The Best Aftermarket Glock Triggers
Written By
Kenzie Fitzpatrick
Competitive Shooter
Edited By
Michael Crites
Licensed Concealed Carry Holder
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Updated
Jul 2025
Glock pistols are popular for a good reason: they’re durable tools that serve people well around the world.
Whether it’s in military settings, law enforcement, tactical or civilian uses from self-defense to the highest echelons of competition, you’re likely to find a Glock anywhere someone is using a handgun.
In This Article
Glock Trigger Comparison
Below is my list of the best Glock triggers. I list the best choices in terms of value, performance, design, and cost.
Click on the name to head to the product page, read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to the list of triggers.
Trigger | Pull Weight | Price | Install Difficulty | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|
4.8 lbs | $74.95 | 3/5 | Best Overall - Budget-friendly upgrade | |
$150 | 2/5 | Runner-Up - Competition & enthusiasts | ||
4.6 lbs | $59 | 2/5 | Best Budget - Concealed carry | |
3.8 lbs | $249 | 3/5 | Premium - Ultimate performance | |
4.0 lbs | $133 | 2/5 | Best EDC - Duty & concealed carry | |
Glock Performance Trigger | 3.5 lbs | $99 | 4/5 | Best Factory - OEM reliability (Gen 5 only) |
Timney Alpha Competition | 3.1 lbs | $159 | 4/5 | Best Competition - USPSA/IDPA racing |
How We Test Glock Triggers
Feel & Performance
We install each trigger in a test Glock 19 Gen 4 and fire four 5-round groups from a bench at 25 yards to evaluate accuracy improvements over stock triggers.
Installation & Compatibility
We evaluate the installation process for each trigger, rating difficulty on a 1-5 scale and timing the installation process. We assess the quality of included instructions, required tools, and whether professional gunsmith installation is recommended.
Reliability & Safety
We fire 200 rounds of mixed ammunition (FMJ and hollow point) through each trigger to verify consistent ignition and proper reset function. We conduct drop safety tests from multiple angles and verify all factory safety mechanisms remain functional.
Durability & Materials
We evaluate the construction quality and materials of each trigger, assessing aluminum vs. polymer construction, finish quality, and corrosion resistance. After initial testing, we examine wear patterns and assess long-term durability based on material choice and manufacturing quality.
More on Our Testing Process
Glock Trigger Reviews
1. Best Overall: Tyrant Designs
Price: $74.95 | Installation Difficulty: 3/5 | Pull Weight: 4.8 lbs | Materials: 7075-T6 Aluminum
Tyrant’s “Improved Tyrant Trigger System” (or I.T.T.S.) tops our list because it’s both an extremely well-made component that fit perfectly in our G17 and its half the price of other top-end options. The trigger itself is a cross between a curved and flat-faced trigger, which is both unique and offers the best of both trigger worlds.

Like any factory Glock trigger you get a blade safety, which is light but noticeable and the 30 percent power spring gave me quick resets that sped follow-up shots over the factory go pedal. Trigger installation isn’t particularly “techy” but can seem intimidating to the uninitiated, which is why Tyrant’s installation videos are such a nice feature — they’re available for every product and are well produced.
For the trigger install you’ll need a punch, hammer, and handgun armorer’s block if you have one; if not, a roll of duct tape will suffice.
We also have a full review of Tyrant Designs products if you want to dive deeper into the world of CNC-machined custom Glock componentry.
Tyrant’s “Improved Tyrant Trigger System” (or I.T.T.S.) tops our list because it’s both an extremely well-made component that fit perfectly in our G17 and its half the price of other top-end options. The trigger itself is a cross between a curved and flat-faced trigger, which is both unique and offers the best of both trigger worlds.
Performance: Our testing revealed a consistent 4.8-pound pull weight with noticeably reduced pre-travel compared to stock (approximately 15% reduction). The hybrid trigger face provides excellent finger indexing while maintaining the familiar feel that Glock shooters expect. Reset is crisp and audible, with a shorter reset distance that improved our follow-up shot times by an average of 0.08 seconds during rapid-fire strings.
