Getting a real reading from a trigger gauge

[Practical Shooter]

When using a hand pull trigger gauge and not the NRA type weight trigger gauge, everyone gets all kinds of different readings during a test pull. The electronic version allows you to average your last 10 readings to give you a final number, but I find that system very flaw.
Let me explain. You are testing the trigger pull on a specific handgun at a specific time and all being equal, the pull should be consistent, but it isn't, due to the human factor. You might get a 8#, then a 10#, then a 9#. But you end up using the average function, giving you and average of 9#. I find using the average being extremely wrong. As your best reading was 8#, and 8# is what that handgun is capable off at this point in time.
Then after you finish polishing your parts, or placing a kit in the gun, your best lowest readings should be what the gun is now capable off, not the erroneous average.
What are your thoughts?

[tdogg]

I've found in practice that it's not that variable.  As with anything you can minimize test variability with a solid process.  In the end you are testing a mechanical device and it will not always behave the same every time.

I do average the pulls from the top and bottom if my TSO semi flat trigger as it does effect the pull weight significantly.   At least my finger is too big to just ride the bottom if the trigger so the average is more representative of actual.

I'd argue that knowing what your exact trigger pull is or is capable of isn't necessary.   Ultimately the trigger feel and how well you shoot the gun is what matters.  The trigger pull test just helps you share a subjective feel with your peers.

Cheers,
Toby

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[no.vale.la.pena]

I really only have experience with the Lyman digital trigger gauge so this applies to that particular gauge.

In my experience the readings can be quite consistent with a repeatable method and pulling from the same height in the trigger. I prefer to set the pistol  in a vice and mark the pull point of the gauge with a small piece of tape to try to make the positioning more repeatable. With that system the main variable I have seen that  affects the readings are the speed at which the gauge is moved to the rear of the pull. Trying to keep the pull speed as similar as possible between measurements,  I usually see deviations of a 1-4 ounces. You can use a standard deviation calculation with your average to give you an idea of how consistent your readings are from measurement to measurement. Just some simple notes on your method can give some  context / reference to the measurements too, you can get a “quick pull” average, a “slow pull” average, and averages with variable pull height positions etc…

In general practice I would be hesitant to just take a non-averaged low value as the most useful because it could just be an outlier / non-repeatable measurement. Hope this helps!

[Practical Shooter]

I really only have experience with the Lyman digital trigger gauge so this applies to that particular gauge.

In my experience the readings can be quite consistent with a repeatable method and pulling from the same height in the trigger. I prefer to set the pistol  in a vice and mark the pull point of the gauge with a small piece of tape to try to make the positioning more repeatable. With that system the main variable I have seen that  affects the readings are the speed at which the gauge is moved to the rear of the pull. Trying to keep the pull speed as similar as possible between measurements,  I usually see deviations of a 1-4 ounces. You can use a standard deviation calculation with your average to give you an idea of how consistent your readings are from measurement to measurement. Just some simple notes on your method can give some  context / reference to the measurements too, you can get a “quick pull” average, a “slow pull” average, and averages with variable pull height positions etc…

In general practice I would be hesitant to just take a non-averaged low value as the most useful because it could just be an outlier / non-repeatable measurement. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the feed backs. As suggested, I will mark the breaking point of the trigger, it will definitely be helpful to know when the trigger breaking point is coming, and then, tighten my control of the trigger gauge.
Trigger feel is definitely what I am looking for, and no machine can compare to that. But having a precise numerical value to verify any differences is also a good way to measure improvements. Thanks again guys.

[mkd]

While sitting at the office desk I place the pistol upside down on a soft pad on the desk and hold the slide with my left hand as stationary and close to my chest as I can. Then I anchor my right forearm to the right side of my chest below where a pocket would be on a shirt with the Lyman scales in my right hand. A slow deliberate rotation of my upper body and right arm as one I rotate away from the slide held stationary. This gives pretty accurate readings for me. I also do a few pulls to get the technique down to eliminate flyers and then I start recording. Following thru on the pull rather than letting up some when I hear the trigger drop  reveals more consistent readings as well. I also throw the highest and lowest pull weights out and average the rest in the middle.
 

[newageroman]

I just C clamp my pistols pointing toward the ceiling off my reloading press, mags out safety checked.
Then rig up a coat hanger or zip tie wo a Crown Royal bag with a specific counted number of 124Gn HPs that will equal whatever pounds. I forgot what it is but its ~100 or so...
This is also good if you have no scale at all, you can get a good ballpark.
Cons, It doesn't take into account gravity, so theres a bit of over/under related to that.
My Ruger 22 pistols with good parts I was able to get to a point to softly drop in bullets 1 at a time until you get the break. then go back and forth, I think it took 5 or 10 bullets to consistently break or keep the trigger (Sometimes gently dropping in say only 3 bullets would not fire the trigger every time, but 10 would). You can also take into account the weight of the bag, and jig if its heavy or large or metal.
I have all my weights written down somewhere... It was a fun experiment with surprisingly accurate results.

[CCWLearner]

I had a "G.P.S. Aluminum Firearm Trigger Scale" purchased off of Amazon a few years ago when I was actively tuning the triggers in my CZ pistols.  It was an analog type similar to the cheaper non-digital ones sold by Wheeler or Lyman.  Once I was done with my trigger work, I ended up selling it, figuring I would buy a digital one when I got around to tuning triggers again, which hasn't happened yet.

Anyway, when I did have it, my method was to clamp my pistol upside down in a vise, using magnetic nylon jaw pads and a silicone jar opener to prevent any marring, then to position the hook of the scale at a consistent place on the trigger, basically where the pad of my finger would go.  Then I would do multiple pulls like this... although what I would do is record a min, max, and mode, not take a mean (average) of all the numbers.

[lewmed]

 I made a fixture that holds my auto loading pistols by the magazine well in a upright position. I then made a height adjustable shelf behind the fixture for my Lyman digital gauge. This removes most of the human error and I get consistent readings.