AR trigger for precision work

F

ForneyRider

Guest
Accuracy Speaks -
American Trigger Corp - 2 stage?
Chip McCormick - single stage
CMMG - 2 stage
Geisselle - 2 stage, several options
Jewell - 2 stage
KAC - 2 stage - this is the one that some military teams use for comp.
JP Rifles - 2 stage
Timney - single stage
Jard - single stage
Wilson Combat - single stage

Done just a lot of research but still mixed about which direction to go. This would be for a purpose built precision rifle, and not for Highpower, so no 4.5 # restriction. Some of the "tuned" trigger require maintenance to keep from doubling or having other issues.
 
I have had 6 of the 11 triggers you listed plus some others. In the end I favored the KAC 2 stage. I have them in all my AR's, SR's and even my M4's for for consistency.

KAC parts are pricey, and they can be somewhat difficult to do business with but I guess enough of Eugene rubbed off on Reed that he makes good stuff! ;)

You said "precision work" and I am not sure of what you mean entirely. If you are looking at tactical precision then you will have a hard time beating the Knight. If you are looking at benchrest with an AR you may want to look toward other models with a lighter trigger pull.

Then again, triggers have everything to do with personal preference so do your best to try some before you invest...my two cents. Good luck with your quest.
 
Over the many years I have to give the nod to Accuracy Speaks trigger as being vary reliable of all the different AR triggers that I have. If you use and electronic pull gage you will find the difference.

The boys in the trailer do good work, and do a lot of it. And have for a long time.
 
ForneyRider ...........

The JP is a single stage trigger. If you like a single stage, this is one of the best (when properly installed). Two stage triggers have a superior mechanism, but I really like the "feel" of the JP trigger. I have several of them. One of the best features is they can go down to a crisp 3 pounds even when using a very heavy hammer spring (which I also like).

- Innovative
 
2-stage triggers give me the willies.

Most of my trigger time is with Timney hunting trigger in a bolt action.

My brothers love their 2-stage in their sporterized Mausers.

I dry fired a friend's Jewell and it was nice. He loved the adjustability of it.

If possible. I want predictability on the break, and low maintenance. If it is a 2-stage, then I will get used to it.

I have the JP springs on the stock DPMS trigger. I also have the JP pins, but haven't installed them. I'm not comfortable "stoning" the trigger surfaces. Maybe the JP will be a good first jump.
 
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I got a triple fire when I installed the JP Rifles yellow springs, so I put the stock trigger spring back in, but left the JP Rifles disconnector and hammer spring.
 
And before anybody else says it; Bill Springfield does a great $50 trigger job......

.....on already good triggers that is. He will do wonders on a RRA NM trigger for example. But don't expect him take an awfull trigger like a stock DPMS, and return it to you working like a Jewell.
 
What you are missing

Investage the "AR Gold Trigger" as sold by PAC.

I just don't believe any of the ones on your list could be better. They could be more complex but not better.

You owe it to yourself. Take a look.

http://www.americantrigger.com/
 
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I have 10 ar's and now I have Jard 1 1/2 lb single stage triggers in all of them.
Tried other triggers,Jewel,JP,and the gold.
My favorite is the Jard.
Light,crisp and and functions perfectly.
 
John S said:
Investage the "AR Gold Trigger" as sold by PAC.

I just don't believe any of the ones on your list could be better. They could be more complex but not better.

You owe it to yourself. Take a look.

http://www.americantrigger.com/
Click to expand...

At least it's nice to see someone publishing the force vs travel. The graphs show the AR Gold is probably better for rapid fire than the Jewell but it also show why the Jewell is good for precision target shooting.

It would be nice if trigger suppliers stated their lock times. It's the Geissele trigger's fast lock time which in my opinion makes it superior to others I've tried. Few manufacturers state their lock times probably because it's embarrassing. This AR-15 trigger claims a 4 millisecond lock time. I haven't tried it, but that's considerably less than the Geissele: http://www.x-tremeshooting.com/index.php?page=X-Treme AR-15 trigger, about the same as a Rem 700.
 
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I see how the hammer is lightened in the X-treme trigger and some of the other times for quicker lock time.

Not seeing how some of these designs are adjustable, other than springs and the Jewell's notches on the half circle plate.

Sear engagement and let off would seem to be crucial.

Additionally, what grease/lube do ya'll use?

Appreciate all comments.
 
More on the AR-Gold

Here is my report on the AR Gold Trigger.

First of all I am a Smallbore and Highpower Silhouette Shooter. Some of my competition rifles have 1.5 oz triggers and others require a 2 pound trigger. Some of these triggers are two stage and some are single stage.

