AR triggers and accessories.

A

Axis II

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2015
Messages
7,179
Debating on buying myself a Christmas present (AR 15) and seeing how i know absolutely nothing about them i am seeking your advice. I went to a reputable shop today and spoke to their AR guy who shoots lots of competition with them and his suggestions was stay away from the M&P sport II due to loose tolerance, the next step up would be Ruger MPR or Springfield Saint. Was he just pushing more $$?

M&P sport ii comes with a vortex strikefire II for about $750. He says trigger is trash and needs upgraded and red dot is also not that great.

Springfield comes with a Vortex or Hex red dot, magpul flip sights, case and sling with one mag. The trigger on the Saint is also flat and breaks very light. I have read a lot of reviews saying stay away from the Springfield.

Ruger MPR just has a magpul forened and 2 stage trigger but i heard any parts are proprietary to that rifle. It does have a 20” barrel which could be better for bench shooting and hunting.

If i was going with a store bought package just for random plinking and coyote hunting what would be your pick? They can also order anything i want.

Shots max at 200-300yards. Of course i would scope it.

What scope rings would you suggest for a coyote hunting setup?

How about the triggers on both higher end rifles?
 
My coyote scope
Barely fits in the mount.
No bipod sub 200 yards, think 3-9X will work.
Is fine duplex though. Wish it was standard duplex.
Daytime optic.
Get some snow and grab the caller, head out with cuz.


vx.jpg
 
If you're getting an AR for random plinking and coyote hunting, I personally think you'd be just fine with the S&W M&P Sport II. The trigger is easily upgraded if you feel it needs it and the Vortex strikefire II is not that bad of a red dot sight in my opinion. Are there better options out there for both? Yes, definitely.

You might want to check out Palmetto State Armory for ARs. They have excellent ARs for reasonable prices.

If you were going to be competing professionally, or going to war with it, my recommendations would be different.
 
Last edited:
Axis II said:
What scope rings would you suggest for a coyote hunting setup?
Click to expand...
I really like the Aero Precision mounts, they're very light and strong plus they're made in US.

Axis II said:
How about the triggers on both higher end rifles?
Click to expand...
I used to really harp that the Larue MBT were the best for the money, but they raised the price so now I'd say it's a toss up with the Geissele G2s. I've shot several more expensive triggers and IMHO there's a steep diminished return.
 
I would think the S&W and the Ruger would be of equal quality speaking of the rifle alone. The Ruger has the longer barrel that may be good or bad depending on what you like. It comes at the cost of weight. I’ve shot both rifles and own a Ruger. No proprietary parts on the Ruger. Both rifles have heavy triggers, about what to expect from a service rifle. I did replace mine with a LaRue MBT. Same trigger will work in both rifles.

I’ve never shot a Saint and do not know anyone that has one.

Jeff
 
For your needs, I'd either hit up palmetto or I would just buy a stripped lower, appropriate parts kits, and put it together. A Larue or low end Geissele trigger would be worth the money, but I also find the Schmid 2 stage that is sold everywhere to be acceptable, although not as good as the other two.
 
IMHO, write down the basic specs you want, then shop for best fit for your taste and budget.
Off the top of my head for yotes and benchrest:
Barrel: 20", fluted for weight, .223 Wylde chamber
Upper: A4 for the pic rail, possibly without forward assist to save a bit of weight, get started with just an A2 flash hider, in case you later want to add a can.
Handguard: MLOK aluminum to float the barrel, not heavy
Trigger: better than mil spec, 2-stage match? Geissle?
Pistol grip: Magpul, better than A2
Buttstock: Something adjustable for winter coats to summer tee shirts, probably with a QD sling point, figure where else to put a QD, maybe on the MLOK rail. (fixed A2 looks retro, FWIW)

There's more, like BCG, but something like this, personalized to you.

Of course, building one will 100% match your wants; like tailor made vs off the rack.

I like the Aero Precision mounts, too. Don't go for the Burris; they're built solid like a tank and weigh like that, IMHO.

For a hunting gun, I'd skip the back up iron sights just for the weight. Ounces make pounds, etc.
 
I recently purchased a PSA midlength 16inch with the EPT trigger upgrade. Its my first AR but I have shot several that friends own. I was extremely pleased with the crispness of the EPT trigger versus the gritty regular milspec trigger on the ones I have shot previously. Its very accurate and not a single hiccup with feeding and ejecting. I know 5.56 doesnt have much recoil but it seems to shoot much softer than the 16 inch carbines I have shot. I assume thats because of the midlength gas system. I threw an Aimpoint Comp M4 clone on it. Only shot about 150 rounds so far Im very impressed. You might consider the palmetto with the EPT.
 
PSA m4 clone with EPT is my choice.
Came with a Magpul stock and cheesy PSA grip.
Added a Holosun green dot and olight light/laser.
Other than the grip, I haven't felt the need to upgrade any part of it.
 
Yeah, PSA is where it's at. I mean sure, I'd love a BCM AR but that's not in the budget right now. In addition to PSA I have some Anderson lowers with Bear Creek Arsenal uppers on them. Still entry level, but I'm not going to war with them...
 
Another vote for Palmetto State Armory.

Save yourself some $$$ and buy a complete lower with the EPT trigger and a complete upper.

Blem $149.99 complete lower with EPT trigger w/ free shipping. I challenge you to find the blem.

Mid length nitride complete upper $279.99 w/ free shipping.

