By biofire
I recently installed the new Ghost, Inc. Evo Elite trigger connector in my GLOCK 17 I was so impressed, that I immediately emailed Robert and urged him to review it. And then he immediately delegated the job to me. So here I am. I’ve never written a review before, but I guess we all have to lose our virginity some time. Unlike losing my virginity, installing the new Evo Elite trigger connector in your GLOCK will take longer than one minute. But I’ll get back to that . . .
Evo stands for evolution. The photo above shows the stock GLOCK, Ghost Rocket and Ghost Evo Elite connectors from left to right. The big news is that the Evo Elite has been completely redesigned to eliminate that not-so-slight lurch, glitch or bump (your choice) that you feel as the draw bar and connector meet just before the firing pin is released. This gives the trigger a constant pull weight across the entire stroke of the trigger, and it does this without reducing the trigger pull weight. Hence the name Evo, as in the evolution of, well, perfection.
In this photo, you can see how the draw bar engages the Evo Elite connector (bottom) differently than the GLOCK stock connector when the trigger is pulled back. I’m no engineer, but if I use my imagination, I can see how the bump is eliminated. If you want the full physics lecture, call Ghost and ask. Quite a bit of research went into this little piece of steel and they will happily explain it to you.
This connector also has an over-travel stop (a.k.a., trigger control tab) to give the trigger a nice crisp break. After installing the entire trigger kit, with the 6.0 lb. firing pin spring, 6.0 lb. trigger spring and the reduced power safety plunger spring, the pull weight was 5.25 lbs. from the center of the trigger. Right where it should be. If you prefer, a 4.0 lb. firing pin spring for competition shooting is included in the kit.
Why is this good news? Have you ever fired a GLOCK and thought, “thank God Gaston made the trigger pull extra-heavy just as the firing pin was about to release.” No? No you haven’t. Every GLOCK shooter wants a better trigger, but no matter how many times we ask Santa, he just doesn’t seem to deliver.
But Ghost has. Like many GLOCK shooters, I have made every conceivable modification to my trigger assemblies to eliminate this bump, and spent many hours learning to adapt to it. But now the bump is gone. And don’t say, “why didn’t you just buy a different gun?”, or I will turn this car around right now and no one gets any ice cream.
How did it perform at the range? Its hard to evaluate how a trigger feels, but the main improvement is that the Evo Elite gives you a true surprise break. Without the bump, I found myself unable to anticipate my shots and I was better able to get into a rhythm. So out of 100 rounds of Winchester white box ammo (115 grains) at 15 yards, I didn’t have a single flyer outside a 6-inch circle.
But I still wasn’t convinced, so I installed another Evo Elite with the same springs in my G21 (.45 ACP). That gun has had the old Ghost Rocket connector in it for over 10,000 rounds. Many rounds of WWB ammo (230 grain) later, I was sold. The Evo Elite just made me shoot smoother and faster.
Speaking of faster, not only did Ghost eliminate the bump, but they also improved the trigger reset. It’s much more distinct and crisp. You will definitely hear and feel it, which is a good thing because a more positive reset point lets you fire faster. If you shoot GLOCKs in competition, you’re gonna want this. So to sum up: no bump, clean break, better reset. Who doesn’t want that?
A note about installation: If you’ve done a lot of work on your GLOCKs, then fitting the trigger control tab, which requires a lot of grinding and polishing, is a piece of cake, maybe an hour of your time. If you aren’t comfortable grinding down parts of your trigger, I would encourage you to take it to a gunsmith. If you’re undecided, not to worry. Ghost has detailed installation instructions with clear pictures on their website. If you get in a jam, just call them. They’re always happy to preach to the (soon-to-be) converted.
The Final Word
Okay, so I’m in love, but will it really last? Yes, I really think that this is a game changer for GLOCK shooters. For experienced shooters, you know you want it. You want the trigger to break like Seabiscuit in the back stretch—quick and without warning. This is the best modification I’ve ever made to a GLOCK and, unlike losing my virginity, it was good for both of us.
Alas, no love is perfect. After installation, you will find that it’s noticeably harder to remove the slide. I called Ghost and they assured me that it has no effect on the function or reliability of the gun. They also assured me that it will get easier as the connector breaks in. If you’re in a rush, there is a simple way to fix this, but I suggest that you call Ghost and ask, as it needs to be done carefully to avoid changing the temper of the steel alloy. Maybe I’m still in the honeymoon phase, but for less than $50 and an hour of your time, can you really go wrong?
