TriggerTalk Radio

One of the first things I noticed when I proudly shot my first AR15 was the trigger. I can still remember thinking “That’s Awful” and this was a Colt LE6920 not a low end entry level gun.  The efforts were high, it was scratchy/gritty, but at least it was consistent, if you want to count consistently BAD! This is not unusual with a trigger that was originally designed for the military. However even a commercially designed gun can be a compromise trying to strike a balance between cost, function, safety and liability.

You may ask yourself “I just spent several hundred to a few thousand dollars on this gun, why do I need to spend more on a new trigger? Remember the trigger is one of the most important contributors to accurate shooting. Every time you shoot that gun, the trigger is your interface to the machine. If it causes you to jerk or flinch, you will have difficulty obtaining a tight grouping on your rounds, especially if you are shooting offhand.

Fortunately AR15 triggers are relatively easy to replace but you face a bewildering set of choices.

Although your original trigger is likely separate pieces, many aftermarket companies make what is called a “drop in” replacement trigger. This trigger comes with all pieces assembled in a frame or carrier and the entire assembly is held in place by the same pins that held your original triggers individual pieces. This allows for the new trigger to be assembled and adjusted at the factory and is not affected by individual gun variation or differences between brands. You also have to determine if you want a single or two stage style of trigger. A single stage has a single smooth pull with no take-up or slack in the pull. You apply pressure to the trigger and at the desired pull weight the sear will release the trigger to fire. On a two stage trigger there is movement in the trigger rearward for a specific amount of travel at a lower pressure perhaps 2 lbs. of pressure. After the trigger’s rearward movement the pressure to move further raises to the desired release pressure.

I am going to talk about an example of the Timney AR-15 Gold Trigger single stage series. In this case you select the trigger pull weight you desire of 3, 4, or 4.5 lbs. and which trigger shoe (the part your finger touches when shooting) you like best either curved, straight or skeletonized. Some models offer adjustable pull, but these are fixed. You simply remove your old trigger pins and components, drop the new one in, reassemble and enjoy.

What do you get for your approx. $200 (replacement triggers usually cost between $150 and $300)? You will immediately notice an improved feel. A smooth clean pull with no hint of grittiness, the trigger breaks at a consistent amount of pressure which will result in more accuracy for smaller groups, higher scores, or more game harvested.

This is not a hard installation and for the small amount of effort will get the biggest “Bang for the Buck” (no pun intended) for your accuracy dollar.

Be forewarned however, you will no longer be satisfied with the trigger on any of your other rifles! Fortunately there are aftermarket triggers made for most rifles.

The creative juices flow in all of us:  for some it is expressed in Art or Music, others design buildings or vehicles. For “Gun People” it often surfaces in the way we choose to modify our firearms. This is not a new idea, the advancements in firearms over the centuries often sprang from the inspiration of someone using a firearm and thinking “if only I could do (insert your preference here) a little better”.

That list is growing: Shoot farther, Better accuracy,  Better sights, Optics for distance, Better trigger feel, Harder hitting, Reduced recoil, Collapsible stocks, Lighter, Shorter, Smaller, Easier to carry, Accessory mounts, Lasers, Lights, etc…the list goes on and on.

In today’s world there are guns made specifically to accommodate this desire to personalize your firearms. Depending on your age they are adult versions of: Erector Sets, Lincoln Logs, Plastic Bricks or the Legos of our day. Over the next few months we will talk about the most popular styles people are modifying. Semi-Auto Centerfire Rifles such as the AR15, Rimfire rifles using the Ruger 10/22 and handguns such as the 1911 and Glock series.

The Modern Sporting Rifle has to be the most misunderstood firearm in modern history. The exact design qualities that make the gun so versatile are pointed out by the anti-gun crowd as evil features that must be prohibited.

The AR15 and similar style firearms are designed as modular platforms. Major components are easily interchanged with parts that have been “improved”.  I say improved because in my opinion not all modifications actually improve the function of the gun and in fact there are times the combination of these can actually deteriorate the usefulness. Just because you CAN do something, does not mean you SHOULD do it!

The number one function of a firearm that must never be compromised is reliability, they must go “bang” every time the trigger is pulled. However, in pursuit of excellence the changing of springs, pins, hammers, triggers’ buffers, gas blocks and other functional items are often swapped out based on advertising claims of improved performance. Sometimes changes are made purely for appearance.  In reality the function of the gun is a delicate dance or balance of forces and reactions.

Whether the gun is gas or recoil powered, locked breech or blow back operated, the energy created when the round is fired interacts with the mechanics of the gun to open and extract the empty casing, eject the spent round, buffer the bolt to prevent damage, reverse the direction of the bolt, pick up a fresh round, re-cock the hammer or striker, load the round in the chamber without jamming, close and/or lock the bolt and be ready to fire again.

Changing this balance of forces can result in failures to function or operating with reduced safety. Depending on your intended purpose for your firearm I would not suggest this type of modification on your primary carry gun or main home defense gun.  If this project is an extension of your hobby and you are looking to perform an extended science project, welcome aboard!

We will get to Sights and Optics soon, but the heart of your guns accuracy is the trigger.  Most people simply accept the trigger their gun came with. Pick up most factory guns and you will experience a compromise in trigger function.  A battle between what the engineers would like to have and what the corporate lawyers will allow based on their concept of safety. Clearly it must be smooth, not scratchy, and predictable, while preventing inadvertent activation and a negligent discharge. Once you have experienced a really good trigger you will never go back!

Next month we will review some available Trigger upgrades for your AR style rifle.