Trigger for bench/target ar-15

[troy fairweather]

I'd like to see what you all like for a lighter target type trigger for a ar-15.
I like the 2 stage triggers, and don't care much for the flat trigger.

So what do you like?

 

[Varminterror]

Geissele high speed NM 2 stage, Elftmann, and TriggerTech.

 

[wiscoaster]

I put a Rock River Arms trigger in my AR-15 and I like it very much.

 

[troy fairweather]

Geissele high speed NM 2 stage, Elftmann, and TriggerTech.

The geisslele seems more like a real 2 stage over the trigger tech, they both are close to the top of my list of I get the funds lol. I have no experience with the elftmann tho.

 

[Rembrandt]

I've purchased three of the adjustable Trigger Techs (1.5-to-5 lbs), used them in hunting rifles not target rifles....I don't see why they couldn't be used for that. It's a friction less roller design.
About $240.

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...5-tt-ar-15-triggers-adjustable-prod97327.aspx

 

[Bwana John]

RRA two stage drop in

https://www.brownells.com/rifle-par...national-match-2-stage-trigger-prod19696.aspx

I wouldn't call it a "Match" trigger, but as a drop in I consider it "good enough".

 

[LoonWulf]

I use triggertechs in my bolt guns, and we're I going with an aftermarket trigger in my ars, they would be up there on my list.

 

[Varminterror]

@troy fairweather - when looking at the 2 stage options for AR’s, be sure your needs and preference aligns with the trigger design.

I did a fairly detailed write up on 2 stage AR triggers here a while back covering the differences, but there really are two classes, heavy/light vs. light/heavy - with a “mid/mid” class in between, which I personally count in the light/heavy class.

Personally, I’m a heavy/light shooter. If a trigger is 2lbs total, I want a 1.5lb front end with an 8oz break. I don’t like triggers which are light up front and find a heavy wall - I want a smooth rolling trigger which “trips” over a light, candy cane break. Some guys want a safe trigger which feels more like a single stage bolt rifle trigger - a light slack take up plus a heavier break.

“Back in the day,” as they say, when there were far less options, and my funds were more limited, the Rock River NM/Varmint and the Bushmaster NM 2 stage were the affordable options beneath the Geissele. I favored the Bushmaster for many years despite a slightly higher price because I could reduce the second stage to under a pound, with the whole shebang just a touch over 2 - heavy/light. The Rock River is a Light/heavy with the first stage simply a slack spring take up followed by a 4lb break. I cut out the pins and replace the “disconnector spring” with a JP reduced power spring to reduce the second stage weight considerably - but they’re still much heavier in the second stage than the first when you keep them at a safe total weight.

RRA triggers also are not “drop in” triggers. They’re component triggers, such they do not require anti-walk pins. I don’t get too worked up over cartridge vs. component triggers. Most of mine are component because I like the Geisseles and the Bushmasters, and because the Rock Rivers are inexpensive (even though they aren’t my preferred type - still great triggers, especially for the money). TriggerTech and Elftman are cartridge types, I buy the anti walk pins and don’t worry.

So for someone jumping into these, I encourage folks to put a finger to both types and do some shooting before they decide which to adopt. Or at least, be sure your philosophy aligns with the trigger stage design.

 

[troy fairweather]

@troy fairweather - when looking at the 2 stage options for AR’s, be sure your needs and preference aligns with the trigger design.

I did a fairly detailed write up on 2 stage AR triggers here a while back covering the differences, but there really are two classes, heavy/light vs. light/heavy - with a “mid/mid” class in between, which I personally count in the light/heavy class.

Personally, I’m a heavy/light shooter. If a trigger is 2lbs total, I want a 1.5lb front end with an 8oz break. I don’t like triggers which are light up front and find a heavy wall - I want a smooth rolling trigger which “trips” over a light, candy cane break. Some guys want a safe trigger which feels more like a single stage bolt rifle trigger - a light slack take up plus a heavier break.