Specifications:
Price: $36.95 (connector alone), $44.95 (complete trigger kit)
Ratings (out of five stars):
Overall * * * *1/2
Bottom line: this new connector makes me shoot better, and results don’t lie. I suggest you buy the kit because without the springs. The trigger weight will be heavier. Smooth, but heavier. I deducted half a point because a new product shouldn’t make field stripping your gun harder.
Interesting read. Sadly, the author hasn’t addressed the biggest rumor of all: Kel-Tec’s sub-par quality.
As a college student (read: no $$) and recent CCW permit holder, the PF-9 seems like a very appealing gun. However, I’ve heard a lot of conflicting statements regarding the gun’s build quality, reliability and accuracy. The same seems to be said regarding a lot of Kel-Tec firearms.
I read this article hoping some light would be shed on that topic. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
The ISO 9001 certification should lead to positive changes in QC.
So will this fit an early Gen 1 Glock 17?
All the photo did was extend her 15 minutes of shame.
The overall idea seems sound at first glance.
However. While dropping the magazines does establish at least some plausible deniability, it also opens everyone there to the (justified) charge of littering. Unless they dropped the mags into a trash can…
Gasp! She narrowly escaped with her life lol.
Persons in such a protest would have to worry more about than just being arrested. Most likely cops in riot gear would be sent to break up the protest and arrest the members using mace and baton beatings. Remember that TTAG article about how LEOs are allowed and told to escalate violence according to a scale. If you just sit there as a form of protest a cop is allowed to mace and beat you. Not saying this protest is a bad plain but the protesters will be harmed and something they should expect. Responding cops may be even allowed to use deadly force since the protesters are holding firearm parts would be justification and the media may spin it to favor of the cops and make the protesters look like nut cases.
I have a question, I just won this gun from Friends of NRA. Once I got it home I noticed the engraved Anchor was not completed on this gun. I have all the paperwork, box, coin, etc… stating this is the Navy Seal version with quality control signing off on it. I called Sig, they informed me a few slipped through without the engraving. Sig offered to replace the slide with an engraved one. My question, is my gun worth more since it’s “rare”. I still have the Sig sticker/wrist wrap on the handle and unfired. What does everyone think?
Re-holstering is. always a concern. I ~only~ carry from the 4 o’clock position (figuring a hole in my cheek is survivable), plus shift my hand to club-carry (hand wrapped around barrel/trigger guard with palm over trigger. area) to slide the pistol into place. It’s cool-looking, certainly not operating operationally, but it’s become habit & lessens my chances for sprouting a new orifice.
I asked my cats about this “rocket cat” thing (actually, I once had a cat named Rocket). My cats gently reminded me that they have never been de-clawed and were perfectly capable of turning my man-suit into a well-shredded ghillie suit in about three seconds.
We agreed that the whole rocket cat business was stoopid.
…I love real-world data.
The Evo Elite wasn’t for me. It made the trigger feel spongy, with a VERY long take-up/pretravel. Most strangely, the break felt really inconsistent from pull to pull of the trigger. I put a Glock “-” connector in, and like the feel much better.
Since it’s a nondestructive and inexpensive mod, it’s definitely worth trying–just keep in mind that different folks like different strokes, especially when it comes to triggers.
My friend and my own Glock had Ghost Evo connectors installed. I can confirm that it causes inconsistent trigger breaks.
In a 250 round steel 6 stage match, my trigger was suddenly heavy. It caused my POI to move erraticaly. So ich so that I suspected my red dot had broekn. Took mine off and staying with the minus connector as well.
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Think I may pick up the new Edge. It’s the fitless version of this bad boy, and I wouldn’t mind having a smoother trigger. 🙂
As “surprise break” trigger would scare the Hell out of me!
I want to know precisely when that trigger is going to break.
Only then can I have a chance of hitting a target when shooting off hand.
I added one and the problem I have is that half the time the gun shoots ‘full auto’. Is like it shoots a round when I pull the trigger and if I release it too slow, another round goes off. I shoot fast, but too fast and that is dangerous. I have about 2/8 more to trim and then the trigger is useless. Any idea what may be the problem?
Good Review.
I have used Ghost products ‘almost’ entirely in any aftermarket effort on my various .40S&W Glocks.
