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There are many aftermarket modifications to Glock’s stock trigger, from simple parts (e.g., connectors) to replacement triggers/trigger bar, to drop-in trigger groups, to larger kits also replacing the striker and additional springs. Though Glock has always warned against secondary market parts to ensure the warranty and safety of their products, they have allowed such modifications within an Unlimited division in both indoor and outdoor Glock Sports Shooting Foundation (GSSF) matches. The two factors that previously united all these aftermarket modifications were 1) they were all designed to change the ergonomics and trigger press weight in an effort the improve the trigger with better fit and/or lighter press, and 2) they were manufactured by secondary market companies. Now, with a single email released by Glock during the January 2023 SHOT Show, Glock has changed the second factor by introducing their own Glock Performance Trigger (Currently $99.00).

Currently, there are no plans to ship any Glocks with the Performance Trigger pre-installed and it is offered by Glock as an accessory to be installed in pre-existing 9mm Glocks. The Glock Performance Trigger can fit: 

• Glock 17 Gen5
• Glock 19 Gen5
• Glock 19X
• Glock 26 Gen5
• Glock 34 Gen5
• Glock 45
• Glock 47
• MOS versions of those same guns.

Glock is advertising these triggers for those wanting a flat-faced trigger with a lighter trigger press while maintaining the Glock Safe Action System.

Additionally, Glock warns that the triggers should be installed by certified Glock armorers and only in the listed Glocks. ¹

The Mechanics

Another factor that unites most previous aftermarket triggers is that they utilize the basic engineering of the stock Glock Trigger simply adjusting trigger bar angles, polishing surfaces, and/or replacing springs. The Glock Performance Trigger utilizes a redesigned trigger, trigger bar, and trigger mechanism. This likely was developed due to Glock wanting to adjust the trigger press and ergonomics of the trigger face
while maintaining the safety standards of a Glock-produced accessory.

It is of note that the trigger bar is not only different in the Glock Performance Trigger, but it also engages in the trigger mechanism housing differently. Specifically, there is a spur on the trigger bar that needs to be seated properly on a spring within the housing for the trigger to operate properly. The trigger comes with a rubber band holding this configuration in place, but if the bar comes loose, the trigger bar will reseat without engaging the spring within the trigger mechanism, resulting in a dead trigger.

An objective test conducted by the author compared an unfired Performance Trigger to an unfired stock trigger from the same Glock 17 Gen5 MOS. Glock reports the stock trigger at 26 newtons or a 5.8-pound trigger press. The trigger press for both triggers were measured and averaged across twenty trigger presses with a Lyman digital scale and then these averages were adjusted to match the factory-listed specs of the stock trigger. The stock trigger press was consistent across measurements and the starting position and reset position of both triggers were near identical. The stock trigger had a trigger press of 5.83 pounds (Standard Deviation (SD) = .21 ounces) while the Performance Trigger had an even more consistent trigger press of 3.56 pounds (SD = .09 ounces). The objective result was that the Glock Performance Trigger had a consistent trigger press of 2.27 pounds lighter than the stock trigger.

The Subjective Experience

Though objectively a lighter trigger press with a flatter trigger face, the proof is in the experience. The subjective experience supports the objective data. Overall, if you are used to the standard Glock stock trigger, the newer flat-faced trigger may take a little getting used to; however, this flat-faced trigger has been common in non-Glock aftermarket trigger replacements as well as in other manufacturers’ guns.

The trigger press is subjectively a smoother experience moving from initial trigger movement until hitting the wall, then break (releasing the striker to fire the gun). This break is not only a lighter press but also slightly crisper and more consistent than the standard stock trigger. In this way, the Glock Performance Trigger is similar to other aftermarket triggers.

Following the break, the reset is more similar to a standard stock Glock trigger coming consistently and noticeably, but also further forward compared to many other aftermarket triggers. This does differ from other products available that often have a ‘softer’ and quicker reset. Overall, the trigger experience is cleaner, lighter, and very consistent.

