3.5 + Ghost connectors...the down low please?

[Ford302Glock21]

Hey fellas and gals, just got tired of scrounging through other threads for all the info I want.

I just picked up a new G17 and I'm contemplating some trigger improvements(if they really are improvements). I read about the Ghost Rocket and liked the idea of losing the overtravel. Whats the deal with 3.5 connectors though. Some use them with stock spring and others say you have to go NY or something else. I have not figured out what the real deal is yet. I want it to stay totally reliable but heck yea I'd like a lighter or cleaner pull without overtravel if possible. Its not my carry piece but it could be carried at anytime.

I chose not to mess with any of that stuff in the past but I'm considering it now.

[ecmills]

The Ghost connectors with the overtravel stop feature a tab that must be ground down to fit it to your gun. You shave, test, shave, and repeat until there's just enough travel for the gun to fire consistently. If you ever decide to replace the trigger bar, striker, trigger mechanism housing, or another internal part... the process starts all over.

A 3.5 connector basically gives your trigger more leverage on the striker, by increasing the angle of the 'ramp' on the connector that pulls the cruciform downward. The pull is lighter, but it's not as crisp.

The best buy currently in connectors is the lone wolf. Vanek Custom and Glockworx do the best trigger jobs at present, and they both use a LWD connector.

Installing an NY1 spring with the 3.5 will increase your trigger pull back to the stock 6ish pound weight, but with a more gradual buildup in effort. It's frequently compared to a double-action revolver's trigger.

[G21forME]

I bought a ghost rocket 3.5 with springs for my g21 and it was completely unreliable so I called ghost and they were well aware of the problem. Apparently their rocket connectors don't work in the 20/21 platform and they suggested the 5.0 tactical connector, well that didn't work either so I scrapped it. The problem I have with the company is that as soon as I told them the problems I was having with my g21 they said the 5.0 would fix it, now why do they sell the 3.5 if they know it is not reliable? I am currently running a lwd 3.5 in my g21 and a glockworks competition kit in my 34 and if you want the best trigger available in a glock glockworx is the way to go, I would rather carry a bat than a glock with a ghost rocket.

[dglockster]

One of my friends who is a gunsmith specializing in Glocks will not install any 3.5 connector except the one made by Glock.

[Gashira]

I bought a ghost rocket 3.5 with springs for my g21 and it was completely unreliable so I called ghost and they were well aware of the problem. Apparently their rocket connectors don't work in the 20/21 platform and they suggested the 5.0 tactical connector, well that didn't work either so I scrapped it. The problem I have with the company is that as soon as I told them the problems I was having with my g21 they said the 5.0 would fix it, now why do they sell the 3.5 if they know it is not reliable? I am currently running a lwd 3.5 in my g21 and a glockworks competition kit in my 34 and if you want the best trigger available in a glock glockworx is the way to go, I would rather carry a bat than a glock with a ghost rocket.

I've got the Rocket installed in my G21-SF and have put around 1500 rounds through it with zero problems. I spent around 2 hours with a Dremel and the orange armorer's plate before I got it exactly right. The connector is exactly the same as a regular 3.5 lb connector, minus the trigger control tab. I fail to see how it could be unreliable unless the tab is incorrectly modified.

[BustedFlush]

... I read about the Ghost Rocket and liked the idea of losing the overtravel. Whats the deal with 3.5 connectors though. Some use them with stock spring and others say you have to go NY or something else.

...
I think you may have misread or misunderstood about springs. There is no reason you would ever have to install a NY trigger spring just because you put in a minus connector (3.5). Some Glockers do like that combination.

I suspect you were reading about really lightening up your trigger pull for range/competition, and going with an extra power trigger spring. I'm pretty sure Ghost mentions those options on their website.

An extra power trigger spring is a stronger coil spring which helps pull the trigger, whereas a NY trigger spring makes it harder to pull the trigger.

Let me suggest that before you opt for a Ghost Rocket which requires fitting, try a drop in connector, just so you get more familiar with what it does, and how the Glock trigger system operates. Ghost, LoneWolf, Glock, Scherer - everyone has a favorite.

[BustedFlush]

I fail to see how it (Rocket) could be unreliable unless the tab is incorrectly modified.If they cut it too close with the overtravel, and did not remove enough of the tab. That's easy enough to fix by taking off a bit more tab.

Let's face it, fitting a Ghost is not for everyone. I'm not saying it's hard, but some folks are less mechanically inclined than others. Some don't want to tinker with a firearm at all. Some Glock owners have never done more than field strip their pistol.