So with that knowledge I will give you my impression of the AR Gold trigger.

If you know what you are doing and the Safety Selector is not installed and there is no trigger already installed in the lower receiver the AR Gold can be installed in about 60 seconds. Slip in the Safety Selector with spring and detent and you are done.

The model I have is none adjustable, single stage and breaks clean at 2.75 pounds.

It is my first self assembled AR and it functions perfect!

My other AR is a Colt HBAR "One of a Thousand" with a two stage Colt trigger.
 
I have a JP in my DPMS and I love it. For the most part, it has been very reliable and is very crisp. Only thing I have ever had done in 8 years is clean it and had a former Marine armorer/current gunsmith kinda reset it cause it got just a hair of creep to it, maybe like a screw backed off or something but he fixed it right up while at the range with me and it was perfect again.

My only experience with any of the triggers you mentioned.

Good luck.

Jamie
 
I took a look at JP Rifles videos and think the install is beyond my skillls. They offer installation. I like the adjustability of the JP, but it is not field adjustable as the set screw require Red Loctite. Minimum trigger pull is 3lbs.

Their non-adjustable "sealed" trigger is $280.

I'll take a look at the Jard. Their website shows 1.5lb as an option in single stage.

Geisele offers 2-stage only, but each stage can be very light.
 
The guy that has been "whoopin' up on us" in AR bench shoot is running the Timney trigger, Lilja barrel, and a Nightforce NXS (5-15x?) scope. He did a .257" 5-shot group at 100 yards, and I think he was under .5" at 200 yards.

The loose rules are AR semi-auto in any caliber. I've been using an old Twin Rest, but most everyone else is using a bi-pod.

This rifle is for informal bench shooting and varmint hunting. When I varmint hunt, I shoot off a Protektor bag in a stand. The matches are divided in 6 areas: 50, 100, and 200 yard with irons or optics. We are shooting for groups, which is handy for those competing with irons and sights.

My last group was a .488" with a stock DPMS Panther Bull 20 with 52gr Sierra handload. I'm moving towards better trigger, more scope, and steadier rest(plate for the bottom of front stock). I wanted to see where these changes would get me before going with other rifle changes like barrel, cartridge change, etc.
 
ForneyRider said:
I took a look at JP Rifles videos and think the install is beyond my skillls. They offer installation. I like the adjustability of the JP, but it is not field adjustable as the set screw require Red Loctite. Minimum trigger pull is 3lbs.

Their non-adjustable "sealed" trigger is $280.

I'll take a look at the Jard. Their website shows 1.5lb as an option in single stage.

Geisele offers 2-stage only, but each stage can be very light.
Click to expand...


In my openion the JP works perfect in the box, just not on my AR's. The Geisele trigger I have heard a lot of bragging about. Looking at their web site, they are sure worth a try.

PS. I've got a JP new in the box I will make you a good deal on?
 
In the same trigger boat

Hey Forneyrider,
Did we get a winner? For my stag i would like one that would break at 8 to 10 oz. . One or two stage it does not matter. Thanks CS
 
ForneyRider said:
The guy that has been "whoopin' up on us" in AR bench shoot is running the Timney trigger, Lilja barrel, and a Nightforce NXS (5-15x?) scope. He did a .257" 5-shot group at 100 yards, and I think he was under .5" at 200 yards.

The loose rules are AR semi-auto in any caliber. I've been using an old Twin Rest, but most everyone else is using a bi-pod.

This rifle is for informal bench shooting and varmint hunting. When I varmint hunt, I shoot off a Protektor bag in a stand. The matches are divided in 6 areas: 50, 100, and 200 yard with irons or optics. We are shooting for groups, which is handy for those competing with irons and sights.

My last group was a .488" with a stock DPMS Panther Bull 20 with 52gr Sierra handload. I'm moving towards better trigger, more scope, and steadier rest(plate for the bottom of front stock). I wanted to see where these changes would get me before going with other rifle changes like barrel, cartridge change, etc.
Click to expand...

so this is the precision you spoke of in the opening question ?

if so sent the gun to jp and let them install a single stage at some low weight of pull.

i have one jewell and arnold says it will go less than 2lb, but not much less in my gun.

is the rifle dedicated to a single task ? if not then the trigger must be a compromise.

i have three ar benchrest rifle....dont shoot from mags or real semi auto.

i have done one jp by myself, had them do my ar10, and any more will be done by me.
when i checked no one had a semi anywhere nere 2 lbs, and now one guy says the jard 1.5 works well in his....

any more comments ??
i'm always looking for a true br weight trigger for my ar's

mike in co
 
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