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AR build question

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 10:23 am
by Mustang380gal
Ted is going to do something I never expected him to do. He is building not one, but 2 ARs! (He has never been an AR guy.) One is going to be a carbine for me; the other is going to be a rifle for a daughter. She will want it for target shooting, so a smooth trigger would be good.

What trigger assembly do you recommend? He is looking for mid-range, not top of the line trigger assemblies.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 11:38 am
by jeep45238
Honestly, a basic GI trigger that's been de-burred with a stone is a lot better than people give it credit for. I would avoid any trigger mechanism that comes in a chassis, has over travel screws, or a Jewel target setup - i've seen the 'chassis' systems do some interesting failures regarding the safety engagement and think it's got a lot to do with trying to hold their own dimensional tolerances vs. what the lower receiver was designed for. The jewel target setup is notoriously finicky and source of frustration.

For a low cost that makes the trigger smoother, look for a coated (usually NiB these days) trigger/hammer setup. The grittiness is the problem for these firearms, not really the weight. https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa-2-s ... mbly1.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I'd grab this for the carbine.

A much, much nicer option is a basic Geissle trigger. They follow USGI design merged with M1 Garand style hammer/sear interfaces, are insanely tough, and offer great trigger breaks in both 1 and 2 stages with a weight you can pre-determine with no screws to mess with or cause an issue later on. I'd check this out for the target-oriented rifle https://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/t ... ke_3=AR-15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 3:32 pm
by Morne
All of my 5.56/.223 ARs have the basic GI trigger. That really is "good enough".

Once I decided to build some .300 Blackout ARs I went with the Wilson Combat TTU trigger. It is quite excellent! Be cautioned, if you get used to the TTU and then go back to the GI trigger you'll grumble loudly/often about the GI. 8)

I would avoid any 2-stage triggers. They teach habits that are not becoming of riflemen. You don't need anything more than a quality single-stage trigger to execute amazing marksmanship.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2020 5:56 pm
by welshj
I have a timney competition trigger in one of mine.
It's a mid range price, $219.
But it's a one piece- drop in mechanism that replaces all the lower trigger pieces in one shot. 2.5-3 lb pull.... I love it.

Awesome trigger, american made, american company.

https://timneytriggers.com/ar-15-competition-trigger/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


My wife's AR is a standard anderson kit, I polished and cerakoted all moving pieces.
It's just a little more of a noticable pull than my timney.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2020 12:56 pm
by Sevens
I don’t shoot my AR’s a lot because I’ve long taken pride and enjoyment from handloading all that I shoot (except rimfire of course) but a couple of years ago I decided to ONLY buy ammo for AR’s because I don’t enjoy the volume of work involved to feed AR’s. It’s an odd place to be for me because I feel like I never wanna take one of my AR’s to the range and yet every time I ever have, I have a blast shooting them.

With that out of the way, my choice is the Larue MBT trigger. It’s no Geissle for sure but it is soooo much better than stock and it’s just $80. And the company is great to deal with and they feel like “regular gun guys” that get to make cool gun stuff for a living.

I’m sure there are far better triggers for specific applications but for $80, I think the Larue MBT is money spent exceptionally well and install is a 10 minute job.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2020 3:12 pm
by JimE
Some of the Anderson lower parts kits use a stainless trigger & hammer. There not bad and feel a lot "cleaner" than standard GI (or China) parts, for only a couple bucks more.
If you can spend up to a $150 extra, look at both the Ruger 452 (a little creep on the first stage) or in a single stage, CMC's offerings.
Not like a Geissle or Timney, but way better than GI.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 11:48 am
by Bruenor
For a target rifle build with a basic trigger I would recommend the Rock River 2-stage trigger.
The RR lower parts kit that includes the 2-stage trigger it's $120.00 on Rock Rivers website right now, AR0120NM so pretty reasonably priced for a trigger that meets the CMP NM requirements, as well as all the other parts for your lower. Pretty much everyone shooting CMP at our local club used the RR 2 stage triggers.

