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SHTF Carbine: What Trigger Would YOU Use?

J

JS8588

Ballistic Hipster
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 7, 2020
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#1
I've either purchased or decided upon every single part for my underway future "go-to" build except the trigger. I've reached the point of analysis paralysis. What I'm looking for is a 3-3.5lb, single stage, preferably non adjustable, flat face trigger that will be reliable with milspec primers & possibly even crappy steel case should that be all that's available.

Currently under consideration are the following-
Elftmann Match (if it wasn't adjustable, this would already have been purchased)
Velocity 3lb or 3.5lb
Jard non adjustable
Geissele SSP
Triggertech Competitive AR Primary (technically not single stage but they're such nice triggers. I own 2 in 6.5 Grendel target/hunting builds. Reset is just a little weaker than I'd prefer on something that may be used for social work)
Rise Armament's new Blitz Elite trigger
Saying screw this noise & just using the MBT-2S curved I've got in the parts collection

So, either using my parameters or ignoring them entirely because of experience & wisdom you possess that I do not, what would you choose (and don't feel limited by my "under consideration list) for a carbine set up with fixed irons & a cowitnessed Aimpoint?
 
#4
MBT but I don’t think they are producing single stages right now due to demand. I might have a spare somewhere. It’s what’s on my nightstand gun.
 
#7
JS8588 said:
The MBT single stage is about 2lbs heavier than I'd prefer.
Click to expand...
Yep, I don’t have a scale but it’s over the 3.5#. Lots of folks have gone to a light spring with good success. I’d like to try one sometime but right now it works and standing offhand I can still put rounds on my 4” plate 100m off the back porch so I don’t have a good excuse to mess with it.
 
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#9
Love my triggertechs on my target guns but for shtf guns I like a little more track record and the standard design over a drop in. I’d probably stick with the larue you’ve already got as well.

ALG on my shtf pistol and geissele g2 on my shtf carbine. Neither is flat face or 3 lb pulls but there are several straight bow and ~3lb options from geissele for example if you’re really married to those two requirements.


EDIT: went back to my inventory spreadsheet

My two geissele gs-2 triggers pull at 3lb 12oz (.22lr trainer) and 3lb 14oz (shtf carbine).

My four ALG triggers pull at 4lb 2oz (Mom’s ultralight), 2x 4lb 4oz (shtf pistol, A2-ish plinker), and 4lb 7oz (9mm glock mag lower)

None of those are under 3.5, but they’re all under 4.5 and all break pretty crisp. Most importantly, none has ever failed to ignite a hard primer (the .22lr and 9mm don’t really apply, ha) and I’ve got over 3,500 collective rounds through that gang.
 
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#11
oldfatguy said:
ALG for SHTF weapon.

OFG
Click to expand...

ALG ACT's have varied too much lately. BCM's PNT (which is the exact same concept) is showing to be far more consistent.


In general, for serious/duty/"SHTF", I'd opt not to use a "cassete" or drop-in AR15 fire control as there always seems to be some sort of mechanical compromise. And I would prefer to not have one that compromises integrity of the ignition with lower powered springs for the sake of the pull weight.

Larue or the non-adjustable Geissele's if life/liability depends on it and I need better than milspec.
 
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#14
Rerun7 said:
Geissele SSA-E. I’ve heard some say it’s too light but I’ve never had an issue with it in my hard use and comp rifles. Been running them for several years, no complaints other than the cost
Click to expand...

I replaced my SSA-E with a Triggertech and while I like the TT a little better for precision stuff that SSA-E is a seriously great trigger. Definitely a better option for a shtf gun in my opinion.
 
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#18
While I like Geissele triggers, they're a little pricey. I've gone to MBT-2S on my 16" and 18" rifles, and an ALG on my 11.5". I don't feel a 2-stage trigger is has any drawbacks compared to a single stage. YMMV.
 
#20
Knights Armament, Geissele and/or Chip McCormick (for single stage)...Have two of each across all my semi auto platforms (large and small frame).
 
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#27
Cynical said:
No love for the CMC flat single stage drop in at 3.5 lbs?
Click to expand...

I bought a CMC 2 years ago and after messing around with it a bit, sold it. I didn't like the play in the receiver since there's no way to snug the unit down. I use KNS pins on everything (not necessary, I know), so it definitely wasn't going anywhere, but the loose fit in the lower just put me off. Shame since it felt like a great trigger otherwise.
 
#30
CMC flat bow 3.5lb single stage was my first better than mil-spec trigger. It was a revelation compared to the two gritty, sloppy, creepy 7lb mil specs I’d been using.

Fast forward about 10 different improved triggers later and it’s by far my least favorite. I can comfortably recommend a half dozen aftermarket triggers over it, including the (older) ACTs.
 
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#31
A SHTF Rifle / carry dose not need a light trigger, 3.5 lbs is light enough and I personally would want 4lbs. Laure would be my first choice. It is a good trigger that is made of bar stock, not MIM and it’s priced right. While MIM has worked, it is not something that I would want.
 
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#36
Pretty much giessele, kac, or mbt for serious use, everything else is a gamer trigger. Jard and timney are notorious for using lighter hammer springs to lighten the pull, equals fail on hard primers. Id avoid the drop in cassette type ar triggers, they gunk up bad and have no way to self clean like the 3 triggers I mentioned first.
 
