Budget AR triggers...

[LESchwartz]

I'm not one of those "AR trigger connoisseurs".  So I typically limit my choices to under $100.  Over the last several years I've purchased the following:

1)  ALG Defense Advanced Combat Trigger:  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1003290133?pid=469179
2)  AR-STONER Enhanced Trigger Group:  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1022503760?pid=779185
3)  Rise Armament Super Sporting Drop-In Trigger Group:  https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1025461959?pid=909131
4)  LaRue Tactical MBT-2S Trigger:  https://www.larue.com/products/larue-tactical-mbt-2s-trigger/

I find the LaRue to be not just a little better, but way way better than those others.  I don't know if it's my lack of experience, or if it's really that good . . .

Thoughts?

Larry

[Rocketvapor]

I've tried a few of the low priced triggers.  A CMC drop in single stage, ALG single coated with either this or that, a RRA, Geissele G2S, usually on sale.
The best (at a low price point) have been a Schmid Inside from Midway, only bought one when sale was $59.99, and a few MBT-2S (cheaper when you buy 3).

With a two stage trigger keep the hammer spring, and install a low power trigger spring, and a single stage mil spec disconnector spring. 
You can also cut one loop off the disconnector spring that came with the 2 stage.  The trigger spring sets first stage pull while the hammer spring contributes little to pull on a two stage.  A large part of the second stage pull is the disconnector.  Just don't go too low though as you could end up with doubles. 
A little over 2 pounds seems about best.

The Schmid 2 stage uses the trigger pin to hold the disconnector making removal EASY. 



The MBT-2S has a separate pin to hold the disconnector and is a little bit of a pain to remove and replace. 


For my long and heavy single fed prone AR's doubling isn't a worry. 
Might not be a good idea to modify PCC triggers though.

Here's a short video of a modified MBT-2S.  Less than 2 pounds.

[LESchwartz]

4.5 pounds is about as light as I want to go.  Prefer two-stage.

I kind of like the fact that the LaRue uses a separate pin for the disconnector.

Larry

[Danjal]

I have all but the rise, I'd get the LaRue again.

[Hodgie]

The LaRue is said to be the best trigger on the market when you add cost and performance. Word is they made it to prove that in most cases Geissele is just charging for their name when it comes to the majority of most of their triggers.

I have the PNT from BCM and a few EMP’s from PSA and can feel zero difference between them. They are just coated and fluffed milspec triggers but I like them. I wouldn’t buy the BCM again because it’s twice the price for the exact same pull and reset.

My next trigger will be the LaRue.

[Rocketvapor]

The MBT-2S using the supplied heavy trigger spring will be right at 4.5 pounds.
Between 3 and 3.5 with the lighter spring.

For me (and Flo) a lighter pull for slow fire seems better.
With a pound or so first stage you can feel the bump up at the second. 
With very little travel the second cracks like glass, with very little over travel. 

I can't tell the difference between the Schmid and the Larue. 
Just wish I had bought a couple more when they were on sale. 
60 bucks, no shipping was a DEAL.

[Danjal]

They go on sale about every Christmas FYI, you may wish to wait then.

[Onepoint]

I was disappointed with the last G2S I got, it was bad enough I took it out after a while, nothing like the ones I had bought years earlier.  l have a couple Rock Rivers, a couple PSA 2 stage nickel boron, a Stoner 2S nickel boron that is pretty good. The stoner, Schmid tool and Wilson combat 2 stage are all the same triggers I suspect. most of these but the Geisseles were under 100 bucks. I may have to try a Larue just for curiosity now.

The last few I have bought have been single stage, a couple Rise Armaments and CMC branded for someone else.

[GuitarmanNick]

A fixed income requires me to be frugal when possible and practical. I try to get the best value for my dollar, and will pay for quality when it is the best option for me.

I have had good results with mil-spec triggers and a little polishing. All of my triggers are smooth and cleanly break @ 4.5 pounds or less. My inexpensive standard parts are absolutely reliable! No failures in any of them after years of use, and I could not be more pleased with their accuracy. If a problem does arise, replacement parts are readily available, inexpensive, and can be kept on-hand, even for a cheap b*****d like me. All triggers being the same, parts can be interchanged if needed to get a particular AR running, again.

