Choosing a Geissele Trigger

[Olon]

Howdy,

I've been saving for a Geissele trigger for my AR for awhile. Originally, I was planning on going for the GS2 because it was the most affordable and then I'd be able to decide if I like the concept of the 2 stage and Geissele in general. Now that I saw the kind of deals they put out there for a Halloween sale, I've started to consider a couple of the pricier options. I bet they will be even better for black Friday/cyber Monday. Mainly I'm looking at the Super Tricon Trigger. I like the idea of a flat bottom so if I ever decide to shoot with gloves it would be easier. Of course there's also the SSA and the SD-C. What have y'all put on your guns and what do you like/dislike about them?

Some more info about my specific situation:
The gun I have in mind is an AR-15 with a 16" barrel. I use it for target shooting as well as a car gun. And when I say target shooting I mean I set up a target 100 or so yards off and shoot irons so nothing super intense like competition. One day I might use it for hog hunting, who knows. So basically, I'm looking for a good all-purpose trigger. I want something nicer than the mil-spec that's currently on it. When I build an AR someday, I may transfer it to that gun and that gun I build will probably be a 'yote hunter.

Thanks for the input, folks!

 

[cheygriz]

Whichever Giselle you choose, you will like. I prefer a single stage at 3 lbs.

 

[Olon]

Whichever Giselle you choose, you will like. I prefer a single stage at 3 lbs.

Did you have a reason you chose single stage over 2-stage? Some people seem to rave about the predictability of the break with 2-stage but I guess the way I was taught is to not anticipate the break at all.

 

[z7]

The g2s is a good trigger, it is identical to the ssa but doesn’t undergo the same QC process. It is really nice in my 16” Daniel defense carbine,

I use it for 3 gun and you can see me using it up close and fast and at further distances with precision in this video. Using that trigger made me faster and more accurate over the stock trigger

 

[Chuck R.]

I'm a fan of their SSA-E's and have 3 of them.

I like the 2-stage on a defensive or hunting carbine as I feel it lets me use a lighter trigger, while still maintaining a sufficient "safety" edge due to the 1st stage. For the close stuff, you just pull through, and for the precision shots, ease past the 1st stage to the break of the 2nd. I really like this set-up on my 3GUN carbine due to the variance in shot distances.

Keep an eye on the Palmetto State Armory website, every once in a while they have some very good sales on Geissele's. Like this SSP for $189.99 with free shipping:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/gei...sion-ssp-dynamic-flat-bow-trigger-05-483.html

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I have an SSA and a 3 Gun Trigger.

I like them both.

for speed shooting, i think the 3 gun trigger is faster, but not by much.

It is a preference thing. Standard SSA floats my boat just fine.

 

[Walkalong]

Keep an eye on the Palmetto State Armory website, every once in a while they have some very good sales on Geissele's. Like this SSP for $189.99 with free shipping:

https://palmettostatearmory.com/gei...sion-ssp-dynamic-flat-bow-trigger-05-483.html

How does it compare to the GS2? I really like my GS2. Other than being single stage that is.

 

[Chuck R.]

How does it compare to the GS2? I really like my GS2. Other than being single stage that is.

Sorry, no 1st hand experience. From their site:

The Single-Stage Precision (SSP) is Geissele Automatics’ first true single-stage trigger for the AR Platform. This drop-in trigger has no take up and a super clean break. The reset is short yet still distinct, giving excellent feedback to the shooter during target engagement. Combining these two capabilities provides the shooter with the confidence necessary when precision and accuracy are essential for the task at hand.

https://geissele.com/ssp-geissele-flat-bow.html

 

[js8588]

Get a LaRue MBT and spend the rest of the money on ammo. A Geissele SD-E came on my Barrett Rec7 DMR. I've moved it over to a build for the wife and replaced it with an MBT. I prefer the icicle break on the LaRue to the carrot break on the Geissele. YMMV.

 

[Olon]

I've been saving my meager college-student income for so long and now with the sales I can afford it. So hard not to go for it now but if I wait until black Friday I can spend the rest of the cash on ammo. Life choices haha

 

[cheygriz]

Did you have a reason you chose single stage over 2-stage? Some people seem to rave about the predictability of the break with 2-stage but I guess the way I was taught is to not anticipate the break at all.

Personal preference, I guess. I've used both for most of my life. I am familiar with both and get good results with both, but I just like the single stage better.