“Back in the day,” as they say, when there were far less options, and my funds were more limited, the Rock River NM/Varmint and the Bushmaster NM 2 stage were the affordable options beneath the Geissele. I favored the Bushmaster for many years despite a slightly higher price because I could reduce the second stage to under a pound, with the whole shebang just a touch over 2 - heavy/light. The Rock River is a Light/heavy with the first stage simply a slack spring take up followed by a 4lb break. I cut out the pins and replace the “disconnector spring” with a JP reduced power spring to reduce the second stage weight considerably - but they’re still much heavier in the second stage than the first when you keep them at a safe total weight.

RRA triggers also are not “drop in” triggers. They’re component triggers, such they do not require anti-walk pins. I don’t get too worked up over cartridge vs. component triggers. Most of mine are component because I like the Geisseles and the Bushmasters, and because the Rock Rivers are inexpensive (even though they aren’t my preferred type - still great triggers, especially for the money). TriggerTech and Elftman are cartridge types, I buy the anti walk pins and don’t worry.

So for someone jumping into these, I encourage folks to put a finger to both types and do some shooting before they decide which to adopt. Or at least, be sure your philosophy aligns with the trigger stage design.

I'd think I'd like the heavy then light triggers, but don't have experience with any. I was raised on military 2 stages like the mausers and really like them.

I did feel a geissele ssa at a shop a few weeks ago and liked it.
I may have to settle for a RRA for now until I try a few and have the money.
Thanks for all the info.

 

[rabid wombat]

I want a smooth rolling trigger which “trips” over a light, candy cane break.

A lot of people in this post are both smarter and more experienced than me. Being able to articulate what you want, helps you find what to buy. I have Geissele, Rock River NM, Larue, and ALG triggers.

@troy fairweather get a Geissele, you will be happy. The hard part is choosing. Pay close attention to their description “The SSA-E’s reduced first and second stage pull weights result in a trigger with a smooth, light first stage take-up and a crisp, candy cane-like second stage break.” Cite below. Previously, they provided a graph of load vs distance showing how their trigger broke, but I could not find it on the current site.

As others have said, try before you buy.

https://geissele.com/super-semi-automatic-enhanced-ssa-e-trigger.html

 

[Coal Dragger]

I’d go with the Geissele 2 stage national match trigger or their also excellent SSA-E.

I despise cassette style triggers regardless of manufacturer because once a foreign object gets in there and ties up your trigger you are screwed. With a trigger that uses the normal lower receiver pins you can drift the pins out and resolve your issue. Think of the havoc a primer falling out into your trigger could cause, now imagine not being able to service it yourself at all.

 

[troy fairweather]

I’d go with the Geissele 2 stage national match trigger or their also excellent SSA-E.

I despise cassette style triggers regardless of manufacturer because once a foreign object gets in there and ties up your trigger you are screwed. With a trigger that uses the normal lower receiver pins you can drift the pins out and resolve your issue. Think of the havoc a primer falling out into your trigger could cause, now imagine not being able to service it yourself at all.

Ya the geisseles are high in my list, I like there open to be cleaned. The standard ssa felt great when I was messing with it at the gun shop, the ssa-e should be better and the nm even more. Just have to save up for it.

 

[troy fairweather]

I have to get a lower some day, I'd like to get the matching for the upper I have but money is tight, at worst I get a Anderson or better a aero. I'm planning to run this as a fixed mag, I'd like to try that unimag they say it will work with all different cartridges.

 

[Chuck R.]

I've got 3 Geissele SSA-Es and I'm about to either buy a 4th or it's straight trigger counterpart the DE-E as this trigger's going in more of a precision build.

Can't recommend them enough.

 

[FL-NC]

Geiselle makes the best AR triggers, but Larue makes the best for the $.

 

[GoldieMI]

Geiselle makes the best AR triggers, but Larue makes the best for the $.

Especially when the MBT goes on sale...then it's time to decide how many you are ordering.

 

[Varminterror]

@troy fairweather - if you want a heavy/light feel, or at least a mid/mid feel from the Rock River, remove the peened-in-place “disconnector pin” (red arrow) and replace the second stage/disconnector spring (green circle) with a JP or other reduced power disconnector spring. Re-stake/peen the pin, or a new one in its place. You can take a couple pounds off of the second stage. Technically, more than a few pounds even. A heavier trigger spring than that included with their trigger will add weight to the first stage. That musical springs game can leave a pretty light trigger - mixing and matching and testing reliability of reset and disconnect along the way, balanced against the user’s preference for weight per stage, is the ticket with the Rock River triggers.

