Firearm Modification and Functionality: What's best For You? Let's Take a Look

Let’s look at some “firearms modifications”. I’m going to take a chance and assume you are asking specifically about handguns. Though most of what I will talk about would cover rifles as well.

My thoughts, to start would be with the trigger. Most factory firearms come equipped with “factory triggers”. Meaning that they are excessively stiff and heavy to minimize the chances of an accidental discharge. The downside to this is that stiff heavy triggers are an impediment to accurate shooting. So, my first priority is a trigger job (polishing contact surfaces and replacing stiff factory springs with lighter aftermarket springs.) Alternatively, consider replacing the trigger group with an aftermarket trigger group that comes pre-polished, equipped with lighter springs, and potentially improved geometry to reduce take-up and over-travel. That is the distance the trigger moves prior to and after the gun fires.

Grips are the next thing I take into consideration. It’s difficult to shoot a gun well that doesn’t fit your hand well or squirms around in your hand from shot to shot. Aftermarket grips or slip on rubber grip covers can make a marked difference. Especially in shot-to-shot accuracy.

Sites are a close tie with grips. If a gun’s sites are difficult to see or get on target with I will l probably change them out for better aftermarket ones even before dealing with the grips. Better after market iron sites, red dots, lasers or optics depending on the guns intended purpose.

Adding ports (holes) at the front top of the barrel will reduce muzzle flip upon recoil making follow up shots quicker. There are a couple of ways of doing this. Have your factory barrel (and slide if it’s a semi-automatic pistol) ported by a qualified gun smith. Replace your barrel and slide with after marked units that have ports already or if your gun has a threaded barrel, you can add a screw on muzzle brake which serves the same function as a ported barrel but adds a little more weight forward on the gun.

All these modifications can influence a gun’s accuracy to some degree. However, I think trigger, sites and grip fit are the areas that will give you the most returns for your money. And to be quite honest anything beyond the first three won’t make much difference unless you are in the category of world class shooter.