The distance between the go-pedal and the backstrap on a 92 series handgun is approximately three inches. For some people it might as well be a mile. Small-handed shooters have always had a problem effectively grasping the Beretta 92’s trigger (as well as Big Gulps, footballs, etc.). Most can only shoot the gun effectively in single action (SA) mode. My medium-sized paws could handle the 92’s trigger reach, but it never felt comfortable per se. It was more of an inconvenience I accommodated to get to the SA pull. With the help of Wilson Combat’s Short Reach Steel Trigger, I aimed to fix this ergonomic malady . . .
As always, the part comes in signature Wilson Combat style with plastic bag and accompanying blue emblem card. On first glance, the trigger is visibly slimmer than the stock version. It’s made of steel as opposed to the original’s polymer. Upon close inspection there were no rough edges, burrs or obvious machining marks. Installation instructions were only obvious by their absence. Off to YouTube I went and found this channel that does the best job of explaining how to remove and install new parts on these particular pistols.
Fancying myself a shade tree gunsmith, I watched the requisite videos a few times and headed to my work bench. Fair warning: if you don’t have the proper tools or mechanical know how, don’t attempt this. Go out and find a competent gunsmith. It’s not super complicated as long as you’re comfortable detail stripping a pistol. However, there are small springs that will fly all over if you aren’t careful. Without those springs, your gun will no longer function.
Basically you first make sure your pistol is unloaded and then field strip it. After that you remove the slide stop and trigger bar; making sure not to have those springs go flying around. Using a punch, remove the trigger pin and then pull out the trigger and trigger spring. Now just put everything back together with the Wilson Combat trigger replacing the stock version. Make sure to put the trigger spring back in correctly; if you don’t your trigger won’t reset and you’ll swear at the gun for awhile before realizing you’re a moron and did it wrong.
After complete reassembly I picked the gun up and got a real feel for the trigger difference. As I stated above, the profile of this trigger is much different than the stock version. It was easy to see that the svelte Wilson Combat trigger also had a distinctly different curve to it. The stock trigger has a more pronounced roundness and ends further up in the trigger guard than the short reach trigger. Measuring from the backstrap now puts the trigger at approximately 2.875 inches; which doesn’t seem like much of a difference – until you pick up the gun.
There is a noticeable difference in the 92’s ergonomics with this trigger installed. My trigger finger no longer felt like it was at a point where it was uncomfortable. The slimmer profile felt better up against my digits. Due to the change in the ergos, my DA pull felt smoother. In fact, the whole gun just feels better in my hand than it did before. The only other way to make it feel better would be to reduce grip radius. Which can be accomplished by switching out to thinner grips. I wonder who makes some of those?
Wilson Combat Short Reach Steel Trigger
Price: $28.25
Ratings (Out of five stars):
Ease of installation * * *
Complicated, but if you know what you’re doing it shouldn’t take too much swearing or time to get it in.
Feel and Function * * * * *
Shortens the trigger reach length and makes the DA trigger pull much more comfortable.
Overall * * * * *
The quality of this part build wise is perfect and honestly, I would be disappointed by anything else from Wilson Combat. Paired with the now enhanced ergonomics and low price point; this trigger is definitely a home run.