Glock triggers - help me please.

[InTheSwamp]

You mean to forget that there are good triggers in the world?

Glock triggers are good. In fact, they're one of the best combat pistols triggers in the world. If in doubt, check what "the world" buys more than anything else.
I wouldn't go as far as shooting only Glocks, but I would -- and have -- practice more with them.

 

[lee n. field]

Ok, first, the disclaimer, then the history, then the question:

Disclaimer: I do not hate Glocks; I have three and want to understand them better and shoot them better.

The history: 25 years ago, I bought a bunch of Glocks; I owned the following: 17, 19, 22, 23, 21 and 30. I liked their utility and thought of them as appliances. I never shot them for groups and preferred “combat” shooting of 7 yards or less. I got out of shooting about 20 years ago and sold a lot of guns, including all the Glocks.

Last year, I got back into shooting as I became semi-retired and had more time for hobbies. I re-acquired three Glocks, a 17, a 20 and 21, all gen 5 MOS models and I mounted red dots to them all.

I like their businesslike nature, their reliability, and they are decently accurate. However, I have an unutterable loathing for their triggers. I don’t know how to describe it except that it’s the worst of everything. It’s not smooth, it feels like running your finger over ground clam shells. The “wall” such as it is, is mushy. The trigger feel, with the dangly safety, is deplorable. The pull is too heavy.

Glock triggers "are what they are".

I want to like them and shoot them better, I just put Ghost Ultimate connectors in them and have done the $.25 trigger job as described. They’re still horrible. People say to fire them like a double action revolver. No, the trigger in no way feels anything like a double action revolver.

Ditto. I put somebody's minus connector (wasn't Glock OEM, some fairly well known aftermarket, I forget who) and a Glock NY1 trigger on my G19. "Internet recommended!" including Mas Ayoob -- aaaand, I took it back to factory right there on the bench, after shooting it. Did not care for it.

I won't be much help. Currently my (seldom shot) G19 has an OEM smooth face trigger. That's the only departure from stock (as far as the trigger goes). Given reports I see, I'm not much trusting of aftermarket fire control parts here.

If I need it, I have good expectation that it will work, but, yeah, annoying.

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks guys! I know this is a hot and sometimes polarizing topic, and there can be a lot of hyperbole all along the spectrum of understanding and emotion. I was really naively hoping that there was a solution I was missing, i.e. “buy x connector, y trigger and z springs and you’ll be amazed.” Sadly this solution is the stuff of snake oil salesman. I already tried the performance trigger in my G17; no real difference. Ghost 3.5 connectors, no real difference. The design and execution does not lend itself to being what I will ever regard as a “good” trigger. That’s on me. The world has no problem with Glock triggers, as is plainly evident. I’ll keep them because they are reliable, but it truly does seem that the triggers “are what they are.” It’s not just striker fired pistols - I am really ok with SIG P320 and 365 pistols. Glock triggers for me, well, they don’t work for me and impede my shooting ability. I guess that’s just it. Funny, I don’t care about the horrendous trigger in my G42; it’s a pocket pistol and I have no expectations for it other than that it goes bang and puts rounds where I point them at 5 yards. Maybe that’s where ai am hung up, expecting the bigger Glocks to be target pistols. They’re not. Once again, as my 1st and 2nd wives would clearly endorse, I’m the problem!

 

[sevt_chevelle]

Glocks are made to equip armies rapidly.

Look how every single 1911, 2011, and CZ builder is struggling to produce pistols. They simply don't have the cnc tooling, or the labor force, needed to rapidly spit out quality arms of that design.

I would argue that's cause Glock only makes one gun. Yes they have multiple models, but they are all the same.

CZ on the other hand, makes the 75 series with safety and decocker versions, alloy and steel frames.
Plus the competition based guns like the S2 and TS models.
Plus the P07/09 line of pistols.
Plus the P10 line.
Plus the Bren 2 rifle in multiple calibers.
Plus the 9mm scorpion PCC.
Plus a few machine guns.
Plus rimfire rifles
Plus hunting rifles.

 

[Zerodefect]

True.

Although milled metal is no big deal. Just switch programs. Molded plastic is expensive.

