So explain a trigger job to a noob.

[Powerman]

I am new to autos. I have 500+ rounds through my new XD45. I have seen all the drop in stuff. I can send my gun out to get a full custom job. I assume that involves fitting/fine tuning of everything for best performance.

Pretravel, post-travel, and reset travel can all be shortened to give quicker shots. Trigger pull can be lightened, but the lighter you go, the greater the chance of unintentional firing. Does that sound about right?

So how does trigger performance effect shooting? Why do I want this done? I see so many folks comment on how "nice" their triggers are, but that doesn't mean anything to me.

Also, I love gear and modifying. Is a trigger job "all that", or is it just something to mess with? Is this just geeky tweak stuff, or is it a legit performance enhancing mod? I have a Jeep and a Mt. bike, I'm OK with the geeky mod stuff, I'm just trying to understand what I'm doing. Oh ya, It's for recreation and personal defense. No competition. Any input is most appriciated.

[Hooz]

A trigger-job is probably the single best modification you can do to an XD from an accuracy standpoint. Match rifle and pistol shooters have long been tweaking triggers to help their accuracy, and there is good reason for that.

Reducing pre-travel, reset and over-travel means less physical movement (both human and mechanical) when pulling the trigger. Decreasing movement decreases the chances of error. Errors that could lead to inaccuracy.

The break weight of the trigger is the subject of much debate. Suffice it to say that for competition you can go down about as low as you like (2-2.5# is pretty standard), but the widely accepted weight for a "carry" trigger is in the 4# range.

I had my first XD trigger done by Canyon Creek (4# "Carry") and my group sizes were cut in half... With no other mods.

[jonny4523]

Originally Posted by Hooz

A trigger-job is probably the single best modification you can do to an XD from an accuracy standpoint. Match rifle and pistol shooters have long been tweaking triggers to help their accuracy, and there is good reason for that.

Reducing pre-travel, reset and over-travel means less physical movement (both human and mechanical) when pulling the trigger. Decreasing movement decreases the chances of error. Errors that could lead to inaccuracy.

The break weight of the trigger is the subject of much debate. Suffice it to say that for competition you can go down about as low as you like (2-2.5# is pretty standard), but the widely accepted weight for a "carry" trigger is in the 4# range.

I had my first XD trigger done by Canyon Creek (4# "Carry") and my group sizes were cut in half... With no other mods.

I'm completely agree. I had mine done at Springer Precision and it has made a world of a difference.

[Powerman]

Well I am not trying to mod my way out of poor mechanics, but I am a poor shot. I am a lefftie and everything is low and to the right. I use my joint instead of the pad of my finger. I think I know what to work on. Getting some snap caps today.

Being a newbie, Would it be better to do trigger work sooner, or later? Should I learn my gun first, or learn the new trigger as I go? Thanks for your time guys.

[Hooz]

The first XD I bought, I fired a few thousand rounds through before I sent it off for the trigger work. The next two XDs I bought went in for work before I ever even shot them.

It's completely up to you, but if you're new to the gun, why bother getting used to it one way and then changing it? Get the work done first and then get familiar with it once.