Smoothing up the trigger pull on a standard AR15 Most mil-spec AR trigger pulls aren’t really the best they can be right out of the box. With a ceramic stone and a few minutes of time you can greatly improve the trigger pull of your AR15.
Full Answer
Can I modify the stock AR trigger components?
Do not, under any conditions, modify the stock AR trigger components. These parts are heat treated, but only on their very surface. Polishing/grinding or removing material will take off the hard surface, leading to rapid wear on these areas.
What makes a good AR trigger?
Regardless of the application of your gun, a good trigger will make getting accurate hits easier. The typical Mil-Spec AR trigger is pretty rough. It feels gritty. As you press it, it catches and grabs on the rough areas. However, one of the coolest features of the AR is its modular design.
Should I upgrade my AR trigger?
An AR trigger upgrade should be your first move if you’re looking to enhance the performance and accuracy of your stock rifle. What sort of trigger do you need in your AR? Single- vs. Two-Stage AR Trigger The AR is a great firearm.
How can I Make my AR15 trigger pull better?
Most mil-spec AR trigger pulls aren’t really the best they can be right out of the box. With a ceramic stone and a few minutes of time you can greatly improve the trigger pull of your AR15. Following the instructions below, you should be able to make the trigger pull both smoother and a little lighter.
Should I upgrade my AR trigger?
Your AR15 trigger needs to be 100% reliable and consistent if you want to shoot accurately. In fact, if you're trying to improve the accuracy of your rifle, a trigger upgrade is the best place to start.
What does polishing a trigger do?
The purpose is just to polish and not take actual metal off. You can use a Q-Tip, a rag, your fingers, or the fastest option is to go with the Dremel. Just a little bit will make the surfaces look like chrome and move more smoothly over each other.
How many lbs is a mil-spec AR trigger?
Military AR-15 platform rifles typically have single-stage triggers that are not adjustable and have a trigger pull of around 5.5 – 9.5 pounds. While this is fine for military applications, it's not great for those looking to make precision shots at long distances.
What is a mil-spec trigger?
What they are describing is a semiautomatic-only trigger assembly that is not in the military's system. There are several different makes and designs of these basic triggers, so it is unfair to generally describe a heavy or gritty trigger as simply being Mil-Spec.
Are flat faced triggers better?
Flat triggers offer a greater surface area for engagement as well as a longer reach. On the other hand, a curved trigger presents a more comfortable distribution of pressure, which some shooters prefer.
Can you polish ar15 trigger?
Polish and Repolish Once both surfaces of the trigger have been polished using the 3000 grit side, flip the stone or switch stones (depending on the design of your whetstone). Now polish both surfaces again using the higher grit stone/side following the same steps as before.
What is the best weight for an AR trigger?
Pull Weight for Single-Stage Triggers Slightly heavier pull weights of between 2 and 4 pounds are ideal for using single-stage triggers in hunting situations, while triggers in home defense firearms typically weigh in between 5 and 7 pounds.
What is a good drop in trigger for AR-15?
Best AR-15 Triggers To Improve Performance and AccuracyVelocity AR Trigger. (4.9/5)Velocity MPC Trigger. (4.8/5)Timney AR-15 Drop-in Competition Trigger. (4.75/5)Timney AR Impact Trigger. (4.7/5)CMC AR-15 Single Stage Drop In Trigger. (4.65/5)
Are Mil Spec triggers 2-stage?
The advantage is that they are durable and will last probably the life of your rifle. Mil-spec triggers are single-stage triggers but have a lot of take-up due to the extended length of the sear point on the hammer.
How good are Aero Precision triggers?
The trigger assembly fit my Aero Precision Lower perfectly and it functions well. I am very pleased with this product. While I'm sure that this fire control group would be reliable, it's got a lot of gritty creep to it. Frankly, the stock triggers that PSA sends with their kits feel a lot better than this trigger does.
Is MIL-SPEC better than commercial?
