Thanks for the feedback guys.
It's nice to know that there's a fine tuned IDPA SSP legal OEM option available out there (thanks Wendell). Also, Ganderites comments seem to ring true against other information I've seen out on the web about connectors.
Glock has made a bunch of improvements to their triggers by generation and aftermarket parts that make a big improvement for gen 3 pistols may not make much difference for a gen 5 pistol. I've done a bunch of research and here's the info I've found so far:
Trigger Connectors
It looks like many of these aftermarket trigger bar connectors balance the weight and break of the trigger. Some have a heavy wall with a crisp break, others have a lighter pull with more of a rolling break. Whether or not these are "better" depends mostly on which style you prefer.
- If you are starting with an 8 lbs trigger pull then a new connector may reduce the trigger pull by a noticeable amount (could be 1 pound or more), but gen 5 and some gen 4 triggers may only have a weight reduction of an ounce.
- Some connectors have an over travel tab on the bar that you can file to fit your pistol, this style would likely not help an already 5.5 lbs Gen 5 trigger in the weight department, but the reduced over travel will help with accuracy.
You will have to do some reading to determine which connector will give you the best feel vs weight ratio before purchasing one.
25 Cent Trigger Job
For the most part all this does is get the trigger to the same point that 1000 to 2000 trigger pulls will get you. It might lighten the trigger by half a pound if the trigger is fresh.
Flat Trigger Shoe
Some people complain that the raised centre portion of the Glock trigger make it easier to pull the shot left or right when the trigger breaks. This can be mitigated somewhat by placing your finger exactly right, but your ability to do that might be compromised if you are playing a speed shooting game. Flat faced triggers might help with this somewhat, and they also reduce the perceived trigger pull weight by spreading out the force over a larger portion of your finger. Some models come with an over travel screw.
Reduced Power Springs
- You will find that the biggest reduction in trigger weight will be achieved by using a 4 or 4.5 lbs striker pin spring. You could see a trigger weight reduction in the 2 lbs range.
- The next reduction will be achieved by installing a safety plunger reduced power spring. You might see 1/2 a pound reduction in the trigger weight.
- The last reduction will be achieved by installing a reduced power trigger return spring. You might only see an improvement in trigger weight measured in a couple of ounces.
Overall, I'd say that leaving the trigger return spring and safety plunger spring alone is probably a good idea. Replacing them with reduced power springs will decrease trigger return speed (not a good thing) and possibly reduce the effectiveness f the trigger safety (not a good thing) in exchange for a marginally better trigger pull weight. The striker in spring is likely worth it, you get a significant trigger pull reduction but you have to be picky about the ammo brand and primer hardness. NATO spec maybe unreliable in your pistol.
Conclusion
If you have an
older Glock with an 8 lbs trigger pull (gen three or older, or some gen 4 pistols), then
a connector and a reduced power striker spring might be in order.
If you have a
newer Glock with a 5.5 lbs trigger pull (some gen 4 and all gen 5 pistols), then
a 25 cent trigger job and a reduced power striker spring might be in order.
All Glocks will likely be improved by a flat faced trigger shoe, especially if it has an adjustable over travel screw. But your shooting game may not allow this in the category you want to shoot in (this is not allowed in IDPA SSP division, but likely is allowed in IDPA production).
