Need advice on DAK to DA/SA

behindyou

behindyou

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Have a P229 in 40 SW DAK and a P229 in 9 mm DA/SA with the SRT. Went to the range this weekend and shot both. The 9mm was a dream to shoot - although, a few times, even with solid finger control, in SA, the firearm fired without me fully on target (still down range but not fully on target). Perhaps I'm not used to the SRT (new install). The DAK was more challenging to shoot, to me, it wasn't a smooth follow-up shot, still very accurate but not nearly as smooth as the DA/SA. The DAK is relatively new to me - ~3 range trips. I understand the recoil differences between the two calibers - so I'm trying to take that into consideration. I carry the DAK most often, and a P365 the other times (gym shorts, sweats - no belt situations). I like the 40SW as a caliber and would prefer to keep that as my EDC and I have full confidence in my ability to shoot it, accurately, when necessary, to protect myself or loved ones.

My question: should I continue to gain more experience with the DAK trigger system or should I send the firearm to Sig to convert to DA/SA, ie: is a DAK a better choice for an EDC for an old guy like me? This is not meant to be a DAK vs DA/SA discussion - but a 'how long should it take to get used to a new trigger system....'.
 
I’d send it to Sig and have the conversion done. I can’t imagine having two basically identical guns with vastly different triggers. I’ve never liked the DAK trigger, much prefer the DA/SA. As for EDC, a decocked DA/SA is likely as safe as a DAK pistol.

I have a 229 that used to have an SRT, converted it to a standard trigger, could never get used to the SRT. Many people like it. With more practice, you may like it too. Just my $0.02 worth. Results do vary.
 
I would say spend a little more time with the dak before giving it a change out. I have both but not a srt on the da/sa. To me they both have there pros and cons. The dak to me is easier to be consistant and more like many of the small carry guns or a revolver. The da/sa is great in sa but that first shot takes more control if you leave in da plus also in a stressful situation you would need to remember to decock it where as dak you dont. Its all preference and what you can train your brain for.
 
You can order parts and do yourself
In my opinion the da/sa configuration is superior in the hands of a trained individual
DAK was designed to be “safe” for lightly trained individuals
I think there is a reason why the DAK guns are so inexpensive on the secondary market
I have/and do own DAK , non srt, and srt
To me srt is the best of the bunch
Ymmv
 
nc-by-the-c said:
You can order parts and do yourself
In my opinion the da/sa configuration is superior in the hands of a trained individual
DAK was designed to be “safe” for lightly trained individuals
I think there is a reason why the DAK guns are so inexpensive on the secondary market
I have/and do own DAK , non srt, and srt
To me srt is the best of the bunch
Ymmv
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This! Look at Osage County Guns for the parts.

The DAK trigger was a solution looking for a problem. If you really worked on it there are advantages to its dual reset but if you don't have to shoot a DAK it is not worth it.
 
The DAK trigger was developed to be used primary as a DAO trigger system. Sig built in a secondary reset point that someone who short stroked the trigger would not induce a click without a bang. Under stress a DAO shooter who short stroked the trigger would catch the shorter reset. Sig however sold them and told departments to train with them as a DAO trigger. The problem was that the shorter trigger pull went up in poundage not down like traditional DA/SA.

This was the instructions Sig gave to training officers in departments they sold DAK systems to. As @nc-by-the-c said there is a reason a DAK version of the same P series pistol is typically cheaper.

The DAK (Double Action Kellerman) system has an intermediate reset which provides the ability of the user of being able to fire the pistol in the event the user short strokes the trigger during a critical incident. The trigger pull for the system is 6.5 lbs. in full DAO (Double Action Only) and increases to 8 lbs. if the trigger is pulled from the intermediate short reset position.

Sig recommends and trains so that the system is to be used as DAO (Double Action Only). You will see that they only list the 6.5 lbs. trigger pull in DA on their DAK models specifications sheets. They recommend that users should be trained to fire the pistol by utilizing the full double action trigger stroke so that the trigger is a consistent 6.5 lbs.

They have heard of some departments who do not understand what the system is suppose to be for and have been training their officers to use the short stroke after the initial full trigger pull. This is incorrect.
 
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wvsig said:
This! Look at Osage County Guns for the parts.

The DAK trigger was a solution looking for a problem. If you really worked on it there are advantages to its dual reset but if you don't have to shoot a DAK it is not worth it.
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As the owner of a p220 with a NY DAO trigger I’ll argue that the DAK had a place.

