Measuring Trigger Pull & Trigger Width Factor

[TMan]

Having finally received a Sig P226 Sport, I did what I normally do: put in a snap cap and try a little dry firing. I swore the trigger pull had to be less than a pound, but when applying the gauge, it read 3.25lbs. Fooled again by a wide trigger.

I keep a chart of trigger pulls for all my guns, but I'm beginning to think it is worthless because it doesn't take the width of the trigger into consideration.

After being fooled once before in public (rather embrassing), DA informed me that the width of the trigger does make a difference in what you perceive the trigger pull to be. I don't remember if there are any other factors (are there?).

Would a better way be to establish a factor that would take the trigger pull and divide it by the width of the trigger. For example (I'll make the numbers easy rather than realistic): Say pistol A has a 4lb pull and a 1/2" wide trigger. That would make its pull factor an 8. Pistol B has a 4lb pull and a 1/3" wide trigger, which would make its pull factor a 12. So if you were looking for something with a light trigger, you would buy pistol A vs pistol B all other things being equal.

Make any sense? Anyone have a better idea?

["DoubleAction"]

Good to see your thinking in the right direction Tman. The wide triggers seem to distribute the weight of the trigger evenly throughout a wider surface on the finger pad. This is very noticeable on the Colt Gold Cup, as well as the .500" triggers on the S&W Target revolvers. Many purchase the Gold Cups for this very reason, because of the expense involved to cut the wider channel in the Govt. frame to accomodate the wider trigger shoes. For the trigger on your Sig to break at 3.25 lbs.; I would call that better than excellent.
I have not heard of a formula for calculating the difference, even though your finger will notice a difference.

[MLB]

TMan is exactly on the right track. The number you are describing is trigger pressure (in pounds per square inch) rather than trigger pull force (in lbs).

You still need to apply the same amount of force to a wide trigger as compared to a short one, but that force is distributed over a larger area on a wide trigger.

edit: I should add that since pressure is measured in pounds per square inch, the number you would devide by is the trigger width times your finger width. So, your example numbers are good for a 1" wide trigger finger. A guy with a 1" wide finger is one big dude. I certainly wouldn't mess with him ;D

[TMan]

MLB said:

A guy with a 1" wide finger is one big dude. I certainly wouldn't mess with him ;D

I hope this guy with the 1" finger has a big nose too.

Seriously, the width of a person's finger doesn't change. So going from one gun to another shouldn't make any difference to him. Technically, I agree with you, but for comparison I don't.