Firearm Trigger Reset: Importance of Trigger Reset

• To Know More About The Importance Of Trigger Reset, Read Ahead!
• What Is The Trigger Reset?
• Why Exactly Is a Trigger Reset Important?
• Wrapping up,

Most shooters aren't aware of the trigger reset.

The reset is the part of the return stroke, in which the trigger sear re-engages with the hammer or firing pin, allowing the pistol to fire. Knowledge about triggers is very important when purchasing your own firearm.

The trigger reset is the amount of travel it takes for your trigger to move back into the firing position after you fire a shot. A lot goes into proper trigger control but at its core, firearm safety and knowing how your equipment works are paramount to ensure that you don't hurt yourself or others around you.

Many shooters tend to focus only at the front sight when they're taking aim at their intended target while neglecting everything else around them. It's definitely important to learn how your weapon works especially when it comes to your trigger and its reset.

To Know More About The Importance Of Trigger Reset, Read Ahead!

Trigger Reset can be one of those things that people overlook when shopping for new firearms or firearm parts, only to find out later why that part was so important when they bought their first gun with a short reset distance.

What Is The Trigger Reset?

A trigger reset can be felt when your current shot has been fired and the firearm begins coming back in line under your trigger finger. It is that 'clack-clack' sound you hear when the reset happens. A good example of this would be your car's brake pedal, where you can feel it move back into place after pushing it down to bring your vehicle to a stop.

Why Exactly Is a Trigger Reset Important?

First of all, safety. If you aren't aware that you have to release the trigger all the way forward before firing again, you might accidentally pull the trigger twice instead of just once.

Secondly, follow-up shots - if your gun has a long trigger reset distance, it will take longer for your next shot which gives both your target and you more time to get out of the way. If you're only pulling the trigger halfway, then releasing it halfway, that's probably why your shots aren't lining up with your sights.

Lastly, there are some guns that don't have a reset at all - they just have one long trigger pull before your gun fires again.

How Does a Trigger Work?

Trigger Reset occurs when the trigger bar is forced forward by your trigger finger while pressing on the firearm; or more simply put, when you depress (or release) the trigger while your firearm is ready to fire another round, without actually firing anything. This forward motion causes two things to happen:

1) Your trigger sear will catch on its ledge which disengages it from holding the hammer in place and allows the hammer to fall under spring tension, striking the firing pin which then sends the bullet downrange.

2) The trigger bar begins to move or 'reset' until it returns to its resting position underneath your trigger finger. As this is happening, there is also your standard amount of travel for a firearm's trigger which can be anywhere from 2mm to 8mm while full travel usually falls around 6mm.

Reset Distance

The distance that the trigger must return to before you can take another shot is referred to as "trigger reset distance." This distance could be anywhere between 3/16" inches, 5/32" inches, or even up to 1/8" inches depending on how much work has gone into customizing your firearm. If you are an avid shooter and spend hours upon hours at the range, you might be interested in a trigger with a shorter reset to have less time in between shots. There are also triggers available for people who compete frequently. These triggers usually have even less travel distance and can be adjusted to various levels of trigger pull weight.

Trigger Slack

Some shooters prefer their trigger to feel very short when they press on it allowing them to fire again rapidly without much time between shots. Others prefer this same experience but will want it to feel more natural or fluid as if there were no break at all. Once your finger leaves the trigger then returns, that movement is what is referred to as "trigger slack." Trigger slack can vary from firearm model to model and works differently for a flat trigger, a two-piece lever-action trigger, and other types of triggers. This is because some firearms do not need any slack before the sear catches where others might require a little more. Trigger slack is one of the main reasons for trigger reset and its necessary distance before you can shoot again.

When shopping for your next firearm, you might want to take some time and get familiar with how the trigger feels while pressing on it. A popular choice for triggers is the Marlin 336 gold trigger, Marlin 1895 red trigger, or Marlin 1894 black trigger.

Wrapping up,

The next time you're trying out a firearm, take note of the trigger distance - don't just settle for shot placement after you've taken your first shot. Fire more than one and take note of the trigger reset - if you're not happy with the distance, that might be a reason to pick another firearm.

If you know what kind of shooting you will be doing then that will help narrow down your choices quickly and maybe even save yourself from having to upgrade later or deal with a trigger that doesn't feel right.

So the next time you're out at the range, take a little extra time to see what your trigger is capable of and make whatever adjustments you can - to optimize your shooting experience, and performance both.

Happy shooting!