Trigger Control Maintenance, striker vs TDA

[ASH556]

As some of you know, I've been on a journey since January of exploring the TDA trigger with the Beretta 92. I've learned a lot and enjoyed the process. That said, the shine has worn off, the warts are showing themselves, and I'm glad I kept at least one of my Glocks.

For those who have spent significant time with both TDA and striker guns: Do trigger control lessons learned with TDA maintain themselves if you shoot another platform?

In other words, for logistical reasons I'm now strongly considering divesting myself of my Berettas and going back all in with Glocks. Yeah, I'll loose some money, but in the long run, it was worth the $400 investment to learn what I have about trigger control and also allowing myself to scratch that "platform switch, greener grass" itch for the first/only time since I got serious about pistol shooting in early 2014.

However, I want to make sure that if I go back to shooting the Glock 100% of the time my trigger control won't devolve.

More backstory as to how I got here in the first place: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread....retta-Thoughts

[ubervic]

I began shooting pistol in earnest about 8 years ago. I started with HK LEM trigger, then moved to SFA (M&PFS), then to TDA (SIG), and now back to SFA (Glock). The last move was somewhat thrust upon me, as I'd sold off the SIG for reasons, then inherited the Glock.

Yeah, I'd hopped around, but I'm glad that I did. I'm particularly glad that I ran TDA for a decent amount of time. It forced me to think more about working the trigger, the difference between DA and SA trigger press, the DA/SA transition, decocking, etc. This experience made me a more determined and disciplined shooter, which in turn helped me become a more skilled shooter. I still have work to do to up my game, but I think I'd not be where I am today had I not run TDA for a few years.

I am content with the Glock right now, and don't intend to move away from it. I really like its robust simplicity, and I am enjoying how well I can run it as long as I grip it well. Running TDA well is more challenging than running SFA well in some regards, but I find that grip is much more important than anything to running Glock well. I am more aware of these differences after running TDA, and so I guess I view TDA as a great coach, but not necessarily the best overall trigger system.

[ASH556]

I guess I view TDA as a great coach, but not necessarily the best overall trigger system.

This captures my sentiment exactly. This has been the subject of my conversations with @karmapolice for 2 weeks now and that's basically my conclusion. Great teacher, but maybe not the best system to operate with all the time. There have been conversations with @Mr_White and @Kevin B. by proxy and these all seem to echo the same sentiment: "It's hard to beat Glock when looking at the whole "operational package."

[newt]

I can't speak for all, but I largely started on TDA some 20+ years ago back on the old SIG carbon slide P228's (man I miss those, they were sweet). At least for me, that DA pull really paid off for all other platforms. So no only do I not think you'll not devolve, your trigger may be even better thanks to the work you did.

Interestingly, I JUST started somewhat of the same thing you did, I've largely been on SAO (1911s, EDC X9 for idpa) and Glocks(carry) for a long time, and just tried my first nice beretta (Wilson BrigTac), so I've sorta gone in a circle. I've been off of TDA for probably 5 years now. And wow, I like these berettas. Last time I shot a beretta was a long time ago, and I never thought I'd come back to it. My first practice with the brigtac for IDPA almost had me dump the X9 for an IDPA match after just one practice. I was really accurate with it, although not as fast. I need to get back on it.

Newt

[GJM]

Trigger control ability is not platform specific.

[Kanye Wyoming]

I’m a total newbie, having first handled a pistol about 3 years ago, so take this for what it’s worth and with a grain of salt.

The first carry gun I bought a few years ago was a P30SK. It checks a lot of boxes for me, all things being equal I’d prefer to carry a DA/SA hammer gun, and I still really like it. Over time I came to realize that all things weren’t quite equal, in that on the timed drills I do consistently (FAST, Casino, Bill and more recently “The Test”), on average my results are more than marginally better with a striker gun than with either the P30SK or another larger DA/SA with a much more refined trigger.

At the same time, I dry fire and shoot the P30SK at the range from time to time, both because it’s fun and challenging, and because I’ve noticed that it's like a batter who takes practice swings with a bat weight. After shooting the P30SK, usually my trigger control on the strikers is noticeably improved, and especially on those occasions when I find myself going off the rails, more often than not some time with the P30SK, dry and/or at the range, helps me gets me back on track.

[psalms144.1]

I "grew up" shooting 1911s, then M9s and Sig TDAs. I found I could run them very well (especially the crutch, I mean 1911). I initially went into Glocks because of size/weight/capacity issues - damn near impossible in the late 80s/early 90s to find anything that could compete with the G19. In the intervening 30 years or so, I've gone away from Glocks several (dozens of) times, and always end up right back with the G19.

For me, the earlier Glocks lacked a bit of long range accuracy, but excelled at being able to be run well at speed on "reasonable" targets at "reasonable" ranges. The 1911 excels at hitting any target at any range at any speed, but does so at the cost of heavy weight, large size, low capacity, and a manual of arms and trigger system that really demands it be used exclusively, IMHO. The M9s/Sig DAs were decent compromises, more accurate, but still larger/heavier/harder to maintain.

With the Gen5 family of Glock 9mms, I find it damned near impossible to recommend anything else. Accuracy is on par or exceeds any competitor, without sacrificing any of the size efficiency or ease of maintenance that have always been the Glock's hallmark. Are other strikers easier to shoot without inducing "leftitis?" Sure, but they do so by cheating - I mean by using fully tensioned strikers that can be released unintentionally (mallet tests anyone?)

What's the point? I understand that shooting DA or DAO pistols can be great for teaching trigger control, specifically working on achieving a surprise break, but, frankly, I don't think that juice is worth the squeeze. I'd much rather see someone take the cost of that cool new pistol and invest it in ammo and a training course with a good instructor.

Now, before I get tarred and feathered, if you WANT to shoot something else, get on with your bad self! I recently picked up a Ruger LCR because I WANT it. Am I going to carry it much? Probably not. Am I going to make it my dedicated training pistol - HELLS no. Nothing wrong with dabbling with new stuff to see what "works" for you, but I would never let it take my primary attention away from what already works, and training to make THAT work better. And, if you "just can't make the Glock work for you" - look at the M2.0, or the P10, or the VP9, or...

[03RN]

I think consistent practice with a variety of guns will keep you a well rounded shooter. I enjoy being able to go from a 1911 to a DA revolver, to a Beretta, to a Glock and not miss a beat. I don't feel hampered and after a long 6 month break from glocks I can pick one up and shoot it well.

[MSparks909]

I think consistent practice with a variety of guns will keep you a well rounded shooter. I enjoy being able to go from a 1911 to a DA revolver, to a Beretta, to a Glock and not miss a beat. I don't feel hampered and after a long 6 month break from glocks I can pick one up and shoot it well.

X2. I can shoot all my pistols to within 90% of my benchmark, which happens to be B92s. Good enough for me.

[Clusterfrack]

...For those who have spent significant time with both TDA and striker guns: Do trigger control lessons learned with TDA maintain themselves if you shoot another platform?
...

For me, the answer has been yes, trigger control transfers from DA/SA to striker guns. Is trigger control relatively easy to maintain? I think regular practice is important, and familiarity helps. Right now most of my practice is with CZs, and because of that my carry gun of preference is also a CZ (P-07). However, I've found that I can pick up any Glock and shoot it pretty well. Differences in grip angle have been a non-issue. As already mentioned, it's hard to beat the Glock platform overall.