SHTF Carbine: What Trigger Would YOU Use?

[MontanaMan]

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?

Much as I like all the single stage triggers that I have, for a SD / SHTF gun, I prefer a 2-stage trigger.

Geiselle G2S, SSA, SSAE are all very good
LaRue MBT with a lighter trigger spring is about equally good
Some of the CMC 2-stages are OK, not quite the equal of those above

If you can't find something you like from the list above, you have a problem between your ears.

MM

 

[NateSavannah]

gotta be honest, the AR gold 2 stage trigger that came on my radian is one of my favorites if not favorite trigger for a fighting carbine.
Ironically that trigger is one of the only things a couple youtube reviewers could find that they didnt like about the radian. Not a loud enough reset for their taste. I dont have much of a preference on the loudness of the reset. So like everything in life, different strokes.

 

[JS8588]

gotta be honest, the AR gold 2 stage trigger that came on my radian is one of my favorites if not favorite trigger for a fighting carbine.
Ironically that trigger is one of the only things a couple youtube reviewers could find that they didnt like about the radian. Not a loud enough reset for their taste. I dont have much of a preference on the loudness of the reset. So like everything in life, different strokes.

Triggertech is a lot like the AR Gold, except you can snug it down in the receiver via set screws. I'd have purchased a Triggertech for this build but the reset is just a touch weaker than I'd like. Really liking the Blitz so far from dry-firing but reliability is TBD

 

[NateSavannah]

Triggertech is a lot like the AR Gold, except you can snug it down in the receiver via set screws. I'd have purchased a Triggertech for this build but the reset is just a touch weaker than I'd like. Really liking the Blitz so far from dry-firing but reliability is TBD
View attachment 7408220View attachment 7408222

have an AR gold to compare it to?

 

[JS8588]

have an AR gold to compare it to?

The AR-15 Drop-In Trigger Roundup - The Truth About Guns

TTAG has gathered and tested every AR-15 drop-in trigger on the market, complete with TriggerScan data! Don't miss this review. -- The Truth About Guns

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

 

[NateSavannah]

The AR-15 Drop-In Trigger Roundup - The Truth About Guns

TTAG has gathered and tested every AR-15 drop-in trigger on the market, complete with TriggerScan data! Don't miss this review. -- The Truth About Guns

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

you write that article? I was asking if you had an AR Gold to compare it to.

 

[JS8588]

you write that article? I was asking if you had an AR Gold to compare it to.

Nope. Not getting in this argument either.

 

[NateSavannah]

weird. pretty straight forward question. i promise youre not getting in this argument, because youve got no one to argue with.
so im taking it you dont have an AR gold trigger to compare your new trigger to. got it.
have a good night.

 

[MontanaMan]

Really liking the Blitz so far from dry-firing but reliability is TBD

Well, if the Blitz is a trigger that your like, then you should try Rise's RA-535.............I have 2, they gave me one to try & I liked it enough to buy another one. Crazy fast reset & virtually no overtravel.

Haven't tried any of the Timney's so can't compare, but I do also have an Elf Match, & they are pretty identical except that the Elf is adjustable to a lighter pull.

MM

 

[makaug]

For a single stage trigger with a lighter pull that you still want to reliably ignite the hardest primers, I'd seriously consider the Hiperfire Hipertouch triggers. They're fairly unique in not needing to sacrifice hammer spring strength for the sake of a lighter trigger.

 

[Cheyenne Bodie]

I had an AR Gold once, thought it was rickety feeling but otherwise good. Last time I mentioned it on here mall ninjas came out of the fucking shadows so I can't blame dude for not having much else to say. Nothing that effected accuracy, couldn't outright fault it for anything in the end besides my own preference. I'm a fan of the RA-434 now, compared to a CMC I can't recall the name of at the moment but it's the flat one spec'd at 2.5-3lb pull. Was pretty close, the RA is barely heavier but breaks barely more cleanly for about 20$-30$ cheaper too.

 

[silentwoods]

SSA ftw.

 

[E-Tool]

2-stage geissele or MBT, I have a nice RRA 2S but ut has some custom work done.

To answer the title question I would say all of them ir anything you have.

Best triggers I have used are the half curved one that came with my geissele rifle (now sold), and a hi-speed national match.

 

[GUNNER10]

I would probably go with LMT or KAC, there is enough test data as well as time down range that one can be fairly confident in the triggers working. I also really like the MBT and geiselle. I don't think one could really go wrong with any of these choices

 

[tomcatmv]

Triggertech is a lot like the AR Gold, except you can snug it down in the receiver via set screws. I'd have purchased a Triggertech for this build but the reset is just a touch weaker than I'd like. Really liking the Blitz so far from dry-firing but reliability is TBD
View attachment 7408220View attachment 7408222

That's a really good looking build. Details??

