Introduction
Ignition kits for 1911s and 2011s have been a thing since the 90s. From competition shooters to hobbyists, firearm owners have a tendency to push their platforms to their limits and this is even more true of the shooters who own 2011s or similarly designed double stack SAO platforms. It is almost hard not to, after you have so much money invested into a platform already. In some cases, it’s a necessary upgrade to subpar fire control components on budget guns, or on guns with rough triggers.
Ignition kits generally consist of a new sear, disconnector, hammer, and sear spring. They are marketed as a (mostly) drop-in way to enhance the trigger of a 1911 or 2011. The SVI Ignition Kit is no different, but features some titanium components to really increase that “competition” feel.
In my case, we are shooting the Staccato 2011 P, and while I don’t think an ignition kit is a necessary upgrade for this platform, I think there are some major advantages to installing it. Besides, we already have money into their trigger shoe and an aftermarket grip module anyways.
My goal with this modification was to further the “racer” characteristics of my current 2011 build. I felt like if I was going to dip my toes, I might as well go all out to contrast the Glock rig I run. Customizing your gun is a very personal aspect of shooting as well, and I felt like I was still trying to find that desired trigger pull. Who knows, maybe we will try a curved trigger shoe as well next year?
Gunsmithing, Cerakoting, & Firearm Shop
Thank You Ranger Supply
Special thanks to Russ From Ranger Supply for his efforts on this kit. As mentioned below, he was the first to make me aware I had the wrong kit for my model of 2011. It wasn’t a complete loss, as Russ discovered contact surfaces on my trigger preventing a consistent & smooth trigger pull, which he smoothed down. In addition to toying with my 2011, he provided a comprehensive solution for my 1976 Colt 1911, which had its front post bubba’d by the previous owner. He even did it on the same day I walked into the shop with my 2011 and ignition kit!
The first time I met Russ, I was on the search for a dog pioint set screw for my Radian ADAC Lower on my competition rifle. The screw had walked itself out after I failed to loctite it properly when painting the receiver. Given the unique design of the ADAC, I was unable to just use a normal AR15 roll pin. He spent a few hours working a solution out of a different style screw that had the proper thread, and saved me from missing my weekend match. I honestly am still using that same screw today!
My Experience
Ordering The Wrong Part
Initially I ordered the incorrect part for my firearm. While shopping SVI’s store, its very easy to get parts mixed up in navigation, or outright assume you have the right part due to not being able to locate your model. When I brought the kit to my gunsmith to be tuned, it was a close enough fit that we assumed that some of the wrong components were sent with my kit. Well we quickly found out that it wasn’t going to work, when I went to function test it and found I was able to disable both the thumb and grip safeties. That said, the new trigger press was good, but I wanted to rectify the safety issues.
I reached out to support the following week and received a very quick response from their team member Peyton. He was quick to point out I purchased the wrong parts for my specific 2011 and quickly set up an exchange for the correct kit.
Receiving The Right Part?
Having already gotten a taste of what a new ignition kit could feel like despite the obvious safety issues, I was overly excited for the new kit. When the new kit arrived, I received a new sear and disconnector along with a reduced weight hammer. However, I got a sear spring that was a rougher fit, much like the one in kit #1. I decided to install what I had anyways, to see if there was ANY benefit prior to shooting the 2025 FW PCSL “Have Guns Will Shoot” Championship match. To my surprise, everything fit as intended and passed all safety function checks I could perform at home.
Performance Changes
So what are you getting out of this part swap? In short, its an easier to press trigger, with reduced weight and more crispness. In addition, we’ve got a hammer that locks faster upon activation, reducing the time between trigger pull and shot. Lets jump into the weeds, and cover the details of the kit.
- Crisper Wall & Break: At full cock, a flat face on the sear nose bears against flat hammer hooks. Ideal geometry means they hold securely, but require minimal horizontal movement to release. When you press, the sear rolls minutely off the hooks with little sliding.
- Less Friction: Just behind the primary angle is a tiny relief. Once the nose clears the hooks, this relief ensures the parts separate cleanly instead of dragging, which prevents that spongy, rolling break.
- Hammer Hook Height: Short, even-height hooks minimize the distance the sear must travel to release and help both hooks let go at the same instant. If one hook is taller or uneven, you feel a two-stage grind. Infinity’s parallelism avoids that.
- Disconnector Timing Surface: The disconnector’s top pad and body are polished and square, so it drops under slide movement and pops back up to re-enable the trigger without dragging on the sear. That’s your tactile, audible reset “click.”
- Thermal Wear: Infinity uses quality tool steel and proper heat-treat. Hard, flat surfaces stay flat, so your trigger feel doesn’t wander over a season of matches.
Is the ignition kit worth it?
I think the answer to this question is dependent on the person and their gun. If you are running a stock Staccato Ignition kit, I don’t see such a drastic enough change to make an upgrade feel necessary. It does have a noticeable change in characteristics, and I’d argue it was an upgrade I intend on keeping, but I don’t feel it made me a better shooter.
On the flip side, many of you are working with budget 2011s such as the MAC & Springfield guns, and want to make your trigger better . I highly recommend you consider an Infinity type kit, or something from another reputable company. Our Editor Paul likes the Nowlin Speed Demon Kit, but there are tons of good options out there, covering a wide price range. This can be the makeover your 2011 often needs, as a bad trigger is never pleasant.
I hope to update this review here in the future when I either receive the proper sear spring from Infinity, or instructions on how to install the one provided properly. SVI makes incredibly nice products, I just wish their website was a little more… navigable. Because you can’t outright purchase the ignition kit without the trigger shoe, I included the whole kit (this is what I ended up with in separate purchases anyways).
