The Trigger Reach Thread

[tophatjones]

Let's collect some trigger reach measurements!

Why is trigger reach important?
When someone shoots with an inline grip, if his or her trigger finger is too short or too long, it may be difficult or even impossible for him press the trigger straight back. The ability to press the trigger straight back is important for accuracy. There are ways to compensate for a handgun with too short or too long a trigger reach, but they may be compromises (e.g. trigger reach is too long, compensate with offset grip, offset grip might be tough on the wrists if shooting a round with heavy recoil).

How to measure trigger reach?
Without depressing the trigger at all, measure with calipers from the center of the face of the trigger to the backstrap; the shortest line possible. Try to get numbers accurate to at least the tenth of an inch.

My own measurements:
1911 with standard length triggers 2.75" to 2.80"
1911 with short trigger 2.5"
Browning Hi Power 2.5"
Glock 19 2.83"
HK45c 2.95" DA, 2.65" SA

I don't know how accurate this chart is, but it contains a lot of info.

[himurax13]

Tanfoglio Witness Elite Match SAO - 2.845"
CZ75 SP01 Shadow (Old 85 Combat Trigger) DA -3.007"
CZ75 SP01 Shadow (Old 85 Combat Trigger, CGW Type 3 Disco) SA - 2.505"
CZ75 SA Shadow (Aluminum Trigger) - 2.817"
CZ75 SA Shadow (Custom Aluminum Trigger) - 2.726"
CZ75BD Decocked - 3.093"
CZ75BD SA - 2.799"
Canik P-120 DA - 3.044"
Canik P-120 SA (CGW Type 1 Disco) - 2.765"
Canik Stingray DA - 3.083"
Canik Stingray SA - 2.887"
Glock 17 Gen3 - 2.755"
Glock 19 Gen 3 (Grip Force Adapter) - 2.905"
Glock 26 Gen 3 - 2.777"
Glock 34 Gen4 (Medium Backstrap)- 2.788"
Glock 35 Gen4 (Fulcrum Trigger. No Backstrap w GFA) - 2.782"
Glock 41 Gen4 (No Backstrap w GFA) - 2.971"
Springfield 1911 Loaded (EGW Trigger, Grip Safety Depressed) - 2.840"
Rock Island Tactical 1911 (EGW Trigger, Grip Safety Depressed) - 2.834"

[rdtompki]

Very timely thread. My wife needs a shorter reach trigger on her 9mm 1911. She's been compromising her grip out of the holster in order to operate the safety; this has rolled her hand to the right which weakens her grip but does get more of her finger pad on the trigger. We're going for a Wilson low-lever safety and I'm going to have the gunsmith also install a shorter trigger.

[himurax13]

Very timely thread. My wife needs a shorter reach trigger on her 9mm 1911. She's been compromising her grip out of the holster in order to operate the safety; this has rolled her hand to the right which weakens her grip but does get more of her finger pad on the trigger. We're going for a Wilson low-lever safety and I'm going to have the gunsmith also install a shorter trigger.

Well the problem with this thread is that it is hard to put a meaningful measurement on the actual girth of the grips.

The Glock 21/41 grips are massive while everything else I posted can be easily managed by small ayshun hands with short thumbs ...

[tophatjones]

Well the problem with this thread is that it is hard to put a meaningful measurement on the actual girth of the grips.

The Glock 21/41 grips are massive while everything else I posted can be easily managed by small ayshun hands with short thumbs ...

Himura, thanks for your awesome contribution. I agree it is difficult to convey the actual grip with numbers. That's why we're keeping it simple and just measuring trigger reach. Although, if you want to post some other grip measurements that's fine by me.

The trigger reach is only a starting point, people. Find some handguns in your reachable range and go rent them.