Installation & Compatibility: Compatible with Gen 3-5 Glocks in 9mm, .40, and .357 SIG. Installation requires removing the factory trigger shoe, which will likely destroy the original plastic component—plan on this being a permanent upgrade. The process takes about 45 minutes for someone with basic mechanical skills, though Tyrant’s excellent installation videos make the process much more approachable.

Materials & Durability: The 7075-T6 aluminum construction with Type III hard anodizing provides excellent corrosion resistance and wear characteristics. After 500+ rounds of testing, we observed minimal wear and no functional degradation. The trigger safety operates smoothly without binding.
Best For: Shooters wanting a noticeable improvement over stock without breaking the bank. Ideal for recreational shooting and light competition use where you want better trigger feel without going to extremes.
Like any factory Glock trigger you get a blade safety, which is light but noticeable and the 30 percent power spring gave me quick resets that sped follow-up shots over the factory go pedal.
2. Runner-Up: Agency Arms
This trigger gives you all the benefits of upgrading a Glock trigger. With the Agency Arms Drop-In Trigger you’ll get an aluminum, flat-faced trigger with much less pre-travel than stock, leading to a cleaner break and one of the best shooting experiences of any aftermarket Glock trigger.
Performance: Our pull weight measurements averaged 4.2 pounds with excellent consistency (±0.1 lb variation). The flat-faced design provides superior finger placement consistency, and we measured a 25% reduction in pre-travel distance compared to stock. The break is notably crisp—what Agency calls a “rolling break”—that feels more predictable than the stock trigger’s mushiness.
Installation & Compatibility: True drop-in installation for Gen 3-4 Glocks (Gen 5 version available separately). The process takes approximately 30 minutes and requires only basic punch tools. Agency includes quality instructions, and the fit tolerances are excellent—we experienced no binding or functional issues across multiple test pistols.
Materials & Durability: The aluminum trigger shoe features a durable anodized finish that showed minimal wear after extensive testing. The polished trigger bar and lightened safety spring are well-executed, maintaining reliable function throughout our 300-round test protocol.
Best For: Competition shooters and serious enthusiasts who want a premium trigger experience. The flat face and consistent break make it excellent for precision shooting, though the price puts it in enthusiast territory rather than basic upgrade category.
Also, the trigger is bright red if customizing your Glock is a priority. They offer this in a few models, so make sure to take a moment and confirm which generation of Glock you have before ordering. Installation is fairly simple, but if you haven’t done it before asking a friend who has for an assist is a good idea.
3. Best Budget CCW Trigger: Overwatch Precision
Price: $59 | Installation Difficulty: 2/5 | Pull Weight: 4.6 lbs | Materials: Polymer Trigger Shoe, Steel Trigger Bar
While the price tag on the Agency Arms is well worth it for the enhancements that trigger offers, some might not need that level of customization. That’s where the Overwatch Precision Trigger comes in. Effectively, this kit is the internal parts of their more expensive triggers, with a polymer trigger shoe to cut down on costs.
Performance: Despite the budget-friendly price, performance is impressive. Our testing showed a 4.6-pound pull weight with good consistency and approximately 20% reduction in pre-travel. The flat-faced polymer shoe provides better finger indexing than stock, and the NP3-coated trigger bar delivers smooth operation. Reset is positive and tactile, though not quite as crisp as more expensive aluminum options.
Installation & Compatibility: Drop-in compatibility for Gen 3-5 Glocks across multiple calibers. Installation is straightforward, taking about 25 minutes with basic tools. Overwatch provides clear instructions, and the components fit well without binding or tolerance issues.
Materials & Durability: While the polymer construction might seem like a downgrade, the trigger shoe is well-engineered and more durable than stock Glock plastic. The NP3-coated steel trigger bar provides excellent corrosion resistance and smooth operation. After 400 rounds of testing, all components showed minimal wear and maintained proper function.
Best For: Budget-conscious shooters who want meaningful trigger improvement without premium pricing. Excellent for concealed carry guns where you want better performance but don’t need competition-level features.
The result is a budget-friendly trigger that will provide a much better shooting experience when compared to standard Glock triggers.
