Recommend AR trigger - single stage on a budget?

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Rittmeister

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I've got two ARs currently. One is a DD "mil-spec+" upper on an Aero lower. It's got iron sights and is my near-mil-spec lightweight fun gun. I installed a Rock River National Match 2-stage trigger in it, and I'm very pleased with the results. The easy takeup and light, crisp letoff contribute to precision.

The other gun is more of a "working" rifle - range use and home defense. It's a BCM upper on an Anderson lower that I got used, and which came to me with a Timney trigger.

After a few thousand rounds I've decided the Timney trigger is not for me. I don't like the shape of the shoe itself, and at 3-3.5 pounds it's a bit on the light side.

So to the question - I think I'd like to replace it with a good single-stage trigger, and I'm wondering what folks are using and liking these days. I think I'd like a 4.5-5.5 pound letoff and a trigger shoe that mimics a mil-spec curve and feel. And here's the kicker - I'd like to do this for under $100.

So, I'm looking at AR-Stoner, ALG Defense, and a few other things from Midway, but I really want some other suggestions to go with my research so far. I'd consider a LaRue single-stage but they're sold out and have been for quite some time. I'm not opposed to a drop-in or "cassette"-style trigger but most of those seem to be a good bit pricier.

I suppose I could even go back to mil-spec, if I was guaranteed it would be on the lower end of the trigger pull weight-range, but my gut tells me I'll be happier with something slightly higher on the spectrum.

Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
 
RISE Amament makes a cartridge style drop in trigger thats really good. On sale it will hover around 100 bucks.

I put the 4.5 lb trigger set in four of my AR’s, and one of the 3.5 lb ones in a 20” HBAR that I like to shoot targets with rather than use for HD.

I will say I didn’t use the enclosed anti-walk pins, as they were a tad too wide for my lowers and I didn’t want to fiddle with grinding them down to fit. I used the standard pins and all was ok. One of my lowers had pins that were oversized for the enclosed washers that run through the cartridge (My Colt perhaps?). I placed a call to RISE and they sent me the oversized ones right away. The cartridges have hex-key leveling screws that straighten things in the fire control parts well. These will also allow for the trigger set to friction-fit the standard pins in place, so I don’t think there is much of a chance of the standard pins walking out.

8AAB89A1-3025-4458-B9CC-73FE33D8D229.jpeg

I am not the snobbiest of AR trigger gurus so I cant tell by touch the difference between a $350 trigger set and these RISE sets, but I will say I haven't been disappointed by the RISE triggers yet. :)

Stay safe.
 
Adding reduced rate springs makes the ACT even nicer. But could bust your budget by a tiny bit.

I have both the ACT and the LaRue MBT, the ACT has a lot more rounds on it so it could be a bit unfair, but the ACT breaks noticeably cleaner than the MBT. Regardless, if I were in the market again I would not choose the MBT.
 
If you're even remotely handy you can massage any milspec trigger into what you are looking for. I can go I to details if you want. Pm me.
 
I was pleased with the ALG ACT. I would use caution with polishing it yourself. I had a mystery AR that would on occasion shot in bursts. Not good. I Think PSA has cheap polished trigger parts. And you can buy enhanced springs as well.
 
Years ago I would have said a PSA EPT, I have several and they’re fantastic for the money. Polished like a mirror.
But last one I almost bought over the counter looked rough as a cob. Bought an ALG QMS instead, nice trigger.

But if you’re just looking for a good sub-$100 trigger check out a Schmidt 2stage nickel boron. Botach usually has them for $80 shipped, I got mine on sale a few years ago for $60 shipped.
 
I have ARs with Geissele G2S, SSA, SD3G, and SD-E triggers.

ALG ACT is a decent trigger. I have them on two ARs and I have no complaints.

My understanding is LaRue discontinued its single stage trigger.
 
I’ve done literally more than a hundred “$12.10 trigger jobs,” on AR’s. Drop a 10¢ plug screw into the grip screw threads before the grip screw to reduce the sear engagement to 20-25 thousandths, stone the sear surfaces, and swap the springs for JP yellows. Add some JB weld to your selector barrel (flat “fire face”) or in the lower under the tip of the trigger if you want an over travel stop - or add another 7¢ set screw in a D&T hole in the selector barrel. Biggest cost is the time spent to learn how to do it all properly.
 
Varminterror said:
I’ve done literally more than a hundred “$12.10 trigger jobs,” on AR’s. Drop a 10¢ plug screw into the grip screw threads before the grip screw to reduce the sear engagement to 20-25 thousandths, stone the sear surfaces, and swap the springs for JP yellows. Add some JB weld to your selector barrel (flat “fire face”) or in the lower under the tip of the trigger if you want an over travel stop - or add another 7¢ set screw in a D&T hole in the selector barrel. Biggest cost is the time spent to learn how to do it all properly.
Click to expand...

Is there a post or site that describes your procedure in more detail? I currently polish surfaces with toothpaste and a paper sack, install reduced power springs and install a set screw in the grip.
 
Actually now that it’s come up I would like to know if there is a process as well. I have two builds and another that will be underway one day. I have been looking at triggers and kits as an option. The third rifle may well wind up being built for more precision purposes. I feel like ar triggers ought to be a sticky in rifle country.
 
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