Competition

For those competing in Glock-sponsored shooting events (GSSF indoor and outdoor), there has already been a clear ruling from the GSSF that the Performance Trigger is considered a ‘stock’ addition as it is manufactured by Glock. This means a Glock equipped with the Performance Trigger does not change division. If the Glock had been designated as a Stock gun of Stock MOS, the addition of this trigger does not change that designation. It will be interesting over the next year to see how many stock guns at GSSF events start utilizing this trigger as it does provide a lighter and more consistent trigger press.

Carry Use

I will openly admit I am biased against carrying a defensive gun that features any internal modifications. However, as this trigger comes from the original company and carries their continuing warranty and assurance of safety, I could see those wanting a lighter more consistent trigger in their carry gun considering this accessory for it. Additionally, the similar uptake prior to trigger break and continued presence of a trigger safety further support considering this trigger for carry use.

Overall, there was nothing during my dry fire or live fire testing that suggested any areas of concern for safely carrying a Glock featuring a Performance Trigger, outside of the reduced trigger press.

Summary

Glock has made an impact with the release of their own “aftermarket” trigger. The cost versus benefit, when compared to other aftermarket trigger options, results in a solid product at a relatively lower price point that also provides an improved shooting experience. The bonus of a better trigger experience without potentially compromising safety and reliable function or voiding the Glock warranty will also appeal to some users. Finally, the fact that the Glock Performance Trigger can be used for competition without impacting the division that the gun shoots in will further appeal to some.

I will close by adding my voice to others that wonder why this trigger is not set to become the standard trigger in stock Glocks; maybe that will be one of the reveals for the Gen6 Glocks.

¹ There are videos posted online showing how a minor modification to the frame area where the trigger mechanism housing is located then allows this trigger to be added to previous generations of the Glock 17, 26, and 34. This modification obviously would not be covered by Glock’s warranty of the product.

I love when Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua team up. Regardless of the movie’s overall quality, it’s always entertaining. Sometimes the films are fantastic, like “Training Day,” other times they are highly entertaining, like “The Magnificent Seven.” “The Equalizer 2” falls solely into the second category. This film pairs Washington and Fuqua to make an entertaining action movie that’s not too deep on story, but fairly original in character.

What’s “The Equalizer”?

I watched the first “Equalizer” in 2014 and enjoyed it, but little did I know “The Equalizer” is a reboot of a 1980s TV show. In 2021 another TV show launched separately from both the movies and the original show. The origins show was about a man named Robert McCall, who was an American covert operative who looked to atone for his past by doing good for people who needed help. In the show, he put an advertisement in a newspaper. The show had a case-of-the-week vibe and was a spy-like thriller. McCall drove a sweet Jaguar and used various gadgets to solve crimes.

The films follow a similar idea. McCall is played by Denzel Washington, and he is a former covert operative. He retired to live a life of peace but, on occasion, uses his old skills to help people. In the film, he doesn’t put an advertisement in the newspaper, although, at the end of the first film, he answers a Craigslist ad.

In “The Equalizer 2,” he is a Lyft driver and kind of just finds trouble through his daily interactions. McCall is a former Marine who worked for the DIA and likes to keep using his skills to help people.

Equalizer — A Messy Plot

The beginning of “The Equalizer 2” isn’t very focused. It’s almost a series of vignettes of Robert McCall interacting with Lyft customers and his neighbors, and reading books. In the first scene, he’s established as a badass as he beats down several men on a train and rescues a young girl.

Then we get scenes of him trying to mentor a young man from his building. He entertains and tries to help a Holocaust survivor find a painting stolen by the Nazis. He beats the hell out of a group of young executives who abused and assaulted a woman, and somewhere between all this, we get the tiniest breadcrumbs of a plot.

The main plot has McCall’s friend and former partner investigating a murder and then getting murdered herself in a staged suicide. This triggers McCall to investigate and figure out what happened. Betrayal is afoot, and McCall faces off with a team of his former DIA colleagues, promising to kill them all.

A promise he predictably keeps.

The Equalizer 2 — The Last Act Is the Only Act

As the movie moves along, the only real act is the last act, which takes place in a seaside town that is being ravaged by a hurricane. This does create an original setting and also allows Robert to be a little less outnumbered. He’s facing his peers, and the hurricane helps make him a slightly more believable one-man army. McCall finds the bad guys, lures them into a trap, and proceeds to kill them all. His mentoree gets kidnapped and saved, predictably. 

