M&P 40 Ghetto Trigger pull measurement

[rsrocket1]

Well, I finally took a quantitative measurement of my 1k shot M&P 40. I've been thinking that it certainly feels pretty light and it had no grit, but I wasn't able to know what the actual trigger pull force was. I didn't have a trigger pull gauge and I didn't want to spend the bucks so I made a home brew gauge.

Using a thick, sturdy plastic hanger, I attached a piece of cloth on the bottom rail as a "holding net". I then hooked the hanger to the trigger and added lead casting ingots until the trigger broke. I started using bullets, but lost patience and figured I could use the ingots instead because I wasn't looking for sub-ounce precision.

Well, the trigger breaks between 64 and 70 ounces which equates to 4.0 and 4.4 pounds. No wonder it seems so good.

In comparison, my 1911 measured 75 ounces (4.7 pounds) and my Ruger revolver measured 49 ounces (3 pounds) in single action mode.

I did nothing to the stock trigger since buying it a couple of months ago other than shooting it a lot. The QA envelope says it was test fired at the factory in January 2011.

I used the little Harbor Freight $10 scale that measures in grams, grains, carats and ounces which is great for counting bullets and cases (but certainly not good enough for powder measurements) to weigh each ingot then added them up.

Where there's a will, there's a way and it doesn't have to cost much.

 

[kd4gij]

A small fishing scale would work also for the average shooter

 

[Roger S&W]

Interesting. I'm brand new to M&P but I was thinking these triggers are lighter than the 6.5# they say they are.
Mine have no grit or creep either. Great shooters.
Absolutely delighted I finally got my M&Ps.

 

[tstrenuous10]

another method is using a wire coat hanger (hard to find in my apartment) and a gallon milk jug. unwind the wire hanger and wrap it around the milk just handle. Put the hook on the trigger and stand at the sink. I filled it to almost half way since that's about 4 lbs then started filling slowly. Did it a couple times and came out with 4-4.5 lbs. good enough for me. Still dry firing and the only "grit" I feel is when I think about where the trigger bar engages the striker block. If I focus on keeping my front sight straight I won't feel it.

 

[millertyme]

I have no doubt that the trigger on my nearly new M&P 40 is as advertised. Sometimes I'll be dry firing it and stop at the break to get a good feel for it. It feels like I'm pulling too hard and it must have broke before I noticed it or I didn't reset the sear. Then with a ton of force it finally breaks. Focusing on the sights helps, but it still has a long way to go. I'm seriously considering cheating and having an Apex kit installed or sending it off to Burwell's for some work. I can keep it on target within reason out to 25m or so, but I know it can be more accurate with a better trigger. Starting to think I should have coughed up the extra dough for the Pro Series.

 

[Helderberg]

Got to shoot my new M&P 9mm today. I have been working the trigger, dry fire and lube but was not expecting the way the gun shot. I will not be doing anything to this gun as far as the trigger is concerned. Only ran 20 rounds of Winchester white box but I can not wait to get back and run through what is left of the 100 rounds in the box. It feels lighter than my 45 so I will have to try one of your methods to see what the poundage really is. I am very happy with the 9 and I seem to be fairly accurate with it but time and a few hundred more rounds will tell.
Be safe, Frank.

 

[robotoid]

Ghetto trigger pull? I thought this was going to be about how holding your gun sideways when you shoot improves your pull and accuracy!