Tuning the Larue MBT-2s is exactly the same.

 

[BigBL87]

I have a Geiselle G2S in my AR and am a big fan. It's supposedly feels comparable to the SSA, but uses a different (cheaper) form of hammer spring retention, is not laser engraved, and is only batch MP tested. I got mine on sale for like $115, and at that price I'd highly recommend it if you didn't want to foot for one of the SSA flavors.

If I were buying again and looking for value, I'd probably try out a LaRue MBT-2S.

 

[troy fairweather]

@troy fairweather - if you want a heavy/light feel, or at least a mid/mid feel from the Rock River, remove the peened-in-place “disconnector pin” (red arrow) and replace the second stage/disconnector spring (green circle) with a JP or other reduced power disconnector spring. Re-stake/peen the pin, or a new one in its place. You can take a couple pounds off of the second stage. Technically, more than a few pounds even. A heavier trigger spring than that included with their trigger will add weight to the first stage. That musical springs game can leave a pretty light trigger - mixing and matching and testing reliability of reset and disconnect along the way, balanced against the user’s preference for weight per stage, is the ticket with the Rock River triggers.

Tuning the Larue MBT-2s is exactly the same.

View attachment 940711

Ok good to know, the larue mbt2 is looking to be a good budget trigger. Then the giessele or triggertech for when I have the money.

 

[troy fairweather]

I have a Geiselle G2S in my AR and am a big fan. It's supposedly feels comparable to the SSA, but uses a different (cheaper) form of hammer spring retention, is not laser engraved, and is only batch MP tested. I got mine on sale for like $115, and at that price I'd highly recommend it if you didn't want to foot for one of the SSA flavors.

If I were buying again and looking for value, I'd probably try out a LaRue MBT-2S.

thanks Ya doin some reading, The larue looks to be a good budget trigger more so then the rra

 

[12Bravo20]

There are a lot of good choices for two stage triggers and most have been covered already. My best advice is to try as many different triggers that you can before buying. Some places will have triggers mocked up so customers can try them.

Myself, I have been very happy with the Larue MBT2 triggers, especially for the price. I feel that the MBT2 is a good choice if you want to get into two stage triggers at a low cost for a quality trigger. Yes there are better triggers available but they also cost more.

 

[Varminterror]

$80 for the Larue, $95 for the RRA. Larue’s site still reflects Black Friday pricing - which is the actual charge - while RRA has removed the standing 10% discount and free shipping they had standard on their site for many years... Larue has them in stock, Rock River doesn’t...

I actually just got another Larue in the mail today for a customer rifle. I haven’t decided whether I’ll punch out the pin in this one for a lighter disconnector spring or not.

 

[Project355]

I've got 3 Geissele ....
Can't recommend them enough.

Ditto x1000

Never has one let me down, bobbled, missed a reset... just don't screw with 'em and try to make them "better". They are fantastic, as is. Should also note they're like a mini Garand type trigger, not like the standard AR design. Very dependable.

 

[mshootnit]

I'd like to see what you all like for a lighter target type trigger for a ar-15.
I like the 2 stage triggers, and don't care much for the flat trigger.

So what do you like?

Geissele SSA-E and the Del-ton/ Cedar Creek trigger

 

[Laphroaig]

First of all, if you are considering a RRA for a bench/target rifle, get the Varminter trigger not the NM. The factory pull wt. is speced at 3.5 to 4# vs. 4.5 to 5# for the NM.

I've been messing with my RRA Varmint AR15 that had been set up as an across the course match rifle. I haven't shot it in several years and plan to scope it and shoot it a little bit. It has a RRA Varminter trigger that has a coil cut off of the disconnector spring. I weighed the trigger the other day and it was 3 1/4# total, with the first stage a little over 2# and the second a little over 1#. A very nice, crisp break, a poor man's Geissele.