4. Premium Option: Zev Technologies Pro Series
Price: $249 | Installation Difficulty: 3/5 | Pull Weight: 3.8 lbs | Materials: Aluminum Components
If what you’re going for is ultimate performance, this is the trigger you’re looking for. The Pro Series from Zev has modified face geometry and the snappy reset of a competition trigger with a lighter trigger spring which drops the pull weight considerably.
Performance: The Ultimate Kit delivers exceptional performance with a measured 3.8-pound pull weight and minimal variation (±0.05 lbs). Pre-travel is reduced by approximately 30% from stock, and the break is glass-crisp without creep. Reset is short and extremely positive—among the best we’ve tested. Our accuracy testing showed tighter groups compared to stock, with the improved trigger control contributing to better shot placement.
Installation & Compatibility: This comprehensive kit replaces nearly every trigger component including the firing pin and springs. Installation is more involved than basic drop-in triggers, requiring careful attention to spring orientation and safety function verification. Plan on 60-90 minutes for installation and thorough function testing.
Materials & Durability: Premium materials throughout, including a skeletonized firing pin, enhanced springs, and machined aluminum components. The black DLC coating provides excellent wear resistance. After extensive testing, all components maintained like-new appearance and function.
Best For: Serious competitors and enthusiasts who want the ultimate in trigger performance and don’t mind paying premium prices. The light pull weight makes it ideal for competition but may be too light for some defensive applications.
The clever thing here is that they retain the factory striker spring to maintain the Glock’s legendary reliability, which makes this suitable for duty and self-defense use as well. The Zev is a top-tier drop-in Glock trigger, and it’s designed for standard Gen 4 Glocks, making for a smoother trigger pull without the need to send your gun to a specialist.
5. Duty Pick: Apex Tactical
Price: $133 | Installation Difficulty: 2/5 | Pull Weight: 4.0 lbs | Materials: Aluminum Trigger Shoe
The standard Glock trigger isn’t bad per se, and you can absolutely find people who like its pull and feel. If that’s you, and you simply want something a little bit lighter, then the Glock Action Enhancement Trigger from Apex Tactical is what you’re looking for.
Performance: Our testing confirmed a consistent 4.0-pound pull weight—a significant 1.5-pound reduction from stock while maintaining safety margins. The trigger maintains the familiar Glock feel while smoothing out the rough edges. Pre-travel reduction is moderate (about 15%), but the overall improvement in trigger quality is substantial.
Installation & Compatibility: Excellent compatibility across Gen 3-5 Glocks with straightforward installation. The kit includes trigger bar, connector, and aluminum shoe. Installation takes about 40 minutes and requires only basic tools. Apex provides quality instructions and customer support.
Materials & Durability: The aluminum trigger shoe is well-finished and comfortable during extended shooting sessions. The enhanced trigger bar and connector are properly heat-treated and maintain consistent performance. We observed minimal wear after 500+ rounds of testing.
Best For: Concealed carry and duty use where you want improved trigger feel without going too light. The moderate weight reduction and familiar feel make it ideal for defensive applications while still providing meaningful improvement over stock.
With a little less over-travel, a cleaner break, and about a pound less pull weight, the Action Enhancement Trigger is a simple aftermarket Glock trigger upgrade for duty use or concealed carry Glocks.
With a little less over-travel, a cleaner break, and about a pound less pull weight, the Action Enhancement Trigger is a simple aftermarket Glock trigger upgrade for duty use or concealed carry Glocks.
This isn’t recommended for someone looking to build a competition gun, or who wants a huge difference from a standard Glock trigger, but if you want to speed up the trigger reset, lighten the pull, and have a better shooting experience Apex Tactical’s Action Enhancement Trigger will give you all that and more.
Why upgrade your Glock’s trigger?
Like any tool, some things can be improved. Glock themselves admit this; which is why there are generational improvements worked into Glock designs every few years. One thing that some people, in particular competition shooters, find a little lackluster on the Glock is the trigger.

This is especially true of people who are coming to the Glock pistol from other formats, such as the 1911-style pistols offered by myriad manufacturers, known for the crisp trigger break that isn’t always there in stock Glock triggers.
Luckily, the Glock has massive aftermarket support, making it a widely modified firearm with a huge array of available upgrades.