[Gashira]

If they cut it too close with the overtravel, and did not remove enough of the tab. That's easy enough to fix by taking off a more tab.

My point exactly: the problem isn't with the Ghost itself, but with the modification not being done correctly :).

[Ford302Glock21]

I was thinking originally I'd get the Glock 3.5 because they have a fairly good idea of what works ok in their own pistols. Most places dont seem to have them for sale though. I'm thinking of trying the Lone Wolf otherwise as its pretty cheap and I can always remove if I dont like.

Why did Glock ever use 3.5s anyways? Was it only for competitions?

[G21forME]

I've got the Rocket installed in my G21-SF and have put around 1500 rounds through it with zero problems. I spent around 2 hours with a Dremel and the orange armorer's plate before I got it exactly right. The connector is exactly the same as a regular 3.5 lb connector, minus the trigger control tab. I fail to see how it could be unreliable unless the tab is incorrectly modified.


When I got mine I wasn't going for zero over travel I just wanted to minimize the amount of travel. I don't see how the tab could be incorrectly modified unless it was so long as to allow zero travel but that was surely not the case with mine. The GR-3.5 proved completely unreliable in my 21 and when I spoke to a ghost rep they told me the 5.0 tactical would solve the problem, solve the problem that I can only imagine they are well aware of given there quick response to my 21's malfunctions. Now I don't doubt that they may work just fine for some people but ghost knows for a fact that they are not always reliable installed in a g20/21 yet continue to sell them.

Tell you what, why don't you call them and tell them you have been having ftf's due to light primer strikes in your g20/21 and see what they say.

My point is simply this, they know full well their product has reliability issues in the 20/21 frame yet they continue to sell the product. That in my book is not right!

[BustedFlush]

Why did Glock ever use 3.5s anyways? Was it only for competitions?Yes. They put it in the long slide models.

Except for the Ghost Rocket with the overtravel tab, they are all simple drop in parts. The redesigned LWD connector is very popular, and the price is right.

[Gashira]

Tell you what, why don't you call them and tell them you have been having ftf's due to light primer strikes in your g20/21 and see what they say.

I think you might have an incorrect understanding of the function of the connector. Have a look here to see how everything ties together:

http://www.sniperworld.com/content.aspx?ckey=Sniper_World_Glock_Index

Click on "Visual Controls" and you can cut everything away until it's just the firing mechanism. See how the trigger continues to move back even after the striker is released? That's all the Ghost Rocket connector eliminates, assuming it's been installed correctly. The connector is unrelated to light primer strikes and FTF's.

[G21forME]

Click on "Visual Controls" and you can cut everything away until it's just the firing mechanism. See how the trigger continues to move back even after the striker is released? That's all the Ghost Rocket connector eliminates, assuming it's been installed correctly. The connector is unrelated to light primer strikes and FTF's.[/QUOTE]


I hear what you are saying and trust me I am quite familiar with the operating mechanisms in my glocks and you aren't the first person to tell me a connector can cause light strikes. The problem was I had zero issues before the rocket and a ton after it was installed and when I called them they said that a 5.0 tactical would fix the problem and it didn't, this tells me they have either seen and/or heard of this occurring prior to my call. Needless to say my faith was lost in their product and so I will not carry any of their parts in my ccw and since then I installed a lwd 3.5 and have had zero problems. If it works for you great, but the op wanted the low down so I was giving him my personal experience with the product he is interested in. Both the gr 3.5 and 5.0tac yielded light strikes in my 21 a problem I have never seen with any other connector so yeah I'm pretty convinced it was there was a problem with the part. :drink:

[Ford302Glock21]

I appreciate you giving your experience too G21 as one ignored problem is too many for me. I think I'll be placing an order from Lone Wolf for several things so I might get one of theirs to try and see if I like it that way.

[nnickatnight]

I'd like to know who spoke to who at Ghost because I've encountered no such thing when I've spoken with Ghost and also have had no issues. Also the Ghost rocket is being supplied to several LE agencies who I highly doubt would use the product if there were issues. I suspect an incorrect install rather than the product itself.

[Gashira]

I'd like to know who spoke to who at Ghost because I've encountered no such thing when I've spoken with Ghost and also have had no issues. Also the Ghost rocket is being supplied to several LE agencies who I highly doubt would use the product if there were issues. I suspect an incorrect install rather than the product itself.

I'm in 100% agreement. There's no possible mechanical way (that I'm aware of) that a properly installed over-travel reduction could cause light primer strikes. I've worked in customer service before, and if someone told me "Every time I get regular gas, my tires don't seem as full afterwards" I'd pretend to fix the problem, apologize, and send them on their way ;).

