1. EDCUATION
2. HANDGUNS
3. CHOOSING A HANDGUN

Triggers Simplified

Trigger Types

The following are the types of semi automatic handgun triggers you'll encounter at a gun shop.

• Single Action (SA)
• Double Action Only (DA)
• Double Action/Single Action (DA/SA)

Single Action

An SA trigger's role is to disengages the sear which allows the hammer to fall (1911) or releases the striker (striker-fired).

Benefits:

• Shorter trigger press
• Single, consistent trigger press
• Fewer controls to operate, a thumb safety lever may not be present.

Examples:

• Glocks
• S&W M&P Shield
• Springfield Armory XD series (except XDe)
• Sig SAUER P320

SA Compared to DA

The SA trigger's travel (the distance from initial press to rearward stop) is noticeably shorter than a DA trigger, sometimes twice as short.

So is SA better?

Because an SA pistol will have fewer controls than a DA pistol, it will be an easier platform to learn than a double action handgun, which may have two additional controls, a decocking lever and a thumb safety. With dedication though, an SA pistol is as valid of a choice as a DA, after all you should be training frequently with the handgun you choose are your primary firearm.

What I've found in my years of shooting many types of handguns, is some triggers feel better than others. There are some DA pistols I would easily choose over certain SA pistols. Shoot different types to see if you favor one or the other.

Double Action (DA)

A DA trigger performs two actions, it cocks the hammer and it releases it to strike the firing pin.

Two types of DA handguns

Double Action Only: This type of trigger cocks and releases the hammer with each press of the trigger. The trigger press is long compared to an SA trigger. These pistols may have an exposed or internal hammer.

DA/SA: This type has two distinct trigger presses. The first press is DA and the follow up shot is SA. These typically have exposed hammers.

Benefits

• Can easily determine the firing condition
• Accidental discharges are more unlikely because when the hammer is decocked the firing pin is out of position to strike the firing pin.
• Mastering the two presses allows you to isolate your finger which can benefit accuracy.

So is DA better?

DA Only or DA/SA handguns take more time to learn because they may include a thumb safety and docker. In the long run, the extra time it takes to learn is minimal if you go to the range at least twice a month. Additionally, there are some quality DA only and DA/SA handguns which feel and shoot great that make the issue irrelevant. The reality is, with dedication, each type can be learned with equal proficiency and accuracy.

Ultimately, the pistol should fit your hand. See handgun fit.

SA 1911 Triggers

Last but not least, the 1911 is hammer fired pistol.

Video: How a 1911 semi-auto works.

DA pistol uses a hammer to strike the firing pin. The hammer may be exposed like the Beretta M9 or Sig Sauer P220 or internal like the Ruger LCP II.

The first trigger press has two stages, the initial stage (typically a long press) cocks the hammer, the second stage of the press happens towards the last 1/4 of the press and releases the hammer. Once a shot is fired, the recoil of the slide cocks the hammer and sets the trigger into single action mode. The subsequent shots are single-action shots.