The mil-spec tube threads—produced from 7075 T6 alloys—are rolled into the metal, resulting in taller and stronger threads. Commercial tube threads, on the other hand, are constructed from 6061 T6 billet aluminum and are cut into the metal, producing slightly shorter and weaker threads but at a lower cost.
What is the difference between a single-stage and two-stage trigger?
Simply put, single-stage should have one consistent pull weight for the entire length of pull from start to break, whereas two-stage triggers have two distinct stages through the pull (often referred to as 1st stage take-up and second stage “wall”). Single-stage triggers are the most used in AR applications.
What is a drop in AR trigger group?
Today you have the choice between a drop-in AR trigger group and a “standard” group. Drop-in trigger groups are self-contained units pre-assembled within a housing. You remove the old parts, slip in the new group and install the pins to retain it.
What is a competition trigger?
Match or competition triggers are usually highly modified, varying in shape and weight significantly from the original designs. Some are adjustable. They have a very smooth action, and normally a greatly reduced pull — the amount of pressure required to drop the hammer. A lightweight AR trigger is fine on the range, or for a rifle set up for specific applications, such as a “special purpose rifle” for hunting or sniping. They are not for defensive or patrol use.
1. Secure a Safe Working Area
The first thing you need to secure when you plan on working on AR triggers is a safe working area. Assemble your tools, including a set screw. Check your firearm to see if it’s loaded, and drop the ammo before you modify anything. The muzzle should point towards a safe direction and keep your finger away from the trigger.
2. Measure the Trigger Pole
Measure the mil-spec AR trigger pull weight with the whole trigger group installed to gauge it (it’s better to use a scale or a trigger pull gauge, so you have the exact measurements) using a pull scale.
3. Drive Out the Hammer Pin & Trigger Pin
Drive out both the hammer and trigger pin with a small punch, and lay the parts out onto the table.
4. Bend One Leg of the Hammer Spring
Bend one leg of the hammer springs to lighten the trigger pull. You may notice that doing so will already make a difference, so you can already stop at this step.
5. Sear Engagement Area to Polish
Sear the engagement area to polish it. We recommend that you choose to use a ceramic stone or 5000 grit sandpaper.
Disclaimer – How to Perform an AR-15 Trigger Job
Please note that this visual guide on how to perform an AR-15 trigger job is for educational purposes only. You should only attempt this procedure if you have a firm knowledge of the workings of this weapon system and are properly trained in its maintenance and modification. All work done on your rifle is at your own risk.
What is a Trigger Job?
Before we get into how to perform an AR-15 trigger job, we should take a moment to discuss what a trigger job is and what specific issues it attempts to correct. The standard mil-spec trigger can be gritty and heavy.
What You Need to Get Started
The particular spring we are using today is the Reduced Power Spring Set from JP Enterprises. JP Enterprises makes a few different spring sets that range from 3.5 to a 4.5 lb pull weight. Which you choose is up to your personal preference and how you will use the rifle. To perform this trigger job, you will need only a few basic tools:
Polishing Your Trigger – How to Perform an AR-15 Trigger Job
We will focus on two engagement surfaces on the trigger. See A/B on Fig. 1. When polishing any of the engagement surfaces it is crucial to keep the surface geometry the same as the part was designed to have.
Polishing the Hammer – How to Perform an AR-15 Trigger Job
On the hammer, there will also be two surfaces that we will be polishing, see C/D on Fig 1.
Polishing the Disconnector – How to Perform an AR-15 Trigger Job
The last step in polishing our fire control group is to polish the hook on the disconnector ( Fig. 1e ).
Lightening the Trigger Pull Weight – How to Perform an AR-15 Trigger Job
We will replace the factory hammer, trigger, and disconnector springs in the fire control group once the polishing stage is complete.
What is a stock trigger pull on an AR15?
