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Carry gun and specifically the trigger

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July 16, 2018, 08:30 PM
striker1
Carry gun and specifically the trigger
My personal preference is a longer DA or DAK first pull. LEM is also good.

In a carry role, I have a problem with guns like the P320 that can have a pretty light trigger without something like a tab safety. I understand you can get this as an option on the 320.

I’ve had people tell me to get training to feel confident with shorter lighter triggers. My counter has always been to say that the same confidence-building training (I’ve had some good training from a LEO who is a champion shooter and instructor) applies to a DA.

It seems to me that many (obviously not all) gun enthusiasts who side with the shorter lighter school often assume that preference for old school DA indicates a lack of training and/or knowledge.



RB

Cancer fighter (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) since 2009, now fighting Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.


July 16, 2018, 09:04 PM
Amurr
I don’t like DA because it more complicated. That’s just my preference. It’s certianly not a hardware issue, it’s just a training issue. I have chosen to simplify as much possible. Holster, pull, align sights, press when necessary.

It’s not any worse and each individual needs to choose what they are comfortable with but it is more to train. Decock after loading and two trigger weights vs one is by definition more complicated in my book. Again there are certainly trade off gains for that. To me the glock gen 5 trigger is about perfect.

I have also tried modified DAO like lem. Less complication with no safety or decock but I also I felt at speeed, under pressure the margin for error in trigger control is smaller. Again, not something that can’t be mastered or dealt with but I also have to be honest with myself and my own performance envelope. I’m never gonna be Johnny swat team so I made my choice of compromises and feel comfortable with them. So must everyone else....I use a basic striker trigger no, safety, no DA.

The tabbed trigger regarding the 320’is another discussion and that is a hardware discussion but I am not qualified to opion on it. Tab or not it’s a striker fired no safety. If it has drop safe or ND issues to me that’s a vastly different discussion. (And I am not saying it dose)
July 16, 2018, 11:19 PM
BuddyChryst
Obviously, if you're not comfortable with it, don't do it.

But what is it that you're uncomfortable with? The process of holstering? If you ever had to use it? Simply carrying it around?

Holstering can be a little off putting if you're used to having a heavy DA and being able to have your thumb on the back of the hammer for tactile reassurance. I still put my thumb on the back even though it doesn't accomplish anything.

Having to use it, well, I dunno what to tell you there. Your finger shouldn't be on the trigger unless you intend to fire.

Simply carrying, well any pistol is only as safe as the proper holster and the person using it.

Something else?


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July 16, 2018, 11:27 PM
Nick
Trigger discipline should be the same no matter what the manual of arms. I was told by an old X special forces trainer that, “a handgun is a fighting tool, and fighting is serious business. Why would you intentionally handicap yourself with a complicated or heavy trigger?”

As always, use what you feel safe with and train, train, train!


"Escaped the liberal Borg and living free"
July 17, 2018, 12:17 AM
sns3guppy
Someone who knows, trains with, and carries a particular firearm, trigger system, etc, generally has no problems with the system. I've never been a big fan of double action-single action, but I carried them; I carried a Beretta for several years, a P239, and other firearms. My personal choices have evolved over time; presently I carry a Glock, and I'm one who always hated Glocks. I found them awkward. Now I don't.

A double action trigger, if prepped, isn't really a handicap. I like a consistent pull every time, but there are a lot of shooters who do double action/single action who do it very well. Prep the trigger and focus on the single action reset, and it can be very, very fast.

There's no issue with carrying a P320 (or 365) simply because there's no trigger safety bar. That's the first digit on your hand, and proper handling practices.

Carry and shoot what you're comfortable with that, or if applicable, what you're issued. If it's what you're issued, get comfortable, and whatever it is won't be a handicap. Make friends with it; it's just another tool.
July 17, 2018, 03:15 AM
egregore
I disagree about the tab trigger safety. This is a drop safety, a situation when the gun is not in your hand. When your finger is in place on the trigger - which it should not be unless you intend to shoot - it is deactivated. Sometimes objects other than your finger can deactivate it as well.
July 17, 2018, 06:56 AM
striker1
I currently carry a Gen 5 Glock 19.

It took me about 2 months of carrying that particular pistol to be comfortable chambered. If I snagged coming out or back in during the “test” period (the purpose being to test me, holster, methods), the resulting click and dead trigger would be a non-lethal indication of what I did wrong.

There are specific reasons for this. If I cross from IN to IL, I have to unholster and secure. End of story. I also unholster when in certain situations with customers (when I’m in certain meetings, secure cash room or other high security area, Casino, etc). I can’t carry into MI but KY or OH is fine. I still secure my pistol when at a school, LEO facility/range (we have equipment onsite to service) or other prohibited place. Since I’m working, I’m taking no chances.

Lately, because I’m working a light modified schedule (due to cancer treatment and side effects), I haven’t been daily carrying. Too easy to slip, make a mistake.

I can fully appreciate the reasons and opinions behind why people carry *what* and *when* (the *when* not really for this thread) they do, so keep them coming.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: striker1,



RB

Cancer fighter (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) since 2009, now fighting Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.


July 17, 2018, 07:30 AM
jljones
These threads tend to become an exercise in throwing out bullshit excuses to justify a position on our preferred trigger system.

A DA trigger IS NOT "safer" than a non-tabbed striker fired pistol. You lay both on a table, neither just magically go off. You keep your finger off of the trigger, and neither go off.

