Using a modified g19 (salient/ zev) for concealed carry

[zage88]

I've read in a few places that any trigger work becomes a legal problem if you ever use a gun to defend yourself. Does this rule out pistols modified by salient arms as good carry options? I'm interested in having a 3.5lb trigger on a g19 (salient offers it down to 3 but I have a g17 with 3lb pull and it's slightly too light) but I'm worried I'd be setting myself up for trouble if something ever did happen. If I can't use a modified trigger for carry I'd lean towards getting a vp9 though I'd really rather have the primary pistols I use be glocks to use the same magazines. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

[Paperchasin]

Check out the license to carry forums... But your ccw gun will need to be inspected by the issuing Sherriff dept and I believe they will test the trigger pull. If they don't approve of the gun, they will not issue your ccw until you bring a suitable gun in. From what I've read, anything below 5lbs might be problematic

[Ronin2]

When your life depends on it.. A box stock G19 with std. 5lb tigger for the WIN! CCW is about defending your or someone else's life. Not to "carry your favorite trophy or competition gun. A CCW gun should be a "tool gun".

[Mossy Man]

I wouldn't use a modified Salient G19 for carry; but not for legal reasons.

From what I understand I don't think you could trust your life on one.

[Press Check]

A good shoot is a good shoot, period.

[Malaprop14]

Check out the license to carry forums... But your ccw gun will need to be inspected by the issuing Sherriff dept and I believe they will test the trigger pull. If they don't approve of the gun, they will not issue your ccw until you bring a suitable gun in. From what I've read, anything below 5lbs might be problematic

This is entirely dependent on the IA. I specifically asked mine if modifications, specifically trigger modifications, were allowed in our jurisdiction and they said yes.

[k1dude]

When your life depends on it.. A box stock G19 with std. 5lb tigger for the WIN!

Most 19's I've tested come in between 6 and 7 pounds out of the box.

To the OP, I'd leave it stock. 3.5 pounds is awfully light for a SD/HD gun. IMHO, it's an accident waiting to happen. God forbid, if you ever have to hold a gun at someone, it'll be an incredibly high stress situation. I sure wouldn't want a trigger that light under my finger unless it was the closest gun to you or the only gun available to you.

Keep in mind that up close and personal, you won't even notice that stock trigger. But it'll be enough to keep you from a ND at the worst possible moment. This isn't competition where a light trigger is your friend.

My competition guns are between 3 and 4 pounds. My carry and HD guns are between 6 and 7 pounds.

[HK416]

Not only will a 3.5 pound trigger not be ideal for hd/sd it will also cause some legal trouble if you happen to use it in a sd situation. I wouldn't want to explain to the judge/jury why I had a 3.5 trigger job done to my pistol. Not only that, if you invest a lot of upgrades into your gun, and you happen to use it in a self defense situation, you're most likely not going to get it back and if you are it's going to be abused etc. My advice is to leave it bonestock.

[hambam105]

I don't think a 3.5 trigger pull and a permanently disconnected safety latch on a 1911 is wise decision. What makes a Glock different in this comparison defies my imagination and any modicum of common sense I may or may not claim to currently possess.

Three and one-half pounds on a trigger is three and one-half pounds on any trigger.

[NiteQwill]

Ask your IA.

I have no reservations carrying a gun that I have trained and feel confident with.

There are no court cases that have shown a modified carry gun has led to a conviction.

OTOH, I wouldn't carry a heavily modified gun simply because of reliability issues and/or you losing the gun forever if you ever have to use it.

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

I wouldn't carry a Salient Glock for two reasons:

First, virtually all of the failures that I see in students' Glocks come from modifications. The only aftermarket parts on my carry G19 are sights. Everything else is factory.

Second, if you do use your pistol to defend yourself or someone else, would you rather hand over your $500 stock Glock or your thousand plus dollars worth of Salient modified pistol?

[tbc]

The question to the OP is why do you need a light trigger? I'd use the funds and invest it in training and ammo.

[SDM44]

Read your IA's rules about modified carry guns on your permit. Some may not allow it.

The other, as mentioned, would be do you want the chance to possible lose your $2500 gun if it's used and held by the police while you go through that process? You may or may not get it back in the end. Kind of like the discussion I see about people wanting to carry a $3000 WC or Nighthawk carry sized 1911. If this doesn't concern you,then by all means use what you want to. If it does concern you, get a stock G19 and make sure you're completely comfortable with using it.

[steadyrock]

A good shoot is a good shoot, period.

But there is at least a very significant chance you will wind up in civil court, being sued by the person you shot, or his family. Remember, when you're being sued for $5M that lawyer wants his half, and he has made it his profession to get it. I don't want to roll the dice that I would be able to outfox him in front of a jury regarding a "specially modified gun designed to require less effort to kill my client's brother", or a "highly modified trigger system, which caused the defendant's shaky hands to shoot my client through the lung and spine, permanently degrading his quality of life."

[bigcalidave]

Everyone keeps repeating the line about a civil suit having more teeth or extra charges, but nobody can ever come up with an example. If you can't prove it, don't say it.

Also, before making a comment like "the sheriff checks trigger pull weight" you should really find out if that is true, or ask what county a poster is in. Fact check yourself people !!!