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General Categories => General Firearm Discussion => Topic started by: RobertH on December 12, 2013, 09:07:29 AM

Title: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: RobertH on December 12, 2013, 09:07:29 AM
does anyone run an aftermarket AR trigger?  i've been using the stock triggers which are fine, but i'm curious if i'm missing out on better triggers.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 12, 2013, 09:24:20 AM
If you've never tried a Giessele trigger you don't know what you're missing.

Unfortunately, I have and I do know.  I need to buy one.  Their 2 stage service rifle trigger is amazing.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: M7025-06 on December 12, 2013, 09:48:20 AM
Get a Giessele..you won't be sorry.  I've got the 2-stage on my AR and it's a sweet trigger.

Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: JTH on December 12, 2013, 11:12:57 AM
Giessele makes great triggers, no doubt.

If, on the other hand, you aren't shooting a .25 MOA varmint rifle at 600 yards at prairie dogs and don't want to spend that much :)  another possibility is simply getting a set of JP competition trigger springs and installing them.

Note:  these are competition springs advertised as not suitable for self-defense purposes as they may not set off hard primers blah blah blah----legal disclaimer.  That being said, I have these springs in almost every AR I own, and after tens of thousands of rounds (literally that round count, from Hornady match to the cheapest worst Russian steel-case ammo you've ever seen) the trigger has never failed to fire any round seated in the chamber.

So, YMMV.

JP Competition springs from Brownells are under $10.  :)

In terms of actual full trigger groups, I've heard good things about the HIPERTOUCH 24, which is a fairly recent addition to the possible trigger assemblies out there.  It is designed as a service rifle trigger, yet gives adjustable weights from 2-4 pound pull.  (Other versions are even lighter with more adjustments and less pre-travel, for people who REALLY want to spend money on Multigun rifles.)

A guy who shoots Multigun at ENGC is sponsored by HIPERTOUCH, if I recall correctly---one of these days I'm going to have to ask him if I can try the trigger on his AR.

Big question is what you are going to use the AR for?  You can get some amazing triggers out there for varmint hunting and such---but you might not want them on a service/SD rifle, which you'll want to be 100% reliable.  Multigun folks tend to want both---a light trigger with little pre-travel and a fast reset, but highly reliable--so they tend to have triggers that are halfway in between.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: RobertH on December 12, 2013, 11:18:06 AM
i plan on using the gun for plinking to hunting to classes to competition.  i have yet to take any rifle classes or shoot any competitions, but i would like to in the future.  not really planning on using it as an HD gun.  i think a 3 or 4 lb trigger pull is what i'm thinking.  i have an Apex sear in my M&P40 and love it.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: shooter on December 12, 2013, 11:40:09 AM
the Timney drop in trigger pack has a problem with hard primers,
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 12, 2013, 12:01:27 PM
I've also heard the AR Gold triggers are very nice.  Some of the ENPS multigun guys use them and say they're good.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: JTH on December 12, 2013, 12:01:53 PM
i plan on using the gun for plinking to hunting to classes to competition.  i have yet to take any rifle classes or shoot any competitions, but i would like to in the future.  not really planning on using it as an HD gun.  i think a 3 or 4 lb trigger pull is what i'm thinking.  i have an Apex sear in my M&P40 and love it.

Given that, I'd just drop in a $10 spring set and try that for awhile.  :)
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 12, 2013, 12:22:24 PM
There's another trick you can do which won't lighten up the trigger at all, but it will take the creep out of it.  You can use a set screw to preload the trigger, as posted here:

http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=66&t=243992 (http://www.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=3&f=66&t=243992)

Quote
To do this, you install a 1/4" x 28 pitch x 1/2" Allen set screw up the receiver pistol grip threads. With the selector set on safe (and pushing the selector detent pin up to hold the selector in the correct sideway alignment), you tighten the set screw until the back of the trigger snugs up against the bottom of the selector (read still able to turn the selector off safe), and then the pistol grip screw is shortened for the thread distance that is occupied by the new set screw.

I've done this on the lower I usually use for multigun and it does make quite a difference.  I used some loctite on the whole mess and it's been 100% reliable, and this gun gets used pretty hard.  For the last match I shot I switched to a different lower just for S&G and I could really tell a difference when shooting under presure.  I bet if it was paired with the JP springs it would end up being a pretty nice trigger.  Hmm...
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 12, 2013, 12:25:50 PM
Here's a better description, with pictures:

http://www.junkyardgenius.com/firearms/ar-15/ar08.html (http://www.junkyardgenius.com/firearms/ar-15/ar08.html)
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: jonm on December 12, 2013, 12:41:53 PM
after buying a couple different Geissele triggers, I found I'm not a fan of 2 stage triggers. I've since switched to hipertouch 24 and 24c and love them. I also really like the jp trigger for a lower cost option. I also owned a cmc and used a timney a bunch and they are also nice, but not worth the price over a jp IMO.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 12, 2013, 12:50:20 PM
after buying a couple different Geissele triggers, I found I'm not a fan of 2 stage triggers.