I'm a bit disappointed that CZ hasn't done much lately. How about a Colt Dwx? Czechmate 2? 4" Shadow 2, optic ready, with fullsize grip? Update the CZ 75b with Shadow sights, trigger, and hammer.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks guys! I know this is a hot and sometimes polarizing topic, and there can be a lot of hyperbole all along the spectrum of understanding and emotion. I was really naively hoping that there was a solution I was missing, i.e. “buy x connector, y trigger and z springs and you’ll be amazed.”

buy this and try it before you give up. If you don’t like it enough, probably nothing will be satisfactory.

Alpha Competition Series for Glock Gen 5

Best replacement triggers available

timneytriggers.com

 

[Ks5shooter]

Shoot,shoot and shoot it.Polish ,polish and polish it.It will smooth out.My magic Glock trigger fix and it works.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

So, I'm a bit of a 1911 snob and I've always claimed Glocks have No Soul - mostly because of the triggers. And the Glocks I've owned I haven't shot well.

So, I didn't shoot them. Over Covid I got into a bit of a revolver kick, and I won't say I've "mastered" the double-action revolver trigger, but I can say it doesn't bother me and I can work well with it now.

Last week my neighbor came over to my backyard range and we sighted in his Glock 19X. It actually shot pretty well - and I enjoyed it. Didn't mind the trigger at all.

So either Glock is making better triggers, or it's possible to improve your performance on those crappy things by really paying attention to trigger control, and maybe putting a few hundred rounds through a revolver double-action.

 

[HB]

improve your performance on those crappy things by really paying attention to trigger control, and maybe putting a few hundred rounds through a revolver double-action

I think you have it there. I shoot a lot of double action and dry fire on a k frame. Glock trigger is what it is… its a duty pistol.

I like pick up trucks but hate the gas mileage. I don’t like Glocks but I like their ubiquitous nature and reliability. Doubt I’ll ever own another brand of plastic gun.

 

[entropy]

Even the Glock "target" pistols, (G27L, G34, G24, G40 and G41) do not have target triggers, and the aftermarket triggers as many of us found, (guilty of putting a Ghost 3.5# setup in my 21, for one range trip- made it lighter, but didn't improve it) aren't really any improvement.
That said, I can still shoot them decently, as many of you do also. I just don't like to.

 

[tarosean]

I like their businesslike nature, their reliability, and they are decently accurate.

You can say that about multitudes of plastic fantastics. Toss the Glocks and buy something that the trigger agrees with you..

I have no issue with Glock triggers, but if they did not work for me I would dump them in a heartbeat.

 

[tarosean]

So either Glock is making better triggers,

Negative. The angles needed for the back strap made the 4-5 worse IMO

 

[InTheSwamp]

Negative. The angles needed for the back strap made the 4-5 worse IMO

Subjective and personal. I own Glocks because of 4-5; Gen 3 was too blocky for my paws. So, it was a good change, IMO.
I've owned 3,4 & 5 and haven't had any problems with the triggers.

 

[tarosean]

Subjective and personal.

Hence the In My Opinion

 

[Monac]

My understanding about the Glock trigger is that the factory pull is not a bug, it's a feature. It's what is supposed to make the gun safe to carry without a manual safety. If you want a gun with a better trigger, you don't want a Glock. You want a conventional single action automatic or a traditional double action automatic, each with an appropriate manual safety for that type of trigger mechanism.

The Remington R-51 was, among other things, an attempt to make a single action automatic without a manual safety. I thought that was an idea that had been dropped back around 1911, and it may be a lucky thing the gun failed for other reasons.

 

[Mars5l]

I shot my G35 well. I think it's well worn in so the trigger feels fine. That said if you want a polymer frame with a good trigger get Walther PDP or Canik Rival

 

[vanfunk]

So, I'm a bit of a 1911 snob and I've always claimed Glocks have No Soul - mostly because of the triggers. And the Glocks I've owned I haven't shot well.

So, I didn't shoot them. Over Covid I got into a bit of a revolver kick, and I won't say I've "mastered" the double-action revolver trigger, but I can say it doesn't bother me and I can work well with it now.

Last week my neighbor came over to my backyard range and we sighted in his Glock 19X. It actually shot pretty well - and I enjoyed it. Didn't mind the trigger at all.

So either Glock is making better triggers, or it's possible to improve your performance on those crappy things by really paying attention to trigger control, and maybe putting a few hundred rounds through a revolver double-action.

