The Silent Culprit: Why Upgrade Your Trigger?
Heavy Trigger Pull
A heavy trigger requires significantly more force to actuate, leading to unintended movement of the firearm during the critical moment of firing. This increased force requirement can throw off your aim, causing shots to stray from their intended point of impact. The more force you need to apply, the higher the chance of your firearm moving, or jerking, resulting in a less than ideal shot.
Gritty Feel and Creep
This describes a trigger that doesn’t break cleanly. Instead, it might feel like dragging a brick across concrete. The presence of grit and creep introduces inconsistency, making it challenging to predict when the trigger will finally release the firing pin. This uncertainty wreaks havoc on your ability to maintain a steady sight picture, leading to erratic shot placement. It’s difficult to get the feel you are looking for when the trigger’s performance is not consistent.
Long Reset
The reset is the distance the trigger must travel forward after firing before it’s ready to engage the sear and reset. A long reset necessitates a significant release of the trigger, forcing you to lose your firing position. This, in turn, slows down follow-up shots. The time it takes for the trigger to reset can mean the difference between hitting a target or not, especially when engaging multiple targets, or moving and shooting in a self-defense scenario.
Inconsistent Performance
Factory triggers may vary in performance from one unit to another. Some may exhibit a heavier pull weight, a grittier feel, or a slower reset than others. This inconsistency undermines your ability to develop a consistent shooting technique, leading to frustration and decreased confidence.
The PRP Advantage: Powder River Precision Triggers to the Rescue
Powder River Precision (PRP) understands these issues. They design and manufacture aftermarket trigger systems to directly address the common complaints associated with factory triggers. They engineer trigger components and kits to deliver a superior shooting experience.
Drop-in Trigger Kits and Individual Components
PRP primarily offers its products in two general forms: complete drop-in trigger kits and individual trigger components. The drop-in trigger kits provide all the necessary parts for a comprehensive upgrade, making installation straightforward for most firearms. These kits typically include a trigger, sear, firing pin, springs, and other components, optimized to work together to improve performance. Individual components, such as hammers, sears, or trigger springs, allow you to customize and fine-tune your trigger pull to your exact preferences. This can be great for gunsmiths who need a single component, or for shooters who are simply looking to enhance a certain aspect of the trigger.
Reduced Pull Weight
Firstly, reduced pull weight is often a primary focus. PRP triggers are designed to significantly decrease the amount of force required to actuate the trigger. A lighter pull weight can make a significant difference in accuracy by reducing the likelihood of disturbing your aim. This allows for greater precision, and allows you to feel much more connected to your firearm.
Smoother Pull
Secondly, PRP triggers offer a smoother pull. The trigger components are precisely engineered and meticulously crafted, to eliminate grit and creep. The result is a silky-smooth pull that breaks cleanly and predictably. This means a more consistent trigger pull, increasing the chance for more on-target shots.
Shorter Reset
Thirdly, PRP triggers provide a shorter reset. The reduced reset distance allows for faster follow-up shots, essential in tactical or competitive shooting situations. With a faster reset, you can maintain your sight picture while simultaneously preparing for the next shot.
Improved Feel and Consistency
The improved feel and consistency of a PRP trigger is also a major draw. The enhanced smoothness, combined with the lighter pull weight and shorter reset, creates a much more predictable and consistent trigger pull. This consistency leads to a significant increase in shooter confidence.
Enhanced Accuracy
Ultimately, these features contribute to enhanced accuracy. By reducing the influence of the trigger on your shooting, PRP triggers enable you to achieve tighter groupings, more precise shot placement, and greater overall accuracy. This is a crucial part of any improvement to your firearm.
Beyond the core performance improvements, PRP prioritizes quality materials and precision manufacturing. Their triggers are built with high-quality, durable components designed to withstand years of use. Some components are manufactured from hardened steel, offering added strength and resistance to wear.
PRP trigger systems are designed to fit a wide variety of popular firearms. While their focus is often on Glock pistols, they also offer upgrade options for Smith & Wesson M&P firearms. Always verify the specific model and generation of your firearm to ensure compatibility.
Installation and the Transformation Process
The installation process for PRP triggers typically varies depending on the type of kit and the firearm. Drop-in trigger kits are generally designed for ease of installation and can be handled by shooters with moderate mechanical aptitude. Individual components might require a more in-depth understanding of firearm mechanics.
Installation generally involves disassembling the firearm’s trigger assembly and replacing the factory components with the PRP parts. Detailed instructions are typically included with the kit, and numerous online resources, including videos, offer step-by-step guidance.
The level of difficulty is usually moderate for a complete drop-in kit. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and use appropriate tools. You may also want to refer to the firearm’s manual.
The effect on performance is usually immediate and striking. Shooters often report a significant improvement in trigger feel, with a noticeably lighter pull weight and a smoother break. The shorter reset contributes to faster follow-up shots. The overall experience is transformed, often leading to increased confidence and more consistent shooting results.
Exploring the Benefits and Potential Drawbacks
The Advantages
- Increased Accuracy: The lighter, smoother pull leads to more precise shot placement and tighter groupings. This is a primary draw for both competition and self-defense shooters.
- Enhanced Trigger Feel: PRP triggers dramatically improve the overall feel of your trigger, eliminating the grit and creep that plague many factory designs.
- Faster Follow-Up Shots: The shorter reset facilitates quicker follow-up shots, critical in tactical situations and competitive shooting.
- Wide Variety of Options: PRP offers a wide range of trigger kits and components to customize your trigger to your exact needs and preferences.
- Reliable and Durable Components: PRP uses high-quality materials and precise manufacturing techniques to ensure long-lasting performance.
Considerations
- Cost: Aftermarket trigger systems can be an investment, and usually cost more than the factory trigger. The price will vary based on the kit, and components.
- Potential for Adjustments: Some kits may require minor adjustments or fine-tuning after installation to achieve optimal performance.
- May Not Be Suitable for All Uses: In certain situations, such as in some law enforcement applications, regulations may restrict the use of aftermarket trigger components.
Customer Experiences and Perspectives
Real-world reviews and testimonials provide valuable insights into the impact of PRP triggers. Shooters consistently praise the significant improvement in trigger feel, with many describing the transformation as “night and day.” They also commonly cite the increased accuracy and the ability to shoot more consistently.
These positive reviews, combined with PRP’s established reputation for quality and performance, give consumers confidence in the value and effectiveness of their products. Shooters consistently cite PRP triggers as a high-quality upgrade.
Making the Investment: Price and Availability
The cost of PRP trigger systems varies based on the specific kit or components selected. Complete drop-in trigger kits typically range in price. Individual components, such as trigger springs, are generally more affordable.
Powder River Precision products are widely available through their website, online retailers, and at various gun stores. This widespread availability makes it easy to acquire the right trigger system for your firearm and needs.
The Final Shot: Unlock Your Shooting Potential
Upgrading your trigger is one of the most impactful modifications you can make to improve your firearm’s performance. A PRP trigger system can deliver exceptional results, whether you are aiming for competition, tactical training, or general shooting. By reducing the trigger pull weight, providing a smoother pull, and enhancing the overall trigger feel, PRP triggers enable you to achieve greater accuracy, faster follow-up shots, and increased confidence.
Consider the advantages of PRP triggers and explore the options available for your specific firearm. By investing in a PRP trigger system, you can unlock your full shooting potential and experience a truly improved level of firearm performance. Consider what you are looking to get out of your firearm, and select the PRP trigger system that is right for you. Your shooting will thank you!
