Question on triggers

[WayneS]

 A few of the AR's I'm looking to buy say they have two stage triggers, Armalite is the only one that lists details, 1st stage 2.5 # and 2nd stage 4.5-5.0 # . Is this backwards like on set triggers where you have a 4 # 1st stage, pull to set then a very light 2nd stage ??

[NYH1]

Wayne, my first and only other AR15 was a Rock River Arms A2 Tasc Rifle (really a carbine). It had their national match 2 stage trigger. The first stage of the trigger pull took all the slack out of the trigger, the second stage was what broke and fired the rifle. It was really nice.
 
I've thought of putting a 2 stage trigger in my current AR15. However, I have to look into them a lot more as I've read a lot of posts on different sits that say most 2 stage triggers are not as durable and don't last as long as most single stage triggers do. I don't want to take a chance on installing one and then my rifle not being as reliable as it is now. Sorry I couldn't help you more.

NYH1.
 
P.S. PM though sent.

[SharonAnne]

I would take Armalite at their word. It IS their rifle.

Two stage triggers can vary. Ask the manufacturer. They know what they built.

[WayneS]

I would take Armalite at their word. It IS their rifle.

Two stage triggers can vary. Ask the manufacturer. They know what they built.

I talked to Armalite, their "Match" 2 stage trigger is as they describe, 1st stage is 2.5# or slack, the 4.5-5.0 # is the actual trigger pull.

[Dixiejack]

Just getting into the techs of the AR game, but being a long time single shot shooter two of my target rifles have double set triggers with the first trigger set at 2# and the second set at 2 ozs. My other is a single set at 2# and 3 oz.  Having the the weights the way you described seems backward.  I not one to question a gun mfg. on how they build triggers, just seems odd.  I think I would rather have a single stage about 1.5 to 2 pounds in an AR if I was just target shooting or 3# for hunting and general shooting.  Again you need to practice a lot to get use to the trigger pull. 

[WayneS]

D J,
AS I've been told by many, "it's the nature of the beast" with the bottom line , you want an auto loader [AR,M1A]? Then  you are going to have to live with a trigger that breaks at about  4 #. You want 4 oz. get a "bolt gun"

[cjclemens]

I prefer single stage triggers, myself, but the Rock River 2 stage is pretty darn nice if you can get used to it.  For safety reasons, I wouldn't like anything lighter than a 3lb trigger on an AR.  Not that a lighter trigger is inherently unsafe - I just think a lighter trigger would be unsafe in my hands.

[SharonAnne]

I think that on a military type 2 stage trigger, the first 'poundage' listed is the amount to take up the trigger slack, then when the slack is to zero you get a nice crisp break at whatever the second stage weight is.

Jard has single stage triggers down to 1.5#. It may be fine for say target shooting when prone. In any situation where you might be moving, like the popular 3 Gun matches, I agree, I too would want at least 3#. I may go to 4# since often in such matches the shooters wear gloves.

The only rifle I ever shot with gloves on was my Sako .30-06 deer hunting rifle. I never did get the pull wt. checked. I am guessing around 4# since it felt heavy to me. My USPSA pistols are at 2.5# on my Para 14-45 for Limited Division and 1.25# for the Para wide body in 9x23W for Open Division. When shooting quickly such as rapid aimed pairs on a single target at close range (say 3 yards) you are shooting at the speed of thought and really I seldom feel the light pull of the trigger.