I recently bought a Lyman digital trigger pull gauge. Checking my guns, I found some pull weights that seem awfully low. Here are the lowest measurements I recorded, they are an average of five pulls.

- Centerfire revolver: 1 lb, 4 oz. (Ruger New Model Blackhawk Bisley with Wolff reduced
power mainspring)
- Rimfire revolver: 1 lb, 5 oz (another Ruger, an Old Model Single Six with factory springs).

- Centerfire autoloader: 2 lbs, 4 oz. (Smith & Wesson Model 52-2)
- Rimfire autoloader: 1 lb, 6 oz. (Smith & Wesson Model 41)

No ignition problems occur. None are carry or self defense guns and are not used in formal competition where minimum weights may be required. The Ruger Bisley was bought new and the trigger and hammer engagement surfaces have not been touched, the Ruger Single Six was bought used and is unknown if any gunsmithing had been performed.

Do I have anything to worry about regarding safety, other than keeping my finger out of the trigger guards until ready to shoot and not carrying the revolvers cocked (duh) or the Model 41 holstered with a round in the chamber ?

Thanks

They sound ok to me. I had a 41 long before I had a trigger pull gauge. The trigger on that gun was scary light. Probably about like yours. I set it off a few times just getting my finger in the trigger guard. I like light triggers, but I finally got scared of the 41 and passed it on to someone else. Kinda wish I had it back now.

To me it depends on what the gun will be used for. Obviously, dedicated Target Guns will benefit from light pull weights and Carry Guns (IMO) should have a bit harder pull weight (but not to hard) for safety purposes.

What's also quite important is how smooth the trigger is. If a light trigger has lots of creep that is sometimes more frustrating than a slightly heavier pull that is smooth as glass.

FWIW the minimum weight for Bullseye competition is 2 pounds for .22, 2 pounds 8 oz for centerfire revolvers and non 45 semi-autos, 3 pounds 8 oz for 45 semi-autos, and 4 pounds for 45 hardball guns.

Are you sure the scale is accurate? Anything under 2 lbs is real light and probably too sensitive for most people. I have a couple guns in the 2.5 lbs range and that's light enough for me.

Assuming you can handle the guns safely and don't mind the ultra light trigger pull, I wouldn't worry about it.

And the gun.

I really don’t care much for light triggers. If it’s lighter than 2-1/2 pounds I don’t like it much, and I like 3 or 3-1/2 a lot better. I spend too much effort adapting to being safe with the unusually light trigger and other fundamentals suffer. A rifle that’s fired from the bench or a rest is an exception. A handgun that’s used for protection or a hunting shotgun - five pounds or even a bit more is not a bother, providing it breaks nicely.

If your gauge is accurate, the pull weights you describe are too light.

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

That sounds light, check the gauge. For me 3 lbs is fine for "most" things, PROVIDING the pull is smooth & crisp. You measured all in single action I assume? Were they stock? Or were they worked? For a self defense pistol, 4.5-6 is fine for me. I don't have to measure my 640, I know it's heavy & want it that way, IF smooth & a crisp break.

I could say quite a bit about light triggers. Namely, I like them, but only on target guns.

However, in this case, my first thought is in agreement with other people who have said to check the calibration of the gauge. The most accurate type of gauge uses a weight with a stiff hook on it that goes across the trigger. Then you lift the gun vertically and it either will or will not pick up the weight. Here is an example set from Brownell's.

CUSTOM GUNSMITHING, INC. NRA OFFICIAL UNIVERSAL TRIGGER WEIGHT SYSTEM | Brownells

You can make a workable home version with a bucket that has a stiff removable handle and a kitchen scale. Put the handle on the trigger, and then throw small weights in the bucket until the trigger won't lift it. Then weigh the bucket. This method sounds like a kludge, but I actually get very repeatable and accurate results this way. I have used this method to check both of my commercial trigger gauges, and both proved acceptable, but not completely precise.

It could well be that the OP isn't being as gentle and consistent as required to get really accurate trigger weights. Also, it's not uncommon for spring or other scales to be off somewhat.

You might want to get a couple of actual weights, get someone at the local Post Office to verify the weights and use those to practice your technique and check the accuracy of the scale.

Now then, trigger systems tend to polish themselves and become lighter with use. If the weights noted above are accurate, I'd really, and seriously, consider getting them some professional attention. I highly doubt those fall within the range the manufacturers consider safe. I personally wouldn't own a handgun with a trigger that light.

I'll see if I can check the accuracy of the gauge by lifting a known weight. Some other pull weights I recorded are 4 lbs 11 oz for a 1947 K22, 3 lbs 8 oz for a Model 18-3, 3 lbs 3 oz. for a Colt Offficers Model Match 7 lbs 2 oz. on a USGI M1911A1, 4 lbs 12 oz on a Springfield Armory GI Model and 6 lbs 12 oz. on a Model 1006. Those all sound like they are in reasonably expected ranges but those few that are sub 2 lbs sure don't take much to release the hammers.

Being quite familiar with Ruger SAs, I’m not buying that a NM BW is breaking that light with only a spring kit.

I’ve put thousands of rounds through my 24-3. SA breaks a hair under 2 lbs (it was worked over by a pro when I bought it.). And that is light.