It makes sense, but for me the exact opposite is true. I’ve spent the last year shooting an absolute crapton of ammo through Colts, S&Ws and my Korth with exceptional double action triggers. Now when I shoot one of my Glocks, it’s even more glaringly obvious how thrown off and distracted I am by the trigger. Again, it’s really not the gun’s fault, they’re built that way (and I’m built my way).

I may try the Timney trigger as was suggested, but it’s a lot of money to pin on a hope of things being better. Is it really transformative, or just a modest improvement?

I don’t think I’ll dump my Glocks - they are brilliantly designed, robust and reliable defensive pistols with excellent capacity and light weight. But I may just have to resign myself to the fact that I’ll never shoot them well. Shuckles.

 

[Derek Zeanah]

I don’t think I’ll dump my Glocks - they are brilliantly designed, robust and reliable defensive pistols with excellent capacity and light weight. But I may just have to resign myself to the fact that I’ll never shoot them well. Shuckles.

You know...

Try and M&P and see what you think. It just might be a better Glock than the original...

 

[Buzznrose]

A good friend of mine who is a glock guy and loves the plastic fantastic. He has replaced the triggers in all of his glock pistols with timney alpha triggers and says it's the best parts swap he has ever done for his glocks.

The Timney is a great trigger but I won’t carry one. I don’t trust them for carry and I don’t believe they are a safe option for anything but range and competition.

True story, I was at a class in February and a Glock with a Timney went off after holstered. I don’t know if the owned made any other mods, but he immediately made the gun safe (empty) and had to sit down to get his composure. No injuries thankfully.

I have one in a G44. Very nice…

 

[Buzznrose]

It makes sense, but for me the exact opposite is true. I’ve spent the last year shooting an absolute crapton of ammo through Colts, S&Ws and my Korth with exceptional double action triggers. Now when I shoot one of my Glocks, it’s even more glaringly obvious how thrown off and distracted I am by the trigger. Again, it’s really not the gun’s fault, they’re built that way (and I’m built my way).

I may try the Timney trigger as was suggested, but it’s a lot of money to pin on a hope of things being better. Is it really transformative, or just a modest improvement?

I don’t think I’ll dump my Glocks - they are brilliantly designed, robust and reliable defensive pistols with excellent capacity and light weight. But I may just have to resign myself to the fact that I’ll never shoot them well. Shuckles.

Most of my Glocks are stock. I have a Glock performance trigger on my G19-5 and it is much nicer than stock…great improvement for the $70 it cost.

If you really want a great Glock trigger, the BEST option that is still carry safe is Johnny Glock. Period!

They ain’t cheap, but they are outstanding! I’ve had a JG in my 43X carry gun for several years…it is excellent. Just order a new one for my wife’s 48.

Best Glock Trigger Accessories | Johnny Custom Glocks Evolution

Shop from the "Glock Whisperer" himself with semi-custom Johnny Glock Drop-In Trigger Kits for both competition and combat Glocks. Accessories also include Flat Face Trigger Shoe, Glock Connector and Striker upgrades. Dial-in your Glock 19 Trigger pull. We provide the highest quality glock...

johnnyglocks.com

 

[wanderinwalker]

You know...

Try and M&P and see what you think. It just might be a better Glock than the original...

I meant to pop on here before this got to Page 2 and suggest "Get a Walther". I've had 4 different Glocks in 9mm and tried several other Glocks, and my go-to pistol for the last 8 years has been a Walther PPQ. If anything, the PPQ trigger might be too light for most shooters, and isn't something I'd recommend to a new shooter. The jury is out on whether or not my new Walther PDP Compact is an "improvement", but my particular specimen solves the "too light" trigger problem by feeling slightly more Glock-ish at the break.

 

[Zerodefect]

So, I'm a bit of a 1911 snob and I've always claimed Glocks have No Soul - mostly because of the triggers. And the Glocks I've owned I haven't shot well.

So, I didn't shoot them. Over Covid I got into a bit of a revolver kick, and I won't say I've "mastered" the double-action revolver trigger, but I can say it doesn't bother me and I can work well with it now.

Last week my neighbor came over to my backyard range and we sighted in his Glock 19X. It actually shot pretty well - and I enjoyed it. Didn't mind the trigger at all.

