Reading any gun forum out there, the topic of modification of the gun and the law always comes up. As we’ve shared already, from our friends at USCCA, what happens after a shooting, this is more about the gun itself and any modifications done.
First off, why do we need to modify our guns? We change sights to make it easier to see, even in the dark with night sights. We stipple or add grips to help holding the gun, especially under recoil for better control. We add extended controls to reach them better. We add different barrels for better accuracy, ported barrels for better recoil management, conversion barrels for different calibers. We modify our triggers for better accuracy and control, as we need to control any round that leaves our gun. On top of that, we want to enjoy our guns. I enjoy going to the range and shooting a few boxes of ammo, and that is going to be more enjoyable with a bun tailored to me personally (don’t get me wrong, I will shoot any gun though!)
There are gun “experts” out there that say, for a carry gun, you should buy it, shoot it to test function and reliability, and holster the weapon. There are arguments stating that any modification or alteration to the weapon makes it more likely to be used, either as “show off”, AD/ND from the work being done poorly (or in the case of trigger work, too light of a trigger pull), or the owner making it more ” user friendly and easier to kill with”.
“Why modify a weapon and not show your friends?” I’ve read in several articles. True, we have been known to show our friends, but concealed is concealed, and any modification for carry to the gun is concealed as well. I really feel this is a moot point, just used by people writing articles to say what they want to say.
Experts say that the protection gun should have a trigger of at least 5 lbs of pull. It is a good round number, but very arbitrary number. Why 5 and not 3 or 7? The average custom 1911 has a 4 lb crisp trigger, is that not safe? With the variances in tooling in mass produced guns, trigger weight can vary up to a pound from gun to gun, ranging from 4.5 to 5.5lbs. Would that mean that one factory gun is safe, being over the 5 lb mark, and the other unsafe? Would taking your factory 5.5 lb trigger, putting in factory parts to lighten the trigger to match a different factory gun make yours unsafe, as in the case of using the Glock “-” connector? Every round leaving my barrel is controlled and accurate, I would say this is a good thing.
Why would making a gun that I can shoot better, have more control over, and be more accurate with be an issue with the law? If its a good shoot, there is no issue. If you were well within your rights and your state’s laws to shoot, it wouldn’t matter if you shot with a tuned 1.5 lb competition trigger or a 14 lb heavy and gritty DA revolver. If its not, same applies. The gun is just a tool in the matter.
My opinion, if the factory gun works for you, great. Of it doesn’t, then modify it to fit your needs, within reason. Dropping down to a sub 3 lb trigger isn’t the best idea, but smoothing it out and taking out the creep and a better reset I think is a good thing, and when at the range will make it more enjoyable as well. Basically, be smart about what you’re wanting to do to your guns, and remember that if a shooting happens, you may not be able to get the gun back. I would also advise that you be able to say why you did the modification, just in case you ever need to answer the question.
Stay safe, be armed!
everydayconcealed 