Here Are 3 Ways to Bring Your Glock to the Next Level
Oh my.
Key point: A good trigger is important and you should upgrade yours.
The Glock Safe Action Pistol is the most popular Pistol in the United States. Gaston Glock’s plastic fantastics came about in a time where most guns featured metal frames and were hammer fired. Polymer striker fired guns had been done before, but never succeeded like the Glock.
Since then the Glock has gone on to become an insanely popular handgun. Part of that popularity is modularity. Glock pistols in general have three different frame sizes, the standard, the larger, and the single stack. By frame size I don’t mean length and width, I mean compatibility.
For example, the Glock 26 and Glock 17 are the same standard frame. There are differences in overall size, but they can accept the same magazines and the same internals. This makes it very easy to find upgradeable parts for any Glock.
Today, we are looking and talking about the most popular Glock upgrade out there, the trigger. The compatibility we mentioned is important, because you have to be selective about your trigger, and ensure it fits your Glock frame.
HOW THE GLOCK TRIGGER WORKS
Before you take anything apart it’s good to understand how a trigger works. The Glock trigger was quite interesting when it was introduced. The Glock doesn’t typically have a manual safety, instead it relies on a trigger safety. A small piece of plastic blocks the trigger from being pulled unless its engaged by your finger.
What’s interesting is that trigger safety is probably the most complicated thing about a Glock trigger. Other than that, they are incredibly simple. Outside of the Glock’s popularity this is likely what’s driven the trigger aftermarket for the platform.
The Glock trigger works like this. When the trigger is pressed by the user the trigger safety is disengaged. The trigger bar then presses the fire pin safety upwards. This trigger is also fully cocking the striker. The trigger then reaches the disconnector.
Once the trigger bar reaches the disconnector it drops slightly. The disconnector releases the striker as it drops. The striker then springs forward and causes the weapon to fire.
This entire process affects how the trigger feels, how heavy it is, how gritty it is, etc. Each piece does its think, but one piece that affects trigger pull more than any other is the disconnector. The disconnector makes the biggest difference because it creates so much tension.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE GLOCK TRIGGER?
There is nothing inherently wrong with the Glock trigger. It’s completely functional. It’s pull isn’t bad, it’s not too heavy, but it’s far from great. If you can’t shoot the Glock straight it’s not because of the trigger, it’s because you need more practice.
The Glock pistol has a ton of potential though and it can be improved upon greatly. The stock Glock trigger is exactly what you should expect from a mass-produced polymer pistol. The problem with the Glock trigger is the lack of refinement.
The trigger is very mushy, it feels like plastic rubbing on plastic. There is a lot of grit to it while its moving and then you meet the walls. The walls are those little stops you hit before the trigger actually breaks. The walls also can create a false positive trigger break. You think the gun is going to go off, and it doesn’t.
There is also the problem that comes with just trigger ergonomics. A lot of people hate the feeling of that thin polymer trigger. It pinches some shooters, and the trigger safety can even cause blisters on some softer hands.
With an upgraded Glock trigger we aim to fix most of these problems. One thing we don’t want to mess with is the good things about the Glock trigger. The Glock trigger pull is short, and the reset is one of the best on the market. These are features we want to stick with when it comes to Glock Trigger upgrades.
BETTER TRIGGER BENEFITS
Let’s go ahead and say it now, if you can’t shoot a Glock with its stock trigger a better trigger isn’t going to help you. You need ammo, and range time. Once you can shoot straight with a stock Glock trigger we can talk upgrades.
A better Glock trigger will take a seasoned shooter and do a few things for you. Someone who’s mastered the stock Glock trigger knows they are only chasing fractions of an inch and fractions of a second. First it will make you shrink your groups, you’ll gain that fraction of an inch through a better trigger.
When it comes to cutting time between shots a better trigger gives you a shorter pull, and a more aggressive reset. This will cut time between shots and give you that slight time advantage.
From a precision and tactical perspective, a smoother and more well-rounded trigger is going to give you a distance advantage. Shooting a handgun at longer ranges is tricky, but with a better trigger you’ll will be able to hit those longer-range targets.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD GLOCK TRIGGER?
To improve on the Glock trigger you can do numerous things. One of the first is to install a lighter disconnector. The most common being the 3.5 Ghost disconnector. ZEV also makes an excellent disconnector that just came out. I tried it at SHOT and was impressed.
Next, the trigger bar meets a lot of friction as it moves rearward. The problem here is that any burrs, snags, or imperfections on the trigger bar can create friction. The solution is a highly polished trigger bar that has buffed any burs or snags out. This reduces friction and results in a lighter, smoother trigger pull.
BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE BEST GLOCK TRIGGERS
Before we go head first into Glock triggers you need to remember the installation requirements. They are easy to install, but make sure you are comfortable with taking a Glock apart. You need to prep an area where you can work without distractions.
I like a simple smooth table with a rubber or felt mat down. These mats keep little pins and parts from rolling away. Always have good lighting, and I keep a flashlight on hand for finding dropped parts.
You’ll also need a few tools. Not many, but a few will make this much easier.
The Glock tool is actually a punch with a nice handle. Like the Glock frames it’s made from a strong and dependable polymer that will last and last. The Glock tool is designed to be the only take down tool needed to completely fieldstrip the Glock.
It will function with every Glock pin on any model Glock. It’s also cheap, easy to find, and necessary for serious Glock owners.
Alternatively, if you don’t want a plastic punch and want something with a little more oomph to it the Manti tool is a metal Glock tool with a screwdriver like handle. Like the standard Glock tool, it will work with any Glock pin. It’s smoother, and more durable. It can also be used to take apart shotguns rifles, and more. It’s also affordable and easy to find.
The Ergo Mast is a gunsmith’s best friend. It’s a simple armorers block designed to hold for gun in the upright position. This makes it much easier to work on. Trust me on this, if you don’t have three hands this block will eliminate a ton of stress when working on your Glock.
I choose the Ergo model over other, more affordable options because it’s modular. You can use it for all standard and large frame Glocks and purchase extra base plates for other types of handguns.
THE BEST GLOCK TRIGGERS
1. ZEV FULCRUM
The ZEV Fulcrum triggers are available for both large and standard frame Glocks and represent one of the best trigger upgrades on the market. The ZEV triggers are competition and duty-oriented triggers. They reduce friction, lighten pull, and provide you with a clean let off and outstanding trigger reset.
The ZEV triggers can be adjusted for pre-travel and over travel, so you can lock your trigger into your specific preferences. Adjustment is simple and done via two hex head screws. The trigger itself is made from 6061 aluminums and anodized for corrosion resistance. The trigger is wider than your standard Glock trigger and more ergonomic.
The ZEV trigger provides the same level of safety as a Glock stock trigger and works in tandem with Glock’s three passive safeties. The engagement surfaces of the trigger bar and disconnector are stainless steel and highly polished to reduce friction and walls.
It’s a drop-in design that means there are no permanent modifications done to your Glock. It installs with ease and can be done at home.
All you’ll need is the standard Glock disassembly tool and you are good to go. The ZEV Fulcrum triggers are designed for Glocks Gens 1 through 4.
2. AGENCY ARMS