AR15 Triggers?

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esq_stu

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My question is about AR15 triggers. What I have is lousy, and I want a better one. I don't know much other that there are some trigger kits and modular triggers out there, and some are 2-stage, some are 1-stage, some are adjustable, and they range widely in price and characteristics. What I want is smooth and predictable and not real expensive. I'd even consider simply polishing parts if I knew what is safe to polish.

I spent a couple of hours at the range with my AR15 frankengun (parts gun). It is basically an "M4" type setup. XS rear sight has a little hole and a big "ghost ring" hole. The lower reciever is Bushmaster, but I know nothing about the internal FCG parts.

I was basically learning the feel of the gun today, particularly the trigger and sights, and trying to figure out what the gun was capable of and where I should focus my efforts (besides on practice). I discovered that between the terrible front sight and very stiff and very creepy trigger, it was all I could do to keep my shots inside a 6" shoot'n see at 50 yards.

My purpose is self defense and plinking, military precision (~3-4 moa), which translates to about a soda can repeatedly at 100 yards with open sights and the small aperture, I think. I am not interested in prairie dogs at 500 yards.

So should I just smooth some surfaces? Buy better FCG parts? Is it worth it to buy a CMC or other modular unit? And if so, single stage or double? (BTW, I'd welcome links to threads that already answer this.)
 
If it were me (and it recently was), to start out with I'd send the FCG to Bill Cunningham in CO and get his trigger job done. The relevant parts are cheap enough that you can buy another set to mail if you don't want to be without ... he'll turn it around in the mail in about 2 days. Lots of references on the ARF 15 site

[email protected] Bill Springfield, CO
He needs the Hammer trigger and disconector as well as their springs.
$32 for a 4# job and $46 for a 3# job
/Bryan
 
I installed a Jard non-adjustable from Brownell's, about $100, a couple of years ago. I like it fine.

Stock AR triggers are generally pretty lousy. Good thing to replace.
 
Many people recommend Bill Springfield's trigger jobs, so you might look into that to keep cost down. I've never tried one of his triggers.

But I have tried several aftermarket triggers. For a non-adjustable single stage the Timneys feel the best. A little less expensive, though, are the Jard triggers, and they're quite an improvement over the stock FCG. I have many thousands of rounds on them with zero problems.

The Chip McCormicks are now undergoing their second recall for doubling/accidental full auto problems, and I won't use them any more (I've had a couple).

For an adjustable two stage, the Geissele High Speed is unmatchable, but pricey ($279). But their new SSA nonadjustable two stage is all I'll ever want in an AR trigger, at about half that price. Unfortunately, they're in short supply right now. A decent alternative non-adjustable two stage is the LMT FCG.

RRA's two stage NM trigger is probably one of the most popular, and least expensive. I've never used one, but many like them. I see more gripes about them than I do any other, but that's got to be at least partly because there're so many of them out there.
 
I sent one of my AR triggers to Bill Springfield a few days ago; eagerly awaiting it's return.

I got to try his trigger job on a coworker's AR last week, which is what prompted me to send mine off. Comparing his trigger to the one in my gun, the difference was amazing. No creep and a clean & smooth break. It was very nice, especially for so little cost.
 
Just a warning, the case hardening on the fire control group parts of an AR is very thin. You can easily polish right through it to the softer steel underneath and have an unsafe rifle that will double. So be careful on the DIY polishing. This is 10x true if you are using a Dremel.
 
Just a warning, the case hardening on the fire control group parts of an AR is very thin. You can easily polish right through it to the softer steel underneath and have an unsafe rifle that will double. So be careful on the DIY polishing. This is 10x true if you are using a Dremel.
Click to expand...
Will polishing with rouge go through the hardening?
 
Will polishing with rouge go through case hardening?
Click to expand...

As a general rule, no, it won't.
But if you aren't keeping all the surfaces flat and true, you won't be doing a lot of good either, just making the surfaces look pretty.

I have been hearing many good things about the Lewis Machine and Tool two stage trigger assembly.

I have only had the opportunity to inspect one sample of the LMT and it was installed in the lower and the owner would not allow me to take it out for a closer look.

For all the world, the LMT trigger assembly did look very similar to the Rock River Arms two stage trigger assemblies I have installed in several rifles with very good results.
 
Well, FWIW, I ordered an Armalite "Tactical" 2-stage trigger kit today. About $100. I'll let you know the results.
 
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