If there is one enhancement you can install in your AR that will have an immediate and positive result on its accuracy, it is a replacement trigger. AR triggers were originally designed for military weapons with the primary concern being safety. While safety is a good thing, mil-spec triggers can be heavy and mushy, which isn’t conducive to accurate shooting. A crisp trigger that breaks cleanly will benefit every shooter—those shooting out to long distances as well as those running and gunning during a competition’s challenging course of fire. The more consistent the trigger, the better you will be at manipulating it.
Aftermarket AR Triggers
So let’s define a few keywords when it comes to triggers. “Creep” is the distance the trigger travels before it “breaks,” or trips the sear and fires the gun. “Pull weight” is the amount of pressure needed to break the trigger. Every trigger will exhibit slight variations in pull weight from shot to shot—some will vary by 8 ounces or more, while others won’t vary more than an ounce. Reliability is the final factor. A small hammer will reduce the trigger’s pull weight, but it can also cause light primer strikes, meaning it won’t ignite some types of ammunition with military-grade primers.
And don’t think you can use a Dremel on your existing trigger to fine-tune it. Sure, you might think you are honing the right surfaces, but you will more than likely create an unsafe trigger. Replacing an AR trigger is really pretty simple—even a ham-handed gunsmith like me can swap out a trigger quickly.
AR Trigger Types
There are basically two types of aftermarket triggers: component and modular, drop-in triggers. Many Mil-spec, component triggers are made up of six parts (not including the hammer and trigger pins): the trigger, trigger spring, hammer, hammer spring, disconnector and disconnector spring. Some mil-spec-style aftermarket triggers may have retainer pins. These triggers take a bit more gun gunsmithing skill to install, especially when it comes to getting the springs properly oriented. The simplest and easiest route is a one-piece, drop-in trigger unit. Drop-in triggers package the trigger group in one cassette-style piece so there is no fussing with springs. Just place the unit in the lower and replace the hammer and trigger pins. It’s that fast.
Whatever type of trigger you decide on, remember to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and wear eye protection. You will also need two 1/8-inch punches and a nylon/brass hammer. A bench vise and a lower receiver vise block will make it much easier to work on the lower and keeps it oriented in the correct position for the installation. The punches remove the hammer and trigger pins and are used as slave pins when installing a mil-spec-style aftermarket trigger. You only need one punch for a drop-in trigger.
ATC AR Gold
For a time, the AR Gold proved to set the gold standard in competition shooting, and it’s still among the best triggers in the game. The drop-in, modular unit comes with a set pull weight of 3.5 pounds. It features a renowned short reset and proves extremely fast with a well-trained finger. The famed Jerry Miuclek helped make this one famous, so you know it’s legit.
- Pull Weight: 3.5 pounds (adjustable)
- Trigger Style: Flat or Curved
- MSRP: $279
- (americantrigger.com)
Black Rain Ordnance DIT 3.5-Pound Trigger
The Black Rain Ordnance DIT 3.5-Pound Trigger comprises a dependable, easy-to-install DIT (Drop-In Trigger). It offers a sweet single-stage 3.5-pound pull. It comes with KNS anti-rotation pins, so extensive range time won’t rattle the pins loose.
- Pull Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.25 inches
- MSRP: $234.99
- (blackrainordnance.com)
Bravo Company USA BCM PNT Trigger
Forget mil-spec, the PNT (Polished Nickel Teflon) trigger from Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) surpasses mil-spec standards. All of this trigger’s components are hand-polished and given an electroless nickel finish to eradicate creep. Finally, the parts are imbedded with Teflon particles to reduce friction and resist corrosion. Priced around $65, we love the value here.
- Pull Weight: 4.5 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.29 inches
- MSRP: $65.95.
- (www.bravocompanyusa.com)
CMC Triggers AR15/10 Two Stage Trigger – Curved
My drop-in CMC Two Stage Curved trigger has a 2-pound first stage and a 3-pound second stage. It comes in other pull weights—2/2, 1/3, 2/4 and 2/5 pounds—and each is creep-free and offers a crisp break. Models are available for small or large pin sizes.
- Pull Weight: 2/2, 1/3, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.31
- MSRP: $210
- (cmctriggers.com)
Hiperfire Hipertouch Enhanced Duty Sharp Shooter
This single-stage, semi-auto trigger upgrade features medium pull weights of 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 pounds, depending on using one of two provided hammer springs. Designed to be smooth and accurate, the SwingFast Hammer Head provides fast lockup. This trigger delivers very hard hammer strikes, according to Hiperfire. The curved trigger and short over-travel provide a solid interface and feel. Priced around $100, another great value here from Hiperfire.
- Pull Weight: 4 or 5 pounds
- Trigger Style: Duplex
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.3 inches
- MSRP: $99
- (www.hiperfire.com)
JP EZ Trigger System (JP Fire Control Package)
The JP Enterprises EZ Trigger System includes the trigger, a speed hammer, oversized anti-walk pins, an adjustable and reversible selector lever and two sets of fire control springs. The yellow springs are suitable for competition while the red springs are designed for tactical uses. The springs can also be combined depending on the release weight desired. The kit comes with tools, Loctite and an instructional installation DVD.
- Pull Weight: 3-3.5 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.3 inches
- MSRP: $200
- (jprifles.com)
RISE Armament Iconic
The RISE Armament Iconic comprises an independent two-stage trigger that delivers serious response and performance. If ever there is a two-stage that behaves like a single-stage trigger, the Iconic is it. The independent design provides a clean, crisp break and quick, clear reset. It measures 1-pound on the first stage, followed by 2-pounds on the second.
- Pull Weight: 1-2 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved, Dual-Blade
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.260
- MSRP: $299
- risearmament.com
Spike’s Tactical Battle Trigger
This mil-spec, single-stage trigger uses a nickel-boron coating to reduce friction between parts and eliminate that gritty feeling common with standard mil-spec triggers. The Battle Trigger is factory set for a 5- to 6-pound pull weight. Plus, it gets smoother as you keep shooting it. Priced at $60, if you’re looking for value, this upgrade is a winner.
- Pull Weight: 5-6 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.29 inches
- MSRP: $60
- (spikestactical.com)
Timney Triggers AR Targa Two-Stage Short
You can consider Timney the benchmark in aftermarket triggers, and the AR Targa Two-Stage Short tigger unit delivers a short first stage set a 2 pounds. Meanwhile, the second stage breaks at 2 pounds as well. This drop-in unit comes self-contained within a housing manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum.
- Pull Weight: 2 pounds/2 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved or straight
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.25 inches
- MSRP: $225
- (timneytriggers.com)
Wilson Combat TTU-3G
The Wilson Combat Tactical Trigger Unit (TTU) 3G comes specifically designed for 3-Gun competition. A true drop-in design, this two-stage trigger offers no creep and a crisp, consistent break. We borrowed one of these a few years ago, and it left quite an impression. This set has a uniquely shaped hammer to enhance reliability with all types of ammunition.
- Pull Weight: 3.5-4 pounds
- Trigger Style: Curved
- Trigger Bow Width: 0.27 inches
- MSRP: $270
- (wilsoncombat.com)
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