The March 17th Wire had Part I of this review of Nighthawk Custom’s “Drop-In Trigger System” for the 1911 pistol. I had planned to have Pt. II completed in time for last week’s Wire. As often happens in my life, things did not work according to “my” schedule. We began the project at the end of the day; the wrong time to start any new work. The thumb safety required some fitting – no surprise. We ran out of time. Ben – who owns the pistol - wanted to install a different trigger. That takes time to get it ordered. And now, after a slight delay, Part II of the DTS installation feature.
Even though this is a “Drop-In Trigger System,” Nighthawk’s website notes that some “minor” fitting may be required. On Ben’s Springfield, a little filing was required on the thumb safety for it to properly engage with the DTS. It was nothing complicated. (Nighthawk has the necessary videos on the page above.) Anyone with the knowledge to do this installation should have no problems – if it’s even necessary on your pistol. In my book, this still qualifies as “drop-in.”
A long time ago someone had installed an older, plastic covered trigger in the Springfield. To go with the DTS, Ben installed a new trigger from Wilson Combat. Everyone knows you can’t go wrong with parts from Wilson, and getting smooth travel in the frame only required a little polishing with the rotary tool.
The final result looks and works great. The hammer on the DTS and new Wilson trigger look right at home in the classic 1911 frame. After putting it on the scale to get a weight on the trigger, I was very impressed.
Is it a smooth trigger? You bet. There’s no crunchy, rough action here. Since the DTS is a self-contained unit, it provides more consistent alignment between the hammer and sear than a traditionally configured trigger assembly. This also means that inconsistencies in the frame – hole placement, diameters and other tolerances - are less crucial for achieving a proper action. The more “harmony” between all these parts the better the performance.
Pulls with the gauge averaged 4 ¼ pounds. Nighthawk recommends a “500-round break-in period.” After this it will likely be around four pounds, exactly as advertised – “3.75 – 4 lb. trigger.”
A search on the ‘net revealed that having a gunsmith perform a trigger job on your 1911 will cost around $200. This doesn’t include parts. If you want something nice you’ve got to start with quality pieces; not all factory components are up to the task, especially M.I.M. parts. Having to pay shipping to and from a gunsmith – if needed - is going to add about $100. Once everything’s totaled up – and considering the consistent results Nighthawk’s DTS pretty much guarantees – this “drop-in” part is an outstanding product. Plus, there’s always the cool factor of being able to say, “I did this.”
Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.