So either Glock is making better triggers, or it's possible to improve your performance on those crappy things by really paying attention to trigger control, and maybe putting a few hundred rounds through a revolver double-action.

Sometimes it takes some experience to "get" Glocks.

My 1911 has a nicer trigger, but damn, my Glock can engage 3 targets faster. Once we embrace a thumbs frward grip, and learn to absorb recoil properly, the shape of the Glock starts to make sense.

Negative. The angles needed for the back strap made the 4-5 worse IMO

I use the large beavertail. I've noticed too many shooters not using one, and the pistol is odd, then.

 

[Buzznrose]

Ok, first, the disclaimer, then the history, then the question:

Disclaimer: I do not hate Glocks; I have three and want to understand them better and shoot them better.

The history: 25 years ago, I bought a bunch of Glocks; I owned the following: 17, 19, 22, 23, 21 and 30. I liked their utility and thought of them as appliances. I never shot them for groups and preferred “combat” shooting of 7 yards or less. I got out of shooting about 20 years ago and sold a lot of guns, including all the Glocks.

Last year, I got back into shooting as I became semi-retired and had more time for hobbies. I re-acquired three Glocks, a 17, a 20 and 21, all gen 5 MOS models and I mounted red dots to them all.

I like their businesslike nature, their reliability, and they are decently accurate. However, I have an unutterable loathing for their triggers. I don’t know how to describe it except that it’s the worst of everything. It’s not smooth, it feels like running your finger over ground clam shells. The “wall” such as it is, is mushy. The trigger feel, with the dangly safety, is deplorable. The pull is too heavy.

I want to like them and shoot them better, I just put Ghost Ultimate connectors in them and have done the $.25 trigger job as described. They’re still horrible. People say to fire them like a double action revolver. No, the trigger in no way feels anything like a double action revolver. I don’t shoot these guns as well as I’d like because of the trigger, so what can I do? Is there any way to make these triggers a joy and not a nightmare?

Thank you so much for your help!

I stand by my posts above...but I suggest your first purchase is definitely the Glock Performance Trigger. Best price I know is here:

Glock Performance Trigger G4 G5 G19, 17, 26 - 19x, 45, 47

The GLOCK Performance Trigger meets the criteria for those looking for an enhanced trigger pull and ergonomics, all while utilizing a flat-faced trigger and maintaining the same safety features of the GLOCK Safe Action System.

www.gtdist.com

The Glock Performance Trigger will only fit 9MM (per Glock). Try it on your G17-5...I think you will like it.

But as I said earlier, if you are gonna really go for the best, Johnny Glock is definitely the way to go IMO. I've tried a bunch and these two are the only two I've found to be worth the money. Timney is a really nice trigger but I will NOT trust them...which is sad as it is a great company....but not the Glock trigger.

If you insist on the Timney, buy the Johnny Glock defensive carry upgrade to make it safer to carry:

TIMNEY COMBAT CONVERSION KIT

This kit will convert your Timney Alpha Glock competition trigger into an effective defensive carry trigger system. It will give you a stout predictable hard wall with an adjustable break weight ranging from 3.75-4.75 depending on what striker spring is installed. The over travel and reset are...

johnnyglocks.com

 

[halfmoonclip]

My first Glock, after the ban, was a G26. Took it, more or less stone cold, to an Ayoob course. Once I figured out shooting it with the distal joint, not the target pistol pad many of us learned.
I matched Ayoob's score with that fat little bugger.
Personally, prefer SIG triggers, with their rolling break, and steel parts. This last is a big part of what's strange with Glock triggers; that plasticky, flexy feel.
Moon

 

[vanfunk]

Thanks for all your help, guys. Lots of great discussion in here! I had already put the Glock performance trigger in my 17-5, and then the Ghost connector… there’s a minor difference, maybe a 10% improvement? Hard to say. I may try the full-on Johnny Glock package in one and a Timney in another (likely the 17-5 and the 20-5). I will leave the 21-5 stock as it’s one of my home defense pistols. What I can’t stand about the trigger for target shooting, I appreciate for defense. That’s the Glock paradox for me.

Oh, forgot about my 42! I have NO problem with that one as I don’t expect it to do anything other than go bang 7 times fast. My only complaint about that one is that it was not reliable with Magguts 7 round springs/followers.