When to get a trigger job?

[TimNelson]

I recently joined the 1911 club and want to know at what point do you suggest getting a trigger job done. I have a springfield loaded and I have shot 330 rounds through it. I'm still not happy with the trigger pull at this point. I have felt enough triggers to know that mine is not horrible but its not great either. I know that it usually takes some time for a trigger to smooth out but how many rounds do you suggest I put through it before I decide whether I want to get a trigger job done?

[ranburr]

I throw everything away in a Springfield the minute I buy the gun. Your not going to make a stock trigger any better by shooting it. It may smooth up a little, but that is about it. Most people are under the illusion that their triggers improve dramatically with shooting them in. The truth is, they just get used to them. If you want a really good trigger; dump the stock guts and have a good gunsmith fit quality parts.

[drail]

+1 Exactly right.

[45Gunner]

It's a matter of personal preference and how fast or anxious you are to spend your money. My preference is to shoot the gun enough until it feels as smooth as it is going to get and then shoot it a bit more. When I figure I can't live with what I have, I send it off for the customization. I do it all at the same time...trigger, hammer, MSH, night sights, etc. Might as well get it done while the gun is apart and at the gunsmith instead of paying shipping several times or driving distances and then having to pay to have the gun disassembled and reassembled several different times..

[Casimer]

I'm w/ ranburr - if you don't like the trigger, have it worked on. A good trigger requires more than smooth contact surfaces. It needs to be fitted properly, and a break-in period isn't going to accomplish that.

[Tom2]

I have always had one done on 45s but that is because there is a guy around I know, that is a 45 specialist and can do a trigger job for 45$ while you wait. Makes for a good combat trigger pull. Not target hair trigger work. He probably could do that for me but I do not shoot competition! I have always been happy with a great trigger pull on a 45 even in the case that I leave the rest of the gun pretty much stock. It makes it a delight to use. Lot of other "mods" are unnecessary and just sell doodads for parts makers. But that is up to you, the trigger job and maybe fine grips are about the first/only things I change now. My first trigger job was on a Springer many years ago, as it stunk!

[Frank Ettin]

I agree with the others that if you really don't like a trigger, shooting the gun isn't going to change it much. It may smoothing things out a bit, but shooting won't offer a great deal of improvement.

However, I do recommend putting maybe 500 + rounds through a new gun before having any work done. It's not that the shooting is going to fix anything. It's that a decent bit of shooting will surface any other possible issues that may need to be attended to, as well as helping you identify anything else you'd also like to change. If you're going to have anything done, it's always easier and cheaper to have everything done at the same time.

[orionengnr]

With a revolver, you may see some benefit from some trigger time.
With a 1911, I have never seen a trigger get much better with shooting.
I'm not an expert, so I won't pretend to explain why that is.

All that said, I have owned 20+ 1911s, and three Springfield 1911s. Of those, one had an absolutely horrible trigger. That one needed a trigger job. I didn't want to sink additional money into it, so it got sold.

I have had trigger jobs done on three 1911s. Cost $100-200, including the replacement of MIM parts and removal/replacement of ambi safeties with single side safety. End result in each case was exceptional.

Of course, you should only invest this money if you plan on keeping this 1911.

[TimNelson]

So my next question is, what am I going to have to pay to get my trigger to a 3 1/2 lb pull? Obviously this will be different at different gun smith's but I am just looking for a round about price so I know how much money I am going to have to save.

[orionengnr]

Like I said, $100-200, depending on how many parts need replacing.

If the parts in your 1911 are made of crap steel, you can get a 3 1/2 lb trigger for $50-100. Of course, since those parts are crap, that trigger job may only last 100-200 rounds, at which point those edges are rounded off and your 3 1/2 lb trigger job is no more.

That is why you will pay a few more bucks to replace those parts with quality steel parts. Then the trigger job will last essentially forever.

Talk to a good 1911-smith, and he will tell you the same thing.

Where are you? We may be able to point you toward a local, reputable 1911 smith so you don't need to waste money on shipping.