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skeletonized / 3-hole style trigger On 1911s Login/Join 
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I am eyeing a 2nd 1911. I have a classic Colt Government model I purchased new in 1992. I think the 1911 is the coolest looking pistol ever made. I am thinking about a stainless Colt or a Dan Wesson. I keep noticing the aluminum skeleton or holed triggers. I don’t shoot in competitions and have no interest in doing so. I’m curious about these triggers though. The 1911 is such a traditional pistol these triggers don’t seem to balance out from an aesthetic perspective. Do they really make a difference from a competition perspective? or am I just caught up in the tradition or classic look of the gun. These triggers seem like having a digital Rolex. Some things just don’t look right.
 
Posts: 250 | Location: Southeast Georgia  | Registered: February 04, 2024Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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The holes in 1911 triggers (often called "skeletonized" or "Videcki-style" triggers) serve three main purposes:
• Weight and mass reduction: Removing metal lowers the overall physical weight of the trigger assembly.
• Preventing hammer follow: Lighter trigger mass reduces the momentum of the trigger during rapid firing or when the slide slams shut. This helps prevent the trigger from inertial "bumping" the disconnector and causing the hammer to drop unintentionally (hammer-follow).
• Aesthetics and custom style: Popularized by custom gunsmiths like Jim Videcki in the 1970s, the three-hole look became an iconic visual hallmark of custom and match-grade 1911 pistols. Many modern production versions use the holes primarily for a race-gun or custom look.

Looks like there are a few more reasons other than aesthetics. Get the gun your want, swap in a GI trigger.
 
Posts: 572 | Location: Michigan | Registered: November 22, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Lots of 1911 trigger options out there. I have installed 10-8 Performance flat faced triggers in all my 1911s. Function over form Wink


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Posts: 8891 | Location: UT | Registered: December 05, 1999Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Pilgrim
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I prefer solid triggers on a 1911. I also prefer a flat mainspring housing for long triggers and arched for short triggers. Just my personal preference.
 
Posts: 492 | Location: Ocala, FL 34478 | Registered: December 08, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Of your choices I vote for the Dan Wesson. I picked up a used CBOB 15-20 years ago and love it. Because of that gun I recently purchased a new ECP, a 9mm commander length. That gun is super nice, and yes, it has a skeletonized trigger.
 
Posts: 1787 | Location: Raleigh, NC | Registered: March 29, 2006Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Some of these have a little set screw in them to adjust travel before the break.

https://wilsoncombat.com/acces...parts/1911/triggers/

If the 3 hole is not your thing, then it’s not your thing. There’s a couple other options out there.
It doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve got 2 with them, and, to me, it doesn’t look bad at all.


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"When its time to shoot, shoot. Dont talk!"

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Posts: 9862 | Location: Attempting to keep the noise down around Midway Airport | Registered: February 14, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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I agree with you Vaftocr, the 1911 is the coolest looking pistol ever made. I did not know about the details JDG posted but, losing some mass off the trigger makes sense there.

I haven't really noticed the aesthetics of 3 hole vs solid triggers. It's funny at what stands out to each of us though, I have an immediate dislike of flat triggers. I also like arched mainspring housings, which most people don't. The good news on 1911s is, there's enough variety to find what you want out there. I had a Wilson Combat on my want to buy list for about 2 decades and recently found a very good deal on a used one. I'm pretty stoked to level up!




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Posts: 2499 | Location: Texan on the north side of the Red River | Registered: November 05, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
3° that never cooled
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I think 3-hole triggers at some point became de rigueur, certainly promoted by Wilson Combat. So many seem to believe one can't have a really Koool/combat/Ninja/operator 1911 without a long 3-hole trigger. I never bought into it. Most 1911 type pistols I've had, that came with 3-hole triggers, I changed to medium length solid triggers, except for one current production type Gold Cup in which I installed a Dlask medium trigger...


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Posts: 1640 | Location: Under the Tonto Rim | Registered: August 18, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Irksome Whirling Dervish
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The pics of all these neat sounding triggers don't seem to be loading.
 
Posts: 4519 | Location: "You can't just go to Walmart with a gift card and get a new brother." Janice Serrano | Registered: May 03, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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Here you go…

 
Posts: 1695 | Registered: September 20, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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