AR trigger "kit" vs "drop-in"?

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Saggins

Saggins

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Having a terribly hard time making up my mind. I have been looking extensively at AR triggers, 2 in particular. One of which is a "kit" style where you assemble and install. The other is a completely assembled "drop-in". Both get fantastic reviews and both are very close to what I'm looking for. However, the "drop-in" costs just over double what the "kit" costs. This is a precision AR build for mid-long range (but I don't have an unlimited budget according to my wife haha). Is a good "drop in" worth twice a good "kit"?

P.s. another slight difference between them (other than stated above) is the "drop in" has an adjustable pull weight, while with kit I would have to change springs.
 
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Either / or if the two have qualities you want. The "kit" is likely a higher quality mil-spec style?. If so, they are simple. Just do a good quality youtube or two and you'll be fine. Which two are you looking at?
 
There really isn’t anything inherently good or bad about a kit or drop in. It’s really all about features, feel, value, and quality. There are quality makers in both categories and there are marginal players in both categories.
 
LaRue is an outstanding trigger. I have a similarly designed Geissele G2S in my Aero Precision M5E1, but when I've compared side by side with a LaRue, the LaRue is noticeably more crisp.
 
Saggins said:
Having a terribly hard time making up my mind. I have been looking extensively at AR triggers, 2 in particular. One of which is a "kit" style where you assemble and install. The other is a completely assembled "drop-in". Both get fantastic reviews and both are very close to what I'm looking for. However, the "drop-in" costs just over double what the "kit" costs. This is a precision AR build for mid-long range (but I don't have an unlimited budget according to my wife haha). Is a good "drop in" worth twice a good "kit"?

P.s. another slight difference between them (other than stated above) is the "drop in" has an adjustable pull weight, while with kit I would have to change springs.
Click to expand...
I like Geissele sp? I have a couple. I don't like encased units because I don't care for anti walk pins, e clips, set screws etc. I like a trigger that goes in the same way a factory trigger would, using the same pins. Simple, robust, lightweight, lets crud and stuff fall away.
I also have this one which I think is fine, and made by cedar creek:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/00173lp1060/ar-15-2-stage-hook-under-trigger-set

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...sembly-ar-15-ar-10-lr-308-small-pin-154-matte
 
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Jackal said:
I have no idea why people think that cartridge trigger packs are easier to install, they aren't.
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An Elftmann just went into one of my ARs. Barely. It was so tight, I did not need to tighten the screws at the bottom. I didn't let that stop me though. Just snug, and everything was too tight to move.:( The fashion in which it was stuck would not have happened with traditional trigger packs.

After much more anguish with their anti-walk clips, again way too tight, and much fiddling, it works as advertised. Glass clean and less than three pounds.

I am not sure it was quite worth one hundred more than the CMC flat trigger, as I have a month wait for the barrel. But I'm hoping so!:D

Just moving a terrible Mil-Spec pack to a different receiver resulted in a very good trigger for my four fifty. Strange.
 
Saggins said:
Have a preference for one over the other at all for precision/longer ranges?
Click to expand...

I like the Triggertech for precision/target work (I'm picking up a 2nd for my RECCE build) and the LaRue for absolute reliability while still being smooth and crisp.

Never had a malfunction with either.
 
LaRue MBT 2S is the best value in triggers out there.

I just sold my SSA-E to “drop” to the LaRue and have more money for other gun stuff.

Very happy! Install is 2 mins and gives you AR maintenance confidence if you haven’t built one yet.
 
Mark is still building them for $99. Got a poignant email from him about his failures in his marriage. Blames himself. Seems like a great guy to know. I will probably buy another one from him soon.

All the best Mark

M
 
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I picked up a Larue MBT-2S about a year ago when they were on sale for $99. I liked it so much that I ordered another one the last time they were on sale. It's hard to beat it for a hundred bucks.
 
Drop in vs kit? I have both and here are my thoughts...

Years ago I bought a Timney drop in. It is a single stage trigger which breaks at around 3 pounds and is in the rifle on the left. This gun is chambered in 5.56mm and just yesterday it was putting standard Federal XM193 ball ammo into 1/2” groups at 100 yards. It is a nice trigger and does not disappoint, especially when on the bench.

I own two Geissele “kit” triggers and both have a two stage pull. One is a G2S which breaks at around 4 pounds and the other is an SSA-E which breaks at around 3 pounds. The SSA-E is in the rifle on the right which is chambered in 6.5 Grendel. Man that is a nice trigger! I built this rifle for whitetail hunting and will try it out this fall.

Trigger upgrades seem overly expensive, especially when the gun goes “bang” with your current trigger. However, if you are planning on longer range accuracy a good trigger is a must.

I seem to prefer the two stage triggers, but both styles are nice. Once you get a nice trigger you will wonder why you didn’t do it earlier.

Edmo


pQgKaIy.jpg
 
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Another vote for LaRue.
I've got 2 of them so far and they are awesome triggers.
Also, they always send "stuff" with the trigger, bumper stickers, "Dillo" beverage entry tool, sometimes a cap, a few pocket Constitutions, targets, paint mixers, whatever they feel like putting in the box.
 
I have triggers from JP, Geissele, Larue, and CMC. All are significant improvements over 'mil-spec'.


Triggers are very subjective. I like a single stage for 3 gun so for that I use the JP. For longer range I can shoot a 2 stage or single stage, in that realm, I like the Larue just as well. For $99 the Larue is damn hard to beat.


I use the light spring and it sets off everything. If you are seeking a 2 stage the Larue is very hard to beat.
 
LaRue has their MBT triggers for $99 "I can wait" price. They are a sweet trigger for the price no doubt, I have a couple more to buy to standardize my triggers with them. And I'll kuddos those who are confused by people who shy away from a trigger pack, they are not hard to install people.
 
I have Geissele triggers in two of my ARs with no regrets. They are awesome triggers and significant improvements over stock mil-spec. My third AR has the stock trigger and this thread is making me think that I need to reach out to LaRue for one of theirs. $99 is a steal compared to Geissele prices.
 
Don't be put off by LaRue's "I can wait" thing, I used "I can wait" both times, and the first time, it shipped the day I ordered it, and the 2nd time, it shipped the day after I ordered it.
Your experience may be different, but I got both mine in around a week.
 
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