Quick Reference Parts List
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Gen 3-4: https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=pl&ti=10593&pw=332653&mi=22513&pt=3&pri=1154746
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Gen 5: https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=pl&ti=10593&pw=332653&mi=22513&pt=3&pri=1154745
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Gen 6: https://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=pl&ti=10593&pw=332653&mi=22513&pt=3&pri=2960587
Disclosure: Some or all links may be affiliate links.
Some gun guys buy guns and never shoot them; others shoot them as they come. On the polar opposite, many modify their weapons from paint to the guts. I once had a brand rep tell me, “This is America, nothing stays stock,” in response to my inquiry about how brands feel when you make aftermarket upgrades. While there are plenty of reasons for and against modifying a firearm, many recent internet conversations have revolved around the questions of safety. If I change out the trigger of a basic Glock, does that make it inherently less safe? If I invest in an experimental trigger that makes the gun shoot more like a high-end 1911 than a gritty striker-fire gun, will it create extreme risk? Or are these products tested to the extremes to ensure safe and reliable operation?
I spoke to Timney Reps, Chris and Talia, about their very popular upgrade, the Alpha Competition trigger and Alpha RXM. Both of these triggers are based on the very popular Glock pistol but are designed to help enhance accuracy by giving you a trigger that is lighter and crisp, giving you a trigger that gets out of the way and lets you break the shot without disrupting your perfect aim. But if Glocks are pretty much the same, why are there multiple different triggers, and more importantly, why are some people reporting these triggers to be dangerous?
I’ve seen multiple videos of people’s claims that Timney is unsafe. I’ve seen videos of guns going off when re-holstered. I’ve seen guns go bang when the shooter executes a standard malfunction clearing technique called tap-rack. This technique involves ensuring the mag is properly in the gun by slapping firmly the bottom of the mag into the gun, and then by racking the slide to ensure any faulty round is discarded. Imagine my shock when I saw the shooter slap the magazine and the gun goes boom. There are a few videos like this on the internet. All of them have a common theme, and once I explain this, it will explain why Timney has so many triggers for the Glock platform.
The common theme with these guns and the fairly obvious malfunction is that the guns are all modified. I mentioned Timney visited Gun Club Radio to talk about their products. They stated with no ambiguity that they are confident that their trigger is safe and effective for non-defensive, non-carry use. They claim the trigger is safe and there is no enhanced risk in using the Alpha Competition trigger as intended. But what is the intent? Unfortunately, the intent takes some of the fun out of guns. They insist the trigger must be installed into an otherwise stock Glock platform that matches the description on the box. That is what it was designed, tested, and released for. Changing anything from the internal triggers to striker springs creates an environment that the trigger was never designed for nor tested for.
This also means that “Glock clones” are off the table unless Timney creates a trigger for that specific platform. Meaning the young lady who put the Alpha into a non-Glock, Shadow Systems branded pistol put her life at risk, as the internals of that gun actually broke the trigger and caused the gun to literally go off in the holster—a life-threatening situation. I think Timney would acknowledge that many shooters go beyond the approved scenarios and continue to tinker with the guns to get fractionally better with each change. The problem is, if you aren't an experienced gunsmith, you may create a dangerous environment as something could be pushing on the trigger in ways that may not be obvious.
So what options exist for Glock users? An easy option is the Gen 3-4, which share the same trigger. If you have an unmodified Gen 5 Glock you want to upgrade for competition or range use only, this version stands alone for that specific version. The recent Gen 6 already has its own version, and if you wanted to use a Timney, don't grab your old Gen 5 Alpha; you’ll need to upgrade to a Gen 6 package to ensure safe and reliable function.
When the time comes -
you can order the Prime Radian here -
Virginia Needs to order these ASAP
17 Round Mags - this one isnt an affiliate link
SCS Carry - For the PRIME
Need a Weapon Mounted Ligh?