Even though the plot is messy and seemingly disjointed, the movie is still entertaining. Sometimes violent-justice porn just feels good to see. Real life isn’t always fair, and sometimes it’s nice to see the bad guy get his arm broken or get shot in the face. The reason why it works is that we crave justice and are frustrated with our system. On top of that, Denzel isn’t your standard action hero. He’s stoic for sure, but also quiet and seemingly gentle with most people. He’s intelligent, a reader, and a man who seems like he could be your dad or brother, or friend.

When it’s time to whoop ass, he flips the switch and gets things done. He usually gives his villains a chance to do the right thing. When they don’t take that chance, he deals with them. He’s not the typical vigilante like the Punisher or Batman, but that’s what he is, to be fair.

It’s not a movie that will win awards or will stand out, but for a couple of hours, you can eat popcorn and enjoy Denzel Washington being awesome.

The Guns and Gun Play

“The Equalizer 2” is not a super gun-heavy movie. At least it’s not a gunfight-heavy film. We see a smattering of guns throughout the film. The Equalizer himself is skilled with a firearm but doesn’t seem to bring one to fights. He often disarms opponents and arms himself to the teeth. From gangbangers to Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) mercenaries, he’ll take you down and arm himself.

The last act is where we see the most gunplay. The DIA-turned-mercs bring an arsenal of high-end firearms to befit for a team of hardcore, highly trained mercs. McCall kills one of them and takes his Sig-Sauer MPX fitted with a Trijicon MRO, Maxim stock, weapon light, and suppressor.

One of the other baddies carries a nice Daniel Defense MK18, and the third carries a Sig Sauer MCX. Our big bad guy comes to the fight armed with a Daniel Defense Mk12. The shooting and action are all competent, but nothing stands out as crazy good or bad. All of the guns are well-equipped with accessories. In one scene, I’m almost positive the MCX has a MAWL attached to it. Our Mk12 has a bipod and what appears to be a night vision optic, although our view through the optic makes it seem like a normal day optic.

My pro tip for the mercenaries: why wear Multicam suits in a seemingly suburban beachside town? Normal clothes with windbreakers, hoods, and glasses would be a bit better for fighting in the rain. Also, this is one of the rare times when your camo stands out.

Enjoy the Action

This movie won’t blow you away or give you those “John Wick” vibes. It’s just a fun action flick that certainly kills a few hours. I doubt we’ll see “The Equalizer 3,” but if we do, I’m down to see McCall bring justice to the unjust.

How do you pick the best of anything? It’s always subjective to the user and their situation. It’s tough to always be objective, so I won’t even pretend to be. On a subject like video game weapons, I feel comfortable letting my hair down. The Call of Duty series has been chock full of guns since day one and today I’m talking about the best guns of Call of Duty. Most of these guns have been real, or at least closely based on real guns.

The COD armory includes a bit of everything from WW2 to now. Picking my favorite guns from such a huge series wasn’t easy. I had to really sit down and think about what guns from the game leave an impact. What guns can I remember from games I played two, four, five, or even 14 years ago?

That’s not an easy question to answer, but I found a way to dig up five that made an impression on me.

Call of Duty 1 — FG-42

Call of Duty 1 strove to be a bit different than most WW2 shooters of the era and wasn’t afraid to feature oddballs like the FG-42. This rifle was made by the Nazis for their paratroopers. When the Nazis jumped into Greece as part of Operation Mercury, their performance was embarrassing. They were hit hard by the dug-in force, and some paratroopers were even clubbed to death by the Greeks.

The German paratroopers jumped into Greece armed with only handguns and were required to fetch their rifles and support weapons from crates. That tends to be a bad plan. Thus, after a near defeat, the paratroopers needed a new weapon—something compact that could take the palace of a rifle, a submachine gun, and a light machine gun. What they got was the FG-42. This bullpup rifle feeds from a side-mounted magazine and fires the 8mm Mauser.

