I recently built my own AR, I've always liked the stock GI style AR15 trigger. But while I've been building this new AR I've had several people think I was nuts for putting one in a custom build. I guess my question is do you guys like the GI trigger? My other AR shoots around 1-1.5 MOA and it has a GI trigger, so why would I want to spend three or four times the money to get a trigger that is only a little better IMO? What do you guys think?
Stock AR triggers
- Thread starter Ro1911
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primalmu
Member
I think it probably only matters if you're building a varmint rifle and are trying to build a .5 MOA rifle or something. That and bragging rights. I'd be willing to bet that most people who put a target trigger in their rifle probably don't shoot significantly better.
303 hunter
Member
I like the G.I. trigger,but with some easy modifications. All you need to do is polish the working surfaces,and install the yellow J.P. spring. It makes a predictable trigger with 3.5-4 pound pull.
Z-Michigan
Member
Do what works for you.
I really like the premium Geissele triggers, but I can't say if they actually affect my accuracy. If you shoot well with a GI trigger, keep it.
I really like the premium Geissele triggers, but I can't say if they actually affect my accuracy. If you shoot well with a GI trigger, keep it.
If you deem it only a little better then there probably is no reason to. I would venture people that spend the money on other triggers out there may not feel that they are only a little better.
For a long time I preferred a mil spec trigger because many of the fancy triggers just didn't seem durable enough. Many of the $30 dremel trigger jobs seemed to break left and right and training courses as well.
These days I think there are better triggers that also are durable and reliable enough for hard use. How much of an improvement they make may depend on they type of use and the abilities of the shooter.
In sum, if you don't think its worth it don't buy one. Others will want to and they can too. If you have never tried one it may be worth trying before you decide.
For a long time I preferred a mil spec trigger because many of the fancy triggers just didn't seem durable enough. Many of the $30 dremel trigger jobs seemed to break left and right and training courses as well.
These days I think there are better triggers that also are durable and reliable enough for hard use. How much of an improvement they make may depend on they type of use and the abilities of the shooter.
In sum, if you don't think its worth it don't buy one. Others will want to and they can too. If you have never tried one it may be worth trying before you decide.
For anything short of competition, I don't really see the need - I think a lot of 'Net 'experts' tend to overthink these things.
I have two Colts and two RRAs (with the two-stage trigger), and I don't pay any attention to the two stage trigger.
Folks will probably also tell you you're nuts for not putting on a full floater rail...
I have two Colts and two RRAs (with the two-stage trigger), and I don't pay any attention to the two stage trigger.
Folks will probably also tell you you're nuts for not putting on a full floater rail...
Quentin
Member
I also like a good milspec trigger and don't expect to replace mine. Sometimes you do get a crappy milspec trigger but some are very good. I've had good luck with the triggers in Daniel Defense (hard to find lately) and Stag LPKs.
browningguy
Member
If you prefer long, heavy, gritty triggers keep it. But triggers do have a large effect on accuracy, whether you want to belive it or not, you can't change physics.
I have milspec triggers in 2 of my ARs and a Timney 3lb in the other. The Timney is an awesome trigger. I use the Timney set up in 3 gun. I believe the Timney's low weight draw, no travel and crisp brake helps me on the longer range targets. Otherwise, i have no problem with the milspec trigger. They aren't quite milspec. I use JP yellow reduced coil springs with any milspec trigger that i build. One of my milspec ARs is a very accurate HBAR with milspec sights i use in the occasional SRS matches. It does just fine.
Shoot what you got. As you shoot other ARs and tinker around, you'll figure out what you like.
Shoot what you got. As you shoot other ARs and tinker around, you'll figure out what you like.
dprice3844444
member
williams trigger sprcialties can clean up the trigger for ya
This is to all of you that are saying try one or once you try a "nice" trigger you will want one, I'm not an AR noob, I've owned about 7 of them over the last decade or so, three of those had different triggers in them, I have never noticed a big difference in accuracy between the two, just a difference in price, and yes I'm shooting at distances past 25 meters, I pretty regularly shoot out to 500-600 meters. I'm just wondering what I'm missing, that you guys seem to get. I'm wondering if some of you have shot anything but highend triggers, or if your fundamentals are solid.
Ro1911, maybe you just don't know what you're missing. Have you ever shot a high end trigger? What are you shooting at when you shoot at 500 or 600 meters? Torso sized steel? How often have you gotten out and run 1000 rounds through your AR in a day?
A better trigger does usually result in better accuracy. Even with very good shooters that I've known for whom a good trigger does less to improve accuracy, the better trigger does, at the least, allow them to shoot as accurately more quickly. I also know that I feel less fatigued shooting a rifle with a better trigger.
Frankly, I'm wondering why you started this thread. You asked a question and are knocking those that responded.
A better trigger does usually result in better accuracy. Even with very good shooters that I've known for whom a good trigger does less to improve accuracy, the better trigger does, at the least, allow them to shoot as accurately more quickly. I also know that I feel less fatigued shooting a rifle with a better trigger.
Frankly, I'm wondering why you started this thread. You asked a question and are knocking those that responded.
I grabbed the coated one for a cheaper build. It has much less creep than most of the stock setups from the lpk grab bag lottery, but not zero creep.
Stock triggers can get pretty bad. I had an armalite mil spec trigger that pulled at about 9lbs and felt like you were dragging a can of soup across a gravel driveway. I could make it do it's job well, but it wasn't worth the effort.
