A new aftermarket replacement trigger on the market for Glock handguns has generated some questions recently. Let’s answer those so there’s no confusion.
I was first introduced to the TriggerTech Ace trigger at the IPSC Canada Nationals last year. At the time, I remarked to the representative demonstrating the trigger that it would not be legal in USPSA, as it does not replicate the trigger safety on the Glock handgun. There are many other aftermarket replacement triggers that do include the trigger safety lever, and all of those are legal replacements per the USPSA and SCSA rules. However, the trigger safety on Glock handguns is considered the primary safety: it’s external and can be tested for function. The TriggerTech Ace does not replicate that feature, instead, it shrouds the trigger with another trigger, in essence, and defeats the primary safety function of the lever safety. Therefore, it’s not legal as a replacement trigger in any USPSA or SCSA division.
An evaluation sample of the TriggerTech Ace trigger was sent to NROI for testing. It was installed per the manufacturer’s directions on a Glock handgun and tested by a member of the USPSA board of directors as well as several instructors. The unanimous consensus was that this trigger disables the stock Glock safety lever, and is not legal.
It’s important to note that neither the USPSA rules nor the SCSA rules require a firearm to have an external safety. However, if the gun has one, (external safeties such as the thumb safety on many firearms, or the trigger safety lever on some striker-fired guns are considered the primary safety), then that safety may not be disabled. This is the same for ALL divisions. See Competition rules 8.1.2.6, Appendix C2 48a, Appendices D4 & D7, #22.1, and SCSA 8.1.4, Appendices D4 & D7 22.1
Disabling the primary safety creates an unsafe firearm, which must either be repaired (by replacing the trigger with one that has a functional safety, or by replacing the thumb safety or making internal adjustments). In fact, some competitors have been found to have non-functional primary safeties, usually during an equipment check at chronograph, and were unaware of it–either because something broke, or in their cleaning efforts something got misaligned. Having an unsafe firearm is not a disqualification, as several correspondents have claimed to have heard, it’s simply a repair or replace thing in order to continue shooting. But, failing to correct the unsafe firearm situation, once directed to, IS a disqualification. There’s an important distinction there.
The IPSC Rules Committee is considering this trigger system and will most likely declare it to not be a legal replacement trigger. There are two reasons for this: first, disabling the primary safety, and second, the back plate on the Glock must be replaced in order for this trigger to function. Replacing the back plate is not legal per IPSC Production or Production Optics rules, and neither is disabling a primary safety.