My AR's trigger is terrible.

[JoePhotoOnline]

Lots of grit-grind. Lots of travel before the break. Stock factory M&P15 trigger.

I've done all kinds of modification to my 10/22 triggers to smooth them out and lighten the pull. Where do I start with an AR? It's my first one.

[pluke the 2]

JP Trigger. I freaking love mine.

[jfifer]

Polish the sear surfaces, wirh jewelers rouge (spelling?) try not to touch the disconnector but polish all the contact surfaces. No rounded edges!! Keep everything straight. Take your time!!! Its probably gonna take a couple hours. Dont cut or bend the springs.

Polishing will smooth it out, remove the grittiness.

Good luck!

[badreligion]

Mil-spec or similar factory triggers are well known for crappy triggers. 5.5-9.5 lbs of pull and lots of grit and sloppiness to them. Designed for a long hard life with only simple generalized cleaning. Good news is if you fire a few thousand rounds or dry fire a few thousand rounds they start to feel better.

Your best bet would be an aftermarket trigger from one of the well known companies. They have taken the time to research the AR trigger and make it smooth from round one to round 100000. There are quite a few different makers of very nice triggers which have a very solid reputation for quality. I like Gissele triggers personally and choose the SSA and SSA-E for my two ARs. I wanted a drop in trigger without any set-up or adjustments which may come loose. I will probably drop in an ALG trigger with JP yellow springs into my new S&W 15-22, basically a professionally polished and cleaned up mil-spec trigger with lighter springs, cheaper than a full boat Gissele trigger group.

I wouldn't try nor would I recommend trying to polish and reshape your trigger or sear yourself. It would be way to easy to get it wrong and create an illegal weapon.

[Hoagiem]

Try this: http://www.sargenthome.com/15_Minute_AR_Trigger_Job.htm

[Breadfan]

tag

[jfifer]

Thats such a myth!!! As long as you are careful chances of accidentally creating an illegal weapon are slim. Google it. Why spend 150-200 when all it takes is a couple minutes of your time.

[m16]

Send it to Bill:

http://www.triggerwork.net/ar15.html

[fredridge]

a small hijack

What should a trigger feel like?

My AR - purchased lower already built

The trigger has no take up at all. It is firm and then breaks...not sure how many pounds, but unlike all my other guns there is no take up on it.

Is that not normal for an AR?

[jfifer]

Triggers just vary! Ive had pretty good factory triggers and pretty bad ones.

[m16]

a small hijack

What should a trigger feel like?

My AR - purchased lower already built

The trigger has no take up at all. It is firm and then breaks...not sure how many pounds, but unlike all my other guns there is no take up on it.

Is that not normal for an AR?

Yes that is normal, for a single stage trigger.

Most factory triggers have a gritty feel, and break at around 7-8 lbs when brand new.

After use they may get better as the engagement surfaces wear into each other, you can speed this process up with a trigger job or just replace it with an aftermarket trigger.

I am a huge fan of the Geissele triggers and that's all I use but they are pricey.

[kcstott]

Thats such a myth!!! As long as you are careful chances of accidentally creating an illegal weapon are slim. Google it. Why spend 150-200 when all it takes is a couple minutes of your time.

Correct!!

There is nothing you can do to a trigger short of installing legal parts that will make it go full auto.
Firearms in general are designed to shot one round per trigger pull. Monkeying with the trigger could only produce to light or to heavy a pull. But not a full auto.
I am assuming that's what he meant by illegal weapon.

Buy a Timney and be done

[mrdd]

Correct!!

There is nothing you can do to a trigger short of installing legal parts that will make it go full auto.
Firearms in general are designed to shot one round per trigger pull. Monkeying with the trigger could only produce to light or to heavy a pull. But not a full auto.
I am assuming that's what he meant by illegal weapon.

Buy a Timney and be done

Not true. If the timing of the disconnector is off, you could end up with hammer follow and more than one shot per pull. It would be a malfunction, but still a violation of state and federal law. It is important to function test from time to time to ensure the FCG is still operating correctly.

Even the "one piece" triggers for AR types can fail with use over time.

[Drivedabizness]

I bought the J&P spring kit (for like $9), which Sac Black Rifle was happy to install for me when I took delivery of my M&P 15T. Made a HUGE difference!

The trigger is still not quite as nice as the FACTORY trigger on my NFA lower. Remember that the M16A2 family (with burst) has a cam/sear setup that gives you 2 rounds with a 7 or 8 pound pull and one with maybe a 5 or 6 pound pull. Savvy shooters learned 30 years ago to "cycle" to the "light" sear setting when shooting slow fire for qual.

As I would say to Bill Ruger if he were in front of me - there is no excuse for a factory firearm to have a crappy trigger (and all Rugers have crappy triggers unless you upgrade them).

[sonnyt650]

For an AR part of the rough pull is the rotation of the trigger around the trigger pin. That pin is a very loose fit in the trigger so has little bearing surface, and the contact point slips as the trigger is pulled through take-up. Moly grease the inside of the hole in the trigger and it should slip easier.