[Paul Workman]

I'm curious about those 2-stage AR triggers; especially for the Bushmaster lower I have. Oh, it's OK; but just barely until I have a gloved hand. Then it gets a little "dicey".

What I think I'm looking for is a trigger with a glass-smooth first stage pull, with a clean, abrupt halt at the second stage. The second stage should have "just enough" pull tension to avoid accidentally breaking over the resistance and tripping the hammer. (Am I making sense?)

I've never experienced a Jewel or such after-market AR triggers. So, be kind, fellow AR shooters! What can I expect w/ one compared to a factory trigger?

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[TinMan]

I put a Jewel in my 24" varmint/target AR. It is very smooth and works well for what I wanted. I set it up with 2.5lb 1st stage and 1.5lb 2nd stage. The trigger feels like a good bolt rifle. Love it. Unfortunately, I think they are not made anymore, so used is the only way to go, if you can find one.

I am in the process of building an AR 16" carbine right now, and just bought a 2 stage LaRue MBT-2 trigger for it, but I haven't installed yet it. Been sidetracked with some other things. It is supposed to be 2.5lb 1st and 2.5lb 2nd stage. LaRue has a promotion going right now for $87, which can't be beat, in my opinion. P.S., my carbine lower half is a RRA.

 

[Kentucky Fisherman]

I've never experienced a Jewel or such after-market AR triggers. So, be kind, fellow AR shooters![/I] What can I expect w/ one compared to a factory trigger?

I had a Jewell on the first AR I built years ago, Paul. As for the difference between almost any after-market and the stock trigger: Daylight and dark.

Carpman

 

[Terry N.]

Geissele makes both adjustable 2-stage triggers that you can pretty well set up the way you want them, and non-adjustable triggers. They tend to be pretty spendy, though, although you can frequently catch them on sale.

This is the one I would recommend for your application: https://geissele.com/hi-speed-national-match-trigger-set.html

 

[s3gunner]

I've tried a few aftermarket triggers in my ARs lately. I've been one to "shoot as is" or maybe touch up factory triggers on ARs (for some reason, only on ARs). I haven't tried a Jewel trigger, but so far my favorite is the Elftmann trigger. Like most, the better models are a bit pricey, but bring a whole new feel to shooting it. One thing I'm glad I've done that might sound a bit odd... I've bought most with non-standard shaped triggers or modified them so you can tell it has a aftermarket trigger. I didn't on my first one (CMC) and I still get surprised sometimes when the gun goes off so soon. I forget that that AR has a light trigger. Right now most of my ARs with aftermarket triggers have either a non-standard trigger shape, a modified standard trigger, or an aftermarket pistol grip, Just so I can tell what ones have them before I shoot.
Good luck!

Steven

 

[Markbo]

I have a Timney 2 stage on my heavy barrel AR. 2 lb/2lb. Love it. Less than $250

 

[Paul Workman]

Thanks very much (so far). Well, I'm intrigued, to be sure. I think I have some ideas for Santa?

I have a Timney 2 stage on my heavy barrel AR. 2 lb/2lb. Love it. Less than $250

Markbo... Speaking of intrigue, if BOTH stages are = 2#, how can you tell them apart? Wouldn't one blend with the other and (IDK) feel like a long pull and BANG! (Forgive my ignorance )

P.

 

[TinMan]

Paul, the pulls are additive. You feel 2lbs like taking up slack, then 2lbs for the actual trigger release. You can easily feel the stop then the release. Have you ever fired a M-1 or M1-A? They are usually 2 stage triggers.

 

[Paul Workman]

Paul, the pulls are additive. You feel 2lbs like taking up slack, then 2lbs for the actual trigger release. You can easily feel the stop then the release. Have you ever fired a M-1 or M1-A? They are usually 2 stage triggers.

Ah! 2+2... That makes sense.

Yep, I had an M1A - competition prepped, AND I have ARs (10-15) too. (So, I'm familiar w/ 2-stage triggers).

I sold the M1A (sorta reluctantly), but took the cash and bought a RRA (AR10) LAR8. NO REGRETS.

The trigger pull on that RRA two-stage is more than 2+2, but plenty good enough "as is".

It's the Bushmaster lower - which is...well...could be better. (Especially that I now have an upper that will print 5 in one hole (under 1/2 MOA c/c at 100 yards).

Yeah, OK. I admit I'm spoiled rotten by good triggers!

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[TinMan]

A decent aftermarket trigger is the best thing you can do to help any lower, in my opinion. Hope you find one you like.