A striker fired pistol IS NOT "easier" to use. Actually the DA pistol is a little more forgiving, but both trigger systems come down to being trained. Most people over value their trigger control anyway, so crappy trigger control often looks better on a striker fired gun.

There is trained. And there is untrained. Pick one.




www.opspectraining.com

"It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it works out for them"



July 17, 2018, 07:40 AM
Fredward
I also feel that the P320 trigger is too light for my purposes, but my wife really likes it. My solution was to provide each of us with similar pistols-she gets the 320's, I get 250's, which are hammer fired and have a bit stiffer trigger pull. Mags are interchangeable, and we both get what we want. If I want a tabbed trigger, I can always get a Glock. Big Grin
July 17, 2018, 08:00 AM
Raidersrule
quote:
Originally posted by jljones:
These threads tend to become an exercise in throwing out bullshit excuses to justify a position on our preferred trigger system.

A DA trigger IS NOT "safer" than a non-tabbed striker fired pistol. You lay both on a table, neither just magically go off. You keep your finger off of the trigger, and neither go off.

A striker fired pistol IS NOT "easier" to use. Actually the DA pistol is a little more forgiving, but both trigger systems come down to being trained. Most people over value their trigger control anyway, so crappy trigger control often looks better on a striker fired gun.

There is trained. And there is untrained. Pick one.


Sing it to the mountain tops. You're either competent and confident with your weapon or you are not. End of story.


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"What if... What if grasshoppers carried .45s? Then maybe birds wouldn't **** with them so much?"

Matt Graham, Graham Combat
Discussing what if scenarios regarding cover/crowding

"Our wonderful citizenry expect the worst from police and the great majority of the time, they simply get the best."
July 17, 2018, 08:25 AM
Amurr
quote:
Originally posted by jljones:
These threads tend to become an exercise in throwing out bullshit excuses to justify a position on our preferred trigger system.

A DA trigger IS NOT "safer" than a non-tabbed striker fired pistol. You lay both on a table, neither just magically go off. You keep your finger off of the trigger, and neither go off.

A striker fired pistol IS NOT "easier" to use. Actually the DA pistol is a little more forgiving, but both trigger systems come down to being trained. Most people over value their trigger control anyway, so crappy trigger control often looks better on a striker fired gun.

There is trained. And there is untrained. Pick one.


So you are saying that a system which required 3 specific motor skills, (decock, DA, SA) is not more complicated than a system which requires one specific motor skill (SFA)?
July 17, 2018, 08:28 AM
jljones
That’s exactly what I am saying. Either you are trained, or you are not.




www.opspectraining.com

"It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it works out for them"



July 17, 2018, 08:41 AM
Warhorse
Lately all that I carry is my G19, if that is to much to carry in certain situations, I will carry a S&W 638, or my Ruger LCP.

My reasoning is that I no longer am used to decocking, or putting a safety on prior to reholstering. Yes, I am fully aware it is just a training issue.


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July 17, 2018, 08:47 AM
henryaz
 
I've always carried a SAO pistol with a thumb break holster that covers the cocked hammer. Using the same gun in matches, I use an open top kydex holster mostly, but also sometimes use my carry holster to build muscle memory for it.
 
July 17, 2018, 10:49 AM
JGIORD
Striker I’m with you on this one. I much prefer a DA/SA setup. However I always had difficulty shooting P series pistols accurately. I can’t stand the stupid dingus On stricker triggers. My small hands and curved arthritic fingers make it hard to reach unless I alter my grip

I also agree that the 320 and PPQ triggers were too light for my liking. I have a 365 and it’s also borderline too light but I love the size and feel of the gun

I recently picked up a P30 and will see how that goes. I just seem to prefer a hammer a DA/SA. I agree training is important but you never know how you will react when the shtf
July 17, 2018, 11:16 AM
striker1
Training is paramount. You can be undertrained. I think practice drills are regularly required too.

Comfort levels are important too. I feel a little more confident pushing a hammer-fired pistol (thumb over hammer) into a holster than I do a striker pistol. As I train more with the G19, that will improve.



RB

Cancer fighter (Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma) since 2009, now fighting Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.


July 17, 2018, 11:56 AM
SgtGold
quote:
Originally posted by jljones:
There is trained. And there is untrained. Pick one.


Two Musashi quotes come to mind:

"The Way is in training. One must always continue to train."

"The path that leads to truth is littered with the bodies of the ignorant."

Using a particular type of trigger because you feel it's 'safer' is to admit you don't have the confidence to use something different. Where does that confidence come from? Training.


_____________________________
'I'm pretty fly for a white guy'.

July 17, 2018, 12:07 PM
RHINOWSO
Pick your weapon and train with it - care less about what other people think or a need to get validation for your pick.
July 17, 2018, 02:10 PM
JAFO
quote:
Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
Pick your weapon and train with it - care less about what other people think or a need to get validation for your pick.


Honestly, I hope one day to have the time and resources to train to the same level with lots of different platforms. I do not do well with Glocks and I have very little experience with SAO's, for example. But one day I'd like to be able to shoot either well, should the need arise.


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"I drank what?" - Socrates
July 17, 2018, 02:23 PM
SSAreGreat
Striker Fire DA/SA, SA are all good it depends how you train and what you are comfortable carrying. DA/SA is a little more forgiving to slips but so many people carry striker fire pistols with no ND's. All are good and all are safe


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