Everyone wants an accurate rifle, but not everyone is willing to fork over the money for a high-dollar tack driver. Consequently, many shooters end up with rifles that aren’t as accurate as they could be and feel like they're destined to be shooting 2-inch groups at 100 yards for the rest of their lives.
To be sure, there are many factors that go into making an accurate rifle. And the ubiquitous AR-15 — America’s most popular rifle with more than 17 million legally owned by the public — is no exception to that rule. Luckily for AR-15 owners, many of these factors can be changed. From handguards to buttstocks to barrels, all can be replaced with aftermarket parts to make a rifle shoot more accurately.
One of the main factors in accuracy is the rifle’s trigger. And unfortunately, that’s where many AR-15s fall short. I remember well my first AR-15. I was so excited to get to the range, only to find out the trigger was heavy, gritty and unpredictable. Until then, I thought that mil-spec was a good thing.
The good news for your customers wanting to wring more accuracy out of their AR-15-style rifles is that many companies make great aftermarket triggers that are easily installed and will immediately increase accuracy.
A Little About Triggers
Before we look at some good options, a few notes. AR triggers are typically either single stage or two stage, and your customers need to understand the difference. A single-stage trigger offers one smooth, consistent pull from start to break. A two-stage trigger, however, has two distinct phases — a slack take-up (first stage) followed by a heavier “wall” before the shot breaks (the second stage). Single-stage triggers are known more for their speed, but many are also quite accurate. Conversely, two-stage triggers are famed for their accuracy, but many shooters can run them very rapidly.
Another thing about triggers that is largely personal preference is the amount of pressure it takes to break the shot. Some Mil-Spec triggers have weights in the teens, while many aftermarket units can have only 2 or 3 pounds of pull necessary to touch off the shot. I’ve found that triggers in the 3- to 4-pound range work best for me, but again, it’s a matter of personal preference.
Lastly, aftermarket triggers are available either as a trigger group kit, which contains all of the parts needed for installation, or as a drop-in trigger, in which all of the parts are already installed in an enclosed unit. Neither is necessarily better, but for shooters who haven’t done much gunsmithing, the drop-in units are probably a little easier to install.
Note our triggers to consider are listed alphabetically, not in any order indicative of rankings.
10 Triggers to Consider
The American Trigger Corporation AR Gold Adjustable Trigger has been around for years but is still a great trigger unit that will immediately increase a rifle’s accuracy. In fact, when I was heavy into the 3-gun scene, my main match rifle carried an AR Gold trigger in it. It was pricey at the time, but I never regretted paying a premium for it. The AR Gold is a drop-in module trigger, which makes it a breeze to install. It comes stock with a 3.5-pound pull weight, and features a short, clean break with no creep and no overtravel. Additionally, the pull weight is adjustable for those who prefer a little more or less pressure.
Geissele is a top name in aftermarket AR triggers, and their quality is top-notch. The company’s Super Dynamic Enhanced (SD-E) trigger is definitely one that might turn a few heads in your retail establishment. Featuring an exclusive flat trigger bow, the SD-E is a finely tuned two-stage trigger providing enhanced trigger control and weapon accuracy while maintaining the robustness and reliability of the company’s combat-proven two-stage trigger. The first stage weight ranges from 2 to 2.5 pounds, with the second stage being .9 to 1.3 pounds. Total pull weight is from 2.9 to 3.3 pounds. For those looking for customization, the pull weight is not adjustable.
The Hiperfire PDI RG is a drop-in trigger unit that has received rave reviews. That’s because it’s just a darned good unit. With a 2-pound trigger pull, it is made for speed. And the Titanium-Carbon-Nitride and H&M Black Nitride finishes make the trigger exceptionally smooth while enhancing corrosion protection and giving the unit a polished look. Featuring a flat trigger bow with a backbone, the PDI RG features the HIPERSHOE finger pad revolution, which allows for fine weight adjustment and pretravel adjustment, as well as positioning your finger in the same place on the trigger every shot. Additionally, the trigger’s mil-grade hammer strike means no light primer strikes.
