AR triggers

SEtoNWHunter

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 17, 2017
Messages
177
Location
SW MT
I’ve got experience with all the options you mentioned. Last year I sold off all my drop-in (“cartridge”) triggers due to reliability issues, especially in the cold. I had a CMC 3.5lb flat, Timney Impact (worst one), and Rise 134. I LOVE the LaRue MBT2S. I think it’s 95% of a SSA-E at 50% the cost. All my “precision” or hunting builds will be getting MBT2S.

Others I’ve tried and like are the ALG ACT and BCM PNT for affordable enhanced mil-spec single stage upgrades. Heard good stuff about the SOLGW enhanced combat or whatever they call it.

I’d like to try the Schmid single and double-stage just to compare but otherwise I’m satisfied and likely won’t look elsewhere.

"I’d like to try the Schmid single".

You have. The ALG and BCM are branded Schmid triggers. So are the PSA EPT, SOLGW, and many others. Great for a hard use build, where precision isn't the highest priority.
The 2 stage are a completely different design of course, but available under many brand names:
Plus at least a few more
 

ElPollo

WKR
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Messages
1,700
The issue with RRA 2-stage triggers is longevity with high round counts. They wear out and start failing. They were pretty common 20 years ago in certain places, but under use there were enough failures that they all got pulled and no longer used. They are a good feeling trigger, and for light’ish use are generally fine. However, with Larue 2-stage triggers being sub $100, and that they are solid under extremely heavy long term use, makes choosing them over the RRA with less reliability/longevity, easy.
Appreciate you sharing this info. I’m not going to run out and change mine because it frankly doesn’t get shot near as much as my bolt guns.
 

Formidilosus

Super Moderator
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
10,403
Appreciate you sharing this info. I’m not going to run out and change mine because it frankly doesn’t get shot near as much as my bolt guns.

Oh no. I wouldn’t either. In general for a lot of uses, they work great.
 

Trackselk

WKR
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Messages
524
Location
Idaho
What do you all advise for neutered AR that is no longer semi auto, and I've always been a bolt/lever gun single stage shooter? This will be a 425 yard max deer/black bear gun, and I also want it like my bolt rifles at about 2lbs.
Thanks for any advice
 

Trackselk

WKR
Joined
Oct 31, 2020
Messages
524
Location
Idaho
Oh, I'd like to stay under $100, and it will never see more than 100 rounds a year. The tikka 223 is the trainer...

And what about those flat triggers?! Seems like a great idea to have that index point, but then I wonder if the extra leverage would make a 2lb too light?
 
OP
E

eric1115

WKR
Joined
Jun 26, 2018
Messages
831
OP here, I did end up with the LaRue MBT2. No regrets, definitely a solid upgrade from the PSA/Schmid/etc Nickel Boron enhanced single stage triggers.

Thanks to everyone for their input!
 
Joined
Feb 16, 2021
Messages
1,375
Location
Eastern Oregon
I have a Timney Competition single stage cassette type 3lb trigger that I picked up at an expo. It's going in my straight pull Solo 300 build posted over on the UL UL thread.

Need a second trigger for my gasser that has a not-in-spec lower. Long story short, PSA jammed a $5 trigger in there and the pull weight is outrageous. Putting that upper on a new lower.

I'd like to stick with single stage. Any recommendations?
 

B23

WKR
Joined
Aug 17, 2017
Messages
1,179
Location
NW
I'd like to stick with single stage. Any recommendations?
I have CMC single stage 2.5 and 3.5 lb triggers in all of my AR's and they've all been great. I'm sure there are "better" AR triggers out there but they also cost twice as much too. I've been more than satisfied with the CMC triggers. These things go on sale all the time and I think of the six I have the most I've ever paid for one was 125 bucks. If you want a ultra high end AR trigger they're certainly available but be prepared to spend considerably more for them too.
 

Thegman

WKR
Joined
Nov 21, 2015
Messages
787
I have about 1% of the experience with various AR triggers as some high volume AR shooters, so take this FWIW.

I recently have tried a Larue MBT 2S, Schmid NiB 2S, RRA Varmint and a CMC 2.5# SS.

The CMC was breaking at about 3.5 - 4 pounds so it's currently back with them hopefully coming back at 2.5, but seemed fine otherwise.

As for the 2 stage triggers unmodified (I really wanted a very light 2S), I rate mine RRA Varmint #1 (breaks around 3.5#) Larue #2, Schmid #3 (but very similar to the Larue, both break around 4.5# total).

I replaced the trigger spring and disconnector spring with lighter springs in the Schmid (very easy to do with the Schmid, but not the other two) and it's a completely different trigger. Breaks under 2# with about 1.3# 1S and and about 0.6# second stage.

With the modified Schmid I rate mine as Schmid #1, RRA Varmint #2 and Larue #3. My goal however was a very light trigger for hunting, more like my bolt rifles, and not shooting the volume some AR shooters do.

These were for my straight-pull UL-UL rifles, so maybe some different considerations for most using them in gassers (?).
 

Buckhead

FNG
Joined
Apr 24, 2023
Messages
93
I bought a couple of drop ins from Patriot Ordnance. Had them for a while, maybe 5 years, paid around $100 apiece for them. They are decent, single stage, right at 3.5#. Installed them in an AR 10 and an AR 15. No complaints
 
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