Binary Triggers-Pros./Cons.

[Phouty]

Stepped last Friday into my local gun store. My wife wanted simply to buy some fresh...eggs! Yup...guns, ammo, gear, eggs, local beef and buffalo meat, venison, and other fresh meat products under the single roof!
And huge replica of certain old and completely meaningless (fortunately only in some parts of this beautiful country) piece of parchment proudly standing in front of the establishment.

https://www.ozarksfirst.com/local-news/earth-outdoor-store-creates-giant-metal-sculpture-of-u-s-constitution/

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/65512

It used to be called the Constitution of the United States of America...hopefully still not void, when prohibited by law.

Never been an owner of AR platform before, and to be honest, I've always been, and still I'm an AK lover.
While my wife was hand picking few dozen of fresh eggs, I deep-dived in "NFA corner" of the store, just to admire several nice pieces on display there.
My attention focused on one SBR manufactured by Franklin Armory, NV.

https://franklinarmory.com/urban-patrol-nfa/

I'm an old geezer, so some of the 'novelties' on the market not always attract my attention.
What the hell is this mysterious Binary Trigger I was thinking while playing with those pieces on display?
Just on the next rack there were non-NFA guns.
Among them another product of the same manufacturer. Way less expensive.

https://franklinarmory.com/bfsiii-m4/

Didn't have time to ask some questions, because my wife was done with the eggs.
Spent whole weekend thinking, and gathering some info about that damned thing, just to satisfy my curiosity.
Surely, asked "uncle Google" for some info and advice...

https://www.classicfirearms.com/news/general/binary-triggers-explained/

https://franklinarmory.com/franklin-armory-bfsiii-ar-c1/

'Low quality answers' at best...and so on, and so on...

Made already my decision though! Tomorrow, meaning on Monday I will simply buy this damned thing. My first AR platform...and share here my first impressions.
Additional bonus: Finally I will be able to play a mall ninja dressing this particular piece in every possible and impossible furniture. Got a loooooong wish list already!

Are there any Calgunners living in a Free Zone to share their experiences with binary triggers?

[Ackrite]

Go with a Rare Breed FRT-15. Get it tuned with the proper buffer and it is so much fun.

[Phouty]

Go with a Rare Breed FRT-15. Get it tuned with the proper buffer and it is so much fun.

Thanx. Tomorrow will inquire about it in the store.
Choices...choices...to buy two ARs with two different systems, just to first hand compare them?
Nah...spent some money on Ruger Max-9 last Tuesday...can't afford to buy three guns in a single week.

[Ackrite]

The store won’t have any in stock. They are direct sale only and currently going through a battle with the ATF. They go on sale daily around 9am and sell out quick.

[Phouty]

Got it! Thank you again.
Will consider as a drop-in unit. Such combination I can still afford!

[sigstroker]

Rare Breed is not a binary, it's forced reset.

[beanz2]

I have BFSIII triggers, one in an AR15, one in an APC9. Neither really needed much tuning and ran well after installation.

Pros:
> Three position safety: Safe, Single, Binary. The Single/Semi function is nice, no need to tune the gun if you want to shoot single shots. The FRT-15 only has two, safe and forced reset, and is difficult to shoot single shots with. Select fire guns have three positions too, but at a much higher cost for a transferable (assuming you don't hold an FFL/SOT.)
> Shoots binary instead of a continuous string. Saves ammo and almost as good as a three-round burst. More opportunities to get back on target.
> Harder to argue for the ATF that releasing the trigger does not constitute a separate action on the trigger. And right now they are busy with the FRT, WOT, Graves, etc. Though I really wish him well, who knows how Rare Breed will fare against the ATF. It sounds like WOT is not helping with RBT's fight with the ATF either.
> A bit cheaper. $330 on sale vs. $370 for the FRT-15 vs., what, $8000 + 8-12 months for a FA MAC11 or Uzi? The WOT is probably going to be cheaper.
> With so many aftermarket lowers for other guns that are available now (Stribog, Bren 2, APC9/GHM9) that take AR triggers, the BFSIII works in these too, so you can potentially move the binary trigger function to other platforms. The FRT-15 doesn't. The only non-AR that has been made to work is the MPX/MCX, AFAIK.

Cons:
> Being spoiled by Geissele, LaRue, Elftmann, etc., the trigger feel in Semi just does not feel as good. Better than mil spec, but just isn't as crisp. The trigger pull is a bit long as is the overtravel. But I realize trigger feel in Semi is not the point of these binary triggers.
> Shoots binary instead of a continuous string. Sometimes, you just want to, LOL

[Ackrite]

Rare Breed is fighting the good fight and putting their money where their mouth is, on multiple fronts. Giving $400 going to them is a direct support of the 2A and the fight against the ATF, and patent infringers. If invoice #’s are any indicator of how many are out there, they are in the 70k range, which is a very high # for the ATF to go after.

And I will argue that single shots on the FRT is not difficult, at least in my experience. I will also have to look into making the FRT work in the MPX if what you say is true. Sig advises against using other AR15 triggers not specifically made for it. The Timney trigger in there now is downright amazing, and I’ve been spoiled with Geissele for years to compare it to, but I would love to get that thing to rock and roll especially when I get a can on it.

[beanz2]

I agree, Ackrite. I support RBT probably as much as you do, but let's not let Phouty's thread drift too far from his topic

This is the part you need for the MPX if it ever comes back in stock.

[Ackrite]

Thanks. My intention wasn’t to derail, but to give an alternative option. Personally, a binary doesn’t appeal to me, but I can see how it would to someone who is no longer legally bound to CA regulations.

[beanz2]

It's cool. Owning an FRT is like belonging to the fight club LOL

[sigstroker]

Beanz, why the BFS instead of the other one (can't remember the name)?

[beanz2]

Fostech? I never owned the other one. The ones I keep finding on sale is Franklin.

Nothing to do with Franklin Armory being based locally either, and owned by another CA Expatriate.

[nikonmike5]

Fostech? I never owned the other one. The ones I keep finding on sale is Franklin.

Nothing to do with Franklin Armory being based locally either, and owned by another CA Expatriate.

[Phouty]

Thank you gentlemen for sharing your knowledge.

Just returned from the store, of course with Franklin Armory piece in my hands.
(Typically NICS takes enough time to smoke the cigarette, but this time it took only circa...30 seconds. Absolute record)!
Got already a 20 round 'shooting experience' with the 'beast'.
(Completely forgot to buy ammo while in the store, and at home I found only a single pack of 5.56 ammo...whom should I blame for such a mismanagement in my ammo warehouse department)?

So!
I had to limit myself!!!
First shot 4 rounds in semi-auto mode.
Agree with you beanz2, and thank you for sharing: Trigger could be more crisp, but nevertheless I give it a PASS.
Then switched to binary.
First trigger pull: WOW!!! Yup, it's a strange feeling when it fires on release.
(Remaining myself, that only 14 rounds left).
Next came a 'double tap': WOW!!!
(Only 10 rounds left).
Decided to go full auto. WOW!!!
(No ammo left).

Overall I'm really impressed.
As advised by Ackrite I visited Rare Breed web page in the morning. Of course SOLD OUT. Probably will order one, but first I must buy all the furniture for my newly acquired 'beast'.
Enough! Got to run to the store to buy some ammo.