Re: best value in all around aftermarket ar15 trigger
Since your post is in a precision orientated forum, I'll assume your not just looking for a modest improvement in feel from say a standard crappy mil spec type single stage trigger. Rather your buying this trigger to actually see real world gains in accuracy/precision. If this is true, and you want to make absolute certain that when you do spend your money on this future trigger it will last your entire lifetime....your options are limited to Geissele's uber reliable, and highly refined 2stage offerings. Specifically the following triggers:
I'm ranking my opinion in order from best to less best...
1. SD-E $220
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2. SSA-E $220
3. SD-C $200
4. SSA $170
5. GSSA or formally known as the S2S $125
(give or take $10 on the listed prices above)
Besides all the GA trigger models, I've owned and used 3 KAC 2stage triggers, 2 LMT 2stage triggers, ALG Defense's ACT, and then various stock triggers that have come with rifles I've bought.
My list only includes triggers that have proven themselves to be truly reliable in hard use environments, and with high round counts on them. Please note however that older <span style="font-weight: bold">KAC triggers</span> have had significant problems, many of which surfaced in combat conditions in SR-25 rifles. Over the last cpl. of years they seem to have had the problems worked out of them, and have a really nice feeling pull that to my naked touch feels almost exactly like SSAs/GSSAs do.
<span style="font-weight: bold">LMT 2stage triggers </span>really don't allow you to have that pinpoint control over breaking a shot, and overall it's just not a refined unit like a true precision trigger should be. That said, they are built to last a lifetime, and generally speaking are significantly more useful than a crappy single stage stock AR trigger.
So that brings us to the <span style="font-weight: bold">Geissele triggers</span>....
Once you buy one, it's no bullsh*t for life. These triggers don't break in, and will maintain their initial trigger pull feel for their lifetime's. In the unlikely event one does goes bad or has a flaw, their backed by imho unbeatable CS.
The money you spend will actually yield dramatic results whether by the narcotic like effect you feel every time you pull it, or by the actual measured gains in accuracy/precision. So many things you buy to add on an AR these days are mind pondering to say the least....most of them never yield benefits that can be easily felt or measured. With a SD-E or SSA-E trigger, you'll know instantly where your $220 went. An awesome feeling trigger is the gift that keeps on giving in my book.
They're flat out precision triggers, have amazing feeling pulls, and are boringly predictable in their staging, and second stage wall/break. Those two are so far above the other options in my eyes that it's really hard for me to recommend anything else.
*** The SD-3G is a whole different animal...and in terms of feel, it will no doubt blow you away, that said it's not a practical trigger in the least. It's for gaming, as opposed to SD/HD or hunting purposes.