AR 15 trigger upgrade...

[magnumman44]

I own a DPMS Sweet 16 AR15 that I target shoot and hunt coyotes with. I also use the same lower with an Alexander Arms 20" 6.5 Grendel upper for hunting. What is the best choice to upgrade my trigger...it is currently the stock trigger from the sweet 16. I prefer a single stage trigger. What do you suggest???

 

[tuj]

Timney makes a single stage. But the Geissele triggers are considered amongst the best for AR's in general. They are 2-stage, but they can be adjusted so the first stage is very light and short.

 

[Tirod]

A field gun with a target trigger only amplifies the chance of a negligent discharge. In the field, 2MOA is all that is necessary for the larger game, it takes a really good shooter to see the difference in a three pound reduction in trigger pull. And, as Massad Ayoob proved in pistol shooting, you can win a match with NYPD ten pound Glock triggers.

What really helps is getting it adjusted for minimum creep - which eliminates a lot of the grit that a standard trigger has. If it doesn't go over that part of the sear engagement, it's that much less grittiness. The better triggers all use a travel adjustment screw, so that modification alone is the best and most economical thing to do. Lighter springs in the AR design have the unintended consequence of lightening the hammer strike, which causes more misfires. It's not recommended unless a completely redesigned trigger is installed to keep up the pressure on the hammer, and those are expensive with not all that much return.

Install the screw, adjust to reduce the creep, and it will be a significant improvement for just a few dollars.

 

[magnumman44]

I have looked at the Geisseles, and they seem to be excellent, but costly. I have been successful with standard AR triggers...I shot a wild turkey with my Sweet 16 and I killed a spike with a 450 Bushmaster that I sold for the 6.5 Grendel. I didn't realize that you could do any work on the standard trigger to improve it. My dad is good at doing that!!! Great suggestion, I am all about cheap!!!

All other suggestions are welcome!

 

[dook]

I always thought I preferred single stage until I used a Rock River two stage. I love them. Not very expensive or hard to install either.

 

[ProfessorX]

I have also wanted to change my original trigger, I only use mine for target shooting and the stock Colt trigger (at least mine) leaves a l;ot to be desired. The problem is that there is a "block" pinned in the lower reciever (it doesn't seem to serve any purpose) that would be in the way of a Timney trigger. Is there any good trigger that fits my model AR or can the block be removed without sacrificing safety and function?

 

[Krusty783]

I have a Geissele SSA-E in a 14.5" AR and a High Speed DMR trigger in an 18" rifle; Both are outstanding and either one would be a huge improvement over your current trigger.

 

[velocette]

You can think or do as you wish. The Geissele triggers are the overwhelming choice of target shooters and tactical shooters.
Before you spend your hard earned dollars, go to a local range & talk to the shooters, try their triggers. You will soon find that the Geissele triggers are really the best.

Roger

 

[browningguy]

Giessele, CMC, RRA match, Timney all work well.

Ive got to add though, any big game rifle I owned that would only shoot 2 moa would have to go. Inaccurate rifles can only magnify your own shooting flaws.

 

[horsemen61]

I haven't seen it posted yet so here is my recommendation alg the tactical model that is nickel boron coated I hear it's nice for a single stage trigger

 

[goon]

Honestly, no offense to anyone else's choice, but I didn't think the ALG trigger was much better than a stock trigger. It's not hugely expensive and if someone didn't like one, they could probably recover most of the cost, but in the future I'm just going to go with something else from Geissele. The other options cost more, but that's just how it is.

 

[VVelox]

goon, what ALG trigger did you try? The ACT is great compared to the factory triggers I've tried.

 

[goon]

I tried the ACT. It's not that it was bad - I just didn't think it was better than a stock trigger. I've even felt stock triggers that were better.

 

[jakk280rem]

I'll agree the ACT isn't a giant leap forward like a Geisselle or Timney, but it is better than the vast majority of untuned GI triggers. You might have gotten lucky with yours.

 

[HexHead]

Honestly, no offense to anyone else's choice, but I didn't think the ALG trigger was much better than a stock trigger.

