stages of a trigger pull

[theg33k]

Can someone point me towards a reference for the stages of a trigger pull? I'm considering getting some trigger work done on my XD and want to use the proper terminology.

[bel970]

not exactly sure what you mean, the xd trigger is a single stage trigger, 2 stage triggers are pretty much found in the target rifle world.

common terms that apply:

pretravel- this is the first part of the trigger pull, mostly created by loose tolerances in factory parts, in this portion of the trigger pull you are taking up the slack between the trigger shoe, trigger bar, safety lever arm, striker safety and striker safety spring, sear and you are partialy compressing the trigger return spring.

now that all the slack has been taken up (at this point the striker safety is disengaged and isn't to much of a factor in the pull weight) you will feel a build up in the amount of weight it takes to pull the trigger, this is because you are now engaging the sear, you are compressing the sear spring and pulling the sear off the striker that is held against it under preasure, this is where you will feel trigger creep, this is the sear traveling against the striker. this will continue until the sear breaks or releases the striker allowing to fly forward and strike the primer.

after this stage is over travel, this is travel of all componets past the break point.

differant people like differant trigger pulls, some like a little pretravel and bit of overtravel, some like me like just a tiny amount of pretravel and no over travel and as little creep as possible.

I think that's the best I can describe it, i'm sure someone will fill in whatever I left out if they haven't already beat me to it.

[MagicPie]

bel, pretty much nailed it. I can tell having a XD with a trigger job. What they are going to do, is help eliminated most of the slack(pre-travel) remove nearly all creep, so to give you a very clean break at about 5lbs, then have no over-travel.

In some regards they are taking a XD trigger that has a lot of slack, tad bit of creep, and bring that to similarity of a 1911's trigger, being that of near to no slack, and a very clean break.


Stages, are two different weights in the trigger, one must press past the first stage, then the second stage. Typically this is in regards to rifles only and largely for those designed for precise shooting. Some have a heavy first stage, and a very light second. Some have a light first stage, and a medium second.

For example, you may want a trigger that breaks at a very light weight, however you properly dont want to risk setting off the trigger, right as you place your finger on it. So, a 2 stage trigger-You can place you finger on the trigger safely as you ready for the shot, since you would have to pass a first stage, then when you completely gone past the first stage, you understand any slight pull now, would set off the second stage. A light pull of course is really helpful to ensure you dont move the gun upon pressing the trigger.

[Frenchy]

Most military rifles have 2-stage triggers.

Another term in handgun trigger is "stacking". It's where the weight of the pull increases just before let-off.

[bel970]

creep is hard to get rid of without changing sear and/or striker geometry (ie springer kit). polishing and reduced mass striker (striker indicator actually)and reduced power striker spring can get rid of nearly all of the feel of creep but the sear must still travel the same distance to release the striker, it will still be there, you just won't feel it, so it won't be an issue. I happen to really like the PRP trigger myself.

[Spartan299]

Two stages:
1) Trigger @ rest
2) Trigger in action

[thelongone13]

Originally Posted by Spartan299

Two stages:
1) Trigger @ rest
2) Trigger in action

Trigger stages to me:

No finger on trigger
Finger on trigger

2nd one make gun go BOOM!

[Spartan299]

^ yup