[jwills]

New Northwood triggers for my PF9s (standard and hybrid)

Title says all.

I've been holding off ordering the Northwood triggers until Pops was ready for the hybrid version to be ready for prime time. Just noticed he posted they were ready for sale so I ordered a standard and a hybrid to drop in my pair of PF9s. My review comparing the two will be shortly after they are here, installed and had a proper range outing.

 

[5akman]

I don't see a "hybrid" offered on their website, what exactly is it?

 

[PF9Newbie]

I don't see a "hybrid" offered on their website, what exactly is it?

If you look at the left hand side of the Northwood Components home page, you will see a list "shop by category". Lists the gun models, but the last listing is 'hybrid trigger" which you can click on to see the hybrid. The Hybrid is a slightly redesigned version of Pops trigger which is intended to be almost completely 'drop in' in the P11 or PF-9, and does not need to file the plastic grip for clearance at all. Pops explains exactly why he made this change and how this works in the thread in the vendor forum. Here is how Pops puts it:

"For those who don't want to trim out the trigger slot on their P-11 grip, there is now another option that makes the Northwood P-11 a virtual "drop-in" upgrade. This hybrid design is essentially a standard Northwood Trigger for the PF-9 and P-11 with two changes:

1.) The upper pinch guard has been reduced to allow for ease of installation in the P-11 without the need to trim the plastic grip! The remaining pinch guard edge still helps protect your finger from pinching in the upper trigger guard.​

2.) The trigger pin is held in place by an in-line setscrew. This setscrew is larger than the standard design, and uses a larger hex key for tightening, assuring a more positive lock on the trigger pin.​

The Hybrid can be used on both the P-11 and PF-9 pistols, and uses the same standard design for reducing overtravel on either gun. However, the trimmed upper pinch guard returns the P-11 and PF-9 reset (pre-travel) to the factory setting.

This trigger can also be used on the Ruger LC-9 with a Galloway short-stroke trigger bar and hammer installed. The top of the trigger has been machined to accept the Ruger trigger pin."

 

[jwills]

Received the triggers this afternoon. They look like quality. Everyone speaks highly of Pops trigger and just from the initial inspection these should be a home run. Now to get around to installing them and hitting up the range once the loctite cures on the set screws. Thinking I'll put the original in my gray frame and the hybrid version in my OD frame.

Top original version, bottom the hybrid.

 

[haugrdr]

Follow Pop's VERY good and detailed instructions and you really can't go wrong.

 

[jwills]

Mission accomplished!

Before with the functional and ok plastic trigger shoes.

Now with very functional but much better feeling trigger shoes.

My OCD made this job much longer than it needed to be lol.


So there you have it. Two of Pops triggers installed and ready for the range once the loctite cures on the set screw for the hybrid. The standard trigger already was pre treated with a thread locker compound on it. The hybrid was a plug and play affair, dropped right in my OD color frame. The original one unfortunately forced me to bust out the needle files and open up the front of the opening on my gray colored one a bit. The rear of the opening was fine. Of course Pops has a great instruction manual and explained this in great detail.

His method was to wrap some sand paper around a ball point pen or similar object and open up the front that way. I decided to go with a flat file and square up the front end. As I said my OCD made this job take much longer as I was trying to get it as perfect as humanly possible. I think I did alright. Besides while I was very carefully filing away I took the opportunity to give all my internal parts a nice sonic bath. Worked out perfect. Everything going back together nice and clean with a fresh coat of grease where it was needed.

Triggers feel amazingly solid. I definitely see why you guys are always touting this upgrade. While I'm sad I took this long to do it I'm glad I did hold out for the hybrid version. My OD frame being cerakoted would have exposed the white plastic underneath in the front of the trigger guard had I been forced to remove material like I did with the gray one. Since that plastic was molded in gray no biggie but my OCD would have gotten the best of me on the cerakoted one. I think deep down inside I was always afraid I'd have to shave it back and knew it would expose the white plastic underneath. I'd want to get it re cerakoted and that would be an expensive touch up. So I was hot to trot the minute Pops made mention of his hybrid version. Yes there's definitely a difference in the pre travel between the two, the hybrid feels more like the stock trigger in that respect but through the pull of the trigger until it breaks it feels just as solid as the other one. I was curious to compare the two so I'm glad I have the chance now.

Again anyone reading this thread and deciding on this upgrade or not, do it. If you don't want to have to cut into your trigger guard which is why he came up with this hybrid that is your trigger for sure. Can't go wrong either way.

This wait for loctite to cure is killing me. Ready to go put some rounds through each and see what the pistols feel like now under recoil. No more of that dreaded plastic trigger shoe slap. Sometimes that was just downright painful after a few magazines worth.

Thanks for reading so far. Range report to follow when its available.

 

[jwills]

My apologies. Finally got a chance to hit up the range today. That past few weeks for me have been a blur with some family issues to contend with. I've been absent from these forums if some might have noticed.

Anyhow. No more trigger slap! Worth every penny spent. Honestly didn't really notice anything drastically different between the original trigger and the newer hybrid. Obviously the hybrid has a bit more free travel but once you hit the wall and start to move the hammer back they both to me felt about the same. The important take away for me was that both of my PF9s are more enjoyable to shoot now and looking forward to putting more rounds down range with each.