I remain impressed at the modularity of the AR-15. I can’t say if Eugene Stoner’s rifle was ever meant to be this modular, but man, it’s really crazy how you can upgrade everything. This obviously includes the trigger. Our title is a bit of a giveaway. Today, we are looking at some of the better AR-15 triggers on the market.
Why upgrade your AR-15 trigger?
The AR-15 trigger is pretty good as is. The mil-spec design isn’t bad compared to a wide variety of rifles, but AR shooters get awfully picky. Why would we switch the typical AR trigger if it’s just fine? A lot of AR shooters really want the better option, the best option when possible. If they can get a lighter, smoother trigger pull, why wouldn’t they?
What does a lighter, smoother trigger do for the shooter? First, it helps eliminate human error in the accuracy department. It won’t make your gun more accurate, but it can eliminate how much you suck at shooting. The goal of shooting is to set your sights on the target, then pull the trigger without disrupting your sight picture. A lighter, smoother trigger helps you do that.
Additionally, a better trigger can help you shoot faster. A light trigger with a shorter reset is easier to shoot faster. In fact, some people are crazy fast with a good trigger.
You could also just want a more durable trigger. Certain budget-tier rifles come with fairly crappy triggers. I like the S&W M&P Sport 2, but it really needs a better trigger than the MIM model it comes with. There are plenty of reasons why your AR-15 just might need a new trigger.
The Best AR-15 Triggers
There are plenty of reasons why your AR just might need a new trigger. Here are five of the best aftermarket AR-15 triggers out there.
Geissele Automatics Super Dynamic Combat Trigger
Geissele made their name with awesome triggers, and that’s easy to forget when they also make rails that are quite well-received. Hell, they even make an entire rifle these days. The Geissele Super Dynamic Combat, or S-DC, is one of their classic trigger designs. As the name implies, this is not a competition trigger but one aimed at duty and defensive use.
The S-DC is a standard trigger and not a drop-in design. It offers shooters a flat-faced bow for a shorter trigger reach and awesome control over the trigger. The S-DC might not be a 1.5-pound trigger, but it’s crazy smooth with a crisp, positive reset.
Geissele designed this to be a non-adjustable trigger, and it makes sense. Why would a cop, solider, or home defender need to adjust their trigger? This provides a simpler trigger that’s also better suited for extreme durability. It’s a duty-ready trigger from an extremely well-known trigger company. It’s not cheap, but it works.
TriggerTech AR-9 Single-Stage Adaptable Trigger
If you are a PCC nerd like me, then you know that AR triggers can be tough to find that work well with AR-9s. Most are blowback-operated guns, and blowback-operated guns are violent in their action. This can break triggers and trigger pens quite quickly. Additionally, handgun ammo can often have hard primers, and those 1.5-pound AR-15 triggers don’t always function with harder primers.
TriggerTech offers dedicated AR-9 triggers to provide PCC fans with an awesome trigger option. The TriggerTech AR-9 Single-Stage adaptable trigger is hardened and ruggedized for long service life.
The AR-9 trigger offers a zero creep design for an ultra-smooth trigger pull and for those rapid-fire shots that are often required for competitive shooting. Users can adjust the trigger from 1.75 to four pounds with ease for a nice light trigger pull that’s also quite reliable. Plus, it just drops in, and what’s better than that?
Radian Weapons Vertex Trigger
Radian makes some slick rifles, and you can have a little Radian in your AR-15 with the Vertex Trigger. The Vertex Trigger is a simple drop-in that will clean things up for you without complaint. It lightens the trigger pull to right around four pounds, so this works perfectly fine for duty and defensive shooting.
That light trigger pull is backed by a great reset. It’s firm and very positive. There is no mistake that when you release the trigger, it resets. The trigger face also sits midway between straight and curved for an odd but quite comfortable design.
Radian made this trigger to last. The bow is made from 1144 carbon steel. The hammer is made from S7 tool steel and a wire-EDM finish. It’s going to last longer than most parts of your rifle. Radian makes expensive stuff, so don’t expect the Vertex to be cheap, but it’s the most affordable way to put a little Radian in your rifle.
Rise Armament RAVE Super Sporting Trigger
If you want something more on the affordable side of drop-in triggers, then the Rise Armament RAVE Super Sporting Trigger is for you. It has a long name but a short price tag. The RAVE Super Sporting Trigger has the option for either a curved or flat-faced trigger and offers you an excellent single-stage, drop-in trigger that doesn’t exceed $150.
The Super Sporting Trigger has a very crisp 3.5-pound trigger pull and one of the most clicky trigger resets on the market. In fact, they even call it the Quik-Klik reset. It almost forces you to let go of it. This allows for quick and easy double taps or even longer strings of fire. You’ll be throwing lead at a rapid rate before you know it.
The RAVE Super Sporting Trigger is affordable but also made to last. The interior parts are made from S7 steel, and the housing is 6061 aluminum. Top that off with a black nitride finish that protects your trigger rust.
LaRue Tactical MBT-2S Trigger
LaRue Tactical provides one of the most affordable upgraded triggers out there. It’s less than $100 and provides a smooth experience inside and out. It’s not a drop-in trigger but a standard design, which isn’t surprising when you look at the price point. The MBT-2S trigger is a two-stage design, which allows for that proper staging without diving too deep into an ultralight single-stage design.
It takes a little more practice to perfect but provides a very consistent trigger option once one gains that experience. The MBT-2S’s success comes from the fact it’s made from S7 tool steel. Not just one or two parts, but every part. It’s crazy, and it’s crazy that it’s this affordable.
The S7 Tool Steel provides an ultra-light and smooth trigger pull without the need for anything special. The first stage is 4.5 pounds, the second is 2.5 pounds, and the reset is crisp and consistent. This allows the MBT-2S to provide a simple, standard AR trigger that will last forever.
Upgrade Your AR Trigger
There are lots of upgrades you can make to your AR-15. Some are better than others. Some are more important than others. Once you start tinkering around inside your rifle, one of the best things you can do is swap the trigger. A good trigger goes further than some weird lightweight BCG with a questionable finish.
These are some of my favorite AR-15 triggers. What are yours? I was tempted to include the FRT on this list, but it might be more fun than practical. Let me know what you think about AR-15 triggers below.
