[68lemans462]

This last year I got into 45 ACP's. My first was a new stainless gold cup trophy. I then bought a Rock Island Tactical compact 1911 to carry around in the woods/etc. To my surprise, the $400 factory Rock island has a MUCH smoother and lighter trigger than the GCT! Very disappointing for a $1,200 "target" gun.

I believe the trigger on my GCT is around 4.5 - 5lbs. The Rock island is closer to 3lbs, which is much more desirable - especially for a target gun.

What are my options with the GCT trigger? What have you guys done to improve the trigger on your GCT's? Any gunsmiths you would recommend in Denver, CO? I'd consider sending this back to Colt if it doesnt take a year to get it back...

 

[1911MOshooter]

Wow? I think I would contact Colt and talk to them about the trigger.I just purchased 2 Colts the first arrived yesterday a Colt combat commander xse,the trigger's amazing,i've never felt such a great trigger on a 1911..I just hope the GCT I purchased yesterday has a trigger as good or better than the xse commander.

Good luck

 

[kenhwind]

These pistols (1911s in general) are a bit finicky, some have excellent triggers and some have something to be desired; sometimes even after doing a trigger job.

What I would probably do is invest in a hammer set from Cylinder & Slide and install it in the pistol. If you aren't familar with doing this sort of thing then by all means find a gunsmith.

I assembled a parts gun using an early post WWII Colt Conversion Unit and a Caspian frame and installed one of the Classic hammer kits ( they call it a S70) with the traditional Colt type spur hammer and the trigger pull was light and slick, and this was with a Colt standard mainspring and sear spring.
1911 Hammer Sets

 

[MtnSpur]

Some months back (2 or 3 maybe?) I purchased a LW Commander and a Gold Cup Trophy. Both triggers are light and crisp with a miniscule reset distance (from pull to next pull). I don't have a trigger pull measurement device but experience tells me both are under 5lbs. My GM MK IV Series 80 had some tweaking performed prior to my ownership and the original owner had the trigger set to 4 lbs or so he stated and I'm basing my guesstimate on the break of that trigger.

 

[haggis]

If you haven't installed a trigger improvement kit before, Brownells is your friend. This is an example of 1911 gunsmithing available on their website.

Installing a 1911 Drop-in Trigger Kit | World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

You might also want to look at Jack Weigand's technique for putting a safe 2½ pound trigger on a 1911.

2-½ lb. Trigger Pull | World's Largest Supplier of Firearm Accessories, Gun Parts and Gunsmithing Tools - BROWNELLS

He uses a Power stoning fixture to dress his hammer hooks and sear, but you don't really need that - a good machinist's vise, a good India stone, some feeler gauges as shims, and a little patience will work as well.

Buck

 

[SCone]

I'd shoot the pistol a few hundred round BEFORE making any changes....................

 

[68lemans462]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I have put about 1500 rounds of various lead hand loads down the pipe. Have definitely shot some nice groups with it. Was hoping things would get better after shooting more but they have not yet. I absolutely love the gun otherwise it is deadly accurate and a beautiful gun. I will shoot it much better with an improved trigger.

 

[JudgeColt]

Try a "GI" trigger job. With the chamber empty, cock the pistol. Put a lever of some kind between the grip safety and hammer spur. Apply force (not too much) against the hammer (which should also disengage the grip safety if the lever is properly aligned) and pull the trigger. Repeat. Should be better. (Should be.)

 

[Mac]

1911 specialist at 14855 W 54th Place in Arvada/Wheatridge. Sorry, I don't have a phone number.
Mac (Golden)

 

[halvenut]

The triggers on 1911s improve with round count. Also measure the trigger pull on a guage if you haven't done so already. With that being said an easy and inexpensive way to improve the trigger is to use a lighter Sear Spring offered by Cylinder & Slide. I have used these on several 1911s and they work great. Advertizes to lower the pull 1 to 1 1/2 pounds and they do.

 

[halfmoonclip]

An ordinary fish scale with a stout, bent hook for the trigger makes an entirely satisfactory trigger gauge. Even a highly trained trigger finger is hard pressed to get the actual breakweight right.
Happily, Colt triggers have improved enormously over the years; a bright stainless 1911 that was my first 1911 had a truly shitty trigger; both heavy and creepy.
Current stuff is quite good.
BRW, my Gold Cup breaks at less than 4lbs.
Moon

 

[kenhwind]

The Cylinder & Slide so-called "light" sear spring is the same as a COLT sear spring but more expensive. When I used their hammer set I did not use their sear spring as I prefer the Colt. Then I wanted an extra to bend and fuss with so I ordered a C&S and a 2 Wilson factory plus (a Colt & a Wilson). The C&S and the Wilson/Colt are the same as, or certainly seem to be the same as the Colt sear spring.

 

[halvenut]

Caught mine on sale for like $7.99 at Midway.

 

[JohnnyP]

Agree on having the triggers checked on a gauge. My pre-70 Series GCNM breaks at a clean 3.5 pounds and my 70 Series GCNM breaks at a clean 4 pounds. I really can't tell any difference and there is absolutely no movement of the trigger on release.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Frankly, I'll put up with a slightly heavier trigger if it all goes at once; creep is far worse.
Browning was in uncharted territory when he designed it 100 years ago; when you consider that plus what goes on when the gun is fired (recoil of a powerful round, slide movement, etc.) it's a wonder it works at all.
Care is required to make it work well.
Moon