View Full Version : AR15 trigger opinions
So, I have this DPMS carbine. Shoots great, but the trigger is awful. I had Bert do his best with it, and he helped it a lot, but you just can't put much of a shine on a turd.
So I'm looking for opinions on triggers. Not looking for competition, just something that will release clean and smooth when I get the crosshairs where I want them and am ready for a BANG. I'm just a target shooter, and have enough trouble getting the sight picture stable, without having to grunt the trigger over the edge while trying to hold steady.
Timney? Gissele? Other? Single-stage? Two-stage? ???
Yes, price IS a major consideration, must be affordable and not just pipe dream material.
I've only used the JP Enterprises single stage. Pretty nice for the money.
I did shoot someone else's rifle with one of the Geissele triggers. It was pretty nice as well.
RCCrawler
05-19-2013, 21:59
I love my giessele sd3g.
So, I have this DPMS carbine. Shoots great, but the trigger is awful. I had Bert do his best with it, and he helped it a lot, but you just can't put much of a shine on a turd.
So I'm looking for opinions on triggers. Not looking for competition, just something that will release clean and smooth when I get the crosshairs where I want them and am ready for a BANG. I'm just a target shooter, and have enough trouble getting the sight picture stable, without having to grunt the trigger over the edge while trying to hold steady.
Timney? Gissele? Other? Single-stage? Two-stage? ???
Yes, price IS a major consideration, must be affordable and not just pipe dream material.
I put a 3# timney skeletonized in one of my builds, imho you will not find a better trigger I wish I could justify the cost and put them in all my ar platform weapons, it feels like i'm squeezing my 1911's trigger. another plus is they are damm sexy to look at.
Best for the money:
ALG Defense Advanced Combat Trigger (ACT)
http://www.algdefense.com/
Want it lighter, just add a JP Enterprises Enhanced Reliability Spring Kit
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/triggers-bottom-metals/trigger-parts/trigger-springs/ar-15-enhanced-reliability-spring-kits-prod32318.aspx
I have this combo on one rifle, and it "feels" better than my Timney on another rifle.
pickenup
05-19-2013, 22:45
Might want to check out a Chip McCormick trigger.
newracer
05-19-2013, 22:45
I think the RRA 2 stage trigger is fine.
I love my giessele sd3g.
+1
I had never tried a 2 stage until Hoser advised a Geissele. I went the route of the SDE and love it. The straight shoe helps get my finger in a better position, a detail that is critical to me for precision shooting. It's not easy to get a two stage to go off early, a problem I've had a couple of time with light single stage triggers.
muddywings
05-20-2013, 17:09
geissele ssa!
+1
but if $$$ is an issue get his wife's trigger: ALG
hghclsswhitetrsh
05-20-2013, 17:58
Joeo has a good deal on a used jp. I love mine.
Goodburbon
05-20-2013, 18:28
I think the RRA 2 stage trigger is fine.
+1
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nisils14
05-20-2013, 19:28
Might want to check out a Chip McCormick trigger.
+1 Put one in my mine, comparable to a timney in terms of feel for a cheaper price.
How much is a CMC? Website doesn't say.
wARmachine15
05-20-2013, 21:22
Three if my four ARs have ALG Defense Combat triggers. Best trigger for the money I've come across.
IMHO, there is not a single opinion on here that is valid.
YOU have to shoot the triggers with your finger to determine which one YOU like the best. I have tried them all, some of the above are good, some I would not pay $10 for. I use a Jard drop-in in my match rifle and if I wanted 2 stage, it would be an AR-Gold. When I go cheap, a Windham Weaponry mil-spec with a Wolf spring enhancement pak (Under $50 and better than some of the 'spensive ones). For a 4# trigger, the POF drop-ins are pretty good too.
I do like the CMCs and the JPs, which have been mentioned, and have them in some lowers too.
The ALGs are okay, but not even in the same league as most of the others. If you had a good smith work on a stock trigger, the ALG would just be replacing what you already have.
Delfuego
05-20-2013, 22:06
http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPS3.5
This is the JP spring kit you want with a factory trigger (2 yellow springs). The other recommended works with "JP" triggers. This really helped mine out and I have had no reliability issues thus far.
DavieD55
05-29-2013, 13:39
Another vote for the Geissele SD line.
JP single stage all the way
I love my giessele sd3g.
me too it shits on every other trigger i have tried and dosent have any stupid set screws to loosen up
Great-Kazoo
06-10-2013, 06:45
me too it shits on every other trigger i have tried and dosent have any stupid set screws to loosen up
The one you shot this weekend was a JP single in that 9mm unit.
Marine24
06-10-2013, 08:05
So what is your budget? A lot of good ideas being presented, but some are over $200 and mute point if your budget is 1/2 of that.
I've used RRAs two stage, Geiselle's SSA-E, JP's fire control system, Wilson Combat TTU, CMMG's two stage, LMT's. My preference is the SSA-E, but RRA and CMMG are good budget options.
The one you shot this weekend was a JP single in that 9mm unit.
.that whole fuckin 9mm was rad i loved everything about it....i also got to shoot that chip mcormik trigger
i still like my SD3G bestest :D
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a Bill Springfield trigger job. For the money, he can make a factory trigger feel pretty dang good and he's located right here in Colo., in Colo. Springs. I've got a couple of Jewels and a Jard, and a Bill Springfield worked factory trigger, and although the Springfield worked trigger isn't a 2 stage Jewell, it's still pretty good for the price.