That brings up a good point - if possible you should try a few types to see what you like.  Triggers are very subjective.  I personally prefer 2 stage triggers, but not everyone does.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: JTH on December 12, 2013, 02:09:48 PM
after buying a couple different Geissele triggers, I found I'm not a fan of 2 stage triggers. I've since switched to hipertouch 24 and 24c and love them. I also really like the jp trigger for a lower cost option. I also owned a cmc and used a timney a bunch and they are also nice, but not worth the price over a jp IMO.

Drat, I forgot to mention the full JP trigger assembly!  A perfectly good mid-cost trigger.

Do you like the 24C over the 24?  (In other words, is it worth the extra money?)


...I'm not really a fan of 2-stage triggers either, for the purposes in which I use my AR.  However, I'm thinking that for most people, THAT choice will be completely a personal preference as opposed to a performance difference.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: lneuke on December 12, 2013, 04:19:54 PM
Check out the ALG ACT

Mine has a pull weight of 5.5 lbs, and the reset is awesome.  Very short and crisp, I've gotten 6 shots a second easily out of it.  It's seen a few thousand rounds without any problems thus far, including never seeing a single drop of lube  :D

The best part?  It's fairly cheap too, usually around $60-70
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: Chris C on December 12, 2013, 04:58:54 PM
In terms of actual full trigger groups, I've heard good things about the HIPERTOUCH 24, which is a fairly recent addition to the possible trigger assemblies out there.  It is designed as a service rifle trigger, yet gives adjustable weights from 2-4 pound pull.  (Other versions are even lighter with more adjustments and less pre-travel, for people who REALLY want to spend money on Multigun rifles.)

A guy who shoots Multigun at ENGC is sponsored by HIPERTOUCH, if I recall correctly---one of these days I'm going to have to ask him if I can try the trigger on his AR.

I just ordered a HIPERTOUCH 24 competition trigger for my AR-10 from Brownells after reading some good reviews.  Can't wait to put it in and try it because the DPMS one in there now is a real POS.  I built a AR-15 lower utilizing a DPMS parts kit and that trigger is a heck of a lot better and the one in the AR-10. 
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: jonm on December 12, 2013, 05:06:44 PM
Drat, I forgot to mention the full JP trigger assembly!  A perfectly good mid-cost trigger.

Do you like the 24C over the 24?  (In other words, is it worth the extra money?)


...I'm not really a fan of 2-stage triggers either, for the purposes in which I use my AR.  However, I'm thinking that for most people, THAT choice will be completely a personal preference as opposed to a performance difference.
I love the flat trigger of the 24c. I had a Geissele SD-3G and flat trigger cmc as well. flat triggers are worth it. next multigun,  fell free to try them out. I normally bring both rifles to and decide which one I want to use before the first stage.

the shooters connection is doing 20% off until the end of the year. they are out of stock on the hipertouch now but check back every day till they get in stock.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 12, 2013, 05:31:30 PM
ALG ACT

That sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: RobertH on December 13, 2013, 06:38:08 AM
what the difference between a curved trigger and a flat one?
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: jonm on December 13, 2013, 07:21:24 AM
less perceived weight.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: OnTheFly on December 13, 2013, 09:39:57 AM
That sounds interesting, I'll have to check it out.

I wonder if you could combine the ALG ACT with bkoenigs modification?

Fly
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 13, 2013, 10:11:31 AM
I wonder if you could combine the ALG ACT with bkoenigs modification?

Fly

I don't see why not, since it appears to just be a "tuned" milspec trigger. 
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: jonm on December 13, 2013, 12:53:11 PM
you can. the best way to remove all the pretravel is to actually fit the trigger to the safety.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: JTH on December 13, 2013, 08:57:31 PM
I don't see why not, since it appears to just be a "tuned" milspec trigger. 

Pretty much.  If you want a good solid milspec trigger, the ACT is a decent one from what I hear.  Right now, Primary Arms has them on sale for $49.99 (Coupon code:  ALG49, use it in the shopping cart) if people are really interested in them. 

https://www.primaryarms.com/ALG-Defense-05199ACT-Combat-Trigger-p/05199act.htm (https://www.primaryarms.com/ALG-Defense-05199ACT-Combat-Trigger-p/05199act.htm)

Personally---my opinion is that the basic triggers I get from Fulton Armory (which are on three of my ARs) are perfectly solid if I want to stay unmodified mil-spec. And if I want them lighter, I can always use JP springs.

