Another AR15 trigger thread...help please!!

[Ryan9896]

i am wanting to install a new triger on my M&P15FT. i read a few threads on here from earlier posts, but not sure about a few things:

first, is my factory trigger a 2 stage or a single stage?? not sure exactly what this means as i am new to modifying firearms, especially trigger assembly's. and should i be looking for single stage or two stage in my new trigger??

second, i noticed some website ask to specify a small or large pin....what does this mean, and what should i get??

third, i intend to use this rifle for target shooting and home defense, not hunting. that being said, any particular trigger you guys recommend?? i have been looking at the geissele triggers and timney triggers so far, but not sre what direction to go. i want something which will require minimal adjusting/fitting. in advance, i appreciate everyone's help!!

my main concern is i don't want to buy a full auto trigger assembly on accident!!!

 

[soam]

I have a Geissele SSA trigger and like it a lot. Easy to install, no adjustments to fiddle with, and the pull is very nice. The vast majority of ARs are "small pin" receivers (only Colt has large pin AFAIK). Here's some info in the difference between single and two stage triggers:

Most triggers on sporting and target rifles and handguns today are single stage triggers. These ideally have no movement before releasing at their set weight, and when they fire they move only far enough rearward to release the sear. Such a trigger is a great asset to achieving a surprise break. The feel of a perfect single stage trigger is often compared to that of breaking a glass rod. Most triggers supplied on brand new guns today are single stage triggers, but are not properly adjusted.

A second type of trigger mechanism is the two stage trigger. This is common on military rifles and is supposed to be safer than a good single stage trigger. (Real firearms safety, of course, is between the ears of the shooter and has nothing to do with trigger type.) A two stage trigger has a long initial movement. The shooter pulls the trigger back to take up this slack until a sharply increased resistance is felt. (That is the first stage.) Then the actual surprise break trigger pull that will fire the rifle is begun, and from that point on the two stage trigger operates like a single stage trigger.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/trigger_pull.htm

 

[jasons]

I have a Geissele SSA trigger and like it a lot.

Just get that one and be done with it.

 

[Ryan9896]

what is the difference between the SSA & the SSA-E???

 

[glide]

what is the difference between the SSA & the SSA-E???

Sounds like reduced pull weights on both stages.

http://geissele.com/supersemi-automaticenhancedssa-etrigger.aspx

 

[jasons]

what is the difference between the SSA & the SSA-E???

$30 and some different springs.

(You win the NES giant sig block award by the way.)

 

[Sir_Macadoo]

(You win the NES giant sig block award by the way.)

This.

 

[Ryan9896]

ahh, i've seen bigger....i'll try to make it a bit smaller. u should see some signatures on the car forums, 3 times as large as mine here, haha.

 

[mike93lx]

A trigger won't convert your rifle to full auto.

Geiselle's are fantastic, but not cheap. Hard to justify when it isn't a rifle that you are shooting in comps or intrusting your life on, imo.

 

[jasons]

A trigger won't convert your rifle to full auto.

A shitty stoning job can, not that I would know from personal experience....

 

[Sir_Macadoo]

ahh, i've seen bigger....i'll try to make it a bit smaller. u should see some signatures on the car forums, 3 times as large as mine here, haha.

I do appreciate the avatar tho.

 

[Ryan9896]

haha, thanks.

and who knows, maybe if i get comfortable i will start some comp shooting. my goal is to have myself a nice AR with some accessories and modifications. it's like throwing a super charger on a street car u don't race....it just makes it better!!! i'm not worried about the price tag either, so from the sound of things here, i think i'll be grabbing me a geissele SSA!!

 

[jasons]

some different springs.

For the record I'm not sure that's the only difference, but I suspect it is. The difference between the service rifle trigger and match trigger is different springs so I assume they're doing something similar with the SSA vs. SSA-E.

For what it's worth the 3 1/2 pound trigger on the SSA-E is a bit light for home defense use in my personal opinion.

 

[Ryan9896]

yeah, it looks like the SSA will do just fine for me. they have one on the bay now for $175 and a $5 instant rebate.

 

[meth0d]

I have the SSA-E in my 18" AR-15, it's a sweet trigger! It is a huge improvement over the single stage GI style trigger that my DD LPK came with. My group size shrunk considerably when shooting from the bench with a scope, and it's phenomenal in USPSA run and gun style shooting with a 1x red dot where I can just pull straight through both stages for a 3.5 lb break.

 

[Gammon]

My favorite tgrigger for 223/centerfire is the JP. Single stage, adjustable for over travel and a little under four pounds. Also, JP trigger/hammer pins are a good deal at $10 from Brownells.

For reliable rimfire ignition on my dedicated 22 LR AR I prefer the trigger from Accuracy Speaks. More expensive, but it yields a four pound trigger using the GI hammer spring necessary to ignite rimfire ammo.