Edit: properly installed for clarification.

[Armed Preacher]

The ghost rocket can cause light primer strikes when the 'tab' is cut to a point where it releases the striker (only just) but does not allow the trigger bar to move down enough to ensure that there is no further contact between the striker and the trigger bar. The simple remedy is to shave/grind/cut a bit more off the tab and the problem is solved.

[Gashira]

The ghost rocket can cause light primer strikes when the 'tab' is cut to a point where it releases the striker (only just) but does not allow the trigger bar to move down enough to ensure that there is no further contact between the striker and the trigger bar. The simple remedy is to shave/grind/cut a bit more off the tab and the problem is solved.

I should have clarified properly installed ;).

[Hedo1]

The Ghost Rocket 5.0 Tactical will eliminate overtravel and give a much tighter crisper pull then the Glock Stock connector imo. You don't need to install the NY1 trigger unless you want a faster reset as well. The Ghost Rocket breaks for me in my G19 a shade under 5ibs. and the reset is more then adequate.

Try the Ghost Rocket 5.0 tactical first and see if you like it. It's a noticeable improvement. I have about 4000 rounds thru mine and no issues whatsoever. The Ghost website has very good easy to follow directions to do the install.

[gsbell]

Lone Wolf, better than the Glock or the Ghost IMO

The bonus is that it is cheap!

[nnickatnight]

I've had both and have pulled out my LWD's and replaced them with rocket 3.5's. I've got no complaints about LWD products it's just that their connector doesn't have the overtravel stop.

[G21forME]

The simple remedy is to shave/grind/cut a bit more off the tab and the problem is solved.


Tried it and no it didn't fix the problem, is it really so hard to believe that it was properly installed and still didn't work?

This is from the e-mail



Sorry about the problem!

Please send the trigger back to me and I will send you a trigger of your choosing.

I would suggest you try the Tactical 5.0 and a Wolff 6.0 lb trigger spring (included in the exchange) this will give you a trigger pull in the range of the Rocket but will be shorter overall and because the connector cams down the trigger bar further to the rear than a 3.5 lb. you will not experience any light strikes.

[nnickatnight]

It is a little bit because most folks seem to rave about the product and most issues are an improper install or improper spring changes. For example, if you use a 10mm or .45 (full size), reputable companies like Wolff recommend an extra poundage striker spring to insure positive ignition. That issue is sometimes blamed on the connector rather than a worn out or under powered spring. You may have just gotten a defective connector which I guess will happen with any mass produced item, sorry it didn't work out for you.

[medic1213]

The ghost rocket can cause light primer strikes when the 'tab' is cut to a point where it releases the striker (only just) but does not allow the trigger bar to move down enough to ensure that there is no further contact between the striker and the trigger bar. The simple remedy is to shave/grind/cut a bit more off the tab and the problem is solved.


I see what you're trying to say, but don't see how it can even remotely be possible. If the connector lowers the trigger bar enough to release the striker, there is no way that any more contact is possible between the trigger bar and the striker because the trigger bar is lipped upward where the striker contact is made. Once this "lipped up" area is lowered enough to release the striker, the rest of the trigger bar is even lower, alowing no possible contact with the striker. If you don't see what I'm talking about, click that animation link above and move your mouse pointer over number 26 which is the trigger with trigger bar. It will clearly show that once the striker is released, there is no possible way for it to rub against the trigger bar and cause a light primer strike.

[Armed Preacher]

Medic, I know exactly what you're saying and I thought so too but I contacted Arthur at Ghost when I had this problem and he said I should cut a bit more off the 'tab'. It worked and I've never had any light strikes since.

[mballai]

I'm using the Rocket in most of my Glocks. One Glock has the Tactical and another has a Ranger. I've still got one with a stock connector. Installation of the Rocket/Tactical is time consuming. Absolutely worth the effort.

I'm not surprised someone has an issue doing a 21. It's not the connector that's the problem however.

[jmueller6]

I had some light strikes with a ghost in my g36 initially. I attribute this not to the rocket but the spring setup because when I went back to the stock striker spring the problem went away. I've gone back to the light spring and have switched to federal primers as they are softer than any others. Last range trip it worked flawlessly through 100 rounds. I've read on brian enos' and ghost sight that the 45 strikers are heavier which can cause light strikes and most recomend a LS steel lightend striker to absolutely cure this. I just got a 21sf and will be installing the ghost soon. What has worked in the g36 is the stock trigger spring, wolf rp striker and safety spring, and the rocket 3.5. With federal ammo it seems to run perfect.

Mule