The Creekside Custom Ruger Mark IV Trigger (works with Mark III as well) is one of the best upgrades I have found for this pistol. The specific goal in its design was to give the user a “1911” style trigger feel. Its actual name is the Creekside Custom 19.22 Trigger for the MKIII & MKIV. Whether or not the Creekside Custom Ruger Mark IV Trigger is as functional as a tuned 1911 trigger may be up for debate, but it’s certainly an excellent trigger by any measure. It’s flat, feels almost like it’s pulling straight back, breaks cleanly with a short reset, and the overall travel is minimal.
I’ve got a pair of competition-style Mark IV pistols that I use for fun. Although there are no prizes, our friendly competition amongst some of the regulars I shoot with can get pretty heated. So anything that might give me a bit of an edge is worth investigating. I dropped this trigger in my pistol equipped with the Pac-Lite barrel to test and evaluate it.
Creekside Custom Ruger Mark IV Trigger Details
Everything about 19.22 Trigger trigger speaks to its performance. Creekside Custom machines it from aluminum, removes all sharp edges, and then anodizes it. Pre-travel and over-travel are both adjustable. Its geometry and shoe position offer reduced pull weight while the leverage advantage of a flat face makes it feel even lighter. That flat face with a tiny ramp at the bottom allows for fast and repeatable finger placement. It sits farther back than most triggers, making it an appealing option for large and small hands. Reduced travel and a short reset make this one of the fastest triggers I have used.
Creekside Custom has tested their 19.22 Trigger in the Ruger Mark III and Mark IV 22/45 models as well as the Volquartsen Scorpion and TandemKross Cthulhu lower. Four colors are available: red, black, blue, and gold. It’s made in the USA.
Installation of the Creekside Custom Ruger Mark IV Trigger
I’ve done many Ruger Mark trigger swaps, and installation is pretty straightforward, though the final adjustments will probably take longer. There are too many steps and too much detail for me to cover in a short article though. My suggestion is to watch a few YouTube videos on trigger swaps. Swapping the 19.22 Trigger into your pistol requires no special skills or tools, just a little patience. As always, make sure your pistol is unloaded before you start. While you have it apart, it’s a good time to give your lower a solid cleaning too.
Note that in the package are different length screws for the pre-travel and over-travel. Their use will depend on whether you are installing in an OEM lower or an aftermarket one. Creekside Custom includes the necessary .050″ Allen head wrench as well. Make sure you choose the correct screws, and understand the adjustments before you start. That will save you time and frustration, as making adjustments after the trigger is installed is a slow process. There isn’t much room to twist that tiny wrench inside the trigger guard.
Range Time
Due to the weather, I had to wait a while before I could actually get out and shoot with my new Creekside Custom Ruger Mark IV Trigger. During that wait, I spent some time fine-tuning the trigger. It’s got a very minimal amount of travel before there’s some resistance. And then it breaks nice and clean, with the tiniest reset. It may not be too visible in the photo below, but the overtravel screw is less than 1/8″ from the pistol frame. That should give you an idea of the total travel.
The 19.22 Trigger’s nice break, low weight, and quick reset make it ideal for speed. Mag dumps are more fun than ever, and I’m still staying on target. For longer shots at a slower pace, I’ve got more confidence as well. Where I thought the placement of the trigger so far back might be an issue, it actually felt more natural. During the last range session, I let everyone from beginners to experienced shooters try it, and it was pretty universally praised.
Conclusion
This particular Mark IV pistol was already a great shooter. The addition of the Creekside Custom Ruger Mark IV Trigger unlocks a little more potential for me. Whether I’m trying to improve my speed, or stretching the limits of my pistol’s range, it’s one more piece of the puzzle. If you have a Ruger Mark III or IV, and want a lighter trigger, a flat trigger, a faster trigger, or a trigger that is more 1911-like than the OEM trigger, it’s worth your consideration.
Creekside Custom currently lists their 19.22 Trigger for the MKIII & MKIV on sale at $54.99 (regularly $75) and they are available in black, gold, blue, and red. A cool 3D little printed case is included for a limited time. Find them on the Creekside Custom website.
As always, I’d like to thank Steve Foster of Creekside Custom for sending his trigger for my testing and evaluation. Steve knows a thing or two about speed in shooting competitions, and that expertise really shows in his products.