Trigger Recommendations for AR

[Copperwood]

I have a colt AR and I wanted to know if anyone had any experience with a good single stage Trigger? I want around 2-3lbs

[EmeraldBullet]

I use a blackrain 3 lb trigger for my sig m716. I would recommend blackrain as a brand, high quality stuff.

[quarterstaff]

My boy got me a Gisselle, I would have never paid the money for it but I really like the crisp break, mine is a 2 stage but I prefer that. That being said as far as AR's go my only experience is with the stock trigger.

[EmeraldBullet]

I almost bought a Gisselle, those are definitely high quality as well. Only reason I didn't buy a Gisselle is the shop I was at would've had to order it, and they had a comparable blackrain on hand.

I understand trying to save money where you can, but gun accessories are one area where I will pay out the extra cash to own top end. For starters, the more expensive stuff is higher quality, and if you shoot a lot, that alone makes it worth it.

The other thing is, gun accessories are very liquid, you can sell them very quickly for almost what you bought them for. If you buy an upper end trigger and later come into a rough time, you would have no problem selling it if you really had to.
 

[yorketransport]

I have a CMC Trigger in my AR and I love it. I think it's the 3.5# version.

[b23]

I have a CMC Trigger in my AR and I love it. I think it's the 3.5# version.

X2

For a simple drop in single stage that won't break the bank, CMC is a very good choice.  I've put a couple of their 3-3.5 lb triggers in AR's and they run flawless.  I believe their 3-3.5 is the lightest trigger they have but both of mine are actually well under 3lbs.  If you search around on the WWW you can usually find them under $150.

[Special T]

I've shot ARS with Timny triggers and CMC. With the flat trigger  CMC can be used in either a AR15 or AR10 I found them easy to bump fire 3-8round bursts.

That said I think it's pretty amazing what you can accomplish with some sandpaper and polishing  up the contact surfaces. I think it's a great way to get to know a weapon.

[kisfish]

following along

[AWS]

I'm in the same boat, I have a beautiful custom AR with a BTE Competition trigger in it.  While it breaks like glass and I can shoot sub 1/2" groups with it at 3.5# it just feels too heavy to me as I'm used to target triggers on bolt guns.  A good friend suggested a JARD trigger and I'm going to go that way when I get a break to get some things done.

[Copperwood]

Thanks guys. My hunting rifle has a really light trigger pull around 1.5 pounds and it is much easier to shoot than my factory trigger jobs. I don't care much for the 2 stage triggers but it sounds like I have a few options now.

[timberghost72]

What is everyones thoughts on RRA 2 stage triggers? I purchased one last week for my varmint/target AR but haven't installed it yet. It was $99.00 so hoping it is a decent trigger.

[elkaholic123]

I'm in the same boat, I have a beautiful custom AR with a BTE Competition trigger in it.  While it breaks like glass and I can shoot sub 1/2" groups with it at 3.5# it just feels too heavy to me as I'm used to target triggers on bolt guns.  A good friend suggested a JARD trigger and I'm going to go that way when I get a break to get some things done.

I have a JARD trigger in my DPMS .204 LR and really like it compared to factory trigger.   

[CaNINE]

I realize you're looking for a single stage...but I recommend you look at the LaRue MTB 2-stage.  I'm a big fan of jewell triggers on my bolt guns so I wasnt sure I'd like a 2-stage on my AR's but I'm really diggin' the LaRue.  I researched a lot of triggers and decided the LaRue was the best value going at $125.

[gunrinwa]

Geissele SSA 2 and I also run a Timney in my AR10. I like them both. THe SSA is a highspeed shooter the Timney is for my long range carbine.

Both worth the money, and sometimes you can find it on sale online at Primaryarms.

G

[JDHasty]

Geissele SDE is the only one I am interested in using any longer.  I use the straight one because it gives a bit more reach. 

https://geissele.com/super-dynamic-enhanced-trigger.html

[Blacklab]

I use a Timney for my Grendel.

