Editing Accurizing (section)

===Trigger===
The dynamics of the trigger are one of the most important aspects of usability, since any movement of the firearm caused by pulling the trigger can affect the placement of the shot. Trigger pulls are relative, however. Compare a sport like [[action shooting]], which emphasizes speed and uses relatively close targets with large scoring zones on the targets, to [[bullseye (shooting competition)|bullseye]] shooting, which uses distant targets with tiny scoring zones. While both types of trigger need a predictable pull, bullseye shooters demand a much higher degree of precision.<ref name=bullseye />

====Analysis of the trigger pull====
The [[Trigger (firearms)#Trigger pull stages|trigger pull]] consists of three stages:
# ''Takeup'' or ''pretravel'', which is the movement of the trigger which happens before the [[sear (firearm)|sear]] moves.<ref name=glossary />
# ''Break'', the movement during which the trigger moves the sear past the point of release.<ref name=bullseye />
# ''Overtravel'', which is the distance a trigger moves after the sear releases.<ref name=glossary />

The takeup is the least critical stage of the trigger pull, and individual preferences vary widely. Two-stage triggers, for example, consist of a noticeable takeup, followed by a distinct increase in the force required to pull the trigger, followed by the break. A single-stage trigger, on the other hand, has no discernible movement before the break. Fully adjustable triggers will provide a two-stage pull, and the option of reducing the first stage travel to zero, essentially making the trigger a single-stage trigger.<ref name=anshutz_trigger />

The break is a far more critical stage of the pull, as it happens just prior to the shot being fired. Here again, individual preferences vary; some shooters prefer a ''soft'' break, where there is a smooth but discernible amount of trigger travel during firing, while others prefer a ''crisp'' break, with a heavier weight and little or no discernible movement.<ref name=glossary /><ref name=bullseye />

The overtravel can be the most critical factor in the trigger pull, as any movement caused at this point will happen as the shot is fired. This is especially important with firearms where there is a sudden release of resistance when the sear breaks, such as in [[Trigger (firearms)#Double-action|double-action]] triggers. An overtravel stop will arrest the motion of the trigger just after the break, and prevent movement.<ref name=overtravelbad>{{cite news |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_179_30/ai_n15862407 |title=Over-travel = bad |publisher=American Handgunner |date=Jan–Feb 2006 |accessdate=2007-08-30 | first=Alex | last=Hamilton}}</ref> Over travel is not always considered bad by some, as the force of the trigger finger does not impact on the gun directly after sear release.

====Improving the trigger pull====
[[File:Crosman 2240 sear engagement.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Crosman]] air pistol trigger mechanism, unmodified (top) and with a sear engagement adjustment (bottom).]]
An adjustable trigger may have ways to adjust all of these stages, plus trigger location. For example, a first stage or takeup adjustment might include weight and travel, a second stage or sear engagement adjustment might include weight and travel, and a trigger stop adjustment would limit the overtravel.<ref name=anshutz_trigger>{{cite web|url=http://www.davidtubb.com/tcom_images/t2k_images/t2k_manual_8.html |title=Anschutz Trigger |accessdate=2007-08-30 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071005110928/http://www.davidtubb.com/tcom_images/t2k_images/t2k_manual_8.html |archivedate=5 October 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

While adjustable triggers may provide the greatest level of control, much can be done with standard non-adjustable triggers. Careful hand fitting and polishing of parts, addition of high precision or adjustable aftermarket parts, or fabrication of new parts can greatly improve most triggers.<ref name=bullseye /><ref name=beretta /><ref name=overtravelbad /> Care should be taken, however, since trigger work requires a great deal of care and precision, and a bad trigger job can easily render a firearm highly unsafe or unusable.<ref name=mini14 />

====Liability issues====
Most manufacturers ship firearms with fairly heavy, nonadjustable triggers, colloquially known as ''lawyer triggers''.<ref name=hawks>{{cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/stars_stripes_pistol.htm |title=Stars and Stripes Custom Pistol Ammunition |author =Chuck Hawks |accessdate=2007-08-30| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070807152347/http://www.chuckhawks.com/stars_stripes_pistol.htm| archivedate= 7 August 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref> This is out of concern for liability; firearms are inherently dangerous, and allowing the user to adjust the trigger, or even implying such adjustments can be made, exposes the manufacturer to lawsuit. Likewise, manufacturers of aftermarket parts expose themselves to similar liability issues.<ref name=lawsuit>{{cite book |title=The Preparation of a Product Liability Case |author1=Scott Baldwin |author2=Francis E. McGovern |author3=Francis Hare |year=1998 |publisher=Aspen Publishers |isbn=0-7355-0145-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fPF18ZQmcJMC&dq=overtravel+trigger&pg=RA4-PT544}}</ref>