$429.98
Add taxes and $20 transfer fee to your local FFL.

You will need a rear sight, magazines, ammo and a sling.

Or get a complete rifle from them. Example $519.
 
I prefer Del-Tons over PSA. I have had good accuracy from both but the Del-Tons seem to be more consistent and less problems.
 
drobs said:
I also like Del-Ton but have never had a problem with PSA and I own a bunch of em.
Click to expand...
Yeah, by the numbers they have lots of happy customers. I was unlucky twice. Once with a BCG, and again with a LPK. that's enough for me. But it's good if most people are happy.
 
I will also recommend PSA to you, but for shooting at the range and for coyotes I will recommend going with an 18 or 20 inch barrel. And if you are even remotely mechanically inclined and can follow simple instructions I would suggest building the lower yourself. It might not save you money but you would have a better understanding of the inner workings and it isn't remotely difficult.

If you want to go that route I would suggest these.

Lower - https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-ar-15-blem-stealth-stripped-lower-receiver.html

Upper & lower build kit - https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-18-rl-223-wylde-15-mlok-moe-ept-rifle-kit-w-mbus-ss.html

If you would rather buy the lower built out then I would recommend these.

Lower - https://palmettostatearmory.com/ble...Avantlink&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=cl

Upper - https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...h-carp158-nickel-boron-bcg-ch-5165449759.html

Either way you are right around $500 plus tax, shipping, and transfer fees, so right around $600 OTD and it should be every bit as accurate and reliable as any of the three you listed.

Though if you want the instant gratification of buying one that is available locally, I would choose the MPR over the other two with the Saint being my 2nd choice.
 
My experience with the S&W M&P was as a stripped lower. It assembled just fine into a complete rifle. The S&W logo is classy.

Nowadays, there's little difference in quality between brands of ARs. Within reason, just go with the lowest price.

Triggers on rifles are not nearly as critical as triggers on handguns. The standard issue trigger on an AR will work just fine.
 
I used a Weaver cantilever mount, Nikon Buckmasters 3-9x40 scope, and a PSA lower kit and upper assembled with a 16" barrel & mid-length gas system. Carbine length systems are...abrupt. I like mid-length better, but a rifle length system on a 20"-barrel shoots softer still.

I used the mil-spec trigger for a while and it shot fine once I did some dry firing. Then I tried a Schmidt 2-stage trigger and upgraded to those. The Larue MBT is probably another step up again, but the Schmidt works well for 2/3 the cost. I've tried a PSA EPT trigger too, and it works pretty well. I have only tried it in dry fire, so I don't have a final judgement.
 
If you go to a performance automotive shop for car advice you will get advice on building a car that might not necessarily fit your needs.
The same goes with firearms. Unless you absolutely need the best (and my “best” may not be your “best”) for competition or for really long range shooting I would skip the first time purchase of a competition ready rifle. You will not get the money out of it that you put into if you decide you don’t like it and wish to sell it.
S&W has sold thousands of ARs. If you’re on a budget or just not sure you will even like an AR that may be a wise choice for you. After shooting it a while if you don’t like the trigger then you can upgrade it.

My 2¢
 
This ^^^^^^. Every time this question comes up, everyone has a shopping list of things on their perfect build. It is well intentioned, but overwhelming.
(Ran into the same problem shopping for an E-bike; I was drowning in advice and minutiae.) .
For now, the op would do well to buy a quality rifle, shoot it until comfortable with the platform, and then make changes as needed.
I haven't been AR shopping for 20 years, but always went with the prancing pony myself.
Moon
 
You can get a really good rifle set up for around $1K now. The M&P's must have gone up a bit, there was a time you could get one for around $500 and less. I wouldn't pay $750 for one, not because it isn't good because I have one and it is very accurate and has had a good handful of cases shot through it with no hiccups, so I trust the reliability of it.

Maybe shop around, see if you can find an M&P or a Premium PSA for around $600 and then put a decent scope on it, should be able to get something decent and scoped for under $1K and then over time you'll put a few more dollars into it with a trigger, sling, etc....
 
halfmoonclip said:
This ^^^^^^. Every time this question comes up, everyone has a shopping list of things on their perfect build. It is well intentioned, but overwhelming.
(Ran into the same problem shopping for an E-bike; I was drowning in advice and minutiae.) .
For now, the op would do well to buy a quality rifle, shoot it until comfortable with the platform, and then make changes as needed.
I haven't been AR shopping for 20 years, but always went with the prancing pony myself.
Moon
Click to expand...

I had the same problem with trying to buy suppressors. It's really easy to over analyze things to the point of inaction. I finally went and bought 2 based off a local shop's recommendation. Shooting with those 2 suppressors has taught me what I would like out of my next suppressor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

U
  • Locked
AR-MPR AR-15 build complete (links to HD videos)
Replies
0
Views
489
UltimateReloader
U
E
  • Locked
Optics for S&W MP15a AR
Replies
8
Views
883
jimmy0622
J
Olympus
  • Locked
  • Poll
Which Factory AR?
2 3
Replies
62
Views
2K
Skylerbone
Skylerbone
A
  • Locked
How to get the "slap" out of an AR15?
2 3
Replies
52
Views
4K
Hookeye
H
Macchina
  • Locked
Thoughts on an AR with backup sights and not a QD scope mount?
2
Replies
32
Views
6K
Zerodefect
Z
Back
Top