North Coast Tactical makes a great holster(not a sponsor)
In 2022 I published a video about my favorite Everyday Carry. Over 3 years later, a few of these items have been discontinued or upgraded. Here is an updated link list for many of the items discussed in the video
The Ready Pack 2.0 has been upgraded to the Vertx Ready Pack X Black Ready Pack F1.
The Ready Pack has always been an amazing and well-designed bag at a premium but fair price.
The Neomag has been updated to the NEOMAG 2.0, a much better version of the original with a few of the frustrations trimmed out.
Recently I've been ordering my holsters from Northcoast Tactical. I've moved away from the sidecar style and switched to an individual appendix system with a wing and metal belt clip.
I continue to use Nexbelts. I have more in my closet than I did before, some for professional use, some for EDC. The best EDC Nexbelt would be the NEXBELT SUPREME EDC.
The specific dagger shown in the video is not available anymore, but check out the G10 dagger from the G10 kings, the VZ Grips Executive Dagger.
The Surefire Stiletto Pro saw a hefty upgrade with the Stiletto Pro II—in my experience, it is MUCH more powerful and effective. Top-tier premium personal light.
The Streamlight Wedge XT is the follow-up we love to see from Streamlight. It is a bit smaller and even less expensive, although slightly less powerful. That is a welcome trade-off in my opinion as this light is very easy to use with the tailswitch addition.
My favorite knife from Regiment Blades has been the folder, and how I carry the fixed blade. Not much has changed, but they do have some more premium options.
Product Links
The original Springfield Hellcat is one of the original micro-compact double-stack 9mms. Coming out directly on the heels of the original Sig P365, Springfield seemed to directly challenge Sig with a 1.5-stack style magazine, offering the end users a hefty 11+1 round capacity. This capacity seemed magical at the time as the original Glock 43, one of the more popular micro-compacts of that time, only carried 6+1 rounds of 9mm. One might question the reason you might carry a Glock 43 over a revolver when a Glock 19 carried 15+1.
It should be noted that the overall platform became even more potent when the Hellcat Pro came out with the same ultra-concealable slim profile, but with a 15+1 capacity. I carried that version for over 1 year as my primary EDC. The Pro comes with a native optics mounting area that, unlike the P365, was not compatible with the Holosun K design for pistol red dots. This meant adding even more parts to the gun and hoping everything worked out.
Regarding performance—both firearms are capable of great accuracy within 15 yards with enough practice. The original HC was on the snappy side, but featured an incredible grip texture that was gentle on your skin but locked into your grip with the right pressure applied. The Hellcat Pro did have a certain overall low-axis punch into the center of your palm vs. more of a flip, but with a longer grip and barrel you encounter less punishment from 9mm.
Upgrades? - I spent the first year or 2 trying parts from multiple brands and I've found some options I personally like:
Hellcat (Original/OSP)
The first thing you might invest in is a reliable mag extension or extended magazine as the 11 or 13-round mag is great, but for the range or preference, 15+1 is always better and does not create tremendous issues while carrying. I would get OEM 15-Round Mags.
I would personally recommend going with the Holosun SCS Carry. I've used that optic for over 1 year and I think it might be best in class. The SCS Carry is small, enclosed to block fog, lint, and other elements while also having a solid auto-adjust brightness system. You will need an Optics Plate to use that optic, but it is worth it.
Hellcat Pro
I have tried a few different things with the Hellcat Pro. The best upgrade I made was getting the OEM 17-round mags. Easily the best choice for more fun at the range.
I ran the SMSC optic for multiple years and I felt it was lacking in overall features, but it held up for the entire duration and the battery lasted for about 2 years without issue. I would tell you to opt for the SCS Carry with the Optics Plate.
The internal upgrades we tried and enjoyed for a long time came from Apex Tactical. We tried the full kit. We eventually tested the Tyrant CNC flat profile trigger, but given the overall quality and included parts with the Apex, I would recommend that option. I'll list them below.
Apex Tactical
Tyrant CNC Parts