Accuracy really has little to do with trigger pull weight. If your mechanics are right, your accuracy will be good, even if the trigger sucks.

Shooting a Glock is a good way to experience this, first hand. Trigger pulls are long and mushy, but with practice, they can be fired accurately.

Saw a video recently that demonstrated it by having one guy aim his pistol, and another guy pull the trigger. All shots were in a nice group on the target.

Still haven't been able to convince my dad who insists on 3 oz. or less on his benchrest rifles. Way too touchy for my tastes.

[Rocketvapor]

A light trigger is not right for a carry weapon, off hand shooting, or barricades.
Highpower, across the course have a minimum trigger pull for safety reasons.
That said, Benchrest or prone F-Class shooters typically have light triggers (mostly bolt guns).
Pretty much EVERY WINNER in midrange or longrange competition have light triggers.
An article about what the "PROS USE" from a few years ago.
https://precisionrifleblog.com/2019/01/20/best-trigger/
https://www.gunbuilders.com/blog/ar15-triggers-the-full-guide-troubleshooting/

Two Stage triggers work a little different than a single stage.
Looking at the MBT-2S,
First stage is ONLY Trigger Spring.  Too light and you can have slow or NO reset.


Second stage is Trigger spring PLUS force to compress Disconnector.
Sear angle eliminates most of the Hammer spring from total trigger force.
Too light and you can have Hammer follow or doubles.


For an AR, a 1 pound first stage and another pound for second stage is about as light as you can go and still be reliable.  There is a new type of rolling sear that can go a little lighter.

Triggertech, Diamond Adjustable, available in single or two stage is on sale at Brownells (Green exclusive) but two stage is sold out, for now.  $155 is about twice the price of the ones I've installed, but about half the 'Normal' price.
https://www.brownells.com/gun-parts/rifle-parts/rifle-triggers-parts/ar-diamond-exclusive-triggers/?sku=430103233


A review;
https://ultimatereloader.com/2019/05/17/tested-new-triggertech-ar-diamond-1-5lb-4lb-ar-15-trigger/

[xtriggerman]

I cant add anything of relevance of what drop in is better than another since I'v never bought any! I have tuned a few from way back when AR's were not popular....at all. I all ways thought it funny that back in the day when you could buy trigger components directly from the factory parts dept, no one ever thought of putting out tunable AR hammers. The big buga boo on tuning stock triggers is the over cut in the mil spec sear on the hammer. This over cut is there to make the hammer functionable threw a dirty environment. That cut makes the trigger go out of positional sync with the safety. A tuned stock trigger must have a rather light friction fit to the trigger or its a bad (unsafe) job.  I looked around for a supplier for uncut hammers with this picture but had no takers for a small quantity. I was told that the uncut castings have part of that over cut cast in. I haven't verified that yet but my next step will be to ask Aerometals if they can cut me out some after a hardening run on some. Starting out with a hammer like in my pic, makes doing a zero creep single stage in around the 4 lb area, a piece of cake of a tune up job. Like all trigger jobs, it all ways must end with a perfect safety engagement on a single stage unit. Most of the aftermarket units Iv tried on some one else's gun didn't impress me in the least. I didn't bother to remember makes. My 2 cents.....

[Danjal]

Drop ins are just easier for a lot of folks because they haven't learned or don't want the hassle of factory trigger changes. They also eliminate a lot of guesswork as they're a premade system instead of changing a spring here, a trigger there, and another part there in hopes that it'll make whatever goal the user is trying to make their end goal. Many people have absolutely zero clue how the firearm works, much less the individual components. I've had so many arguments with the younger crowds and older "gun guys" alike that thought they knew a firearm but didn't know anything about the entire system much less the individual parts.

[JimmyJamesKY]

When I swapped triggers, I went with the Aero Nickel Boron 2 stage.

http://www.sksboards.com/smf/index.php?topic=152066.0

I'm am very happy with it.  It's not a whole lot lighter than the original M&P 15, but it's as light as I want it, more consistent, had a better "break" and an audible reset.  My groups tightened up some after the swap.

It's probably a rebranded Schmidt because it has a tiny "s" on it.