SP101 Trigger Pull

[taloft]

The following is just opinion, you don't have to agree.

I would definitely get the trigger slicked. You'd be amazed at what a difference a smooth pull makes. A good smith can stone the sear engagement areas, cut springs, and work other magic to lighten and make it butter smooth. It usually doesn't take long. Make sure you fully test any worked over firearm with the ammo you're going to be using.

Her being surprised by the break is a good thing. It reduces the chance of her developing a flinch. If she knows when it is going to break, she may start flinching in anticipation. This is bad for accuracy. Explain to her why surprise is a good thing so she understands that it is desired and not to be feared.

The odds of someone having an ND with a revolver in single action are no worse than the odds of having an ND with a single action semi auto. No SD weapon should have a trigger pull lighter than 4lbs. Striker fired weapons such as the Glock tending to be a bit higher, although the stock Glock trigger is nothing to write home about. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire, problem solved. I do agree that if you're going to use a revolver for defense it is best to learn to fire in DA. Cocking a hammer takes time. Time is the one thing in short supply when someone is out to hurt you. Besides, you want the trigger pull to be consistent with every shot. If they are going to buy a new revolver for SD I usually recommend a DAO design.

Dry firing exercise is her friend. Snap caps and a few sessions will improve her game dramatically, all while building critical finger strength. She should do this regardless of whatever work you have done to the gun.

Revolvers are an excellent choice for new shooters because the manual of arms is simple. The chance of mechanical failure is reduced(not eliminated), no issues with limp wristing, and misfires require no extra action to proceed. Simply aim and squeeze the trigger til it goes bang. If it doesn't go bang, squeeze the trigger again. As with all firearms, both revolvers and semi autos, the key is proper training and practice.

I teach handguns at the Women On Target program. I expose my students to both revolvers and semi auto pistols. This is so they have a chance to see what each is like. I require them to shoot a full cylinder in double action so they can see the difference. I find that the style of firearm they prefer really depends on the shooter. Some have no trouble racking a slide, some have no trouble with a double action trigger. Some have trouble with only one or the other. Some have trouble with both, even with proper technique. Hand size plays much more of a role with the ladies than the gents. It depends on the shooter. If they are not comfortable with it they won't practice. Practice will iron out many problems a shooter has with any firearm. Get them what they prefer. It is around a 50% split for new shooters. There are pros and cons to both platforms. Considering the choice of platform is based on the individual shooter's needs, arguing over which platform is best is just silly.

Besides, I just tell them to buy a 20 Ga. shotgun for HD.

[JJE]

Try different grips. The stock grips put your trigger finger way up near the top of the trigger where you have the least leverage. Hogue monogrips move your finger farther down and make the pull much easier (although the reach is a little farther and the grips themselves are larger).

My SP101 was almost unusable with the stock grips - the Hogues made it feel like a different gun and they were about $20.

[sspen003]

I would definitely get the trigger slicked. You'd be amazed at what a difference a smooth pull makes. A good smith can stone the sear engagement areas, cut springs, and work other magic to lighten and make it butter smooth. It usually doesn't take long. Make sure you fully test any worked over firearm with the ammo you're going to be using.

Her being surprised by the break is a good thing. It reduces the chance of her developing a flinch. If she knows when it is going to break, she may start flinching in anticipation. This is bad for accuracy. Explain to her why surprise is a good thing so she understands that it is desired and not to be feared.

The odds of someone having an ND with a revolver in single action are no worse than the odds of having an ND with a single action semi auto. No SD weapon should have a trigger pull lighter than 4lbs. Striker fired weapons such as the Glock tending to be a bit higher, although the stock Glock trigger is nothing to write home about. Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire, problem solved. I do agree that if you're going to use a revolver for defense it is best to learn to fire in DA. Cocking a hammer takes time. Time is the one thing in short supply when someone is out to hurt you. Besides, you want the trigger pull to be consistent with every shot. If they are going to buy a new revolver for SD I usually recommend a DAO design.

Dry firing exercise is her friend. Snap caps and a few sessions will improve her game dramatically, all while building critical finger strength. She should do this regardless of whatever work you have done to the gun.

Revolvers are an excellent choice for new shooters because the manual of arms is simple. The chance of mechanical failure is reduced(not eliminated), no issues with limp wristing, and misfires require no extra action to proceed. Simply aim and squeeze the trigger til it goes bang. If it doesn't go bang, squeeze the trigger again. As with all firearms, both revolvers and semi autos, the key is proper training and practice.

I teach handguns at the Women On Target program. I expose my students to both revolvers and semi auto pistols. This is so they have a chance to see what each is like. I require them to shoot a full cylinder in double action so they can see the difference. I find that the style of firearm they prefer really depends on the shooter. Some have no trouble racking a slide, some have no trouble with a double action trigger. Some have trouble with only one or the other. Some have trouble with both, even with proper technique. Hand size plays much more of a role with the ladies than the gents. It depends on the shooter. If they are not comfortable with it they won't practice. Practice will iron out many problems a shooter has with any firearm. Get them what they prefer. It is around a 50% split for new shooters. There are pros and cons to both platforms. Considering the choice of platform is based on the individual shooter's needs, arguing over which platform is best is just silly.