 

[Catfish]

I have 2 Rock River match triggers that are very good 2 stage triggers. Final break at about 3 lbs., great hunting triggers. If you would be happy with a single stage Velocity has some nice drop in`s that break at 3 lbs. I also have 2 of them and don`t think you can beat them for the price, around $ 125.

 

[Paul Workman]

I have 2 Rock River match triggers that are very good 2 stage triggers. Final break at about 3 lbs., great hunting triggers. If you would be happy with a single stage Velocity has some nice drop in`s that break at 3 lbs. I also have 2 of them and don`t think you can beat them for the price, around $ 125.

Interesting! I wasn't aware of any single stage triggers for the AR. Is the let-off crisp or is there a long creep?

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[Paul Workman]

I have 2 Rock River match triggers that are very good 2 stage triggers. Final break at about 3 lbs., great hunting triggers. If you would be happy with a single stage Velocity has some nice drop in`s that break at 3 lbs. I also have 2 of them and don`t think you can beat them for the price, around $ 125.

I'm intrigued. I'll give one a try - see how it compares to some bolt guns I have custom triggers in.

I'll let yaz all know!

Paul.

 

[KK]

I have a Geissele 2 stage adjustable trigger in my DPMS 24inch Heavy barrel AR for bench and PD shooting. I don't remember the model but I love it for bench shooting. I think 1st stage is around 1.5# and 2nd stage breaks at 2. it's a little pricey but well worth the money.

 

[Paul Workman]

I have a Geissele 2 stage adjustable trigger in my DPMS 24inch Heavy barrel AR for bench and PD shooting. I don't remember the model but I love it for bench shooting. I think 1st stage is around 1.5# and 2nd stage breaks at 2. it's a little pricey but well worth the money.

I hear good things about those triggers too. Fact is, most of my shooting life was spent on bolt guns. I came late to the party when it comes to playing with and learning about building ARs.

I "got lucky" on my first attempt at building an upper. (definition of "lucky": Ask the knowledgeable people on this board for guidance first!) The rifle 7.7 twist/Wylde-chambered 223 shoots sub half MOA (C-C) with break-in loads. But! The stock "Bushy" 2-stage trigger take-up is a little gritty and not uniform feeling (to me).

It (stock trigger) seems to break OK. I will say that. And, decades of shooting good varmint triggers has spoiled me, no doubt. But, I have a buncha $$ tied up in this bad boy now, and I think it deserves a really decent trigger to top it off.

If I think it shoots good enough, I hope to bring it to the BBB next spring and see how it shoots compared to dem Roo-roo-roogers n Salvage (et al) bolt gunz.


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[DAA]

So I'm really late to the AR world too. Really, really late.

And have very little actual experience.

And am coming from bolt gun trigger snobbery. I'm a serious, bona fide, trigger SNOB.

So... Only tried three AR triggers. All on my first and so far only AR, a Rock River ATH.

RRA match trigger. It's what my rifle came with. Garbage. That's just my arrogant trigger snob, bolt gun guy take on it. Mushy, heavy, creepy, garbage. Not one good thing I can say about it. Absolutely HATED that trigger.

Giessele HSNM. Way better! I could live with it. I am NOT a "two stage" guy, but for bench type shooting, to include table shooting colony varmints, I think this would be the one for me.

TriggerTech Adaptable. This is the one for me. I only shoot groups when I have to with my AR, and while I have used it a good bit for colony varmints, that's not what I got it for. It's main use is jumpshooting jackrabbits and killing called coyote. Fast action type stuff, offhand. I wanted a single stage, really. But the first stage of this trigger is so light, I can and do just shoot it just like a single stage. Second stage break is cleanest, crispest, lightest most consistent of this particular bunch and it ain't even close. I do believe the G HSNM will best it for pure precision, slow, controlled work from a rest, but not by much and for how I actually use my AR, the TT whoops it, in my opinion.

Few days ago, playing wth the coyotes and the RRA w/TT trigger. And another from last winter, having too much fun with jacks - which, is really what I mostly got the whole rig for. It's too much fun!

End of the day though, I'm a complete tyro in regards to all things AR. Did test the crap out of these three triggers in my particular rifle, from the bench and in the field, and for myself and my taste, the above is just how I see it.

- DAA

 

[Paul Workman]

So I'm really late to the AR world too. Really, really late.

And have very little actual experience.

And am coming from bolt gun trigger snobbery. I'm a serious, bona fide, trigger SNOB.

