1911 trigger pull weight for a carry gun?

allen.m · 01-26-2011, 14:55

I am in process of getting a special order ed brown 1911. I was talking to some friends, telling them i was going to get the trigger around 3 1/2 to 4 pound trigger. One friend thinks this is unsafe for a carry gun. What are yall's opinions on this? what weight do y'all think is safe? and why would 3 1/2 to 4 be unsafe?

Ascout · 01-26-2011, 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen.m

I am in process of getting a special order ed brown 1911. I was talking to some friends, telling them i was going to get the trigger around 3 1/2 to 4 pound trigger. One friend thinks this is unsafe for a carry gun. What are yall's opinions on this? what weight do y'all think is safe? and why would 3 1/2 to 4 be unsafe?

I can think of two possible reasons:

1. Low trigger weight when cocked and locked in a high stress situation where you might fire when you didn't intend once safety is released.

2. How this setting might be used against you in court if you ever have to use it in anger.

Quack · 01-26-2011, 15:07

Whatever the factory sets or specs the trigger at.
my KC is ~3.5# and my Guardian is 3.75#'s
my EMP is 4#

Shipwreck-The-Sequel · 01-26-2011, 15:08

I have two 1911s - my Brown's trigger has an average pull of 3lb 12.6oz, and my custom shop Springfield has an average pull of 4lb 5.6oz.

To me, the Brown feels too light for a carry gun. I'm not comfortable with the trigger. It is awesome for range use, but too light for a carry gun FOR ME (others may disagree).

My Springer feels just right. If I ever order another Brown for carry, I'd try to get it around the weight of the Springfield.

Shipwreck-The-Sequel · 01-26-2011, 15:09

I didn't have a Gauge until recently, but my Brown's trigger was actually a little heavier. But I sent the gun in to be re-beadblasted. When I got it back, I noticed that the trigger was a tiny bit lighter than what it was originally.

deputy tom · 01-26-2011, 15:17

Most people that I know (me too) have the trigger set to 4-4.5 lbs for a carry gun.YMMV.tom.

Nickpisp · 01-26-2011, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by deputy tom

Most people that I know (me too) have the trigger set to 4-4.5 lbs for a carry gun.YMMV.tom.

That's what I prefer also.

allen.m · 01-26-2011, 15:35

Ok those are 2 possible reasons. But in a high stress situation i don't think the difference between 3 1/2 and 7 pound trigger is going to make a difference with all the adrenalin pumping one would just have to rely on what training one might have. But i don't know for sure as I have never been in one of those "real life" situations and hope never to be.

As for using a gun in anger, that would never happen with me. I would hope that anyone that has that kind of anger issues would not be carrying a gun although i am sure they're out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascout

I can think of two possible reasons:

1. Low trigger weight when cocked and locked in a high stress situation where you might fire when you didn't intend once safety is released.

2. How this setting might be used against you in court if you ever have to use it in anger.

GJ1981 · 01-26-2011, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen.m

what weight do y'all think is safe?

The firearm is only as safe as the person handling it. There is no magic number, IMO.

For me, my CCW 1911's are around 4-4.5lbs.

Hokie1911 · 01-26-2011, 15:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by deputy tom

Most people that I know (me too) have the trigger set to 4-4.5 lbs for a carry gun.YMMV.tom.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickpisp

That's what I prefer also.

What they said.

allen.m · 01-26-2011, 15:46

I totally agree just curious as to what others thoughts were.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJ1981

The firearm is only as safe as the person handling it. There is no magic number, IMO.

For me, my CCW 1911's are around 4-4.5lbs.

nastytrigger · 01-26-2011, 16:10

I do like a light trigger, but my carry trigger pulls are no lighter than 4#. I still remember shooting my friends Ruger MkIII pistol. His trigger was a little over two pounds. Just barely put your finger on it and BOOM. The joke was that a breeze would set it off

.

Quack · 01-26-2011, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by thurn55

I do like a light trigger, but my carry trigger pulls are no lighter than 4#. I still remember shooting my friends Ruger MkIII pistol. His trigger was a little over two pounds. Just barely put your finger on it and BOOM. The joke was that a breeze would set it off

.

ask hokie and knedrgr about shooting 2 of my gun's. one with a 2# trigger and the other with a 2.5# trigger.

