An excellent trigger.

[critter592]

I hear Michael talk about handguns having a good trigger or excellent trigger. What does that mean though? What would make something a bad trigger?

[Badgersmilk]

Creep is the worst offender IMO.  When you pull the trigger, IDEALLY it should be an instant, crisp, clean "break".  

Any gritty feeling - BAD.  

Squeeze the trigger and feel it move while it has tension on it (creep) - BAD.

Side to side play - BAD.

To heavy to pull - mostly a matter of personal taste, but BAD.

Uneven pull (really only applies if there is also "creep") - BAD.

Once the trigger has traveled far enough to "break", it shouldn't travel any further.  "Over travel" - BAD.

A GOOD trigger also has the quickest cyclic time possible.  On this one, any flint lock would be the extreme example of BAD.  Hundredths of a second matter here.

Go to a gun store and ask them if they've got a S&W 617.  Put your thumb lightly over the hammer so as not to harm the gun, then pull the trigger.  Never seen a 617 with a bad trigger by any factory standard.

[PegLeg45]

Badger pretty much summed it up. I might add the Colt Python as a fine example of a 'factory trigger'. 

Like Badger said, go to a gun store and pick up a S&W for a fine revolver example.......or pick up a standard, generic,unmodified 1911 and dry-fire it. The trigger may feel OK and be perfectly adequate........then find someone with a 'tuned' 1911 and you will know what MB means by an "excellent trigger".

[twyacht]

One other humble consideration is double action or striker fired "feel" and single action "feel"

A 1911, or Ruger Blackhawk (single action) should be a helluva lot more "crisp" than a pistol with a double action like a revolver with a bobbed hammer, or Glock/M&P with an internal striker firing action.

Both are different but both can be good and/or excellent and likewise can be gritty, sloppy, or mushy, too heavy,...etc,...

Internally, the pistols that keep it simple, regardless of action type, "feel" the best. Some folks like lighter/faster triggers, while some like a heavier trigger with a crisp and consistent "break" and reset.

For example, my Taurus snub, with bobbed hammer, has a long pull. but it is smooth, and breaks and resets very easily. My Uberti .45 Colt revolver, or S&W 1911, once cocked, has no creep, travel or any movement except "Bang".

Personal preference will be your guide.  Rifles? Well,....that's a whole different thread....Same principles apply, but depending on the rifle, it is a bit different.  IMHO.

[critter592]

Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated.

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