I keep thinking about converting it to da/sa with srt, but haven’t found all the parts in stock in one place at one time.
 
JimB said:
As the owner of a p220 with a NY DAO trigger I’ll argue that the DAK had a place.

I keep thinking about converting it to da/sa with srt, but haven’t found all the parts in stock in one place at one time.
Click to expand...

Yes it was an improvement over a standard Sig DAO trigger but not as good as a DA/SA.
 
JimB said:
As the owner of a p220 with a NY DAO trigger I’ll argue that the DAK had a place.

I keep thinking about converting it to da/sa with srt, but haven’t found all the parts in stock in one place at one time.
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Jim sent this pistol and some ammo here for us to shoot. Our verdict was.......If it leaves Jim, it comes here!
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
Jim sent this pistol and some ammo here for us to shoot. Our verdict was.......If it leaves Jim, it comes here!
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It’s a great gun, I just can’t shoot it. Shot so bad that I bought a new barrel for it, still patterns like a shotgun with either barrel. Sent it down to Billy’s and got it back with a pic of a nice group. I don’t mind that other people shoot better than me, that’s normal, but with this gun I shoot far worse than with any other gun. I’m so embarrassed by it that I’ll shoot a couple mags at the range and then switch to a 1911 for a few mags so anyone looking will see one decent target hanging downrange.
 
JimB said:
It’s a great gun, I just can’t shoot it. Shot so bad that I bought a new barrel for it, still patterns like a shotgun with either barrel. Sent it down to Billy’s and got it back with a pic of a nice group. I don’t mind that other people shoot better than me, that’s normal, but with this gun I shoot far worse than with any other gun. I’m so embarrassed by it that I’ll shoot a couple mags at the range and then switch to a 1911 for a few mags so anyone looking will see one decent target hanging downrange.
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Don’t feel bad. I had a Sig Legion 226 once I shot and grouped like a shottie. Had another forum member and his wife shoot to check out and they crushed the center of the target. I worked with it a while longer and moved on. Just could not make it work in a reasonable amount of time. Weird.
 
The best combat shooters I ever saw were using Glock 19's with NY+ triggers. They hated the trigger but learned to practically master it. Find the one you like, then try to master it.
We went to DA/SA 226's in 1987. The 2800 sworn county PD asked Sig to make then in DAO and Sig complied. Being that around 50% of the county's new recruits were coming from the NYPD who were still using DA or DAO revolvers. They now use .40 Sigs w/ DAK triggers, which is a major improvement over DAO. Many like it better than trying to train people in DA/SA.
 
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behindyou said:
a few times, even with solid finger control, in SA, the firearm fired without me fully on target (still down range but not fully on target).
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I would not make the switch to DA/SA until you work this out. You own every bullet that leaves your barrel.
 
Catfish, I know. I believe it's not being used to the SRT. I went to the range again with a few other DA/SA Sigs and didn't have the same problem/issue as I did with the P229 with the SRT. More practice, better focus, more practice with the SRT trigger will resolve the problem.
 
So some closure on this: spoke with Sig this AM, gave me good pricing and turn around time for the DAK to DA/SA conversion and SRT install.

I appreciate all input but the level of frustration didn’t warrant more effort in trying to master the DAK system. All my other CCW Sigs are DA/SA (except for the P365).
 
No experience with DAK but converted my 239 with Short Reset Trigger [SRT] kit. I despise long resets.
My 4506 has one of the best resets of any factory gun - ultra short and crisp.
Now the 239 is not bad at all. P220 came new with SRT. No real interest in a striker fired Sig; have plenty Glocks.
 
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Sig received the firearm this morning - rep said 1 week total turnaround time - we will see. The SRT on my P229 9mm is a great enhancement.
 
Just as an FYI, Sig received the firearm Weds, converted DAK to DA/SA and installed SRT, shipped back to me on Friday. According to the FedEx tracker, I'll receive it Tuesday. Less than a week turn around. I can't complain.
 
Got the P229 back in 7 days. Range today, same ammo, 4 yards for both targets. IMHO, HUGE difference. Despite dry firing and range time, I couldn’t get used to the DAK. Very happy with the upgrade/conversion.CAAB4C06-D17A-456B-8556-85CBC70B1077.jpeg
 
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