THE 1911: TRIGGER OPTIONS

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to shoot good groups with a pistol that doesn't fit your hand. You try to press the trigger straight to the rear without disturbing sight alignment but the front sight is wandering left or right just as the trigger breaks.

Take a moment and study the position of your finger on the trigger with the pistol in firing position. The last joint of your finger should be resting squarely across the trigger face with the pad centered. If the trigger is too long you may be pressing the edge of it rather than the face. If the trigger is too short your finger will extend too far into the trigger guard with the first joint doing the work. Luckily, you are shooting a 1911 style pistol so trigger length issues can be easily overcome.

There are more aftermarket parts for 1911s than any other handgun ever produced and fitting one to your hand only requires replacement of the trigger, grips, mainspring housing or grip safety or a combination of those parts to customize trigger length. Aftermarket triggers are offered in short, medium, long and longer lengths by numerous manufacturers. Swap out your factory trigger for the size that best fits your hand. One caution here: changing the trigger may alter the relationship of other fire control components such as the sear, thumb safety and grip safety. Have this work done by a competent gunsmith who is intimately familiar with 1911 lockwork.

Fitting your 1911 pistol to your hand will improve your performance at the range for a relatively small cost.