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#37
Geissele. I remember being skeptical of them when I bought the first 2 stage they put out way back, like 2008 I think? But goes without saying, I never looked back. Ran their trigger through pretty heavy competition and sport shooting firing schedules in various environments, simply loved it. The super crisp and positive break and reset are PFM.

Big fan of CMC as runner up after the Geissele.
 
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#40
Everything that I currently use to kill stuff with has either a Geissele SSA or Larue MBT-2S on it.

Larue at 1/3 the price has been getting all my business lately.
 
#41
Found a particularly good deal on the Rise Blitz, so I'm going to give that a try. I'll always have the LaRue as a backup if it doesn't work out.
 
#42
I use the geisse sd3g with heavier spring. Breaks at around 4.5 lb and no issues with light primer strikes that would
Happen to me on light trigger pulls with the lighter spring option
 
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#44
MBT-2S, trigger has been dang reliable and gets used a lot.
Geissele HS NM is right there too but a lot more $. I’ve been using the MBT-2S a lot more lately than any other trigger. Running the MBT-2S in both -15 and -10, multiple calibers.
 
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#45
The gun I keep patrol ready in the safe has a POF drop in in it w/anti walk pins. Otherwise (and I'll probably draw heat for this one) my preferred rifle would have a modified rack trigger in it. JP reduced power springs, lightened hammer and the grip screw mod. Not saying it's a great idea but to each his own. I've never had a problem with it reliability wise even shooting steel cased ammo. YMMV of course.
 
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#46
Disfunctional_Engineer said:
The gun I keep patrol ready in the safe has a POF drop in in it w/anti walk pins. Otherwise (and I'll probably draw heat for this one) my preferred rifle would have a modified rack trigger in it. JP reduced power springs, lightened hammer and the grip screw mod. Not saying it's a great idea but to each his own. I've never had a problem with it reliability wise even shooting steel cased ammo. YMMV of course.
Click to expand...

Probably draw heat for that (a moded stock trigger) ? Lol I just said I was going to try a Rise trigger (& a new model at that) in a go to build. For someone who isn't a fan of buying lottery tickets I'm definitely taking a chance (on unproven kit).

My reasoning is even in the current climate I'm more likely to be shooting it at the range than using it to defend life & liberty & I'm buying based on what I think I'll most enjoy. If priorities change, the trigger can too...unless it proves reliable at the range, then I'm good to go.

Short version, use what you enjoy. If you enjoy it you'll practice with it enough to know if it's reliable and if you're good with it.
 
#47
JS8588 said:
Probably draw heat for that (a moded stock trigger) ? Lol I just said I was going to try a Rise trigger (& a new model at that) in a go to build. For someone who isn't a fan of buying lottery tickets I'm definitely taking a chance (on unproven kit).

My reasoning is even in the current climate I'm more likely to be shooting it at the range than using it to defend life & liberty & I'm buying based on what I think I'll most enjoy. If priorities change, the trigger can too...unless it proves reliable at the range, then I'm good to go.

Short version, use what you enjoy. If you enjoy it you'll practice with it enough to know if it's reliable and if you're good with it.
Click to expand...

The last part is probably the most important; I bought 2 S&W revolvers that were a pair from a buddy who got em from MI State Trooper (a model 38 with a special ordered stainless cylinder and a 3" 66-1) Took both guns to the range. The cylinder locked up on the model 38 and the model 66 had light primer strikes due to the main spring screw coming out. Kind of blew my mind thinking that they were the weapons and tools of a Statey and they almost certainly hadn't been tested by him. I really don't trust squat if I don't get to shake it down some on the range. At the very least you may find out POI is way the hell off like that model 38 is (I need to send it back to S&W to get the barrel re-aligned.)
 
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#48
chrome said:
Geissele. I remember being skeptical of them when I bought the first 2 stage they put out way back, like 2008 I think? But goes without saying, I never looked back. Ran their trigger through pretty heavy competition and sport shooting firing schedules in various environments, simply loved it. The super crisp and positive break and reset are PFM.

Big fan of CMC as runner up after the Geissele.
Click to expand...
Bill created the HI Speed National Match back in the early 2000's and was selling them to guys shooting Hi Power. A bunch of military shooters at camp perry with the AMU ended up adopting them because they were the best triggers on the market (and arguably still are). Guys from SOCOM got wind of this and CRANE and other orgs started replacing the unreliable early KAC 2 stages with the G NMHS in MK11 and Mk12, then later M4s and MK18s.
 
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#49
...in a real SHTF scenario, you really won't notice the difference between a single stage or 2 stage trigger system. Balancing safety, reliability and cost, I go with Geissele G2S's. That 1st stage is 2.5lb and the 2nd stage is 2lb for a combined 4.5lbs. When adrenalized you will pull thru that 1st stage like it was a single stage. When calmer, it facilitates more "precise trigger control" for more precise shots. It is alot more "drop safe" than many of the lighter (faster) triggers out there. For the same criteria of safety, reliability and cost, I go with the ALG-ACT in a single stage.
 
#50
The fastest most reliable trigger I could find or the one I can shoot/double tap the fastest. The Geissele sd-3g with 3.5lb(black) trigger spring is probably the most reliable I have shot but not near the fastest. All 2 stage triggers have long creep and long reset so that means you have to move your finger a lot further and when things get exciting and you don't let the trigger with huge movement reset things can just stop...no bang...loss of a second when splits can be .2 or even .15 for the fast guys.
Rise Armament Blitz is much faster, AR Gold is faster. I want short creep and a short reset but it has to be a solid sear engagement.
 
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