Opinion on trigger modifications

[Rayb]

I am not looking for legal advice but would like to hear opinions on this matter. I have thought about some of the trigger modification kits that are out there, and after my wife asked me what we could do to lighten the trigger pull on a couple of the guns she carries I thought about going to a reputable gunsmith to get some work done. Now the question:

If God forbid the situation happens where either of us has to defend ourselves and we have to use lethal force, could an over zealous prosecutor make an argument that the trigger work either proved intent to harm or was a negative factor on the outcome of the event?

 

[eagleeyes]

personally i like a tight trigger it seems less likely to discharge accidentally or neglectfully i think my ol browning has a 9 pound trigger the first time it's pulled

 

[Firefighterchen]

I am not looking for legal advice but would like to hear opinions on this matter. I have thought about some of the trigger modification kits that are out there, and after my wife asked me what we could do to lighten the trigger pull on a couple of the guns she carries I thought about going to a reputable gunsmith to get some work done. Now the question:

If God forbid the situation happens where either of us has to defend ourselves and we have to use lethal force, could an over zealous prosecutor make an argument that the trigger work either proved intent to harm or was a negative factor on the outcome of the event?

An over zealous prosecutor will use anything, even standard used equipment (hollow points for instance), that's what makes them the over zealous prosecutor.

If its a good shoot, its a good shoot.

Use the equipment that allows you to perform at your best, because it will be your life on the line, not the over zealous prosecutors.

 

[wolf_fire]

I am not looking for legal advice but would like to hear opinions on this matter. I have thought about some of the trigger modification kits that are out there, and after my wife asked me what we could do to lighten the trigger pull on a couple of the guns she carries I thought about going to a reputable gunsmith to get some work done. Now the question:

If God forbid the situation happens where either of us has to defend ourselves and we have to use lethal force, could an over zealous prosecutor make an argument that the trigger work either proved intent to harm or was a negative factor on the outcome of the event?

There are two schools of thought on this issue:
First: the theory you bring up.... YES, an overzealous lawyer will use anything and everything to win his/her case.
Second: do you wish to be judged by 12 or carried by 6?

There are reasons why I can't change the barrel, do trigger modifications, etc. to my duty weapon. It's to prevent overzealous lawyers from coming down on me and the sheriff's department and so that the department can show that we are all trained in the same fashion. I train with what I have and I'm damn good with what I have. Could I be better with slight modifications? Yes.

So did I help you out, or keep you confused on the issue?

 

[Rayb]

There are two schools of thought on this issue:
First: the theory you bring up.... YES, an overzealous lawyer will use anything and everything to win his/her case.
Second: do you wish to be judged by 12 or carried by 6?

There are reasons why I can't change the barrel, do trigger modifications, etc. to my duty weapon. It's to prevent overzealous lawyers from coming down on me and the sheriff's department and so that the department can show that we are all trained in the same fashion. I train with what I have and I'm damn good with what I have. Could I be better with slight modifications? Yes.

So did I help you out, or keep you confused on the issue?

Thank you, definetly helped. Like I said, looking for opinions and advise from forum folks that for the most part I have found to be knowledgeable and willing to help.

 

[Shoobee]

Thank you, definetly helped. Like I said, looking for opinions and advise from forum folks that for the most part I have found to be knowledgeable and willing to help.

For marksmanship applications (competitions and hunting) you would want a lite trigger.

For combat and self defense when your adrenaline is pumping you would want a strong trigger.

 

[SGB]

I routinely do trigger work on a variety of firearms, to include the ones I carry. This overzealous prosecutor worry is like many other theoretical worries very much more bark than bite. My first worry is surviving the fight, lose that and worries real or imagined of overzealous prosecutors don't matters.

 

[Firefighterchen]

Thank you, definetly helped. Like I said, looking for opinions and advise from forum folks that for the most part I have found to be knowledgeable and willing to help.

For marksmanship applications (competitions and hunting) you would want a lite trigger.

For combat and self defense when your adrenaline is pumping you would want a strong trigger.

I believe the terminology is "heavy" trigger, as the pull is described in pounds.

 

[Kalamity023]

Id be curious to know how in depth they would investigate the firearm in a SD shooting. They would most certainly look at the projectile, however, if they know what gun it came from why would they bother testing the trigger pull. In an SD shooting the shooter more often than not remains at the scene. Not saying they won't look, but trying to figure out why they would.