I do wonder what the ACT would be like with the JP trigger springs, though....  :)
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: lneuke on December 13, 2013, 09:40:17 PM
Pretty much.  If you want a good solid milspec trigger, the ACT is a decent one from what I hear.  Right now, Primary Arms has them on sale for $49.99 (Coupon code:  ALG49, use it in the shopping cart) if people are really interested in them. 

https://www.primaryarms.com/ALG-Defense-05199ACT-Combat-Trigger-p/05199act.htm (https://www.primaryarms.com/ALG-Defense-05199ACT-Combat-Trigger-p/05199act.htm)

Personally---my opinion is that the basic triggers I get from Fulton Armory (which are on three of my ARs) are perfectly solid if I want to stay unmodified mil-spec. And if I want them lighter, I can always use JP springs.

I do wonder what the ACT would be like with the JP trigger springs, though....  :)

I've been considering trying it...but I just have had such good luck with the reliability that I don't feel it would be worth it for me. 
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: RobertH on December 14, 2013, 05:57:24 AM
does any one know how good any of these triggers work with say a 22LR CMMG drop in kit or 9mm upper?
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: jonm on December 14, 2013, 07:49:47 AM
I hand used the geissele and jp in both my 9mm and 22lr both supprrssed and unsuppressed, with no problems. I can't say I've tried the others
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 15, 2013, 08:32:39 AM
Here is one that sounds interesting, and the price is good.

http://www.elitetacticalcomponents.com/battle-tested-equipment-single-stage-match-trigger-bte-ssmt (http://www.elitetacticalcomponents.com/battle-tested-equipment-single-stage-match-trigger-bte-ssmt)
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: monkeyboy on December 15, 2013, 01:54:27 PM
Robert H, I've got both a CMMG and Tac Sol 22 uppers. Both run reliably with Geisselle triggers. FWIW Mike.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: Burnsy87 on December 21, 2013, 05:17:06 AM
Dying to put either the SD-E or SSA-E in my Recce.. can't decide what I want to do with the SBR's trigger.  SSA or SD-C I assume.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: RobertH on December 28, 2013, 12:10:00 PM
well i did it.  i bought a Geissele SSA.  i bought it from botach.com.  $184-ish with free shipping.  hopefully it will show up soon.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: RobertH on December 28, 2013, 02:22:52 PM
well i'm a little pissed...

just read on arfcom that if you use ARFCOM as a coupon code, you get 30% off plus free shipping on everything in the store.  so i bought an SSA and a patch for $148.50 shipped.  here's to canceling botach's order.....

ETA: ends midnight tonight.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: bkoenig on December 28, 2013, 03:25:33 PM
You just had to go and make me buy a new trigger, didn't you?
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: OnTheFly on December 28, 2013, 09:01:19 PM
You just had to go and make me buy a new trigger, didn't you?

You are KILLING me.  I CAN'T afford this right after Christmas.  Ok...If I get a Geissele, which one should I go for?  I'm eventually planning on doing 3-gun so is the "Super 3 Gun" S3G the way to go, or should I just get something less dedicated since this is my only AR-15...so far?

Fly
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: tstuart34 on December 28, 2013, 09:12:04 PM
You are KILLING me.  I CAN'T afford this right after Christmas.  Ok...If I get a Geissele, which one should I go for?  I'm eventually planning on doing 3-gun so is the "Super 3 Gun" S3G the way to go, or should I just get something less dedicated since this is my only AR-15...so far?

Fly

I have never shot any of the geissele triggers but what i have read about the S3G is it is supper light with super short reset. It is said to be a great run and gun trigger but not something that you should use for bench shooting. I personally am going to go with a ssa or thw g2s. Tbey seem to be the all simple all purpose trigger.

This is just my take on it. I hope sometime soon to get a few of you guys with triggers together and try some.
Title: Re: Aftermarket AR triggers
Post by: OnTheFly on December 28, 2013, 09:42:19 PM
I have never shot any of the geissele triggers but what i have read about the S3G is it is supper light with super short reset. It is said to be a great run and gun trigger but not something that you should use for bench shooting. I personally am going to go with a ssa or thw g2s. Tbey seem to be the all simple all purpose trigger.

This is just my take on it. I hope sometime soon to get a few of you guys with triggers together and try some.

Thanks for the reply, but it seems to be a moot point.  It's like a cow's opinion...it doesn't matter since they are out of stock on the S3G.

Fly