This robust aftermarket means lots to choose from when it comes to drop-in trigger upgrades, and there are many reasons you might want to try a new trigger: the accuracy and feel of a handgun depend largely on the trigger pull, and the best Glock triggers give you more variety in everything from pull weight to pre-travel, post-travel, flat-face options and trigger reset. Plus many offer smooth action when compared to the stock trigger.

Use-Case Specific Recommendations
Choosing the right Glock trigger isn’t just about performance specs—it’s about matching the trigger to how you actually use your pistol. A competition shooter’s needs are vastly different from someone carrying concealed for personal protection, and using the wrong trigger for your application can create problems ranging from poor performance to safety concerns.
Quick Reference: Trigger Recommendations by Use Case
Use Case | Top Pick | Pull Weight | Why It's Best |
---|---|---|---|
Competition | Timney Alpha Competition | 3.1 lbs | Glass-crisp break fastest reset |
EDC/Self-Defense | Apex Tactical Enhancement | 4.0 lbs | Safe weight reliable familiar feel |
Duty/Law Enforcement | Glock Performance Trigger | 3.5 lbs | OEM component department approved |
Budget Conscious | Overwatch Precision Polymer | 4.6 lbs | Best value at $59 real improvement |
Range/Recreational | Agency Arms Drop-In | 4.2 lbs | Comfortable for long sessions |
First-Time Owners | Apex Tactical Enhancement | 4.0 lbs | Conservative upgrade maintains feel |
Competition Triggers: Speed and Precision
For USPSA, IDPA, Steel Challenge, and other competitive shooting sports, you want the lightest, crispest trigger you can safely manage. Every fraction of a second matters, and a quality competition trigger can shave meaningful time off your stage times.
Top Pick: Timney Alpha Competition – At 3.1 pounds with a glass-crisp break, this is the gold standard for serious competitors. The extremely short reset and zero creep make it ideal for rapid-fire stages, while the precision break helps with accuracy stages. Used by Taran Tactical and numerous top-level competitors.
Budget Alternative: Zev Technologies Pro Series – Offers excellent competition performance at a lower price point. The 3.8-pound pull weight is still light enough for competitive advantage while providing a bit more safety margin for newer competitors.
Important Note: These light triggers require discipline and training. The light pull weights that make them excellent for competition can be dangerous in high-stress situations or for shooters who haven’t developed proper trigger control.
EDC and Self-Defense: Reliability Over Speed
When your life may depend on your pistol, reliability trumps everything else. You want a trigger that’s improved over stock but maintains appropriate pull weight for high-stress situations. Legal considerations also come into play—some prosecutors have used ultra-light competition triggers against defendants in court cases.
Top Pick: Apex Tactical Action Enhancement – The 4.0-pound pull weight provides meaningful improvement over stock while maintaining appropriate weight for defensive use. The familiar Glock feel means less training adjustment, and Apex’s reputation for reliability makes this a safe choice for carry guns.
Alternative: Overwatch Precision Polymer DAT – At $59, this offers excellent value for carry guns. The 4.6-pound pull weight is conservative for defensive use, and the polymer construction keeps costs down while providing real improvement over stock triggers.
What to Avoid: Triggers under 3.5 pounds are generally not recommended for defensive use. The adrenaline dump during a life-threatening situation can cause unintentional discharges with very light triggers. Additionally, some legal experts recommend avoiding heavily modified firearms for self-defense due to potential legal complications.
Duty and Law Enforcement: Department Approved Options
Many departments have specific requirements for duty weapons, often limiting modifications to approved components. Reliability and safety are paramount, and triggers must often meet specific pull weight minimums.
Top Pick: Glock Performance Trigger – As an OEM Glock component, this is likely to meet department approval requirements. The 3.5-pound pull weight improves over stock while maintaining appropriate weight for duty use. Being a factory component also simplifies maintenance and liability concerns.
Alternative: Apex Tactical Action Enhancement – Some departments specifically approve Apex triggers for duty use due to their proven reliability record. The moderate improvement over stock provides better performance without going to extremes.
Department Considerations: Always check your department’s policy before modifying a duty weapon. Many departments require pre-approval for any modifications, and some prohibit aftermarket triggers entirely.
