Carry vs. Competition Trigger Jobs

[alzo]

I appreciate the replies so far, but I feel like my question isn't being answered. Let me restate it this way:

If I send an XD to gunsmith X, and ask for a carry trigger job with a trigger pull of 4.5 lbs, gunsmith X will do that work. If I send an XD to the same gunsmith and ask for a competition trigger job with a trigger pull of 2.5lbs, gunsmith X will presumably do something different. What is the difference in the work done ?

[foo.c]

Not to be a jerk, but I think the person to ask would be gunsmith X.

[dosei]

Originally Posted by alzo

I appreciate the replies so far, but I feel like my question isn't being answered. Let me restate it this way:

If I send an XD to gunsmith X, and ask for a carry trigger job with a trigger pull of 4.5 lbs, gunsmith X will do that work. If I send an XD to the same gunsmith and ask for a competition trigger job with a trigger pull of 2.5lbs, gunsmith X will presumably do something different. What is the difference in the work done ?

Originally Posted by dosei

As a general rule...Competition trigger jobs have lighter springs, less take-up and less overtravel. The lighter springs make the difference in pull weight.

What is it you are not quite getting.
Difference in work = lighter springs and less trigger take-up/reset on the competition trigger. For the carry trigger, some or all of the stock springs in the trigger assembly will be left in and the trigger will be adjusted to have more take-up/reset than a competition job.

And as foo.c noted...if you want to really get into the nitty gritty details of it, talk to the gunsmith. Different 'smiths take slightly different approaches, result in different answers to your question depending on the 'smith.

[Chapie+]

Originally Posted by foo.c

Not to be a jerk, but I think the person to ask would be gunsmith X.

This is really good advice. Ask the person who does the work. You might call SA and talk to Deb or you might look at commercial sponsors of XD and write to Scott at Springer Precision and ask him (his call sign is Loves2Shoot).

There are folks on this forum who can do the work themselves. Not me, I would screw it up and then some. I frankly lack the ability and confidence to do it myself and believe it to be worth it to send the gun to someone who knows what they are doing, stand behind their work, and do a really good job. This goes back to the advice above, ask the people who do the work. I will get a "competition" trigger job, but have it set at a higher poundage than typically associated with "competition". This is so I can get the best of both worlds - smooth trigger, little pre-travel, and fast reset of competition along with an appropriate weight for carry / work.
Chapie+

[alzo]

Originally Posted by dosei

What is it you are not quite getting.
Difference in work = lighter springs

When you replied with the "lighter springs" the first time, I stated that I don't see different sets of springs out there. I see stock and lighter than stock. I don't see stock, lighter than stock, and a third choice that is lighter yet.


But thanks again to all who responded. I'll go to the source.

[dosei]

I get the feeling that you are wanting and DIY carry trigger job. If that is the case, just get a trigger kit from Springer and install it with the original stock springs.

[alzo]

Nope. Mine already has a carry trigger job done by Springer Precision. I am very happy with it. Knowing what was done to mine, I am just curious what else is done to the comp guns to get that other 2 lbs out of the trigger pull (because it doesn't seem like there's much else to do).

[Bill in San Jose]

I'm not a gunsmith, I'll try to explain.

There are 3 separate, but related things that can be modified.

1. The distance the trigger moves before the release-weight increases to release the sear and fire the weapon.
2. The weight that is required to pull the trigger, and release the sear and fire the weapon,
3. the distance the trigger continues to travel rearward after firing, before it moves forward for the next shot.

#2 can be reduced with new springs, affected by a new sear too.
#1 can be reduced with a new trigger sear installed (common) or the existing sear modified (less common).
#3 requires modification/ replacement of the bar connecting the trigger to the sear.

The shorter the take-up before shooting, and the lighter the trigger pull, many shooters find makes them more accurate and able to fire multiple, accurate shots in less time.

The trigger pull force is not field adjustable on an XD.

Help?

[Archer1945]

The best trigger I've ever felt on a handgun was one of Rob Leatham's 1911s which had a 2# pull. Talk about sweet no take-up, over-travel, or reset, to speak of; just a crisp "Click" as the hammer fell.

While it is probably possible to go even lighter than that I doubt if there are very many who could handle a trigger any lighter on a handgun. Now rifles & shotguns are a different story. Many top trap and skeetshooters have their triggers adjusted to no more than one pound pull, not to mention benchrest shooters. Olympic rifle and airgun shooters tend to get really light. I used to have an Feinwerkebau Model 300, I believe, air rifle which could be adjusted down to about 2 ounces. Never should have gotten rid of that gun because it was one fun gun to shoot.

[MarKing]

Originally Posted by dosei

Bottom line is, the XD already has a proper "carry trigger". It's a little like asking "what do I do to make my Prius get good gas mileage?"...Um...dude...it already does...

I'll take my Springer Precision combat/carry trigger job over stock any day of the week.

Scott's work should, IMHO, be stock.