Would having a pistol with a heavier trigger than is mandated by law be a potential legal issue if I ever had to use such a pistol in self defense? I'm considering an M&P with a 10lbs. trigger (comes from the factory that way) and am wondering if there are any potential problems due to the fact that it's heavier than standard. I've read about light triggers causing issues but never heavy triggers, so I'm not sure what to think.
Trigger weight a legal issue?
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Would having a pistol with a heavier trigger than is mandated by law be a potential legal issue if I ever had to use such a pistol in self defense? I'm considering an M&P with a 10lbs. trigger (comes from the factory that way) and am wondering if there are any potential problems due to the fact that it's heavier than standard. I've read about light triggers causing issues but never heavy triggers, so I'm not sure what to think.
Erich
Member
I think you'll do better to spend your time thinking about whether your tires are properly inflated.
Well, the only problem I know is that you might not be able to hit anything with a 10# trigger unless you practice with it?
What exactly is this "trigger weight mandated by law" you speak of? What law? I know MA has one, but VA?
What exactly is this "trigger weight mandated by law" you speak of? What law? I know MA has one, but VA?
625 Shooter
Member
"Heavier than mandated by law"???
I've never heard of such a thing!
I've never heard of such a thing!
flop-shank
US Veteran
I like heavy triggers because I think they're easier to live with. Glocks, for example, give me the creeps. Every bit as important, or more so than being able to shoot a gun well, is the ability to live with it year in and year out without a negligent discharge. An ND is legal spaghetti waiting to happen. Long, heavy DA triggers give me the safety margin I refuse to live without. Many concealed carriers like light triggers because they are easier to hit with at the range, but IMO shootability is only one aspect of what a carry gun should be. Some people I know try to make up for a lack of skill by having a gun with a light trigger. Heavier triggers are generally harder to hit with, but a smooth, heavy trigger can be shot well with plenty of practice. This is no flame on those who prefer light triggers as many of them are highly skilled, light triggers just aren't for me.
I think a heavy DA trigger will serve you better legally as long as it isn't heavy to the point of making you inaccurate because it will lessen the likelyhood of an ND, while still giving you the ability to deliver accurate gunfire in an environment where innocents are present without hitting them.
I think a heavy DA trigger will serve you better legally as long as it isn't heavy to the point of making you inaccurate because it will lessen the likelyhood of an ND, while still giving you the ability to deliver accurate gunfire in an environment where innocents are present without hitting them.
G
Guest
Guest
This is a new one on me too. Your Profile says you from VA and while I haven't read all of there firearms Laws I've never heard of such a thing. If it is a Law it is just another one of those unenforceable ones that the left wingers love to pass.
I'm presuming you are referring to a Double Action trigger pull. But, if you want a pull "that" heavy then you better figure on practicing <span class="ev_code_RED">a LOT</span> and taking Steroids and spending lots of time at the Gym for the rest of your life!!!
Frankly, the older you get the heavier that trigger pull will become!!!
elcruisr
US Veteran
Move to FL. A shooting in self defense is either good or bad. Trigger weights, reloads, caliber, firearm, bullet selection don't enter into it. If it was a legit self defense you have a good shield against civil damages as well.
JacMac
Member
I think that MattB has a valid question, but turned around. Massachusetts, California, N.Y. and a couple of other States have firearm laws that address trigger pulls. However the laws state that the trigger pulls shall be no less than........etc. This States would have trigger pulls so absurd that the firearm would be essentially worthless as a gun. However I am curious to know where MattB got his incorrect info?
JacMac
Member
Here I am again. I read the responses and never actually answered MattB's question. Most police departments prefer firearms with heavy trigger pulls as a precaution against an unintentional discharge. The M&P was designed as a police weapon, thus the 10lb pull. In a high stress situation, a 10lb pull becomes meaningless. The question is: what are you going to use the gun for?
625 Shooter
Member
But, but, but ...
The question was:
QUOTE
Would having a pistol with a heavier trigger than is mandated by law be a potential legal issue if I ever had to use such a pistol in self defense?
UNQUOTE
Even IF there is a minimum trigger pull weight law, HOW can it be a problem to have a trigger with a heavier trigger pull??
Perhaps our inquirer simply mistated his question??
user
Member
JacMac
Member
You are correct 625shooter. The original question must be misstated. But I would still like to know from MattB where he got the info. There is a lot of outright false info circulating and we have a responsibility to correct it, at least in the gun community.
