My Glock 23 Review Part Four

'Better Shooting'
Went to the shooting range to test my Glock using the NY1 Trigger Spring, 3.5 lb. Connector and Tungsten Guide Rod setup. I used new, Semi-Wad Cutter Full Metal Jacket (SWC-FMJ) rounds labeled as +P rounds, and I'm guessing they were the standard 180 grain bullets. Distance was 13 meters, 100 rounds were fired and no malfunctions were found.

Pic below is using the left hand, 50 rounds

Pic below is using the right hand, also 50 rounds


I definitely shot better using the NY1 Trigger and 3.5 lb. Connector setup. My groupings were tighter, and the difference between my left and right hands were not so obvious anymore. The smoother and lighter break of the setup was easier to shoot, though I still used slow fire (3-5 seconds between shots) method as I still didn't trust myself to shoot as well firing at a faster rate.

The trigger still feels like a two-stage trigger, but it did not affect my shooting, obviously. I guess I will be staying with this setup, and just mess around with the Striker and Striker Block Springs if I am going to lighten further that trigger break.

'Tungsten Guide Rod and Recoil'
My only complaint with this shooting session, was the recoil. I found it to sting my hands a lot more so now than in my first shooting session. I got the feeling like when you hit a solid object with a steel bar, and the bar sorts of vibrates and transfers that vibration into your hands. It felt very much like that. It got so bad that after the first 50 rounds, my hands started shaking a bit. I tried to rest it out, but the shaking took a bit of time to dissipate, and I wonder how I was still able to shoot well despite that. Thanks perhaps to the Glock's fast lock time.


I think the main culprit here was the Tungsten Guide Rod (TGR). It was the only new variable that affected the recoil into this shooting session, as the ammunition was the same. I don't know why, but instead of the added weight soaking up the recoil, it actually sort of worsened it!!! I can only form some guesses why this was the case. One guess is that the TGR is too stiff and actually transfers the recoil into your hands, as opposed to the original Polymer Guide Rod that sorts of flexes and absorbs some of the recoil.

Another is that all that weight being slapped around inside the gun during the recoil impulse sorts of vibrates the rod and transfers it into your hand. Whatever it actually is, it was an unpleasant experience, and I quickly removed the TGR and returned to the original Polymer Recoil Spring Assembly. Removing the TGR also not only made the pistol lighter, but also improved tremendously its balance. The TGR also did not perceptively lessen the muzzle flip in any way.

'Wolff Safety Plunger and Striker Springs'
I bought a Reduced Power Safety Plunger Spring and a Reduced Power Striker Spring Pak from Wolff Gunsprings in the US. The parts took a while to arrive here in the Philippines, around 4 weeks. The rating for the Safety Plunger Spring is not stated, while the Striker Spring Pak consists of three springs from 5 lbs. (standard striker spring rating is 5.5 lbs.), 4.5 lbs. and then 4 lbs.

When they finally arrived, I started by installing the Reduced Power Safety Plunger Spring first. I immediately did not like it, as it made the trigger slack too light, almost non-existent. The result was similar to when I used the Standard Trigger with the 3.5 lb. Connector. So I returned back to the Standard Safety Plunger Spring.

Next, I started testing out the Reduced Power (RP) Striker Springs, starting from 5 lbs., and working my way down to the 4 lb. spring. Of these, I found the 4 lb. spring (the one with the lowest rating) to be the most ideal. It gives the trigger the lightest break possible.

I have been using the Glock with the 4 lb. spring for a couple of weeks now, mainly with the KPOS. One main concern I had with using the RP Striker Spring was possible misfires due to the striker not hitting the primer solidly enough. However, after firing 200 rounds of reloaded ammo, I have yet to experience a misfire, which is very promising. After firing that many rounds without reliability issues, I now feel confident with the use of the 4 lb. Striker Spring.

'Optimized Trigger System'
I feel that I have reached the end of the road in finding the best possible trigger system for me for the Glock. I am not sure if there is anything else I can do to improve more the trigger system at this point and not compromise the safety of the trigger in terms of normal, everyday carry. To tweak it more would mean more of a competition gun rather than a carry gun.

My current trigger system now consists of the following:
- New York Trigger 1;
- 3.5 lb. Connector;
- 4 lb. Striker Spring

This system gives me a heavy trigger slack for safety, and then a slightly heavier but very smooth and crisp trigger break. I like it a lot, and my brother absolutely loved it.

Although I have been shooting the system with the KPOS for awhile now, I felt the best way to test the new trigger system was to fire it offhand, and I have only been able to do it recently. Standard shooting parameters were used (13 meters, 180 gr. SWC-TC reloads).

With the optimized trigger, I now started fast-firing it free hand, and it does wander around a bit when you shoot it fast. I was able to keep most of the shots on the A-zone of the target, but the grouping was a bit wide. Some shots on B-zone, and the occassional round on the C-zone. Also, my shots sort of wandered around a bit shooting a little to the right, a little to the left, or down, etc., so I now understand what some shooters have been saying about the Glock not shooting spot on.


When I return to slow, deliberate fire, I shoot very well. But when I try to fire faster, the size of my groupings opens up. I think the culprit is the Glock's trigger break, which is just too long for fast, supremely accurate fire. Fast fire and good practical accuracy fire, yes. But not fast, supremely accurate fire. Either that, or I am just not that good a shooter. :)

It is still good practical accuracy, but not great. I think I can easily change the NY1 Trigger with the Standard Trigger, and coupled with the 3.5 lb. Connector and 4 lb. Striker Spring, I will have a trigger system that will equal a tuned 1911 trigger and one which I can shoot better during fast-firing ... But then again also one that will be frightening to carry around with a loaded chamber.

I am satisfied with the results of my current trigger system, I will be shooting it mostly with the KPOS, where I can shoot tight groups even at rapid fire.

(End of Part Four)

--> My Glock 23 Review Part One

--> My Glock 23 Review Part Two

--> My Glock 23 Review Part Three

--> My Glock 23 Review Part Five