The gun featured a number of interesting design choices. This includes closed bolt operation for semi-auto and open bolt for full auto. The weapon had a bipod and could be fitted with an optic. In Call Of Duty, you could even find FG-42s with accurate ZF4 scopes every now and then. In COD, it was one of the best weapons and a bit of a super weapon in its design.

Black Ops — ASP

Black Ops was the perfect game to feature the ASP. This Cold War crusade had you playing as a black ops soldier working around the world and often in ‘enemy’ territory. That’s the perfect palace for an ASP—a special pistol designed by Paris Theodore for concealment by special agents, spies, and black op soldier types.

The name was an acronym for his company, Armament Systems, and Procedures. Paris would take a S&W Model 39 and trim the barrel, slide, and grip to minimize the gun’s size. He then melted every corner to make it snag-free and implemented his Guttersnipe sight system. He replaced the grip panels with clear Lexan grips and cut the magazine to allow the user to look through the grips to judge capacity on the fly.

It’s a clever design and was apparently used in some hotspots around the world. The Supervisor of Security of the US Embassy in Saigon reportedly carried one. It’s a neat design and niche pistol that showed the Black Ops creators did their research.

Black Ops 2 — SRM 1216

Black Ops 2 broke ground by using a non-linear narrative for its campaign, with missions in both the past and future. In the future portions, one of the shotguns is the SRM 1216. This futuristic shotgun features a 16-round rotating magazine. The magazine is made up of four tubes that hold four rounds each. In real life, it’s a semi-auto shotgun, but in the game, it’s full auto. SRM Arms did make full auto variants as prototypes.

In the game, the magazine tubes are used realistically and rotate after every four rounds are fired. In the future, the SRM 1216 seems to be a general issue firearm with the US Navy as Sailors on the USS Barack Obama are wielding them.

It’s a bit of a niche gun as is, but it’s the perfect future shotgun for these sections of Black Ops. It’s reproduced well in the game and is a blast to use. In single-player, it’s a bit silly with extended magazines that don’t gain any length.

Call of Duty: World At War — M1918A2 BAR

The Browning Automatic Rifle is a Call of Duty staple. Seeing as how they made their bones making World War 2 games, it makes sense that it’s popped up in basically all of the WW2 games. The one COD that the BAR stands out to me is World At War. In real life, the BAR was a squad support weapon, but in most Call of Duties, it’s basically an assault rifle.

In World At War, it functions like a squad support weapon. It’s a big, powerful gun chucking .30-06 bullets at people rapidly. When it hits the bad guys, it takes them down, going as far as removing body parts as it cuts through a wave of Japanese attackers. On top of that, the gun can use the bipod to stabilize the weapon for better accuracy. Oddly enough, the bipod increases the rate of fire as well.

It’s not totally realistic, but it’s one of the few times the BAR feels like it’s being used as a support weapon and not just an assault rifle. It’s got recoil, and it feels like it has weight and power. In real life, it most certainly did.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare — M16A4

Call of Duty Modern 4: Warfare changed the gaming world, delivering a modern experience for the first time in Call of Duty history. It broke ground and was a huge success. It was so popular it was even a notable boost to video game content on YouTube. Modern Warfare 4 featured the most modern weapons of 2008, including the typical M249 SAWs, the M4, and of course, the M16A4.

The M16A4 is the last variant of the M16 used by military forces. This full-length rifle rocks a KAC handguard and flat top upper that’s optic-ready and willing. The game came out a year before I shipped to boot camp, and little did I know the day I stepped foot on Camp Geiger, I’d get my first M16A4 issued to me.

In the multiplayer mode, the M16A4 became the meta. It was the gun to use if you wanted to maximize your kills. A burst was a death ray that was accurate, powerful, and capable. You’d frustrate other players to no end by wiping through them with the M16A4. It was the gun of the game.

My Favorites

For me, these are the best guns of Call of Duty. They are the guns I associate with certain games and, to me, were the most memorable ones that made the biggest impact. I’m one person, and I know there are a lot of COD players out there, so did any of these appeal to you? What do you think are the best guns of Call of Duty? Share below!