there's a TON of higher end triggers for AR's now from geissele, Timney, to hiperfire, etc.. If you don't mind paying for them. I'm rather fond of the hiperfire triggers myself.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 1:50 pm
by JustaShooter
Bruenor wrote:For a target rifle build with a basic trigger I would recommend the Rock River 2-stage trigger.
The RR lower parts kit that includes the 2-stage trigger it's $120.00 on Rock Rivers website right now, AR0120NM so pretty reasonably priced for a trigger that meets the CMP NM requirements, as well as all the other parts for your lower. Pretty much everyone shooting CMP at our local club used the RR 2 stage triggers.

there's a TON of higher end triggers for AR's now from geissele, Timney, to hiperfire, etc.. If you don't mind paying for them. I'm rather fond of the hiperfire triggers myself.
I'll second the Rock River 2 stage. Mustang380gal, that's the trigger I had in the AR I used when I flat out crushed the Appleseed event I told you about - you know, the one where I said "I like that rifle, and that rifle likes me". The trigger was a big part of why.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 4:58 pm
by TJW815
A cleaned up GI trigger is all I’ve ever needed to be plenty accurate from an AR platform. While the high end triggers are nice, they aren’t really needed for accurate target shooting.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 8:34 pm
by BEAR!
TJW815 wrote:A cleaned up GI trigger is all I’ve ever needed to be plenty accurate from an AR platform. While the high end triggers are nice, they aren’t really needed for accurate target shooting.
Plus 1 On that TJW

Re: AR build question

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2020 9:43 pm
by Dave Shooter
I have ARs with GI, "enhanced polished trigger", Rock River 2 stage, JP single stage, and La Rue 2 stage.

From my perspective La Rue is best bang for the buck. A nice all around trigger and easy to install.

JP has been in my 3gun rifle for over a decade and +10k rounds, going strong. A great trigger but a bit of a pain to adjust initially, not what you want for a beginner's install.

I like Rock River. I've shot mine a lot, to the point where second stage is down to 4 ounces. Probably time to replace it.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 1:00 pm
by JU-87
Morne wrote:...I would avoid any 2-stage triggers. They teach habits that are not becoming of riflemen. You don't need anything more than a quality single-stage trigger to execute amazing marksmanship.
I disagree.

The US Army Marksmanship unit (AMU) and the US Marine Corps Marksmanship unit ALL use 2-stage triggers.

IF you want to reach your full potential, use a 2 stage trigger.

+3 on RRA match grade 2 stage trigger. That said, I upgraded to a Giselle, and like it a lot.

Go with a free float fore arm , and a quality tele-stock.

I may have seen you at Small Arms Firing School. If I'm wrong, go there! 8)
http://thecmp.org/2019-small-arms-firing-school/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 1:56 pm
by ArmedAviator
Wow I'm late to this party but I'll chime in anyway.

ALG Defense is my go-to for AR triggers that doesn't need to be a high end 2-stage. I have the QMS and THE FACT installed in 6 out of my 7 ARs and love them. I can't tell a difference between them so just go with the cheaper QMS. Also, they have sales often if you sign up for their newsletter. Like 35% of the triggers.

ALG Defense is a Geisselle product so expect quality.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:26 pm
by Mustang380gal
Ted said he went with an Stoner-enhanced trigger from Midway for now. He doesn't have them together yet.

JU-87, I am pretty sure I did see you at SAFS. It's been a while. I am hoping to go back at some point.

Re: AR build question

Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2020 12:17 am
by Werz
Mustang380gal wrote:Ted said he went with an Stoner-enhanced trigger from Midway for now. He doesn't have them together yet.

JU-87, I am pretty sure I did see you at SAFS. It's been a while. I am hoping to go back at some point.
A word of caution from personal experience. A self-contained custom trigger group is nice. However, the trigger spring in the GI trigger group not only functions for trigger pressure and reset; it also maintains pressure against the trigger pin. Without that pressure, the trigger pin can start walking after successive shots. If one end drops inside the lower receiver, and you fail to notice, you can get a double tap before the sear engages, and that will send a shiver up your spine.

I recommend a fairly cheap investment in anti-walk hammer and trigger pins for self-contained trigger groups.