I don't consider the so-called "surprise break" as viable on a fighting weapon. If I'm shooting at another human being, I want absolute control of my trigger, and absolute "feel" for the break point. Just MHO!

 

[Skylerbone]

@Olon, do you have an AR retailer in your area? Some rifles ship with better than mil-spec triggers factory installed including 2-stage. I know saving during those college years is tough (I saved every week for Thursday case night and the occasional date) but I’m wondering if you won’t be suffering buyer’s remorse if you don’t at least try a few before handing over your cash. I base this on your money situation and current use.

Geissele makes a fine trigger but they aren’t the only game in town. If I were spending $190 on parts this afternoon I’d head to righttobear for an RRA 3.5 lb Varmint 2-stage and a Toolcraft NiB BCG. $2 left over wouldn’t buy much ammo but you would have two excellent upgrades. At $79.99 for the trigger alone you could buy 300 rounds of ammo and test it out.

 

[Olon]

@Skylerbone ,

There's a pretty big store across town. That's a good point, in the past I've learned more towards putting rounds downrange and caring less about all the gadgets (why I'm currently running irons and not some $1000 optic). Good advice, I've got some time to consider what to do. Hopefully one day I'll have a bin full of parts I've replaced so I can pick and choose a bit later on down the road haha. It's a lower-echelon AR you might say. A DPMS I picked up a few years ago so I think most aftermarket triggers would in fact be an upgrade (could be wrong though it's the only AR I've ever owned).

Thanks for the input, I'll give it some thought.

 

[Skylerbone]

I’m not saying don’t buy or you’ll still have a great trigger 10 years from now, only that if 1/2 the money feels 90% as good...why not.

A different thread prompted me to try a few things lately using PSA’s EPT group and JP springs. Buying them stand alone would run less than $50 and yields a clean and light trigger that’s sloppy (longish take up) but vastly better than a basic GI. You might even find the JP springs for less than $10 could get you by till you’re sure you’ve found the right trigger for that hard earned.

 

[Captains1911]

Get a LaRue MBT and spend the rest of the money on ammo. A Geissele SD-E came on my Barrett Rec7 DMR. I've moved it over to a build for the wife and replaced it with an MBT. I prefer the icicle break on the LaRue to the carrot break on the Geissele. YMMV.

This. With the LaRue currently on sale for $87, you can buy 2 or 3 for the price of one Geissele of similar quality.

 

[mustbe]

I only use two stage and own the Geissele high speed, RRA, and the Larue.
The Geissele has the best break because it's adjustable. The shoe is set further forward which I like.

The RRA is very good with the shoe in the normal milspec location. The second stage wall is a little vague with the stock spring but a little tinkering with a modified bolt catch spring helps.

The Larue is much higher quality than the RRA. The break is clean and it comes with two different trigger springs to adjust pull weight and reset. The shoe seems to be set back and is very wide and flat.

The Larue is hands down the very best deal out there right now. It's machined out of tool steel not cast like the others. You won't find a comperable trigger for less than $200.

 

[Olon]

Folks,

I wound up going with the Geissele G2S, despite very persuading advice to buy a LaRue. Considerably more expensive at $140 but I don't think I'll be unhappy with it anyway. Can't wait for it go get here this Friday!

Thank you for all your input, I do appreciate it.
God's blessings on y'all!

Olon

 

[Slamfire]

I first started shooting with M1903's and M1917's, and I am of the opinion that a two stage trigger is safer than a single stage. For highpower competition and for small bore prone competition, I prefer a two stage trigger. I like the dwell as I pull through the first stage, and I use that to concentrate and drop my heart beat.

What matters is the trigger weight. For NRA highpower, I found I would occasionally trip a trigger pull weight less than 1 1/2" pounds in the rapid fire stages. This was with my match 308 M70's, where I had to swing the bolt and get back in position, and as I was inserting my finger into the trigger guard, sometimes I would not feel the trigger. Now with my Smallbore Prone rifles, I am in position. I am in a very tight prone sling, and I don't have to be hasty about pulling the trigger.

This is my "meat gun" and it has a set trigger.



The unset trigger is a two stage, I think I am running about a 1 lb on the unset trigger. After a couple days of shooting in a Regional, that one pound feels like a wall, and when my finger gets sensitive, I start using the set. I am unable to measure the set pull, as it goes off when the trigger gage touches it, it may be an ounce. Might be more.

Personally, I won leg points with my two stage M1a trigger and it was never less than 3 1/2 lbs.