the next guy is free to spend his money everhow he wants.

DGW

 

[xTopGun]

I do have a Ruger SR40c but I'm not a big fan of the trigger and safety design.
Maybe with a lot more practice I'll get past that feeling of that safety slowing my finger insert and making what I want as proper contact on the pad of my finger..... jmo

 

[xTopGun]

? ? ?

 

[Hertervillian]

I’ve got 2 flat triggers and 1 slightly curved trigger in my AR’s. I love the things, very happy with the way they work.

Full disclosure they are very finely tuned competition types. It could be the same trigger with a traditional curve would be even more satisfying. Anyone who has shot one of those rifles has commented on the trigger.

365 SIG is flat too, not something I’ve really noticed as being good or bad, striker fired pistols don’t really do it for me.

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

Like a wide smooth trigger. Never found flat vs curved had much affect. I absolutely HATE serrated triggers on DA revolvers.

 

[Johnnu2]

I love watching gun reviews on YouTube. They all sort of mimic each other and use a lot of the same phrases… like talking about gripping a pistol, they will say, “get a good purchase.”

Anyway, they also love flat triggers. Now don’t get me wrong? Flat triggers look cool, but are they better?

The gun reviewers will all say the flat trigger is better. But I’ve always heard that flat triggers only work when you have a vertical gun grip. Which I suppose a semi-auto pistol does.

But at the same time, I’ve also thought a curved trigger shoe has a better nesting position for your finger.

Any thoughts?

Kevin........
IMHO, it's ALL ABOUT THE $$$$ they can make by selling the great unwashed whatever they think they can convince them is important. I admit that I'm not even a little bit observant, and certainly not one who really cares, BUT, I've been shooting something or other for the past 70+ years and have NEVER, ever, noticed the trigger shape or texture on anything I've shot (and that includes GLOCKS, shotguns and rifles with set triggers etc etc etc). I shoot everything with absolutely no trigger-notice, or inclination to pay any attention to the trigger. For those who have strong preferences, I can only say that I FEEL STRONGLY BOTH WAYS...

J.

 

[kmoore]

Mostly it's a thing some like. But it can also be based on how the trigger system actually works. Myself, I like them on triggers measured in OZ's not lbs.

 

[wproct]

I like both flat and curved triggers. The first one is on my Ruger MKII and it's a curved Volquartsen, no grooves. It allows you to slide your finger down to the bottom for more leverage and lighter perceived trigger pull.

and then there is a flat faced Tandemkross trigger on my Smith & Wesson Victory. I like it but if Volquartsen made a trigger for the Victory I would buy it. The reason I say that is I wish the Tandemkross trigger was a little longer. There is plenty of room in the trigger guard to allow for that.

 

[blume357]

Blume it's not a double trigger. The center blade is a safety.....just like on Ruger pistols and rifles, Savage and so on......

I'm just dense I can't see how it is a safety... somebody once did say it had something to do with the drop test. Seems to me it is just as easy for a foreign object as well as a finger to pull both as compared to a single piece trigger.

now back to curved or flat... part of it will have to do with the grip design, how one grips he gun and distance to the trigger and how easy it is to get the 'proper' trigger placement. I have a tendency on a lot of pistols to have my finger a little off to the right and not fully seated. As I've posted before this causes the shots to go left because as you pull the trigger the gun wants to point just a bit to the left and usually right at that one critical point.

 

[john guedry]

My finger is adaptable straight/curved it don't matter.

 

[peachhead]

I don't think one is more inherently better than the other.
Having said that I I'm pretty sure there was a good reason why they were curved to start with.
Plus, a single action would look pretty stupid with a straight trigger.

 

[Yaworski]

I love watching gun reviews on YouTube. They all sort of mimic each other and use a lot of the same phrases… like talking about gripping a pistol, they will say, “get a good purchase.”

Happens in every field. Someone says something and it becomes the buzz word everyone uses.

MBAs love "best practice" as in "we find it best practice to unload your gun before cleaning."
Sports announcers and "Red Zone." Someone used that term once and everyone followed suit.
Presentation instead of draw. Some famous guy at famous guy's gunfighter school used "presentation" and many people followed.

 

[xTopGun]

Happens in every field. Someone says something and it becomes the buzz word everyone uses.

MBAs love "best practice" as in "we find it best practice to unload your gun before cleaning."
Sports announcers and "Red Zone." Someone used that term once and everyone followed suit.
Presentation instead of draw. Some famous guy at famous guy's gunfighter school used "presentation" and many people followed.

is this like when Capt. Ramius said, "I present you the ballistic nuclear sub red October". a much larger caliber weapon . . . .