AR questions...

[cat_IT_guy]

I bought a DPMS AR back in October. I love it, but being relatively new to the AR scene, I have a couple questions.

1. The stock trigger, well.....sucks. I am looking to put a better trigger in this gun. One that I saw advertised was a CMC trigger group. Anybody used/have one? Opinions on? Other suggestions?

2. I have been using ammo with brass case only in the past, but I am curious about whether or not it would be okay to use the steel cased Wolf stuff. I asked my gunsmith and he recommended against it, saying that under heavy fire the coating would melt off the case, and eventually a case would get stuck in the barrel and rip the extractor off. Does anybody use Wolf ammo, and has anyone experienced said problem? Thoughts on Wolf ammo in general for an AR?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

1. The stock trigger, well.....sucks. I am looking to put a better trigger in this gun. One that I saw advertised was a CMC trigger group. Anybody used/have one? Opinions on? Other suggestions?

The RRA match trigger is a popular trigger because it is simple to install, has no adjustment, and is fairly low priced.

2. I have been using ammo with brass case only in the past, but I am curious about whether or not it would be okay to use the steel cased Wolf stuff. I asked my gunsmith and he recommended against it, saying that under heavy fire the coating would melt off the case, and eventually a case would get stuck in the barrel and rip the extractor off. Does anybody use Wolf ammo, and has anyone experienced said problem? Thoughts on Wolf ammo in general for an AR?

First off, Wolf no longer uses a lacquer coating on their steel cases; but a polymer coating. Second, even though lots of people have claimed that the lacquer coating melts, I have personally never been able to melt off the lacquer even at 30 minutes exposure to 500F - which is way beyond what your chamber would see. In addition to that, if you review most of the older reports of stuck cases/dirty chambers they mention a pink/red gummy substance which is obviously the neck sealant on the old Wolf rounds (also no longer used) and not the lacquer.

However, your gunsmith does have a point because for whatever reason, Wolf steel cased ammo does get stuck in the chamber on occasion and it happens regardless of whether the polymer coating is used or the older lacquer coating. I personally think it has something to do with the different properties of steel vs. brass during the time the cartridge is expanded against the chamber wall from gas pressue. Some people run thousands of rounds of Wolf with no trouble; others have more issues. Kind of one of those, "you pay your money and you take your chances" type of things.

Having said all that, extractors are cheap enough and easy enough to replace that you could buy two extractors with every case of Wolf ammo and still come out ahead money-wise.

 

[possum]

i really like the rra 2 stage trigger and plan to put one in my bushmaster asap.

as far as wolf ammo i haven't used any in this ar that i own now, only because i got such a great deal on umc from a private transaction. but the first one i owned i had alot of wolf and other stell cased ammo and had no problems at all. it is great for high volume practice/ trainning and plinking. use that for plinking and trainning and have some good quality stuff put back just in case if you know what i mean!

 

[mec]

" I personally think it has something to do with the different properties of steel vs. brass during the time"

A cool post. I've stayed away from Wolff/steel because of experiences with old 1942 .45 ball that used to be common. There were stories that it was hard on extractors but it really showed it stuff in a 1917 revolver. Like you said, it would expand but not contract back like brass does. I had to hammer it out of the chambers. Probably, the coating on the russian stuff prevents some of that.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Some guns run it fine, some don't. I don't have a problem with it, although I prefer not to shoot it. Guns of more questionable quality may struggle with steel cased ammo though, I have found...

 

[possum]

it is dirty for sure, but that is not a problem especially if you are a clean gun freak like myself! the red sealent at the primer pocket likes to come off and get all over the reciever and the trigger parts in the lower, but that isn't hard at all to get out. no matter what ammo i am using, every 750rds or so i use gun scrubber or carb cleanner to blow all that gunk out.

 

[Mr White]

+1 on the RRA match trigger. I have one and I love it. For a lot less than a Gieselle or a Jewell, you'll get a good, reliable 2 stage match trigger.

