Newbie AR15 build help

[JohsonChou]

This is gonna be my first personal AR.
My lower is a Ruger AR556 lower. My dealer already installed the CA compliant mag lock.

My option for Lower is either
Geissele SSA ($300 with LPK, stock and grip)
or the PSA EPT LPK ($130 with LPK, stock and grip)

I wonder how much better Geissele is comparing to a polished mil-spec trigger.


Since it is my first one, I decided to go with a complete upper.
Here is my option:
Cheap PSA upper with 18" stainless steel barrel. $369 (PSA BCG)
PSA FN barrel upper: $529 (PSA BCG)
YHM Black Diamond: $770 (YHM BCG)
Spike's Tactical LE $740 (Spike's BCG)
PWS MK1 Mod1-p $950

Since there is a huge price difference between these, I am just not sure how much better each one is (if the price difference worth it). Please advise.

Purpose of this AR is just medium range paper punching.
I am able to pay for the PWS + Geissele if they are actually worth it.

[CandG]

It's your first build, so it's silly to spend $250 on a trigger when you don't really even know what you want. Get the PSA LPK for now, and you can upgrade the trigger after you've used the rifle for a while and have a better idea of what you want.

I put a $50 ACT trigger in my very expensive .308 AR build last year, thinking that eventually I'd upgrade it to something else, and guess what... the ACT trigger works great. No desire to upgrade it. Saved $200.

[CandG]

Out of all those uppers, I'd honestly just go with the PSA with the 18" stainless barrel. Yes it's cheap, but it's not "cheap". They are actually quality uppers, a great value for your first rifle. Again, no reason to go balls-to-the-wall with your first AR build. It sounds like you are mostly using this rifle for plinking around at 100-200 yards, so buying parts with 1000yd sub-MOA bench-rest shooting in mind is a waste of money, in my opinion.

Don't try to build a "do it all" rifle on your first try. Pick a function (in this case, medium range paper punching) and build the rifle for that purpose. Nothing more and nothing less. If you decide later that you want to start doing a different kind of shooting (3-gun, or long-range, or whatever) then build a new rifle specifically for that new purpose. You'll thank me later

[afteractionreport]

I agree. Build your first with a specific use in mind. My first i went budget because i just wanted an AR. Now i want a more pricier AR so i can buy a nice scope and do some long distant shooting. And justify buying pricey handrails and accessories that i really want

I just cant justify buying a $300 rail or $500 scope on a rifle that is worth ~700 bucks

[russ69]

It's your first build, so it's silly to spend $250 on a trigger when you don't really even know what you want...

He will want the Geissele, may as well get it now.

[CandG]

He will want the Geissele, may as well get it now.

Point of diminishing return... not every rifle needs a $250 geissele trigger. If you're trying to squeeze the last couple % out of the performance of your gun, and price doesn't matter as long as it makes even a minuscule difference, then absolutely go for it. They are better triggers. But really, not every rifle needs one, and believe it or not, some people actually shoot just as well with any trigger.

Will a supercharger make your car faster? Absolutely. But if you're going to blow $15k on a supercharger setup, your dollars will be better spent putting it in a Lamborghini than a honda accord. But - some people want a supercharger in every car they own, and don't care how much it costs or whether or not the car even needs it. To each their own.

You'll probably be more accurate, though, if you put that $250 into the optic or barrel instead. When you've absolutely got the best optic and barrel you can have, THEN you can look at other upgrades, like expensive triggers. But if you're skimping on optics and barrels so you can get a better trigger, that's not a trade-off I would make, personally. A $500 match-grade barrel will be night-and-day better than a $250 barrel. Also, it's a lot harder to upgrade a barrel later, than a trigger.

But I do realize how dangerous it is for me to post that commentary here, in the epicenter of geissele fanboys

[Lonestargrizzly]

If you're located near me, I would sell you that YHM rail for cheaper than sticker price.
PM me.

[JohsonChou]

My plan is to slowing move towards longer range shooting (like 400 meters) eventually. Would it make sense to get a "better" rifle now instead of upgrade it later?

[jimmykan]

I wish I had Geissele Hi Speed National Match triggers in all my ARs. But they are $280 (or $240 on Black Friday, Veterans Day, etc).

Being able to adjust the second stage break weight down to 8 ounces or less... Once you try it, you want it on all your ARs.

[thai562]

Since this is your first AR15 build, I would go with the cheap end for now to see how you like it.

Geissele SSA trigger is better than a polished mil-spec trigger, but it's not that much better. A polished mil-spec trigger with JP Enterprise springs is the best value option. IMHO

[Lonestargrizzly]

If you're located near me, I would sell you that YHM rail for cheaper than sticker price.
PM me.

This is how it looks in real life.

[Rhyyke]

If you're willing to spend $700-ish, there are used Colt 6920 or BCM uppers that'll fit that bill. That's the route I would advise.

[DrewTheBrave]

My first AR15 was built using a PSA upper and I was 100% satisfied with it. I've since gone on to custom-build more expensive uppers, but I wouldn't hesitate to add another PSA upper to the collection if I needed a good all around rifle on a budget. I even suggested one of their uppers to my brother, and he loves it.

There's no need to start with a match trigger. The standard PSA triggers that I've used were remarkably close in feel to the ALG QMS trigger, which is pretty good.

Keep it mostly stock and spend all of your extra money on ammo. After you've shot the crap out of it, you'll have a much better idea of what you like and what you want to change about the rifle. Then you can go to town!

[ChuckDizzle]

He will want the Geissele, may as well get it now.

Yep, a good trigger is good, no reason to have a crappy one at all.

OP, yes, their triggers ARE that good. There's a reason why they have made a fortune selling triggers for $250. It's no contest a polished up milspec trigger doesn't come close.

[varanidguy]

I love Geissele 2 stage triggers. Took out the ACT from my 308 and put in the cheaper Geissele G2S and even that made a huge difference.

The biggest problem I've personally witnessed with new shooters and Geissele triggers is its ridiculously easy to double tap if you're not used to trigger control. If you're slipping up with any safety rules that can make for an accident. Doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend one, I love them. I have shot rifles with several different Geissele triggers. Just take it easy and get used to the trigger.

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