A possible combat/carry option using the Timney Alpha Trigger

[1911su16b870]

I am very enamored with the wonderful clean break resulting from the Timney alpha trigger. As someone who carry's a Glock, my thoughts yearn toward a carry/combat gun with the same type of break, yet heavier. So doing some T&E with various springs and measuring trigger weight with my Lyman digital gage, I performed a 5 press average with the following results:

Connector/Striker Spring/Trigger Return Spring/Trigger Weight in lbs.
Ghost ultimate 3.5#, Stock, Timney Red, 2.46#
Lone Wolf minus 4.5#, Stock, Timney Red, 2.54#
OEM unmarked 5.5#, Stock, Timney Silver, 2.62#
OEM unmarked 5.5#, Stock, Timney Red, 2.68#
OEM unmarked 5.5#, Stock, McMaster 9287K78, 3.00#
OEM 5.5#, Johnny Glock 6#, McMaster 9287K98, 3.09#
OEM 5.5# w new FP safety, Johnny Glock 6#, McMaster 9287K98, 3.15#
*OEM 5.5# w new FP safety, Johnny Glock 6#, McMaster 9287K98, 3.40#
*repeated from above
OEM 8# w new FP safety, Glock Store 2#, McMaster 9287K98, 4.10#
OEM 8# w new FP safety, Glock Store 4#, McMaster 9287K98, 4.14#
OEM 8# w new FP safety, Glock Store 4.5#, McMaster 9287K98, 4.18#
OEM 8# w new FP safety, Johnny Glock 6#, McMaster 9287K98, 4.37#
OEM 8# w new FP safety, Glock Store 6#, McMaster 9287K98, 4.53#

So the biggest increase was seen from the + connector and then the 6# striker spring. The Lyman gage was run parallel to the bottom of the trigger guard and indexed the trigger via its roller at that lower location. The FP plunger used was a lightning strike rounded one rather than the glock OEM one, and caused a few ounces increase. I had 3.15-3.4# variance with the same setup done over two different days (seen above). The McMaster spring comes with longer legs and need to be trimmed to size. It is a 1 in-lb max torque spring. Thicker wire could be bent into a higher torque setting and increase the trigger weight if needed. The issue with the trigger return spring is it and the slide stop need to fit in that small space on the left side of the Timney trigger.

As someone who started in this great sport with a 1911 and still carries one off duty, but needs to carry the Glock on-duty...this may be a path forward...you're mileage and results may vary and I definitely do not want to be the case law...

[1911su16b870]

Oh...Glock 19 gen 3 used, OEM connector 5.5#, OEM striker spring, OEM trigger/housing 5 press average was measured at 5.23#.

[k1dude]

Good research and findings OP. Thanks.

How did the feel of the break and reset change, if at all?

[1911su16b870]

The break and reset were the same for all combinations. Take up to the wall and a glass like break. If you pin the trigger back while cycling the slide and then ease it out you get a crisp reset with negligible creep and then you can once again get that good glass like break.

Timney really nailed this trigger by preloading the striker...it is interesting that the striker spring weight was not a major influence on measured trigger weights until the 6# mark. The striker spring is loading the striker lug against the trigger cruciform and it must be a friction issue which is a fraction (10%-20% ish) of the striker spring force.

Future efforts would be to install the orange back plate and normally strike the loaded setup with a non-marring hammer above the trigger housing to see if the Timney mechanism will let the striker go. The drop safety would still be engaged and the striker plunger should stop the striker if it does let go.

The factory + connector really increased trigger weight simply by installing it.

[aar0n_k]

Nice! I'm the one who found the spring from McMaster(9287K78) to replace the included Timney ones. Initially I was hesitant to put that info out there bc of liability reasons and limited testing at the time. But I'm glad you were able to make it work for you.

The data you included is very helpful as well, as I've been meaning to conduct the same type of testing as well. Thanks for the info!

[1911su16b870]

Thanks Aaron. I picked up a number of springs and only the 3 coil McMaster 9287K78 (1 in-lb max torque) fits the gen 3 and the slide stop.

[rodralig]

Thanks Aaron. I picked up a number of springs and only the 3 coil McMaster 9287K78 (1 in-lb max torque) fits the gen 3 and the slide stop.

Checking out the McMaster website right now - any particular SKU you ordered for the springs? TIA!

_

[1911su16b870]

Type in 9287k78 in the McMaster search bar and it should come up. Trim the legs to the Timney oem length. If I have one on the bench I can send it to you.