# What's with the double trigger set up on semi-auto pistols **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 22, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939 "2026-01-22T21:57:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/41 "2026-01-23T14:54:05Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It’s a very factual question. Agree. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/42 "2026-01-23T14:55:57Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It’s a very factual question. If you’d started with, “i don’t understand this thing, please explain”, it might very well belong in factual questions. But you started with, “I’m sure it’s some kind of safety, but that’s ridiculous”. That’s very much in opinion territory. Also, i make mistakes, but please argue moderation either by DMing the mod, “reporting” the moderator post (which creates a DM for you and all the mods) or in ATMB. Not in the thread. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/43 "2026-01-23T15:03:57Z")
It seems this ‘safety’ can not be explained. So I will avoid them, they are pointless and only complicate the pistol. The safety doesn’t do a thing. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/44 "2026-01-23T15:12:47Z")
This may or may not help, but this is the mechanism blown up. The “little” trigger is small, centered, and spring-loaded, and requires a _deliberate_ push before the main trigger will move at all. Designed to be seamless when actually intentionally firing, but still effective at preventing the "main” trigger from being accidentally snagged. [![](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-45f4e81vr4/product_images/uploaded_images/triggerpart-indentification-card-800x800-glockgen3-4.jpg) ](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-45f4e81vr4/product_images/uploaded_images/triggerpart-indentification-card-800x800-glockgen3-4.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/45 "2026-01-23T15:14:08Z")
As I opined in a previous post, I am in full agreement; an external safety on a self-defense (SD) handgun is not only useless, but it could compromise my reaction time in a SD situation. It’s a liability, IMO. Others disagree. And when someone asks, “But what if I accidently put my finger on the trigger, and accidentally squeeze it?” My reply: 1. Your question should be rephrased: “But what if I _negligently_ put my finger on the trigger, and _negligently_ squeeze it?” 2. On a handgun, the external safety is between your ears. 3. If you’re afraid you might negligently put your finger on the trigger, you need more training. If more training doesn’t fix the problem, you have no business carrying or shooting a handgun. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/46 "2026-01-23T15:22:37Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > This may or may not help, but this is the mechanism blown up. The “little” trigger is small, centered, and spring-loaded, and requires a _deliberate_ push before the main trigger will move at all. Since it’s right on top of the trigger, and the trigger needs to be pulled anyway. And the trigger gets pulled when the safety is pulled. What’s the point? You pull the safety, you pull the trigger. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/47 "2026-01-23T15:23:34Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > You pull the safety, you pull the trigger. I see your point. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/48 "2026-01-23T15:24:42Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > but still effective at preventing the "main” trigger from being accidentally snagged. Ok. Maybe on something like a Glock or whatever. I would never buy a pistol that did not have a thumb safety. Pro tip - Don’t snag your triggers on stuff, and don’t drop the gun. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/49 "2026-01-23T15:27:58Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Pro tip - Don’t snag your triggers on stuff, and don’t drop the gun. Okay, statements like this are about as useful as “the safest way to travel is to not travel at all.” It may be technically true, but in practical terms means nothing. The point is to mitigate failure modes. No one is perfect, not even you. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/50 "2026-01-23T15:29:22Z")
Wrong. In practical terms it means ‘handle your weapon safely’. The trigger ‘safety’ does nothing. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/51 "2026-01-23T15:30:07Z")
Shit happens. Denying that is denying reality. No one can help you, then. But I guess that’s fine, since you’re the only person in history to never, ever make a mistake. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/52 "2026-01-23T15:32:22Z")
But the trigger ‘safety’ does not prevent mistakes. It could still snag on your pocket or whatever and fire. It does nothing. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/53 "2026-01-23T15:33:01Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > But the trigger ‘safety’ does not prevent mistakes. It could still snag on your pocket or whatever and fire. It does nothing. You assert, having never touched one. Okay. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/54 "2026-01-23T15:33:40Z")
Three gun stores yesterday. So, yes I’ve touched them. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/55 "2026-01-23T15:34:11Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > The trigger ‘safety’ does nothing. Agree. IMO it one of the most “useless” safeties. Glock says it helps prevent a discharge if the gun is dropped. Perhaps. But accidental discharges due to a dropped gun are normally mitigated by other safeties in the internal mechanism. I mean, if it’s so good, why don’t all handguns have a trigger safety? I personally don’t like the feel of trigger safeties. My S&W M&P compact in 9 mm doesn’t have one. It also doesn’t have an external safety. It’s a nice gun, and it didn’t break the bank when I bought it. (I’m looking at you, [Sig](https://www.sigsauer.com/firearms.html).) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/56 "2026-01-23T15:38:16Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > But I guess that’s fine, since you’re the only person in history to never, ever make a mistake. I’ll take an apology for that snipe whenever you are ready. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/57 "2026-01-23T15:39:33Z")
You’ve never ever made a mistake in your life? Good for you. I’ll start preparing your trophy. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/58 "2026-01-23T15:47:03Z")
A “safety” is any bit of mechanism that reduces the likelihood of an inadvertent discharge. A 1911’s grip safety and the Glock’s trigger safety both prevent a discharge due to inertia if the gun is dropped. They both work equally well at that mission. And you can always invent a convoluted enough scenario involving dropping a gun that lands among obstacles sufficient to depress either the grip or trigger safety and also trip the trigger itself from inertia. IMO the Glock trigger safety would be increasingly effective the smaller it is. Something as large as the trigger itself would not be as effective as something as small as a 3/16" diameter pin. It’s all about the likelihood of some foreign object(s) making contact with it in the course of also making contact with the trigger itself. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/59 "2026-01-23T15:47:51Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > But the trigger ‘safety’ does not prevent mistakes. It could still snag on your pocket or whatever and fire. It does nothing. So don’t get one? I don’t understand what your continued arguments against it are supposed to accomplish. Your question in the OP was answered. You don’t like the answer, well too bad. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939/60 "2026-01-23T15:49:31Z")
Not planning on it. This started out as a good general question but a mod moved it. I agree that a smaller safety on the trigger would at least make some sense. The ones I’m seeing cover the entire trigger. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-the-double-trigger-set-up-on-semi-auto-pistols/1026939.md?page=4)