Two stage triggers

Joined
Nov 5, 2007
Messages
11,826
City & State/Province
Dallas, TX
What are the advantages of two stage triggers? I have a KIDD two stage triggers in my 10/22. I got it out this past weekend and tried firing very slowly to concentrate on the trigger movement. It has some slack, then a distinct Mark where it breaks and fires.

I also have a Mark ii which after firing a whole bunch and then some, has got a very sloppy and loose trigger. It has lost of slack or take up, then a distinct Mark where it breaks and fires.

The KIDD trigger cost about as much as the Mark ii did when new.

So do two stage triggers simply have built in pre travel, then a clean breaking point? Does the pre travel or slack mentally prepare you to make a good clean shot?

Are all two stage triggers similar? i.e. a .22 LR being similar to say an expensive .308 two stage trigger?

Will a two stage trigger improve accuracy over a single stage trigger?

These are the problems that keep me up at night. :D

Oh and good morning on this cold November day! I just went to go get bagels and holy cow! I haven’t seen temperatures like this for a couple years....
 
Generally, folks prefer one or the other. Some shoot better with one or the other. Some folks like the triggers with the little lever in the middle.
I will point out something: If you get used to using a 2 stage or lever in the middle trigger and pick up a low pull weight single stage trigger gun, you may experience a premature firing. Once you get accustomed to "taking up the slack" or activating the lever in the middle, you tend to do that with every trigger. If you're used to taking up 2-2.5# of "first stage" on a 2 stage trigger, you WILL fire my 22/45 pistol during that take up.
Personally, I prefer a single stage even if it has some creep. A single stage trigger that has very little or no pre-travel before releasing the sear is best IMHO. Basically, when the trigger moves, the gun fires.
 
.

IME, a two-stage trigger allows me to shoot better on stationary targets.

For me, it's the first trigger pressure which allows me to take a finer sight prior to firing/discharge.

YMMV, of course.

.
 
Thanks, last weekend, I spent a lot of time shooting very slowly to concentrate on how I was shooting. The KIDD trigger I have is extremely light, I went with the 3 and 3 ounce weight. But if you go slow, it is such a joy to shoot. You can feel the take up and then a quick click and the bullet is on target. However, I know such a light trigger is not advisable in a centerfire gun.
 
All the target rifles I have or owned are 2 stage triggers for shooting paper. I beleive military rifles are and have been 2 stage for along time. I was once told it is for safety. Not sure if that's correct.
The 2 stage in a precession match rifle is standard. When match shooting with a 2 stage, you can put pressure on the trigger. If the hold is to long or the sights are going out of alignment. You stop the pull and start over. When I started buying ARs, I hated the mil spec triggers and dropped in national match 2 stage triggers. The last AR build I tried a single stage and do not like it. It is a fine trigger, I am just not used to it.
My hunting rifles are single stage.
 
Back
Top