[Guest]

I believe it is widely acknowledged that the trigger mechanism on the 1911 is about the best to be had in a factory pistol. I don't know of anything else that comes close in terms of shortness of take-up, shortness of reset, shortness or lack of overtravel, and crispness of break.

That being the case, why hasn't this trigger mechanism, or something similar to it, ever shown up in anything but a 1911 ? If someone manufactured a pistol that was SIG/Beretta/Glock reliable out of the box (out of the box, I said), and it had a single action trigger comparable to a 1911's, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

I know we've all tweaked our 1911's to get them to be reliable, but there is always something out there that will make them choke....a bad this, bad that, out of spec this, worn out that. I have never seen or heard of a 9mm SIG malfunctioning (as an example). I like SIG's alot, but I can't get past their triggers.

Any thoughts ?

 

[Josh Smith]

Alzo,

My guess would be that they simply patterned them after revolvers.

Josh <><

 

[newsflash]

I have heard of something called a DAK trigger system that the latest Sig's are available with (I don't think all models are available with it). Can't say I understand what it is or how it works (DAO?), but on John Farnam's website it seems to be getting high marks.

http://www.defense-training.com

Click on the link "Quips, quotes and lessons learned". It'll take some hunting but it'll be in there in several places.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I'd guess it's because the majority of auto actions are either conventional DA/SA or DAO. This just doesn't allow for the 1911 system to be used. One might could wrap a single-action CZ around it, but extensive reworking of the frame and guts would be required...if even possible.

Best.

 

[davejames]

The DAK is nothing more than a modified DAO trigger set up, they change the design some,,so standard SIG's can't be retrofitted,,but it is a great trigger short smooth and 6lb's all the time.

 

[newsflash]

Hello, DaveJames. Thanks for that explanation. Sounds like a terrific setup!

I take it that you have one?

 

[davejames]

MY department has been playing with a couple,,we are looking at replaceing the 229's we carry, with some newer, more idiot proofed versions.

 

[Guest]

My question was really more that if a company was designing a new gun, why would they not design a trigger mechanism comparable to a 1911's ?

I know that due to liability reasons, most police agencies prefer DAO or DA/SA actions. But there must be a large enough market for single action firearms because there is no shortage of 1911 manufacturers out there. Why should the only pistol with an excellent single action trigger be a 1911 ?

 

[Josh Smith]

Alzo,

1) Tradition, friend, tradition!

2) Leverage. The conventional type trigger is simply a lever, and although I could see a "safe action" fitted with this concept, I doubt that any DA could be. I would think it would just be easier to stick with what is currently made.

Josh <><

 

[newsflash]

I think it's largely a matter of reinventing the wheel. What I mean is somebody's gonna have to do one better to beat the 1911. If someone can invent some relatively idiot proof safety mechanism that can be "swiped" off more quickly than the thumb safety on a 1911 and still have a 1911 type trigger then that would be the cat's meow.

The "squeeze cocker" idea has been around for a while. H&K used it in their revolutionary pistol, but it didn't catch on in a big way. I remember seeing a picture of the "Double Ace" conversion that cocked the hammer on a 1911 with a replacement maingspring housing assembly and you squeezed it to cock the hammer. Evidently it was not a big success or we'd be seeing them today in a big way.

Bettering the 1911 along with having the same reliability is a big request. Over 10 years ago I played with the idea of a device to cock the hammer on a 1911 but be as simple as possible. I think it's possible but it will take a lot of thinking "outside the box". But that really begs the question: do people want a 1911-type pistol that is easier to get into action with a hammer already cocked or do they want something that will cock the hammer when it's time to get the gun into action? Obviously, something that can be fitted/retrofitted to existing 1911's would be highly desireable.

Just random rambling thoughts.

 

[larry]

Well, the trigger on our army SIG 210 was not bad... but the reliability under hard conditions was another story...

Another design that comes to mind is the Star B with its extremly rustical action. I have a exemplar made in 1943, send to Bulgaria during WWII and reemerged after the fall of the Iron Curtain in the 90's (if it could tell tales...). Believe it or not, it has an excellent trigger and is very accurate. I would shoot it more if it wasn't constantly jamming with every king of 9 para, if it wasn't loosing its slide stop and if the bushing wasn't going fore and aft. If, if, if

L.