Delfuego
06-25-2013, 09:45
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a Bill Springfield trigger job.I have heard too many horror stories about Bill Springfield and his triggers. In fact a local and well respected gunsmith on this forum mentioned that he loved BS trigger jobs, because they bring him lots of business repairing them!
Bill Springfield trigger job.
Run away.
Well, I guess the book on BS triggers is closed.
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones as my Springfield worked trigger is pretty dang good, for the price. I gave him an extra trigger group I had for payment. Why would someone not return the trigger to Bill if they had problems with it? He's got a money back policy. I figure it's kind of like takin' a car to a mechanic and picking it up and finding that it's not quite fixed correctly, and simply taking it back to get it fixed, or get your money back.
Daniel_187
06-25-2013, 19:44
Hannu gave me an American Trigger Corp. Gold trigger pack and I love it, But its big bucks. The JP trigger is a nice set up too.
XC700116
06-25-2013, 23:21
I've had RRA 2 stage triggers and they are nice, Now I have a Geissle 2 stage HSNM trigger and a S3G and they are AWESOME triggers. Always wanted to try the ATC Gold trigger but after the Geissle triggers I stopped bothering to try anything else since they are perfect for my needs.
DireWolf
06-26-2013, 00:24
For what it's worth, I'm running both Geissele SD-3G and high-speed DMR (fully adjustable 2-stage) triggers, and they both blow away any other AR-platform triggers I've ever used...
just my .02ยข
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones as my Springfield worked trigger is pretty dang good, for the price. I gave him an extra trigger group I had for payment. Why would someone not return the trigger to Bill if they had problems with it? He's got a money back policy. I figure it's kind of like takin' a car to a mechanic and picking it up and finding that it's not quite fixed correctly, and simply taking it back to get it fixed, or get your money back.
No complaints here, he did two for me and they were great. Sending in two more next month.
No complaints here, he did two for me and they were great. Sending in two more next month.how many rounds do you have on them?
how many rounds do you have on them?
Had close to 700 on rifle before I sold her.. Ran great.
That's not all that much.... my concern is the case hardening gets polished away and then your trigger wears down and starts doubling....I have over 10k on my Giselle sd3g and it feels even better then it did when new
I know Bert stopped doing at trigger jobs for that reason
OK, it seems Gissele is the most recommended, but what's up with so many different models from them? How to know which one I'd need? Again, it's a basic DPMS carbine for hole punching and clay busting.
DireWolf
06-29-2013, 12:53
OK, it seems Gissele is the most recommended, but what's up with so many different models from them? How to know which one I'd need? Again, it's a basic DPMS carbine for hole punching and clay busting.
This is just based on my experience, but I've had both the SD-3G and HS-DMR models running in both precision & "beater" AR-15's, and in 308 AR's set up as precision & battle rifles, and while both are awesome, the HS-DMR is the way to go if you're looking for more precision (due to the second stage engagement), while staying as close as possible to the reset speed you get with the 3G (and without the more "liquid" feel you get with those)......also, the flat trigger on the 3G is more comfortable in my opinion.....
Also, main difference between the different HS models is weight range....I happen to like the DMR range best, but the NM may be better if you don't plan to take stress into account when shooting (lighter range for stages).....
That's not all that much.... my concern is the case hardening gets polished away and then your trigger wears down and starts doubling....I have over 10k on my Giselle sd3g and it feels even better then it did when new
I know Bert stopped doing at trigger jobs for that reason
Interesting..I had never thought of that...Hmmmm
beast556
07-28-2013, 23:39
Huge +1 on the ALG triggers. I have the ACT units in a few AR's and they are awsome for 65$. If you want a super nice USGI trigger that has been fluffed and buffed go with the one of the ALG units. Just my 2 cents.
AR Gold for drop in awesomeness. They are not cheap, but they are awesome.
SpencerR2a
07-29-2013, 13:53
I have the jarred 1.5 lbs trigger it is fully adjustable and very easy to install.
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mikeh1911
07-30-2013, 10:12
So if you break it down to dollars you have
Under $100 - spring kits or local smiths
Under $200 - JP, CMC, Jard, Rock River Arms, CMMG,
$200- $250 – Some of the Geissele, Timney, Wilson,
Over $250 -ATC Gold, more Geissele,
Hope this helps.
under 100 should be JUST the alg triggers
Polish the pins and bosses with a spring kit is like $15 or less.
Local smiths...skip it.
JP original is under $150, but $100 or so for install, same for Jard.
CMC drop in $150
JP EZ, Jard Drop in, POF drop in, about $200 to $230.
Best for the money:
ALG Defense Advanced Combat Trigger (ACT)
http://www.algdefense.com/
Want it lighter, just add a JP Enterprises Enhanced Reliability Spring Kit
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts/triggers-bottom-metals/trigger-parts/trigger-springs/ar-15-enhanced-reliability-spring-kits-prod32318.aspx
I have this combo on one rifle, and it "feels" better than my Timney on another rifle.
+1 on the act
I appreciate all the information and input, guys....thank you very much! Since I now have a hardon to get my old Harley fixed up, and still don't have a job, I'll probably leave the AR trigger as it is for awhile. It ain't that bad, but at least now I have a lot of info to think about.
belizejet
01-30-2014, 22:50
Anyone know anything about the hyperfire trigger?
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