Another drop-in AR trigger unit, the KE Arms Gen 2 SLT-1 has a lot to offer those looking to increase accuracy. The 4.5-pound single-stage trigger features minimal take-up and overtravel, along with a crisp break — all parts of the accuracy equation. Made for efficient energy transfer to the primer, the trigger has no disconnect hammer to drive through, creating a more efficient bolt cycle. The resulting constant sear engagement against the hammer means the trigger is always ready to reset and fire. The SLT-1 is easy to install, as it drops into mil-spec fire control pockets and is retained with standard fire control pins and captured by springs inside the housing bushings.
The LaRue MBT2S isn’t a drop-in trigger unit, but that doesn’t make it any less efficient at increasing accuracy. For most AR owners, putting the pieces in place is no big deal at all. All major components of this two-stage trigger are precision-machined from S7 tool steel. The result is a glass-smooth, hyper-consistent trigger that the company says will satisfy even the most scrupulous competition shooter, while also being rugged enough for the battlefield. The MBT-2S breaks crisply at 4.5 pounds (2.5-pound first stage, 2-pound second stage) and has a smooth, positive reset. Additionally, each trigger comes with an additional "heavy" trigger spring that increases the pull weight to 6 pounds.
I hold a special spot in my heart for RISE Armament, maker of fine AR triggers and complete guns, because they had me out to their plant for a tour when the height of COVID had most things shut down. Since then, I’ve put several of their triggers to good use, all with great results. Probably the best is the RA 535 Advanced Performance Trigger, which I have in one of my range rifles. If there’s a smoother single-stage trigger around, I don’t know what it is. This super-light (2.3 ounces) trigger unit has virtually zero creep, a very crisp break and a lightning-fast reset. Internal parts are coated with Nickel Teflon for improved performance.
I wasn’t going to write about two triggers from any given company, but needed to include this one for those on more of a budget. The RISE Rave 140 Super Sporting Trigger yields similar performance to the RA 535 for $100 less than most of the drop-in triggers on this list. And it’s just as easy to install. With no adjustments, just drop the trigger into the lower, put the pins in, piece the lower back together and head for the range. The springs on the bottom of the Rave 140’s housing replaced the need for adjusting set screws in the trigger housing.
The first aftermarket AR trigger I ever bought was the Timney Competition Trigger, and let me tell you: That was a darned good purchase then and still would be now. The cassette-style trigger is easy to drop in place, with no gunsmithing or fitting required. Additionally, each trigger is hand-assembled, tested and calibrated for consistency. Timney even gives you three choices of trigger configurations — standard curved, straight or skeletonized — and the option for large trigger pin holes or small. My accuracy immediately improved when I installed this trigger in my first AR-15 several years ago.
According to the manufacturer, the TriggerTech AR-15 Diamond a true zero-creep break, extremely short overtravel, a sub 0.03-inch tactical reset and offers outstanding reliability, even in the harshest environments. With a pull-weight range of 1.5 to 4.0 pounds, this trigger is available with a pro curved or flat trigger lever. Zero Creep Technology, along with the use of hardened 440C stainless steel in making the internal components, ensure corrosion resistance and an extended service life. Note that the AR-15 Diamond is available as a single- or two-stage trigger, so retailers can offer their customers a choice.
Last on our list, but certainly not least as anyone who knows much about the quality of Wilson Combat products should realize, is the Wilson Tactical Trigger Unit. According to the manufacturer, with a black Diamond-Like-Carbon physical vapor deposition finish on critical action parts that includes chromium and tungsten underlayers for lasting protection against corrosion and abrasion damage, the ETU will perform as smooth as polished glass even in heavily fouled conditions. A two-stage unit available with a straight or curved trigger, the TTU is available in multiple pull weights including 3.5 to 4 pounds, 4 to 4.5 pounds and 4.5 to 5 pounds.