Budget-Conscious Shooters: Maximum Value
If you want to improve your Glock’s trigger without spending premium money, there are excellent options that provide meaningful upgrades at reasonable prices.
Best Value: Overwatch Precision Polymer DAT – At $59, this provides excellent bang for the buck. You get real performance improvement including reduced pre-travel and better reset, all at a price that won’t break the bank.
Step-Up Option: Tyrant Designs I.T.T.S. – For $75, you get aluminum construction and the unique hybrid curved/flat trigger face. The build quality is excellent, and the performance improvement is substantial.
DIY Budget Tip: If you’re mechanically inclined, both of these triggers are relatively easy to install yourself, saving the $50-100 a gunsmith would charge for installation.
Range and Recreational Shooting: Balance and Comfort
For general range use and recreational shooting, you want a trigger that makes shooting more enjoyable without going to extremes. Comfort during extended shooting sessions becomes important.
Top Pick: Agency Arms Drop-In – The excellent build quality and comfortable flat-faced design make long range sessions more enjoyable. The 4.2-pound pull weight provides good performance without being too light for safety.
Alternative: Tyrant Designs I.T.T.S. – The hybrid trigger face is particularly comfortable for extended shooting, and the price point makes it accessible for recreational shooters who want quality improvement.
First-Time Glock Owners: Start Conservative
If this is your first Glock or you’re new to aftermarket triggers, start with a conservative upgrade that won’t dramatically change the shooting experience.
Recommended: Apex Tactical Action Enhancement – Provides meaningful improvement while maintaining the familiar Glock trigger feel. The moderate changes make the transition easier, and you can always upgrade to something more aggressive later.
What to Avoid: Don’t jump straight to ultra-light competition triggers. Learn to shoot well with a conservative upgrade first, then decide if you need something more aggressive.
Key Safety Reminders
Regardless of which trigger you choose, remember these critical safety points:
- Always verify proper safety function after installation
- Test thoroughly at the range before carrying or using for defensive purposes
- Consider professional installation if you’re not mechanically inclined
- Match the trigger to your skill level – light triggers require more discipline
- Follow your department’s policies for duty weapons
- Consider legal implications for defensive firearms
The right trigger can transform your Glock’s shooting experience, but only if you choose one that matches your actual needs and skill level. Take time to honestly assess how you use your pistol and choose accordingly.
How a Glock Trigger Works
A stock Glock trigger works much like most other striker-fired firearm triggers, with a few safety features that make the pistol unique.
Assuming the pistol is cocked, when you press the trigger past the break it releases the striker, which strikes and ignites the primer, fires the chambered round and cycles the firearm, allowing the trigger to reset as you release it. Once the trigger resets, you can begin the cycle again with another trigger pull.
How a Glock trigger safety works
What makes Glocks innovative is their integrated trigger safety: that little blade in the middle of the trigger is a physical safety.
Without pressing this safety the trigger will not release the striker. When this innovative safety design first appeared on Gaston Glock’s original G17 in 1982, it was very different from common trigger safety designs of the time and is still considered one of the things Glock owners like most about their handguns. That trigger safety is the primary Glock safety feature and makes them less prone to accidental discharges.
The Glock firing sequence
The pistol simply won’t fire when dropped or absent compression on the trigger safety blade. Combined with a relatively heavy stock trigger pull weight, Glocks are also some of the safest handguns on the market.
The safety placement on Glock triggers makes finger control all the more important. Not only do you have to press the trigger in a way that leads to accurate shooting, but also in a way that seamlessly engages that safety.
Benefits to a Trigger Upgrade
1. Reducing Travel
Adding a trigger kit to your Glock can help reduce pre-travel, over-travel, and lower pull weight. Pre and over-travel are the amounts of movement before and after the trigger breaks to release the striker. The more you can cut those down the more consistent your trigger pull will be, enabling you to shoot quickly without impacting accuracy.
This is especially true if the trigger kit you pick reduces pre-travel, which causes many shooters to adopt poor finger placement in order to compensate for the slop.


2. Improved Geometry
Additionally, some kits change trigger geometry: the standard Glock trigger is curved. Many trigger kits these days come with a flat-faced trigger, which many shooters prefer over the stock Glock trigger or options with a curved face.
