Flat Trigger vs. Curved Trigger: Comparison Guide 2022

The on-going debate on the flat trigger vs. the curved trigger subject has been a hot favorite in the shooter community for some time now. Both coming with their own set of pros and cons, experienced shooters in the modern day lay a lot of emphasis on picking just the right kind of triggers to take your shooting experiences to another level. In this article, we’ll take you through the key differences between the flat and curved triggers, so the next time you’re spoilt for choice - you know exactly which one to go for! Read ahead to know more.

Flat triggers vs. Curved triggers

Although they may look similar, there are significant differences between a flat trigger and curved trigger. Further, despite being made from the same materials, the flat and curved triggers have several contrasting factors including the structure and pull weight distance among others.

For starters, let's take the case of how a flat trigger vs. a curved trigger fares in terms of lever-action rifles :The critical difference between the most famous lever-action rifles, the Marlin 1894 and the Henry's Big Boy Steel, is their trigger designs. The flatter Marlin trigger has a dedicated safety, while the curved Henry trigger is equipped with an interlocking transfer bar for security. Both have rifle-worthy accuracy and look great, with handsome walnut stocks.

Another key difference between flat triggers and curved triggers is the trigger bow's shape. The bow of curved triggers is curved towards the user. The bow of a flat faced trigger is flat across its length. While both types have advantages for certain rifles and shooters, choosing a trigger that fits comfortably in your finger and hand is most important.

Which is a better option?

When we come to the final question of which of the two triggers is better - flat or curved, it’s pertinent to keep in mind each of their USPs, drawbacks and most importantly - our own purpose and shooting preferences.

To get a better perspective, let's consider some of these core differences between a flat and curved trigger. Read ahead!

Leverage

The leverage being a personal choice for most shooters, still, a large number of shooters prefer the flat trigger over the curved trigger since it provides more leverage, and also more room in case you’re wearing gloves in the trigger guard.

Pull weight

The pull weight largely depends on the size of your hands. However, many shooters agree that the pull weight of a flat trigger is lower. Especially when we talk about Single-Action (SA), the flat triggers are a more preferred choice for little trigger movement.

Variation

A flat trigger scores better in this regard - since it allows the shooter to move their finger down to change the lever arm. When we talk about the curved trigger, it offers a smaller space between the trigger guard and the finger.

Mechanical Interface

In this aspect, the curved trigger comes on top. It provides more consistent placement by allowing more contact between the trigger’s surface and the shooter’s finger pad.

Finger placement and hand size

The flat triggers are spacious and allow the finger's movement to the lower bit to change the lever arm, while in the curved trigger, there is a tiny space between the finger and the stimulus; thus, minimum movement to the lever arm.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, we hope this article provided you with a better understanding of the two types of triggers outlined in terms of their features, how they work, similarities and differences, and the pros and cons of a flat trigger vs. a curved one. Although many experienced shooters would agree that at the end of the day it's all a matter of preference, we hope this read provided you with more clarity on which trigger out of the two would suit you best!

Happy and safe shooting!