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My last trigger pull test of modern sporting rifles and assault rifles (the test included some assault rifles of the proper definition) was very eye opening and seemingly well received. I really wanted to expand upon this by delving into more categories; C&R long guns, C&R pistols, shotguns, and modern pistols. I simply don’t have enough C&R pistols, shotguns, or modern pistols to put to the test, so I looked at my C&R rack and thought it would make for a great test!
Testing parameters would be the same:
- The same gauge used in the review would be used on all rifles
- Three attempts would be made on all rifles
- The median of the three tests would be collected as data
The rifles were placed with their stocks on a flat surface and all tested by my friend Patrick while I photographed the rifles (he has no vested interest in any rifle performing better than any other, but neither do I really).
Information to take into account:
- Some of these rifles may have fired thousands of rounds, surely altering their original trigger pull weight and characteristics.
- I do not believe these have had trigger work done. I have broken down and inspected most of them with a loupe to check for polishing or other alterations.
- Remember, there is more to a good trigger than just the weight.
German Mauser K98k:
Czech Mauser VZ. 24:
Springfield M1 Garand:
Chinese Type 56 SKS:
Swedish Mauser M96 (dated 1904 and shot many, many times):
Swiss M96/11:
Swiss K31:
Russian Mosin Nagant M91/30:
Chinese Type 53 (Mosin Nagant copy):
Egyptian Rasheed:
French MAS 36:
French MAS 49/56:
Swedish AG/42b “Ljungman”:
Yugoslavian Mauser 24/47:
Steyr M95 Carbine:
The following were more for fun.
M1919:
Thompson M1A1:
Reising M50 (if you needed anymore proof that these suck):
German MP43:
Data was compiled and sorted from lightest weight to heaviest:
| Gun: | Pounds, Ounces | Ounces | Pounds |
| Swedish Mauser | 2,15.3 | 47.3 | 2.95625 |
| M96/11 | 3,1.1 | 49.1 | 3.06875 |
| K31 | 4,3.1 | 67.1 | 4.19375 |
| Sturmgewehr MP43 | 4,3.5 | 67.5 | 4.21875 |
| Hakim | 4,6.2 | 70.2 | 4.3875 |
| Enfield | 5,6 | 86 | 5.375 |
| AG42B | 5,12 | 92 | 5.75 |
| Garand | 6,6 | 102 | 6.375 |
| SKS | 6,7.5 | 103.5 | 6.46875 |
| Steyr M95 | 6,15.5 | 111.5 | 6.96875 |
| Mauser K98k | 7,0 | 112 | 7 |
| Yugo Mauser | 7,2 | 114 | 7.125 |
| M91/30 | 7,14.5 | 126.5 | 7.90625 |
| MAS 36 | 7,15.5 | 127.5 | 7.96875 |
| MAS 49/56 | 8,8 | 136 | 8.5 |
| Type 53 | 9,0 | 144 | 9 |
| M1919 | 10,9 | 169 | 10.5625 |
| Czech Mauser | 11,4 | 180 | 11.25 |
| Thompson M1A1 | 11,4 | 180 | 11.25 |
| Reising M50 | 11,13.5 | 189.5 | 11.84375 |
And this fancy graph should help as well:
Some observations:
- Not all Mausers are created equal
- While some triggers are lighter than others, the pull can be awful and mushy (looking at you, Nagants)
- The average (with select-fire or full auto guns removed) was 6.52 pounds or 104 ounces
- Swedish Mausers rock and it is no wonder that this is my favorite of the C&R bolt gun I have (it might have something to do with all that Swedish blood in my veins)
I like performing these tests and I would really like the next installment to be modern handguns. I hope you enjoyed this test!
