I want to upgrade my stock trigger but, with nothing in stock in my area to try out, I figured I’d get some opinions. I hear just about everyone here talking about the Geissele SSA as the way to go for just about any general purpose AR. With money not being the issue, it’s the way I’m leaning. However, on the other hand, I wondered with the SSA being two stage and all of my pistols naturally being single stage, would the difference in the trigger style throw me off in transition drills? Does the difference bother anyone here enough that they would stick with a 1 stage trigger for their rifle? Aside from cost, would there be any advantages to a 1 stage like the ALG QMS over the SSA?
I love my ssa-e
But thats on my mk12 clone
I can’t think of any advantage of the QMS over an SSA. A QMS is pretty much a polished up mil-spec trigger (with everything that entails).
I personally love two stage triggers, and use them in nearly every weapon I own.
But if you don’t want to go that route, there are others. If you are looking for a match trigger, a lot of people really like the AR Gold. If it’s more of a combat trigger, I’ve read some great things about the Wilson Combat TTU.
I run an SSA and SD-E in my two ARs. A third uses an ALG-ACT, but it will get replaced with an SSA-E when funds allow.
I very much prefer 2 stage triggers. They allow you to stage a precision shot but in rapid fire, good ones feel like a single stage.
I have the SD E. I love it but would prefer 4.5lbs vs the 3.5lbs.
If your worrying about transition drills and type of trigger Dont! Been training cops for 15 years and no one ever had a problem.
You usually are so amped up that you wont even notice it.
In the meantime practice with what you got so when u get that fancy trigger you’ll appreciate it and not miss the $250.00 u paid for it.
In my opinion the ALG ACT is all u need.
I think you are also misunderstanding the 2-stage/1-stage when comparing to a pistol trigger. It is not a double action, a 2-stage is still a single action. Pre-travel is the first stage. If you want it to have no travel and just break when you apply the proper pressure, go with a 1-stage, if you want your pre-travel, like most pistols have, then the SSA 2-stage will be your ticket, or ACT or whatever you decide on.
I have limited experience with the geissele 2 stage, but from what I have I dont really care much for it. A single has worked and felt fine for me for some time, I am not a fan of mush when I pull the trigger
I know it’s not double action. I was referring to the pre-travel. When you explain it that way, it sounds like a two stage actually has more in common with a pistol trigger than a single stage anyway.
At any rate, it sounds like my first instinct, the SSA, might be my choice.
A 1911 trigger has a short pretravel. My SD E if very similar in that respect.
The difference between my 1911 triggers and my SSA trigger is when I release the trigger to the sear reset point on my SSA, I have to take up some of the 1st part of the 2 stage slack before the hammer drops again. On my 1911 triggers, after releasing to the sear reset point, pulling the trigger just drops the hammer. I will be trying an aftermarket single stage next and see if I like it better.
At speed you pull a two stage the same as any other.
i just picked up the skeletonized 4lb timney. so far i really like the single stage. it breaks just like my bolt guns which i am used to.
If you are saying that the first stage of a two stage trigger is “mush” then you must have tried one that has a problem. None of my three SSAs or my SSA-E has a first stage that feels like “mush”.
I have a single stage 3# Timney in my LMT. I also have a Gieselle SSA-E in my most recent build. I love them both and have no problem transitioning from one to the other.
Too soft of a pull for me the second stage is too light for me as well for “fighting gun”
Yep…
My history is primarily with single stage triggers on bolt rifles. Both of my AR mil spec triggers were very heavy, gritty, and had a long pull.
I sent one off to be worked on and it came back lighter, although still somewhat heavy, and still had a fairly long pull. Not what I really wanted.
The second one I replaced with an SSA-E and I really like it. The 1st take up is smooth and light and the second stage is very crisp and still light, just the way I like it.
Bottom line a quality 2 stage trigger should make you happy.
YMMV
A two-stage may take a little getting used-to, but the SSA is well worth the trouble.
-total pullweight is 4.5lbs; enough to avoid an ND under stress, but (the second stage especially) is light enough to make precision shots and it all goes at once
-if you’re in a hellfire hurry, just slap thru’ both stages
-they have a great rep for igniting about any primer, and the one in my 15-22 even fires .22rf without drama
-they also have a great rep for durability, even under adverse conditions
The second-stage ‘break’ has been described as letting go like a crisp carrot, but it certainly suits me.
The only down side is that you’ll want one in all your ARs; I even put one in a 16A1 clone because it looks period correct.
They are to be had for $170 if you shop around.
Moon
^This.
Me running an SSA-E in my MK18. No issue running it fast or using both stages for precision in slower fire. (click for video)
I have the SSA on both of my rifles and have had great luck with them. Plus the customer service you get from Bill Geissele is second to none. If you ever have any questions or concerns he is very fast to respond via email, even after hours. Great company, Great Triggers!