[pianoman9701]

What is everyones thoughts on RRA 2 stage triggers? I purchased one last week for my varmint/target AR but haven't installed it yet. It was $99.00 so hoping it is a decent trigger.

I have one on my Grendel build. Love it.

[h20hunter]

Geissele SDE is the only one I am interested in using any longer.  I use the straight one because it gives a bit more reach. 

https://geissele.com/super-dynamic-enhanced-trigger.html

This is whats going in my AR build.

[longashes]

I've been going with LaRue on last couple builds.

http://www.larue.com/larue-tactical-mbt-2s-trigger

[JDHasty]

Whatever you do don't let anybody talk you into a shadetree  modification of anything.  I haven't seen any thing like the number of catastrophic failures with anything else so much as I have with AR triggers that have been f'd with. 

[b23]

Whatever you do don't let anybody talk you into a shadetree  modification of anything.  I haven't seen any thing like the number of catastrophic failures with anything else so much as I have with AR triggers that have been f'd with.

LOL This would be a lot more funny if it weren't so true!

Biggest problem people make is they get a little overzealous with their sanding/polishing of the trigger sear and round it off which typically causes the gun to double, or, sometimes worse.

Unless I'm working on a trigger that has some realllly nasty machine marks I never use anything courser than wet/dry 600 followed by 1000 then 1500.  I'll usually finish with a buffing wheel and a drop of Flitz and it'll look like it was hard chromed when I'm done.

One of the most important things to remember is a little goes a long ways and keeping the angles the same and the face square.

For the most part, polishing up the contact surfaces just makes the creep/pretravel smooth instead of being so critty and crunchy feeling.  You typically aren't going to lower the pull rate very much by only polishing an AR trigger. 

You can significantly improve the overall trigger by polishing AND replacing the springs with a set from someone like JP Enterprises.  The very first AR15 I ever bought was an old triangle forearm heavy barrel Olympic Arms I bought wayyyyy back in 1985 and not only was the trigger pull 9lbs but it felt like two boulders rubbing together while you were pulling it through its mile of pretravel.  To say it was really bad is putting it mildly.  Awhile back I was bored so I went and dug it out and was curious to see how much, if at all, I could improve the trigger.  I had an extra set of lightened trigger springs as well as a grip screw trigger adjuster.  A little work polishing, $25 in parts, and it's now a consistent 3.25lb trigger with nearly no creep.  My CMC triggers are definitely better but they cost $150 too.

FWIW, I've even used the reduced rate springs in a M&P 15-22 with no issues so it's not like they'll cause light strikes if that is a concern.

[CP]

What's wrong with a stock AR trigger?

[JDHasty]

What's wrong with a stock AR trigger?

Nothing a little polishing can't fix

[JDHasty]

In all seriousness, most times people screw with them they remove the entire hardened surface and/or change angles and/or round off corners and/or mix and match parts of two slightly different triggers.... 

There are exceptions, but the exceptions are for the most part outliers

[b23]

What's wrong with a stock AR trigger?

Well, nothing per se. 

For me, I shoot a bolt gun 99% of the time and all my bolt guns either have a Jewell or a tuned Remy trigger in them and once you get used to a trigger with zero creep/pretravel and it breaks like glass, then you pick up an AR with a Mil-Spec trigger, it tends to make you go  !!!

Lot of guys absolutely love their 2 stage triggers and wouldn't have anything else but I hate them, most likely because I never shot something with a 2 stage long enough to get used to it.  I'm afraid if I ever got used to a 2 stage then switched back to one of my bolt guns, I'd be shooting holes in the sky, especially that first shot. lol

[Special T]

I think with sanding polishing you can get a better stock trigger but your not gona turn a 9lb gritty Trigger into a 3.5lb glass trigger.

[Pnwrider]

I'm a fan of the geissele triggers I have. Just ordered the larue mpt as well when they had it at $100 a month ago. Figured at that price I could order 2 for the price of a geissele and based on reviews could sell if I don't like them.