So... Only tried three AR triggers. All on my first and so far only AR, a Rock River ATH.

RRA match trigger. It's what my rifle came with. Garbage. That's just my arrogant trigger snob, bolt gun guy take on it. Mushy, heavy, creepy, garbage. Not one good thing I can say about it. Absolutely HATED that trigger.

Giessele HSNM. Way better! I could live with it. I am NOT a "two stage" guy, but for bench type shooting, to include table shooting colony varmints, I think this would be the one for me.

TriggerTech Adaptable. This is the one for me. I only shoot groups when I have to with my AR, and while I have used it a good bit for colony varmints, that's not what I got it for. It's main use is jumpshooting jackrabbits and killing called coyote. Fast action type stuff, offhand. I wanted a single stage, really. But the first stage of this trigger is so light, I can and do just shoot it just like a single stage. Second stage break is cleanest, crispest, lightest most consistent of this particular bunch and it ain't even close. I do believe the G HSNM will best it for pure precision, slow, controlled work from a rest, but not by much and for how I actually use my AR, the TT whoops it, in my opinion.

Few days ago, playing wth the coyotes and the RRA w/TT trigger. And another from last winter, having too much fun with jacks - which, is really what I mostly got the whole rig for. It's too much fun!

End of the day though, I'm a complete tyro in regards to all things AR. Did test the crap out of these three triggers in my particular rifle, from the bench and in the field, and for myself and my taste, the above is just how I see it.

- DAA

"UFF-da" as my Norwegian grandmother would exclaim!

 

[Paul Workman]

Oh, SH*t...

My Bushy bottom is older n dirt (circa 2000). It is a "Varminter" version; 26" fluted bbl with a "so-called" varmint/competition trigger.

@ issue: That version/vintage Bushmaster selector switch is NOT mil-spec. And, neither is the trigger mechanism portion (of the discrete component group). BM apparently designed in modifications to both assemblies to create that special "varmint/competition" trigger.

Long story short, the selector switch mechanism contains a pair of adjustments, threaded through the selector shank to poke out of the flat side of the selector mechanism to modify over-travel and let-off adjustments. Then the whole thing is LockTite'd in place.

Being somewhat mechanically competent, after seeing the trigger group, and before I spoke to Bushmaster, I had the sense that the design of the old (Bushmaster) trigger was such that wear OR dirt/corrosion in the trigger group (sear) made the design very precarious. (IN FACT, when shooting PDs between Mike Jones and Don McCutchen sitting beside me, that damn thing slam-fired before the a fresh round had completely chambered. No serious damage or injuries, but the blast blew the magazine apart and startled the heck out of all 3 of us!) And so...it didn't come as a surprise when after contacting the tech rep at Bushmaster, he recommended I replace the trigger AND the selector switch.

Waiting for a selector from Brownells now. I'll let yaz know what comes of it "before and after"!

Paul.

 

[s3gunner]

The smoothest factory trigger I have is in my Colt that I bought in 1980. It has survived 3 shot out barrels so far. Its seen enough use that it is very smooth. I personally prefer very little take-up after you hit that first stage wall, and short over-all reset (for light recoiling ARs anyway).
Try as many as you can before you buy, a whole lot of different triggers, each with a different feel.
As I said before, if you have more than one AR, I would encourage you to make sure you can tell you have a light trigger in the gun you're shooting so it does not surprise you by mistake. (Flat faced triggers are great for that purpose, and most triggers are offered that way as an option)

Steven

 

[Paul Workman]

I personally prefer very little take-up after you hit that first stage wall, and short over-all reset (for light recoiling ARs anyway).
Try as many as you can before you buy, a whole lot of different triggers, each with a different feel.


Steven

I'm "new" to ARs only as far as building them goes. But, boy-howdy! Was I in for a surprise when it came to assembling one - more "stuff" available for the AR than I ever thought possible. (Reminds me of endeavoring to build a SMALL BLOCK CHEVY motor!)

Anyway...back to triggers. Pull weight, over-travel and reset vs. accidental "double-tapping" is always the buggaboo when tuning or selecting a trigger for a semi-auto. That's why 2-stage triggers are the "norm" for many centerfire semi rifles. So! When I came across a single stage trigger for an AR, AND it had a good rap sheet, I decided to give one a try. (That's when I ran across the unusual Bushmaster selector switch modification.)

For those familiar with building ARs, check out this puppy! Bottom line: replace it with a new trigger and safety selector switch (says the Bushmaster tech rep).

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