Only partially true. The M&P was indeed designed as a service pistol, however, the 10 lb pull is a Massachusetts (and possibly other localities)legal system. The standard version has a trigger pull of approximately 6.5 lbs.
Professional gun toters are trained to keep their fingers off the trigger until they decide to fire. Doesn't mean they all do, but the theory (prevelent in New York) is that people are too stupid to be trained and/or trusted.
Nanook 450
Member
I spent $80 to have my M&P 45 acp trigger pull shortened and lightened to 4.5 lbs. Leagal trigger pull is bull s##t. When my brain says go, so will my trigger finger. 10 lbs to be "legal" or "legally served" is absurd.
A dealer was selling some M&P 45s at a recent gun show and I was quite interested until I tried the trigger. It was awful, long, rough and hard to pull. I just couldn't buy it, despite the bargain price. I walked away and bought another C**t 1911 for a few bucks more. I guess they are counting on the adrenalin in a gunfight to negate the trigger problems. Might be a challenge in training.
Speaking of NDs--I wonder if the Glock ND by the dumb football player in NYC (a Glock stuffed into sweat pants??) will somehow work in favor of making the NYC gun possession laws look excessively restrictive, even though this is a "BS-CCW" case.
A good case to watch.
Speaking of NDs--I wonder if the Glock ND by the dumb football player in NYC (a Glock stuffed into sweat pants??) will somehow work in favor of making the NYC gun possession laws look excessively restrictive, even though this is a "BS-CCW" case.
A good case to watch.
cmort666
Member
1. I'm not aware of any LAW which mandates trigger weight, certainly not an Ohio or Federal law.
2. Missing your target and hitting something or someone else is NOT better than hitting your intended target with a 2oz. trigger.
3. Buy Massad Ayoob's new book on concealed carry, or his edition of "Combat Handgunnery". He goes into a lot of detail on safe and proper trigger actions. He recommends smooth but not excessively light trigger pulls. Note that I said EXCESSIVELY light.
noknock
US Veteran
I tell my guys over and over again. . .
keep you finger off the trigger, it takes miliseconds to go from index finger parrell to ground next to frame to pulling the trigger.
IMO trigger weight of normal carry guns trigger pulls is not an issue, when you find yourself in an adrenaline type situation and you have your finger on the trigger and you trip, or you go to do just about any kind of RE-ACTIONARY movement, chances are you are going to pull the trigger. I don't care if it is 3 pounds or 13 pounds.
Keep your freaking finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire and you are not going to have an unintentional discharge.
Also if the shoot is good then you will be a HERO even in most cases if your trigger is to light or GOD forbid you use the handloaded self-defense rounds that we always hear about. . .
Hit an innocent or shoot when you shouldn't have in general, again I don't care if your trigger is 30 pounds, you will be a zero and probably go to jail and after that you will be owned by the family of the "victim" for the rest of your natural life on this planet.
It was taught to me a long time ago and I continue to teach it. . . 3 ways to not accidently or unintentionaly pull the trigger.
1) Keep your finger off the trigger.
2) Keep your F^ck*ng finger off the trigger!
3) KEEP YOUR MOTHER F^ck&#g FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!!!
keep you finger off the trigger, it takes miliseconds to go from index finger parrell to ground next to frame to pulling the trigger.
IMO trigger weight of normal carry guns trigger pulls is not an issue, when you find yourself in an adrenaline type situation and you have your finger on the trigger and you trip, or you go to do just about any kind of RE-ACTIONARY movement, chances are you are going to pull the trigger. I don't care if it is 3 pounds or 13 pounds.
Keep your freaking finger off the trigger until you are ready to fire and you are not going to have an unintentional discharge.
Also if the shoot is good then you will be a HERO even in most cases if your trigger is to light or GOD forbid you use the handloaded self-defense rounds that we always hear about. . .
Hit an innocent or shoot when you shouldn't have in general, again I don't care if your trigger is 30 pounds, you will be a zero and probably go to jail and after that you will be owned by the family of the "victim" for the rest of your natural life on this planet.
It was taught to me a long time ago and I continue to teach it. . . 3 ways to not accidently or unintentionaly pull the trigger.
1) Keep your finger off the trigger.
2) Keep your F^ck*ng finger off the trigger!
3) KEEP YOUR MOTHER F^ck&#g FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER!!!
tac803
Member
I have never read about trigger pull in either the New York State Penal Code, or in the CPL. Could you please direct me to the section?
Thanks.
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