 

[RyanScott]

SD-E with the heavy spring.

 

[BurnOut]

Hiperfire. When functioning as designed they have extra oomph on hammer fall, and if the fancy bits fail somehow, you're left with a trigger that still functions (though offers a heavier pull and standard power hammer fall).

 

[RyanScott]

@Constructor You live and shoot in a warm climate don’t you?

 

[Constructor]

@Constructor You live and shoot in a warm climate don’t you?

I do, Tennessee during the summer and Fla Keys in the winter.

 

[RyanScott]

Up north I like two stage triggers for shooting with frozen hands or gloves. Down south it doesn’t matter.

 

[Happiness Is A Warm Gun]

I would probably go with LMT or KAC, there is enough test data as well as time down range that one can be fairly confident in the triggers working. I also really like the MBT and geiselle. I don't think one could really go wrong with any of these choices

Agreed

 

[Merle]

I just picked up a Wilson Combat 4# single stage and I'm very impressed! No noticeable creep or over travel and a very noticeable reset. It uses standard pins which it comes with. They lock into two springs on the right side of the trigger housing very similar to how a GI hammer works and there are two short springs in the bottom that exert upward pressure on the whole assembly to take up any play.

 

[JS8588]

That's a really good looking build. Details??

Lancer EFX-A1 stock
Colt forged buffer tube
Tubbs Flatwire buffer spring
Jones Arms EAB buffer
PRI Ambi gasbuster large latch charging handle
LMT rear sight
Lantac UAR Upper
MVB Industries Ambi lower
Nemo Arms ambi mag catch
Forward Controls mag release button
2a Armament trigger guard
HK V2 Pistol Grip
JP Enterprises microfit takedown/pivot pins
Strike industries polymer dust cover
Rise Armament Blitz trigger
KNS Anti Walk/Rotation pins
Cryptic Coatings Mystic Black BCG
Grendel Hunter 16 inch handguard
Noveske 16 inch CHF/CHF/CL barrel
CMT Combat Flash Comp
Midwest Industries HK style front sight

Still needs a forward assist, gas block, & gas tube...and I need to get another Aimpoint CompM5 for it. This time going on a Scalarworks mount.

 

[KnightOfNee]

Geissele triggers all the way!

 

[Qazwsx]

Those 3lb single stage triggers are a recipe for a negligent discharge if you are stressed out running around in gloves, much less an insulated pair of winter gloves. Single stage needs to be a little heavier for a carbine. You can get away with the lighter 2 stage bc the first stage is felt through gloves and gives you a fraction of a sec to get your head fully in the game.

Try doing 30 burpees in kit then running a three gun or spr type stage with gloves on, you'll see the point about super light triggers.

 

[JS8588]

Those 3lb single stage triggers are a recipe for a negligent discharge if you are stressed out running around in gloves, much less an insulated pair of winter gloves. Single stage needs to be a little heavier for a carbine. You can get away with the lighter 2 stage bc the first stage is felt through gloves and gives you a fraction of a sec to get your head fully in the game.

Try doing 30 burpees in kit then running a three gun or spr type stage with gloves on, you'll see the point about super light triggers.

I don't even own a pair of gloves.

 

[Qazwsx]

Should probably consider a pair if you're talking about shtf. Guns get hot, glass, plenty of stuff to cut/burn your hands on out there.

 

[...]

for "working guns".....i really like the BCM PNT trigger.

BRAVO COMPANY AR-15 BCMGUNFIGHTER™ PNT TRIGGER | Brownells

The BCM® PNT™ Trigger and Hammer are built to surpass Mil-Spec standards without compromising the reliability of the USGI TDP(Technical Data Package). Each PNT Trigger and Hammer is heat treated in a three step process and hardened for optimal gra...

www.brownells.com

its got a really clean 6-7lb pull...


it uses all standard milspec parts, so if you break a trigger spring, or lose a part, you arent trying to source proprietary pieces

 

[Gustav7]

Should probably consider a pair if you're talking about shtf. Guns get hot, glass, plenty of stuff to cut/burn your hands on out there.

I'm also in the no glove category... or the trigger finger and thumb cut halfway down..

I did 2 deployments with weapons squad and one as a Mk46 gunner and I just couldn't get used to running gloves. I hated em.... I ended up settling for pretty thin gloves (cloth top/leather-ish bottom) with the trigger finger and thumb cut halfway down on both gloves....actually I might still have them out in my shop lol. They did save my hands on a some shale one time... sooo I guess you're prolly right lol.


I have thrown a support hand glove on during long strings of fire...

 

[Beachhead192]

I went from an SSA-E to a hiperfire 3 gun model (discontinued) and I couldn't be happier. I also have an MBT which isn't as nice as the SSA-E but it is close and a great value. I keep the MBT in my home defense gun and the hiperfire in a SAPR / varmint build.

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