 

[CharlieK]

If you end up deciding to modify it, make darn sure that whoever does it knows what he or she is doing. I mean ALL aspects of it.

 

[fudo]

My Colt Commander's have the triggers improved to 4-5 lbs. weight and smooth, crisp let off. I think that you would be a damn fool to put a very light trigger on a carry gun.

 

[JohnD13]

If you are just curious about the function and feel on a lighter trigger, look onto the Wulff spring kits for your model of firearm. They can lighten your trigger pull to an interesting degree, and have a number of different pulls available. It's not the same as an action/trigger job, but it works.

 

[_Anthony_]

While I have never been able to find a case specifically naming a less than factory weighted trigger as being the cause of prosecution I tend to take advice from those with expertise. When deadly force situation and court room come to mind the person with the credentials (in my mind) is Massad Ayoob. He is well known, and respected as an expert in the firearms community. He has a free podcast on iTunes in which an episode specifically addresses this question and is interesting.
(If you're interested in listening it is the Pro Arms podcast, episode 22)

There is also an article by him The Massad Ayoob Chronicles, Part V | The Truth About GunsThe Truth About Guns

The two things I would strongly advise against doing and have strongly advised against doing, would be a trigger pull lighter than the factory recommends, and removal or de-activation of a safety device.

While I sometimes would like a lighter trigger, I do see a possibility that it could be used against you, although it hasn't been done before.

 

[kelcarry]

IMHO if you mess with the designed operational equipment of your standard manufactured firearm, there is always an opportunity to void any manufacturer's warranty/liability and to leave you open to a personal civil/legal problem. Goes with remanufactured ammunition, as well. Sorry if not to point but felt like mentioning.

 

[Treo]

I am not looking for legal advice but would like to hear opinions on this matter. I have thought about some of the trigger modification kits that are out there, and after my wife asked me what we could do to lighten the trigger pull on a couple of the guns she carries I thought about going to a reputable gunsmith to get some work done. Now the question:

If God forbid the situation happens where either of us has to defend ourselves and we have to use lethal force, could an over zealous prosecutor make an argument that the trigger work either proved intent to harm or was a negative factor on the outcome of the event?

How would they even know you did any trigger work? It's not like the DA keeps a gunsmith on the payroll to inspect such things. I doubt very seriously the question would even be raised

 

[kelcarry]

How would they even know you did any trigger work? It's not like the DA keeps a gunsmith on the payroll to inspect such things. I doubt very seriously the question would even be raised

If there is a civil case arising from a questionable shoot I'll bet a smart attorney will find a gunsmith to be on his payroll.

 

[sgtbill]

I carried many diffrent types and cal. of weapons over my 25 year career in the Police Department. I can't think of one weapon that I did not do trigger work on. All of the revolver's broke on single action at 2 1/2 lbs. and around 6 to 7 on double action. All of my semi auto's broke at about 3 to 3 1/2 lbs. on single action and those that were double action went to about 7 lbs. for a full squeez. Yes I am and was a Armorer and can and did work on many weapons over the year's. I have gone to court many times as an expert witness and I have never had the question brought up about a modified weapon unless it was a bad shooting where someone was hit and they were not the intended target. I was involved in no less then 13 GOOD shoot's over the year's and the question never came up.
Bill

 

[maine04619]

If God forbid the situation happens where either of us has to defend ourselves and we have to use lethal force, could an over zealous prosecutor make an argument that the trigger work either proved intent to harm or was a negative factor on the outcome of the event?

Sure a over zealous can and they have used any aspect of the firearm from size to ammo used. Now depending on the weapon your wife carries it is easy enough to do. I recommend to those who carry if you want a lighter trigger then go with a double action so the first pull will require more and follow ups will be faster. If you carry say a 1911 cocked and locked once you drop the safety with to light a trigger your likely to get a kaboom. This is another place where training makes a difference. If you train and learn to keep your finger off the trigger till your ready to fire your much less likely to get a kaboom. There are kits available for many firearms out there. That said if your going to be trusting your life on it take it to a gunsmith and let them get it just right.

 

[fudo]

Aside from Massad Ayoob running around telling everyone that mods to trigger or safeties are bad, I don't hear anyone else saying anything about them.

 

[Rick Benn]

I know that in my state, Florida, after a shooting the firearm goes into evidence pending the possibility of a trial and both the defense and the prosecution have been known to enlist the testimony of expert witnesses to assess the safety and operational aspects of firearms used in deadly force cases. I know because I've testified in a few.