Hokie1911 · 01-26-2011, 16:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

ask hokie and knedrgr about shooting 2 of my gun's. one with a 2# trigger and the other with a 2.5# trigger.

Quack's Trophy Match was like BANG BANG when I meant for it to go BANG.

Quack · 01-26-2011, 16:23

and yes, when i sold it, i brought the trigger back up to 4#

nastytrigger · 01-26-2011, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by hokieshooterG23

Quack's Trophy Match was like BANG BANG when I meant for it to go BANG.

Yup. My friend challenged me to a 50yd plate contest with his hair trigger. Ten shots. He was 10 for 10. I think I was 6 for 10. I tried to coach myself: okay, sight alignment, press, BANG. Wait! I wasn't ready to shoot!

Ascout · 01-26-2011, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen.m

As for using a gun in anger, that would never happen with me. I would hope that anyone that has that kind of anger issues would not be carrying a gun although i am sure they're out there.

"In anger" is an expression for one of serious intent, not an anger management course. It means a situation where you are using a "weapon" for it's intended purpose in a life threatening situation, such as war or self-defense, as opposed to paper-punching bullseyes.

bac1023 · 01-26-2011, 16:38

About 4lbs or so.

allen.m · 01-26-2011, 16:50

I am sorry i thought you meant "anger" an emotion related to one's perception of having been offended or wronged and a tendency to undo that wrong doing by retaliation. I didn't mean to misinterpret you. thanks for clearing that up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ascout

"In anger" is an expression for one of serious intent, not an anger management course. It means a situation where you are using a "weapon" for it's intended purpose in a life threatening situation, such as war or self-defense, as opposed to paper-punching bullseyes.

Ruggles · 01-26-2011, 17:06

3.5lbs - 4.5lbs depending on the gun I am carrying. I can not imagine in a court where 1/2 to 1/3 lb difference in trigger pull would matter to a juror. Most people (including me) can not pick up a 1911 and really feel the difference in a 1/2 llb of trigger pull. Certainly not enough to testify in a court of law where that would make a difference in a shooting.

Now going down to some crazy 1.5lb competition trigger pull might not be the best ideal.

Ascout · 01-26-2011, 17:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by allen.m

I am sorry i thought you meant "anger" an emotion related to one's perception of having been offended or wronged and a tendency to undo that wrong doing by retaliation. I didn't mean to misinterpret you. thanks for clearing that up.

I gathered the phrase was one unfamiliar to you. No problem.

CAcop · 01-26-2011, 17:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by hokieshooterG23

Quack's Trophy Match was like BANG BANG when I meant for it to go BANG.

I hav one that is customized and it does that when I am not used to it. The smith who did the work set it at 3.5#.

Colt in the armorer's class I went to set a floor of 4.5#. They taught us how to go lower and someone managed to make one of the class guns down to 1.5# without hammer follow for fun.

Quack · 01-26-2011, 17:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAcop

I hav one that is customized and it does that when I am not used to it. The smith who did the work set it at 3.5#.

Colt in the armorer's class I went to set a floor of 4.5#. They taught us how to go lower and someone managed to make one of the class guns down to 1.5# without hammer follow for fun.

it wasn't hammer follow he was getting, it was his trigger control.
If i had to guess Hokie was shooting from reset, and wasn't used to the trigger, so while he was getting ready for his next shot, he'd trip the sear.

Wolfgang · 01-26-2011, 17:26

I have a bang bang kimber that was worked on by a well known shop. It's a bit light for me to carry, but ok to target shoot. It's a Kimber SLE so not exactly a target gun, but it's ok for that. It's less than 4 lbs.

I like 4-4.5 better.

Hokie1911 · 01-26-2011, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quack

it wasn't hammer follow he was getting, it was his trigger control.
If i had to guess Hokie was shooting from reset, and wasn't used to the trigger, so while he was getting ready for his next shot, he'd trip the sear.

I ran what....2 mags through it and double tapped 3 or 4 times?