Which trigger pull works best?

[RonT]

Which trigger setting gives the most consistency?

A crisp break? Or the first stage then the shot?

 

[DonC]

For competition single stage 3oz trigger. For general fun, 2 stage and a much heavier trigger pull. Experimenting on your 2nd stage desired pull weight is fun and eventually you will get a safe and predictable trigger.

 

[Springrrrr]

IMHO the lighter and crisper is the one that will give the best results. Light and mushy takes getting used to and heavy and crisp does too. Heavy and mushy is disaster.

A nice two stage trigger that takes you to the wall on the first pull then breaks with no creep seems to be the absolute best of the best.

 

[Skillet]

IMHO the lighter and crisper is the one that will give the best results. Light and mushy takes getting used to and heavy and crisp does too. Heavy and mushy is disaster.

A nice two stage trigger that takes you to the wall on the first pull then breaks with no creep seems to be the absolute best of the best.

+1

 

[Dairyboy]

Yup light first stage with a clear second stage. Nice and crisp break as well. I prefer my 2nd stage in the 1lb range.

 

[elh0102]

If you are considering bench shooting, then a light trigger is great (I used 2 ounces). But, it has to be a single stage, as you just can't manage two stages in a light pull trigger. Seems air rifles are almost universally two-stage triggers,which are fine for most applications. Release weight is a matter of preference, but it must be clean. I use my Crown at about 14 ounces release; I'm holding about 6 ounces at the first stage stop, so I need to apply an additional 8 ounces to release the shot. I have found this to be very usable in casual target and hunting scenarios, where you need absolutely safe trigger control. My Steyr and RAW are set at about 6 ounces, divided about equally between stages. This is a great setup (for me) for target shooting, but would not be practical for hunting. Put on gloves and you have a totally unmanageable trigger. Not many air rifles offer really good, two-stage triggers. My Steyr is an example of one that does. It has separate weight adjustments and springs for each stage, so you can set it precisely, up to a maximum of about 8 ounces. A true, two-stage trigger is a wonderful thing. Service rifle shooters have a minimum pull weight of 4 pounds, heavy (it's a service rifle). But, a good match trigger can be set up to offer a 3 pound plus first stage, so the pull to release is very modest. These are shooters who put shots into a dinner plate size target at 600 yards, with iron sights! Try it sometime, the front sight blade covers a car at that distance.

I recently bought a Daystate Red Wolf, a rifle that has an electronic trigger most reviews drool over. I believe, folks who offer such praise have never used a really first class, mechanical trigger. I'm not knocking the RW trigger, it's good, but it's not in the class of a precision mechanical trigger. It's a pressure switch, not a sear-and-lever engagement, and it cannot be as clean and crisp. But, I have to admit, it's.......interesting. And with practice, one can shoot well with it. I have found that at light settings, it is not very controllable. I think a lot of folks are impressed with the very light setting, but there is more to a good trigger. 

I digress, a good trigger must offer a crisp, clean release, The weight, and style (single or two-stage) is totally a personal preference. 

 

[ackuric]

I prefer very light 2 stage triggers with 1-3 oz 1st stage and a nice solid 11-16 oz 2nd stage...going lighter than that makes for a hair trigger, and heavier is meh...but thats just my personal preference!

 

[elh0102]

I prefer very light 2 stage triggers with 1-3 oz 1st stage and a nice solid 11-16 oz 2nd stage...going lighter than that makes for a hair trigger, and heavier is meh...but thats just my personal preference!

But with that 3/16 split, you're really not gaining the advantage of a 2 stage trigger, as the first stage is not doing its job. And it cannot, unless you have individual stage adjustments. But, whatever works for you is good. 

 

[kthomas]

You get a lot more trigger control with a 2 stage over a 1 stage trigger. 

I like a 2 stage with a light weight 1st stage and moderate trigger pull length and a defined "wall". Even lighter 2nd stage, with a crisp clean break. 

Taipan Veteran is an example of an airgun with an excellent 2 stage trigger. Brocock is an example of a pretty crappy 2 stage trigger.

 

[elh0102]

You get a lot more trigger control with a 2 stage over a 1 stage trigger. 

I like a 2 stage with a light weight 1st stage and moderate trigger pull length and a defined "wall". Even lighter 2nd stage, with a crisp clean break. 

Taipan Veteran is an example of an airgun with an excellent 2 stage trigger. Brocock is an example of a pretty crappy 2 stage trigger.

That is the advantage in a two-stage trigger. Problem is, very few air rifles allow for an adjustment that allows that much first stage bias. In my experience, only my Steyr allows me to have as much as half the let off weight in the first stage. And frankly, until you get into higher weights, like the 4 pound service rifles, not many shooters can handle a first stage bias in light pulls. But then, I don't know what you refer to as "light pull". For example, a 10 oz. trigger with a 6 oz/ 4 oz division would be very difficult for most shooters to use without pulling through the first stage, because most shooters find a 4 oz trigger difficult to control. But, if if works for you, that's what matters. 

 

[Haganaga]

I’ve been spoiled with a Timney trigger for my .300 winmag. You definitely don’t put your booger hook inside the trigger guard until you’re ready. No creep, but a 6 oz press and pow! Now the closest thing is my Steyr with the lighter sear spring. So yeah, I prefer a single stage, no creep variety. But I can deal with a two stage like on my Edgun.