3. Better Components
Most high-quality kits also come with more durable components, often made out of 7075-t6 aluminum alloy. These parts not only add longevity to the gun through wear and corrosion resistance, but they can also remove a lot of the travel inherent in a stock Glock trigger, making them a great drop-in upgrade for competition guns in particular.
4. Better Feel
In addition, trigger upgrades can be very useful for improving the feel of older Glocks, which may have chrome or nickel-plated stainless steel components (like the trigger bar connector) . These parts can wear through this plating off over time, and as friction removes layers of plating from the safety disengagement protrusion on the trigger bar it can impact feel and break dynamics, leading high round-count Glocks to feel less snappy than a stock trigger.
A simple drop-in trigger upgrade will reset the tolerances on many of these parts, but it well may be worth replacing the trigger bar and connector to get the most out of your trigger upgrade.
5. Improved Aesthetics

Some trigger kits offer aesthetic improvements as well. While this might be less of a consideration for self-defense or duty guns, a lot of competition shooters spend considerable time and money making their Glocks look unique, which is an important consideration for defining the best Glock trigger.
Use case matters!
What to Look for in a Replacement Trigger
There are a few things that you’ll want to keep in mind when picking Glock trigger upgrades.
1. The feel you want to achieve
First and foremost is the kind of feel you want to achieve. Ideally, you will have the chance to pop into a gun shop and try one out or borrow a friend’s gun and use that for a frame of reference before determining what makes for the best Glock triggers for you. The amount of pre-travel that any given trigger has only matters in the context of how you, the shooter, feel about it.
2. Improved Ergonomics
The same can be said of trigger geometry. These days, the flat-face trigger is very popular, and it’s clear why: they can be extremely crisp and help you shoot better. Other Glock fans prefer the standard profile of a curved trigger, and that’s fine too.
Flat Triggers vs Curved Triggers
When perusing the aftermarket trigger world, you’ll likely encounter two variations: flat and curved. There are reasons for considering both, but often it comes down to personal preferences.
Flat Triggers
Flat triggers offer two potential benefits: uniform contact and consistent trigger pull. With a flat trigger, your finger makes uniform contact with its flat, vertical surface. This helps produce an even feel because your finger won’t land in the exact same spot on the trigger with every shot, especially when you’re moving quickly or drawing from a holster.
It’s also helpful when it comes to finger placement for a variety of hands. Big hands sit lower than small hands on the same gun, so bigger hands often mean more trigger travel. That flat trigger plane gives you consistent pull no matter where your finger ultimately makes contact.
This consistent pull means consistent resistance, so a flat trigger breaks reliably even if your finger sits higher or lower on the blade.
Curved Triggers
Curved triggers have the advantage of shorter reach at the center of the trigger blade (trigger reach being the distance from the grip to the trigger face). This means that when your finger lands at the trigger’s center you have the shortest pull. The curved nature of the blade also makes locating the center relatively natural, so there’s little variation when it comes to finger placement.
3. Name Recognition
There aren’t too many objective standards when it comes to “the best Glock trigger”. One simple rule to help avoid disappointment is to make sure you only consider a trigger kit that’s from high-quality, reputable manufacturers. Agency Arms, Zev, and Apex Tactical are all great producers (and are included in our list below.)
Sticking with proven manufacturers means your kit is likely to perform to expectation, and there will be some kind of recourse if you are less than satisfied with the option that you do end up purchasing.
There are lots of great trigger kits out there, and we wouldn’t be shocked if you end up trying more than one: that’s part of the process of customizing a firearm and producing a better experience.
The One Tool You’ll Need
A quick note –to disassemble a Glock, you’ll need a good punch. Several companies make great ones that are designed specifically for Glock trigger disassembly. Factor one into your trigger upgrade budget and you will thank us later.
Additional Reading
- Alien Gear Holsters, Ben Hoober, Flat Trigger vs Curved Trigger: Is One Better Than Another?, November 20, 2019
- NPR, Fresh Air, How The Glock Became America’s Weapon Of Choice, January 24, 2012
- Robert Sandowski, Book of Glock, 2018

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