I had my gunsmith measure my trigger pull before and after replacing my stock trigger with the ACT. The stock trigger was 7.5 lbs with grit and some creep. Now it's 5.5 lbs, breaks cleanly with no grit and no creep. I call that an improvement.

 

[rskent]

JP makes a great single stage trigger. Very smooth.

 

[redneck2]

A field gun with a target trigger only amplifies the chance of a negligent discharge. In the field, 2MOA is all that is necessary for the larger game

Could be true. Then again, I've got this little flippy switch thingy on the sides of all my AR's. I think it's called a "safety"......

The Glock lovers wail endlessly that a Glock (which has no safety) really does because you're not supposed to put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to shoot. So they're safe, but a rifle that has a safety isn't as safe? Somebody's gotta 'splain that one to me.

Anyway, I use a .358 WSSM AR for deer hunting as does my hunting partner. Both have a light target trigger and never had an issue.

Two good triggers IMO are Jewel and my original on an older Bushmaster Varminter. Got the Jewel used for about $100. Vast improvement.

I got a new ARFCOM middie HD type on cyber Monday. It's OK I guess but the trigger was pretty rough and hard to pull. I coated it pretty well with PTFE teflon lube and dry fired it a couple of hundred time (off the upper while protecting the hammer) and that helped quite a bit.

 

[ole farmerbuck]

Jard triggers are what I use in all of my AR's. Simple swap of springs for trigger pull. My p-dog guns are 1.9lbs. Not too expensive either.

 

[sevt_chevelle]

I have a Colt 6920 that I put a ALG trigger in.
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/ALG_Defense_Combat_Trigger_ACT_Tuned_By_Geissele_p/alg-act.htm

It did remove the creep and grittiness in the trigger, but pull weight doesn't seem to have changed much. I did buy some reduced springs but yet to install them.
http://www.joeboboutfitters.com/JP_AR_15_REDUCED_POWER_SPRING_KIT_p/jp-jps3.5.htm

I have this AR setup for close range targets, Aimpoint Pro, Magpul Moe handguard, Vltor stock, BCM charging handle and pistol grip are the only mods done, so I don't see much of a need for a high end trigger. Now on my other ARs.... Yes.

 

[RainDodger]

I have Geissele SSA-Es in a number of ARs and I like them a lot but if you're looking for a really spectacular single stage trigger, I put one of these in a scoped 20" AR and it's spectacular. Check these guys out. I'm hearing of a lot of 3-gun competitors using them. The 24-series triggers are really something. I have no affiliation and am simply relaying my findings.

Edit - Brownell's is selling them now also.

http://www.hiperfire.com/

 

[xfyrfiter]

Mine has a Jard 2 stage that is pretty nice and 100% better than a mil-spec.

 

[MistWolf]

...What really helps is getting it adjusted for minimum creep - which eliminates a lot of the grit that a standard trigger has. If it doesn't go over that part of the sear engagement, it's that much less grittiness. The better triggers all use a travel adjustment screw, so that modification alone is the best and most economical thing to do....

...Install the screw, adjust to reduce the creep, and it will be a significant improvement for just a few dollars.

Taking the travel out of the trigger is just as likely to cause NDs as a light, 2 stage trigger- possibly more so. The set screw takes up the sear travel, putting the trigger that much closer to it firing point. It could also set the rifle up to fire if handled roughly or dropped. This is why I feel the Geissele SSA & SSA-E triggers are worth the money. They give you a good, clean break that's still safe for field use. The G2S might even be a better bargain because it gives you a trigger that's close in performance to the SSA but for less cost. I haven't tried one yet, however

 

[kimberkid]

I've got several RRA 2-stage Match triggers ... I didn't think I'd like them but I was wrong!

Also, Williams also does some great work with triggers, an AR trigger runs $65 to lighten smooth & reduce creep. http://www.williamstriggers.com/page3.html

 

[stownsend]

I have a Jard single stage and like it. I would recommend getting the adjustable model. I got the non-adjustable and have since modified it to take up the creep as much as I safely can. It has a nice clean break. Probably a step down from the top tier ones, but I like it.