A trigger should be something that doesn't get in your way or require concentration IMO. Additionally, I have big hands and long fingers. So all my ars get the large miad and a flat trigger or something with a shallow curve that is set forward a bit more than the standard mil spec.
I'm not a fan of the good single stage triggers with no take up, so until the sd3g came out, it was two stage triggers for me.
@Tonyangel
You are probably right about the speed, I could see how that would help some. I'm shooting standard silhouettes and 12" bullseyes nothingfancy. I guess I was a little pissed at one comment, and I started this to hear something besides GI triggers suck and insert name hear high end trigger rocks. If you could give some pros that are realistic I wouldn't have any issue with it but saying all GI triggers suck because they do is not very helpful or in anyway correct. I'm guessing at this point the trigger BS is half hype, a quarter lack of fundamentals and a quarter of some benefit that is probably specified to shooting tiny tiny tiny groups very quickly at extended ranges.
You are probably right about the speed, I could see how that would help some. I'm shooting standard silhouettes and 12" bullseyes nothingfancy. I guess I was a little pissed at one comment, and I started this to hear something besides GI triggers suck and insert name hear high end trigger rocks. If you could give some pros that are realistic I wouldn't have any issue with it but saying all GI triggers suck because they do is not very helpful or in anyway correct. I'm guessing at this point the trigger BS is half hype, a quarter lack of fundamentals and a quarter of some benefit that is probably specified to shooting tiny tiny tiny groups very quickly at extended ranges.
Infidel4life11
Member
I like an actual mil-spec, polished, with bronze springs. I use to grab every armalite NM 2stage I could find and still have a few of them in the parts bin. I've had and shot a few different expensive triggers and IMO don't care to spend $200 on one. If you are not shooting 600yards for competition then IMO you don't need a $250 trigger. I'm a one stage 5-6lbs clean break type of guy. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with Timney or a Geissele good triggers but I would go with an ALG
Triggers have always been very important to me on any rifle I own.I have never shot anything to ring steel.Shooting tiny groups is what makes me happy.I can't shoot nearly as tight of a group with a heavy trigger.
I've just bought my first AR,a Colt 6720 and the stock trigger is horrible IMHO.I am used to triggers around 2 lbs on my hunting rifles.I have shot competition all my life and can easily shoot a 2 lb trigger on a hunting rifle safely.
I will be buying a Geissele SSA-E for my new AR.There is no way I would be satisfied with the stock trigger but maby I have been spoiled by great triggers all my life.The way I look at it is, why not.It is just as reliable and at only $200 is only about the cost of one range trip.I have never been one of the "my bargin priced is just as good" crowd though.I believe you get what you pay for, as long as you do your homework and don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of.
I've just bought my first AR,a Colt 6720 and the stock trigger is horrible IMHO.I am used to triggers around 2 lbs on my hunting rifles.I have shot competition all my life and can easily shoot a 2 lb trigger on a hunting rifle safely.
I will be buying a Geissele SSA-E for my new AR.There is no way I would be satisfied with the stock trigger but maby I have been spoiled by great triggers all my life.The way I look at it is, why not.It is just as reliable and at only $200 is only about the cost of one range trip.I have never been one of the "my bargin priced is just as good" crowd though.I believe you get what you pay for, as long as you do your homework and don't allow yourself to be taken advantage of.
You ask we answered, normally GI triggers suck but even military guys purchase the gessiele triggers because they understand good triggers do make a difference,but if again your happy with yours use as is the desire not to spend $200+ on a trigger is strong in many folks making it easy to convince themselves those who spring for a good trigger don't have the fundamentals down.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I like GI triggers just fine and use them more than match triggers, generally due to their reliability. I will mix and match stock fire control parts to get a decent trigger though. You can get some really bad combinations with stock USGI parts.
JustinJ
Member
"But triggers do have a large effect on accuracy, whether you want to belive it or not, you can't change physics."
Um, how exactly do you believe the trigger will directly affect the flight of the bullet? Triggers have an effect on how accurately one can shoot a gun. Not on how accurate the gun can shoot.
I recently bought a NP3 coated bolt/carrier and hammer for my Colt and now i love the trigger. After installing the hammer with remaining parts left stock i was blown away at the difference.
Um, how exactly do you believe the trigger will directly affect the flight of the bullet? Triggers have an effect on how accurately one can shoot a gun. Not on how accurate the gun can shoot.
I recently bought a NP3 coated bolt/carrier and hammer for my Colt and now i love the trigger. After installing the hammer with remaining parts left stock i was blown away at the difference.
Out to 500 yards with irons from an M16A2 and I was quite confident in my hits. Subsequent builds have had stock triggers, coated triggers, and a Wilson Combat drop in assembly. Regarding standard triggers, there are good ones, and bad, and they can all be made better but you can't call it stock anymore.
You are absolutely correct that fundamentals are key, and a trigger will in no way make a rifle more accurate. A good trigger can make a shooter, practicing good fundamentals, more accurate though. The notion of "let the shot surprise you" is baloney to make up for unpredictable triggers and those having trouble overcoming flinch. When my sight picture lines up, I want the minimal amount of muscle and time to let the shot break. That is the same for 25 yards as 600. Skill beats equipment, but good equipment enhances skill.
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