Besides, I just tell them to buy a 20 Ga. shotgun for HD.

Thanks for all the advice. The 9 pound mainspring that I installed worked perfectly. Not one misfire. She had a blast at the range and I would give her about a 75% accuracy rating, compared to her missing about 90% of the time for her. Today was a great ego boost for her. That -6 pound trigger pull really helped her control the gun. She feels much more confident than she did before too.

Now I am trying to convince her to get some nicer grips for it at the gunshow this weekend. We shall see, she still seems to really like the stock ones.

[dfletcher]

I usually despise plastic/rubber grips, but I have to say these are just great. If she likes the stock ones I think she'll like these, and they really tame the recoil:http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=198084

[redcliff]

My fiancee really likes Crimson Trace laser grips on her revolver, might be an option worth exploring.

[BillCA]

SSPEN - glad you found a good solution for her.

For what it's worth, most of the heavy Ruger trigger pull is due to the springs they put in the gun. Partially because the inside of the one-piece frame can be rough and parts incur some drag or rubbing. The heavier springs overcome that. I've found that removing the action/triggerguard unit and polishing the insides of the frame with a hard Arkansas stone to remove the high spots will often improve the feel. Then moving to a lighter spring kit can make it feel almost like a good S&W or Colt.

A modern striker fired semi-auto pistol (such as Glock, Springfield XD, etc.)is a far better choice for self defense; they are almost as simple to operate as revolvers and their reliability is for all practical purposes on par with them using suitable high quality ammunition. They also have vastly better trigger properties than virtually all double action revolvers.

I will disagree. For novice shooters, I will never recommend a Glock, XD, M&P or any other pistol without an external safety. Novices, and often new women shooters, do not always fully understand the MOA of autos and handing them one like a Glock can be hazardous without rigorous training. Not many folks go for that level of training. Striker-fired weapons are not, repeat NOT appropriate for novice shooters. The visible cocked hammer serves as a condition indicator and helps them understand the importance of trigger discipline.

Women can and do understand the revolver because they and both see and feel how it works. Nothing moves "automatically" and there are no safeties that cause things to move "automatically" either. There are no issues with FTF/FTE or with not holding the wrist firmly enough. Wheelguns do not go out of battery at contact distances. Nor do wheelguns toss hot brass down her neckline.

Does a DA wheelgun require practice? Yes, the same as any SA or SA/DA pistol. Are there any special techniques one teaches for DA revolver shooting? You bet. The DA revolver's trigger is consistent - which is unlike many of the SA/DA pistols. It also has enough resistance that it will not prematurely discharge under stress.

Do some revolvers need a "tune up" before staking your life on them? Yes, about the same as the autos that people have feed ramps polished or ejection ports enlarged, magwells beveled, or similar work.

Especially for the gun owner who wants to own a gun, learn how it operates and then shoot it only about once a year, the revolver is simpler, easier to remember the MOA and more dependable for them than a semi-auto.

[DocSkinner]

SSPEN - glad you found a good solution for her.

For what it's worth, most of the heavy Ruger trigger pull is due to the springs they put in the gun. Partially because the inside of the one-piece frame can be rough and parts incur some drag or rubbing. The heavier springs overcome that. I've found that removing the action/triggerguard unit and polishing the insides of the frame with a hard Arkansas stone to remove the high spots will often improve the feel. Then moving to a lighter spring kit can make it feel almost like a good S&W or Colt.



I will disagree. For novice shooters, I will never recommend a Glock, XD, M&P or any other pistol without an external safety. Novices, and often new women shooters, do not always fully understand the MOA of autos and handing them one like a Glock can be hazardous without rigorous training. Not many folks go for that level of training. Striker-fired weapons are not, repeat NOT appropriate for novice shooters. The visible cocked hammer serves as a condition indicator and helps them understand the importance of trigger discipline.

Women can and do understand the revolver because they and both see and feel how it works. Nothing moves "automatically" and there are no safeties that cause things to move "automatically" either. There are no issues with FTF/FTE or with not holding the wrist firmly enough. Wheelguns do not go out of battery at contact distances. Nor do wheelguns toss hot brass down her neckline.

Does a DA wheelgun require practice? Yes, the same as any SA or SA/DA pistol. Are there any special techniques one teaches for DA revolver shooting? You bet. The DA revolver's trigger is consistent - which is unlike many of the SA/DA pistols. It also has enough resistance that it will not prematurely discharge under stress.

Do some revolvers need a "tune up" before staking your life on them? Yes, about the same as the autos that people have feed ramps polished or ejection ports enlarged, magwells beveled, or similar work.

Especially for the gun owner who wants to own a gun, learn how it operates and then shoot it only about once a year, the revolver is simpler, easier to remember the MOA and more dependable for them than a semi-auto.

Couldn't agree more -

ESPECIALLY THE PRACTICE PART!

The most highly overlooked and underrated thing you (EVERY you out there) can do to help protect yourself, regardless of what you use to protect yourself. I remember a long time ago the time I heard a very loud strange noise and in the middle of the night scrambled to get my pistol out of the night stand drawer and get the magazine in and slide racked. Lets just say that it was a good thing it was a false alarm...