I have never experienced any issues with reliability after installing the Ghost item.
Those ‘trigger’ upgrades that require mild filing/milling of the connector must be done carefully in order to reduce ‘post-travel’ but still make the gun safe… the orange armorer’s plate is necessary.
I have bought one ‘expensive’ drop in replacement trigger kit (about $180) in a comparison test against my Ghost trigger kits (usually about $40) and frankly the Ghost more (!) than holds its own.
The EVO Elite (which I have in two of my Glocks) is exceptional in that the ‘pull’ is very smooth with no ‘felt’ variations in resistance, the ‘release’ (firing) is instant and crisp and “I” feel (after use) a very small pause ‘just’ before the striker releases which is helpful, reset is superb and very audible/felt. I have literally ‘no’ over-travel with the pull ‘stopping’ right after firing. An excellent product for a reasonable price. Thanks Ghost.
I just installed the EVO in my Glock 30S. On my particular 30s I had to remove almost half the stop tab in order for trigger to reset. After accomplishing this I really liked the trigger feel, particularly the nice break, which was not “glass” but Glock glass, if you know what I mean. It was smooth, had enough travel to not be unpredictable and broke with out front sight jump very nicely, which I contribute to the stop bar doing it’s job. It was not a far stretch from then block trigger tab but enough to be worth the money spent. i made the mistake of filing to much from the tiny 90 degree tab on the top which made the trigger not reset properly. I then slightly bent the tab towards the outer edge of the frame and it worked with reseting the trigger but I didn’t trust it so I will buy a new one and start over as I think it is worth it as this is not my EDC right now. Boy, one becomes proficient at full break downs after this trigger work. Thought I’d share my experience.
Hi Kevin,
Please return your EVO for a free replacement we will replace it regardless of what happened.
Everything we manufacture comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Regards,
Arthur Viani
Owner Ghost Inc.
Hello Arthur, I bought the Ghost EVO 3.5 Connector and filed it down as per instructions by hand (as to not remove too not remove too much material and have a true no over-travel) and installed it in a Glock 19 Gen4, the end results were ok, the issue that the EVO connector created was that when pulling the trigger and racking the slide (by hand) and riding the slide forward, the slide stayed out of battery almost every time about 1/8 “ and then it would go into battery with any slight movement of the gun or when releasing the trigger to reset, so I ended up removing it and will replace it with the Ghost Rocket 3.5 which I also have in a Glock 21 and it works well in that G21 Gen3 as well as it funciones well in the G19 Gen4 mentioned earlier. Looking at the EVO connector closely, the 90 degree tab that rubs against the inner part of the slide has been redesigned drastically, now in my opinion it sits too far to the back and sits very high, two things which I believe are the reasons why the slide in the Glock 19 Gen4 was not going fully into battery.
My Glock and I have a bad relationship. I love its unquestionable ruggedness but I truly hate the way it shoots. I’ve spent a lot of time looking for trigger fixes for my Glock 22.
This brief and entertaining review was of great assistance in cutting thru the verbose forest of Glock fixes.
I think the EVO will be just what the doctor ordered.
My Glock may well end up being both indestructable AND pleasantly shootable too !!!!
thanx again, R.J.B.
I just bought one and installed it last night and I am very impressed. It is everything described in the review though I don’t have any trouble with the slide. If you can drop and give 50 (hell, even 20) without needing a nap to function the rest of the day, I don’t think this will be an issue for you either. It took what seemed forever file down the tab and try it but that is the game with the Ghost connectors. I don’t know yet whether I want to get an SSVI Tyr Trigger to go with this or Zev Tech. Any thoughts?
I’m curious if the EVO makes it have a Kahr like trigger, though long they are smooth all the way through with a hard to predict break. I loved that trigger was very accurate, I hope so just ordered one, well see
A lot of the Evo Elite reviews I have been reading end up with a 3.1-3.5 lb trigger pull. How did you end up with the 5.25 lb trigger pull? Based on your review and other reviews, I would like to install this upgrade but don’t want to end up with a ~3 lb trigger pull if I am going to carry
I think I answered my own question. I didn’t realize the kit came with the option of a 6.0 or 4.0 pound spring.
He could have done that for an hour and a half and had the same result.
I hope he does one on abortion next.
But the Swiss were just fine stashing Nazi loot in their big Swiss bank vaults.
Until they got caught, that is.