RCBS Premium Trigger Pull Scale

This is a nice tool not a toy. Aluminum construction with stainless springs and hook. Nice neoprene cushion at the end to protect the trigger. Note: the hook shown in the picture is not correct it is the "bent" hook as shown on its big brother the "Military" unit which is designed to measure heavier pulls. The bent hook is better in my mind as it centers on the trigger the same very time unlike the straight hook shown. I also ordered this units "big brother" the Military unit which measures up to 25 lb. This one goes to 8 lb. I looked at several cheaper versions in the local sporting goods store and they were made of plastic and all showed different readings at rest. Some as high as 1 lb! Did not give me confidence in their accuracey at all. Both units came fisnished in a nice black color which offset the stainless nicely and makes a perfect pair for the bench. Since this is not a high use item for most I would guess you have the added bonus of old school technology with no batteries so it will sit in a drawer for years and still work right away! If you want to get even finer than the 2 oz resolution that this unit gives then RCBS sells a smaller spring scale with a 1 oz measuring capacity. As an added bonus both are made in the USA! NOTE: A word on technique. As with any tool there is a bit of a learning curve. Most videos I saw for this show the gun laying down and the "hook" inserted in the trigger. Assuming done the same everytime should get the same results I guess. On a Glock which is what I bought it for it is a little bit more complicated due to the safety on the trigger. I found the best results for me were to hold the Glock upside down, hold the gauge at a 45 degree angle or more and slowly pull. This engaged the trigger safety and with a little practice gave me VERY consistent 4 lb. 2 oz. measurements with the rod on the tip of the trigger which is where your finger sits.Pull weight will vary depending on where the rod sits on the trigger! Note if you over pull at the time the trigger breaks then you will push the indicator up and read a heavier reading than the actual trigger break reading. I suspect most any gun would measure accurately in the upside down, 45 degree pull configuration which mimicks what your finger is doing. If you are getting inconsistent readings it is not the spring that is changing but the technique and/or the angle of pull or placement of the rod on the trigger. Any trigger gauge mechanical or electronic is going to "over read" if you accidently pull past the break point and then will give inconsistant readings. Side note, the scale on the gauge is in the upright and visible position using this technique so it also allows me to slow my pull as it reaches the known break point.

I returned the first RCBS and because of the lesser accuracy of the spring gauge on pulling 2-4# triggers and ordered the Lyman digital gage. With the digital I found the value & accuracy can’t be trusted because the gauge is inherently so sensitive and non-repeatable. After check on careful pull of a calibrated weight then checking the trigger I found the movement of the digital rod starts the OZ clock because of gravity if vertical or especially if touching the trigger or anything unintentionally in preparation, and so requires frequent hitting of the reset button – which again causes a move or touch of the rod and still yields a questionable result.After driving me nuts on a match 2.25# trigger I returned the digital and will stick with a spring gauge that measures what you pull no matter how you go about it, always returning to zero on let-up. The RCBS isn’t perfect but can easily be adapted to zero. Make a calibrated weight on a postal scale & use a tiny piece of tape on the scale slide (hillbilly offset). It always repeats. IMO the RCBS premium spring unit is the best and also has very readable scale divisions.

This instrument is a basic model and limited in its use to triggers pulling less than 8 lbs. Many DA or DAO triggers will exceed the range the instrument will read. Accuracy varies by the method you use to align it and the shape of the trigger and your placement. Those are issues common to most instruments, I would guess.

I find it works well and is accurate if used consistently the same way each time. I would also say that I would like to see the scale decal marked both for lbs and kg. It is my understanding that if the decal got damaged by constant use one could not get a new one from the manufacturer. If one could get one,it would be easy to stick it in place exactly.

Used on S&W 17-4, Buckmark, and Savage 22 rifle. Every attempt was different, some by 1/2 pound or more! We know from a trigger test done last year during a 4-H competition that the Savage was pulling just under 3 pounds. This scale pulled it at 3 1/2 to 4 pounds! Also said the S&W pulled single action, was heavier than the Buckmark! LOL (people who know these guns realize how funny that is!) When you need legal triggers for competition, this item cannot be considered. Returned item, and looking for an accurate scale.

I just used it yesterday and the simplicity of it is great. So far I am happy with it, but I would like to compare it with another one sometime just to compare it's acuracy. I think it will be fine.

Great to have if you want to know your trigger pull. Easy to use & great investment. Important to have all guns with the same trigger pull.

With a choice of many Trigger Pull Gauges, I chose this particular model as I had used one like it before. For single-action triggers (e.g., 1911 Glock, XD, most rifles, etc.), it gets the job done as it can measure up to eight-pounds of force. For double-action triggers, I would recommend the partner to this that can measure heavier pulls.An indicator tells you what the trigger release point is (in pounds and ounces)on the scale. The scale is easy to read and the construction of the unit is excellent.

Does the job.