10 Sept 03

SIG's "K" Trigger Update

Last weekend, I got the chance to run live rounds through a SIG 229 (40S&W) that was equipped with a "K" trigger. I expressed the opinion that this new system will quickly displace the manual decocking lever that most SIGs come with now, and my opinion was not changed. SIG is now taking police department orders. The K-trigger will be available to the general market in 2004.

The K-trigger will be offered as an option on the 226 and 229 (which will be called the 226DAK and the 229DAK). Single-column pistols, like the 239 likely will be eligible for the new trigger inside of a year, as modifications need to be done to the inside of the frame. The new trigger will not be available as a retrofit, as, again, the frame needs to be modified. It will be offered on new guns only.

The K-Trigger is short and smooth at a consistent 6.6lbs. It is not a two-stage trigger like the one founds in Glocks. There are two links (trigger reset points). The shallow one yields a slightly heaver press (7.5lbs). The deep link re-presses at the same 6.6lbs. The point is that the pistol will fire from either link, and it will drop the hammer for a second time on a dud round (from the second link). Hammer spur is gone (along with the decocking lever), and the system can be used in conjunction with either a regular or a short trigger.

The traditional SIG self-decocking system features a long trigger pull at a constant, eleven pounds. It is called (appropriately) a "flat revolver." That system will continue to be produced, although the K-trigger, as opined above, will quickly supersede it. In fact, the K-trigger will also supersede SIG's manually decocking system.

I will have and carry a 229 in 357SIG with the K-trigger shortly and will get a chance to give it a thorough workout over the next number of months. I am convinced now that, if SIG markets this new system aggressively, they will significantly dig into Glock's market share.

/John

10 Sept 03

"Light rails" ("accessory" rails) on pistol frames are all the rage these days. Police departments insist on them, even when they have no specific plans to mount flashlights (or lasers) on pistols. Accordingly, many departments are now ordering holsters designed to accommodate pistols with flashlights attached. For patrol officers, I suggest this is a bad idea.

Without a flashlight affixed to the pistol, the holster's snatch resistance is critically compromised. Thus, when Surefire comes out with a new flashlight six months from now, and the departmetn orders them, new holsters will have to be ordered also, in order to accommodate the new flashlight. In the interim, officers dare not holster their pistols without (the old) flashlights attached.

A regular holster works much better. The flashlight can usually be attached to the gun after it is drawn and removed prior reholstering. SWAT officers may want a flashlight attached all the time. Most of us others don't.

/John