As for Wolf, I shoot it from time to time in my AR. The polymer coating onthe newer Wolf won't gunk up your chamber like the older stuff did. The steel cased ammo may be a little harder on your exrtractor, but they're cheap and easy to replace.

 

[mec]

My Bushmaster upper won't reset/cycle with it but the A2 upper runs it just fine.

 

[possum]

the new polymer coated stuff is better for sure.

The steel cased ammo may be a little harder on your exrtractor, but they're cheap and easy to replace.

i personally believe that the steel cased ammo is no harder on the extractor than brass. however like you said extractors are cheap and easy to replace, even if it was a problem the amount of money you save on wolf ammo over the time that the extractor does go bad, which i don't believe it to then an extra extracor is nothing. but everyone should have a spare around anyway.

 

[heypete]

My Bushmaster 20" gobbles up Wolf .223 like there's no tomorrow. It's great for when I'm lazy and don't want to pick up brass at the range, or when running my buddy's full-auto M16.

Fortunately, my Bushy tosses brass in a 3' circle (very cool), which makes it easier to pick up. With the cost of ammo going up, I need to buy some brass-cased stuff for future reloading (I don't have any components yet for .223, but have a few dozen pieces of brass).

 

[tkcomer]

I put a McCormick single stage trigger in my “kit” gun last month. Probably only have about 200 rounds through it so far. Much better trigger and the install was dirt simple. I'm so used to rifles I really like the single stage. But it's not a home defense gun, even though the trigger has given me no indication of not trusting it. I've never used Wolf in my guns. Reload or mil surp so mine only has brass through it. With Norinco brass and some old Winchester 55gr FMJ bullets, my cheapie reloads are grouping at just a tad under 2” at 100 yards. I don't think I could have done that with the old stock type trigger.

 

[glockman19]

I think timney triggers makes a nice drop in trigger for the AR-15

 

[Nekron]

I ordered my DPMS rifle from the factory with the JP adjustable trigger already installed. It's the best trigger of any firearm I've owned.

 

[10MMGary]

FWIW I have both the Chip McCormmick match and Geissele Highspeed DMR aftermarket triggers in my ARs.

The CM match trigger(IIRC $185.00 from Midway, mine was birthday priced for $163.00 plus $5.95 for shipping) is a single stage trigger and drops in as a one piece unit. It could not be anymore simple to install, I installed it myself. It has a fast lock time and breaks at 3.5 pounds every time according to my scale. It has not failed in any way since I have had it. It does have the slightest bit of creep that is consistent and has been there since the first time I actually fired it. I have approx 900-1000 rounds fired with it and never any issues period. It is installed in a Stag model 15-3L and has cut my group size by two thirds over the crunchy hella heavy factory trigger. I would highly recommend this trigger to anyone who wants a great single stage trigger and does not have or want to spend more money.

My Geissele DMR trigger(they have three models) is in a league of it's own. It hurts the pocket a bit on the purchase($279.00 plus $8.00 shipping) but is far and away the more precise made of the two. The Geissele DMR trigger is two stage trigger and will require at the least a basic working knowledge of the AR lower unit and trigger group in particular. The Geissele DMR trigger is totally adjustable, the first stage can be set anywhere from 1.3-3 pounds The second stage can be set for let off anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 pounds and has a break as crisp as a glass rod. The lock time is amazingly fast and it also has an adjustment for over travel. This trigger was also installed in a Stag lower and was to be used on a 204 Ruger medium heavy 24 inch barreled upper. That has not happened due to a an issue with the upper(will save that story for another post). I have used it on another Stag model 15-4L rifle and with 500 rounds of 223Rem fired. This trigger has shown it to be the best trigger I have ever squeezed. It literally breaks like glass and holds ajustment with absolutely no variations or failures of any kind. The down side is good luck finding a Geisselle, they are out of stock and not expected to have more till June. You may be able to find the odd one at a dealer and if your really interested I would check LaRue Tactical. I like both of these trigger a lot and in my opinion for the respective cost both are very good deals.