The Stock Trigger Pull on an AR15 and Why It Matters to You. Trigger pull is one of those parts of an AR that some shooters may not understand. However, a well tuned trigger pull that you are used to can make a world of difference in your shooting ability, especially when participating in competition shooting events and hunting.
How to think of trigger pull?
One way you can think of trigger pull is to imagine standing the weapon up on its buttstock. Now that the trigger would require a downwards force the “trigger pull” would be how much weight would you need to hang from the trigger in order to get the weapon to function. In regards to how trigger pull affects your AR it falls back to ...
Why do you pull a heavier trigger?
On the other hand if you are carrying your weapon in a stressful environment, a heavier trigger pull could avoid accidental or inadvertent shots when stressed. Bench top, sandbag and most competition shots allow you to sneak up on the trigger and properly prepare for the trigger squeeze. This means that the minimal weight needed to squeeze ...
What is trigger squeeze?
Trigger pull is sometimes called trigger squeeze and can be defined as the amount of pressure that must be applied to the trigger to get the weapon to fire. This pressure is often referred to as weight and is generally represented in pounds. One way you can think of trigger pull is to imagine standing the weapon up on its buttstock.
What is the best weight for a trigger pull?
If you plan to always be in a controlled bench or competition type shooting then a lighter trigger, 2 pounds or so is ideal.
What is a trigger first?
First is individual replacement components sometimes called a direct replacement that come with springs etc and are the option that most resembles your original factory trigger. Second is an all in one enclosed unit that you can simply drop in.
What is the most recent AR 15 standard?
The most recent standard is covered in MIL-C-71186 and covers the specifications of the M4 Carbine.
What does the trigger interact with in a rifle?
The hard part is understanding what the change affects. Everything in the rifle interacts with something else. The trigger interacts with the hammer, which interacts with the disconnector, the firing pin, and also the bolt carrier.
What happens if you switch out springs on a rifle?
If the owner switched out springs, the springs get switched back and the rifle tested. Often this fixes the problem. Just recently I resolved an issue with a rifle in which one spring in in the trigger group caused the rifle to short-stroke. Springs within a firearm often balance each other and certain parts.
What is the heart of a shooter's interaction with his rifle?
The trigger is the heart of the shooter’s interaction with his rifle. We want the best possible triggers in our rifles, but in the pursuit of perfection some shooters to commit horrible crimes against their triggers. In the end, it’s the shooter who pays the price for this. 1. The Kitchen Table Surgery.
Is it worth it to mess with one off trigger jobs?
Unless trigger jobs are what you do, don’t mess around with one-off trigger jobs once in a while. It isn’t worth the risk. You run the risk of ruining parts, creating a dangerous trigger, or creating a nonfunctioning trigger. Better than most, I understand how triggers work on many firearms.
Does the trigger feel good?
Sure enough, the trigger feels pretty good. You don’t really know what he did with it, and never really think about it, but it works fine for years and you forget over time that anyone even messed with the trigger. The rifle gets dirty, gets cleaned. Maybe some oil gets a bit old and goopy in the lower.
Do Timney triggers drop in?
Timney triggers drop in with no need to adjust or assemble the trigger group. Every trigger is mounted in a lower and tested by a real person prior to leaving the factory. Timney has a proven record, and their performance is consistent from trigger to trigger.
Match vs. Defensive AR Triggers
Single- vs. Two-Stage AR Trigger
- You’ll also need to decide between a single- or two-stage trigger. The single-stage trigger requires one smooth press, from beginning to end, to fire the shot. You start pressing and, at some point, the shot fires. A two-stage trigger has two phases. As you press and take out the first stage, you hit a “wall,” which is a distinct point where you start to feel increased resistance. This is where th…
Drop-In vs. Standard Configuration
- Today you have the choice between a drop-in AR trigger group and a “standard” group. Drop-in trigger groups are self-contained units pre-assembled within a housing. You remove the old parts, slip in the new group and install the pins to retain it. The standard parts are just like the Mil-Spec originals. There are separate components that you assemb...