AR trigger upgrade..?

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Another vote of the ALG ACT. I used them to replace the factory triggers in my grab and go AR's and they are great. I used the "Tan" spring and it pops military primers with glee. The coating on the triggers makes them very smooth and although they retain a traditional pull weight, they feel lighter.
 
Honestly, when I got bitten by the AR bug some years ago, I got bitten badly. I bought my first AR. A Bushmaster Predator. Funny thing is that, although Bushmaster has turned out to be a reputable company, I had nothing but trouble with that rifle. It turns out that it was a blessing in disguise. I wound up learning the AR from top to bottom. I won't say that I know everything there is about the AR platform, not as much as some, but probably more than most. Since that Predator, I've put together and repaired more ARs than I can count. For a good long while, they were my favorite toy.

The two ARs that I have now each have well over 10K rounds through each.

I've also played around with different options in triggers. I've tried many out there. The CMC's, Jewels, Rock Rivers, etc. The triggers that I've landed on and haven't looked back is the Geissele triggers. My favorite is the SSA-E. It just plain works and keeps on working. Sort of one of those things that is a jack of all trades, but master of none...but in a good way. There are lots of good triggers out there, just shoot as many as you can and pick the one that suits you.

A word of caution about those "polished" or "enhanced" triggers. For many, their rifles will never see 2K rounds for the duration that they own them. For those, these enhanced or polished triggers may be fine. Just keep in mind that for any process done on an AR trigger that is applied after the trigger has gone through its manufacturing process, this "polishing" or "enhancing" COULD go beyond the thickness of the hardening on any particular part. If this happens, you could experience such things as the rifle going full auto, the hammer following or the trigger failing to reset altogether. I've sent triggers off to have a "trigger job" done on milspec parts only to have them start to fail at less than 1K rounds. The last two Rock River two stage triggers I had failed at just shy of 2.5K rounds. When I say fail, they lost their second stage and went to having something similar to an almost double action type of long pull until the break. Like a Kahr trigger, for those that are familiar.

There are somethings that I purchase with a "buy once, cry once" perspective. Aimpoints for red dots, ACOGs for magnified optics Bravo Company for BCGs and Geissele for triggers.
 
The Enhanced Polished Fire Control Group from PSA seems to be a bargain. Much better than the stock trigger they'll send you.

It's not the equivalent of a $100-200 trigger, but for $40 it's an improvement that's hard to beat. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar15-pa10-enhanced-polished-trigger.html

Another answer-less question, which is the best oil?

Check post #16. That's the trigger that came on my PSA 9mm AR pistol. The trigger was 7& 1/2#. Ridiculous.
 
OK, dumb question, the LaRue trigger specs say it only works with a small pin receiver. Aren't the small pins the standard size..?
Yes, small hammer/trigger pivot pin receivers (.154 vs .170 dia.) are the normal. There was a time when Colt didn't trust us proles not to put full-auto or burst capable fire controls into our semi-auto receivers and for a time made their semi-auto receivers with larger diameter pivot holes to keep us from being bad. They did similar with take down pins too IIRC.
 
These are some of the best values in the under $160 range.

If price is the biggest factor, then this: https://www.cdnnsports.com/ar15-2-stage-hammer-trigger-match-bushmaster.html?___SID=U#.Xl2V5ahKiUk

If you're willing to pay a little more, then something here: https://www.larue.com/category/parts-accessories/lower-parts/triggers/

If your're willing to go over $120 and wait for a sale, then this: https://geissele.com/geissele-2-stage-trigger.html

If you'd like to spend a little more, for a little more specific trigger, then one of these: https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...96&avs|Manufacturer_1=GEISSELE+AUTOMATICS+LLC

"What's a good AR trigger?" is going to get as many responses as "What's a good 223 handload for an AR?"
 
A lot of good triggers mentioned so far, but not much about use.
We have our range toys, hunting, target and Home Defense guns. And then there are some with Duty guns.
So the best trigger for one will not always be the best for the other.
I have several triggers in my AR’s from stock mil-spec to drop in one piece.
Here’s what I like.
The PSA enhanced trigger is ok if you’re on a tight budget. But you would be much happier spending just a little more.
For the best trigger for your money would be the AGL ACT (Advance Combat Trigger) I really like this trigger. What puts it above the others in its class is the trigger is nickel boron like the others, but the hammer and pins are nickel Teflon.
It make a good all around trigger, and great for home defense and duty use.

Then there are the Hiperfire triggers. These have some of the hardest hitting hammers that will be sure to set off the hardest of primers.
I like their Heavy Gunner trigger. I put in the same use as the ACT.
https://www.opticsplanet.com/hiperfire-hipertouch-edt2-trigger-assembly.html

For hunting, I like the LaRue MBT. I find it a little to light for duty and home defense.

For target and hunting a one piece drop in like the Risen 140 is great when you want that very light trigger but don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Now there are others but the price goes up and I don’t think you were looking to spend more then $129.
 
Only owning two ARs I'm pretty much a novice in the aftermarket trigger department. I decided to put a LaRue MBT in one of them that I had put Power Custom springs in which made it better than stock. The difference is like night and day so I ordered another for my other gun. I'm very pleased with these triggers. I have never been a big fan of two stage triggers but these are great.
 
I have used Hiperfire sharpshooter triggers in my last two builds, and I'm using their heavy gunner in my current 6.8 spc build. Those rifles were built for range, sd use. I have used the ALG enhanced and like it better than a milspec, but I like the Hiperfires better. I usually use the heavier spring. YMMV. Looks like I'll have to check out that LaRue MBT.
 
I have used Hiperfire sharpshooter triggers in my last two builds, and I'm using their heavy gunner in my current 6.8 spc build. Those rifles were built for range, sd use. I have used the ALG enhanced and like it better than a milspec, but I like the Hiperfires better. I usually use the heavier spring. YMMV. Looks like I'll have to check out that LaRue MBT.
The trigger itself is wider than your mil/spec trigger. It gives you a different feel.
 
I’ve been using the PSA 2-stage NIB triggers for a year or so, and I’ve been very happy with their performance. Add JP yellow springs and it’s a very crisp 2 1/2 pound trigger that’ll Ignite Russian primers reliability. I’ve got four and will get more. They’re $70 with occasional free shipping.
 
LaRue makes single stage now,straight bow or curved. 4.5 or 5.5 depending on spring your spring choice when you install. $80 but discount if you buy more than one.You can mix or match for trigger discount.
 
I totally agree with the recommendations for the mbt-2s, I've got the flat faced and it's very nice.

Also the Hiperfire EDT triggers are very nice for single stage triggers. I have the edt2(heavy gunner) and edt3(dedicated marksman) for cheap before they changed the names. I'd say they are both as nice as the mbt just different, 1 stage vs. 2.

I've also got 2 psa ept triggers and a few mil-spec fcgs, and 1 of the mil-specs feels nicer than the ept, 1 feels about the same, and another is just atrocious.
The ept's are ok and am glad they came with the lpk's i picked up, but I wouldn't set out specifically to buy one after trying the other two.
 
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