I have a RRA AR and the stock trigger leaves a lot to be desired. I don’t have a scale but the trigger pull is much more difficult than my colt.
I don’t expect a stock AR trigger to be like a finely tuned bolt action rifle trigger, but is there a safe/reliable way to improve the existing hardware?
I also would like to find out how to improve a stock trigger.
Someone will probably chime in here with a full treatise on the subject; however in my case trigger work is a sometime thing. Meaning that my success ratio is none too good no matter how detailed the instructions and no matter how many parts I ruin in the process.
Won’t go into all kinds of comparisons because I don’t know all the possibilities. In my case the stock trigger was my main stumbling block. I replaced it with a Jard non-adjustable set shorty after getting my carbine and haven’t looked back. Cost was very reasonable, installation a snap, and I’m a happy shooter.
Works for me.
OK - for a semi-auto carbine, here’s a $10 trigger job.
Buy some JP Tactical 4.0 FCG springs: http://www.jprifles.com/buy.php?item=JPS4.0
Cut the “tail” off your hammer so that it looks similar to the JP speed hammer: http://www.jprifles.com/1.4.8.1.php
DON’T touch engagement surfaces!!
The result is a very servicable trigger that ignites the hardest primers in my experience. I’ve shot many thousnds of rounds of various manufacture with no failures to ignite the primers.
If you do not lighten the hammer, you may have some failures to ignite.
Some people are not comfortable with any lightened springs. You have to try it in an extra rifle and then decide for yourself.
Thanks for the links chp5. I do have a question, I noticed they have 3 different spring kits.
JPS3.5, AR Reduced Power Spring Kit:
Reduced power spring kit, yields about 4 to 4.5 lb pull with standard M15 trigger parts
JPS4.0, JP Tactical Spring Kit, 4-lb pull with JP fire control parts:
JP Tactical Spring Kit, 4-lb pull with JP fire control parts
JPS4.5, JP CMP Service Rifle Spring Kit, 4.5-lb trigger pull:
JP CMP Service Rifle Spring Kit, 4.5-lb trigger pull
It seems like the JPS3.5 would be the best for a simple drop in replacement of springs and wouldn’t require modding the hammer. Any experience with the other two kits?
What specifically is desired? What is your carbine used for? What parameters must you work within? What are you willing to compromise?
I personally had the opposite experience with the JP springs, tried them in a couple of guns and had lots of clicks instead of booms. I gave up and went to standard springs. I’m not sure which kit it was, but it the 4-5lb pull weight with yellow springs.
I am mainly interested in reducing the trigger pull weight. The rifle is used for fun at the range and country side. I would prefer to do the work myself but have never modified a trigger before beyond replacing springs.
As far as compromise, it doesn’t have to be a hair trigger but something simply lighter would be nice without affecting reliability. In terms of cost I would prefer a fix that is less than $30-50.
UVvis - did you lighten the hammer as described above?
The yellow springs are the lightest JP makes - 3.5#.
If you didn’t lighten the hammer and used the yellow springs, I’m not surprised you got misfires.
If you don’t lighten the hammer, you may have misfires - especially with the JPS3.5. If you don’t want to lighten the hammer, then don’t use any of these springs.
I’ve extensively used the 4# and the 3.5# kits with 100% ignition with a properly lightened hammer. This does not change the engagement surfaces or length or pull, but reduces the pull weight noticably.
Note that this is only for semi auto carbines. The hammer tail has functionality on a FA carbine.
Chp5,
Would it be possible to post a picture of your modified hammer?
I’ve had a couple of problems with lighter springs. First it didn’t always ignite the ammo and secondly for some reason the trigger and hammer pin would start to walk out. I replaced the springs with the stock ones and didn’t have a problem. I don’t know if anyone else has experienced this second case.
Ok, then I had the 3.5lb springs. No, I didn’t do anything to the springs except put them in. Some ammo was better than others, but when I had four straight clicks, I gave up. Each of those four rounds fired on the second try. Maybe the springs I got hate me, or got hot or something. They didn’t really make a huge difference to me, so I didn’t keep them.
Lot’s and lots of dry fire practice!
tte - just look at the link to the JP speed hammer in my original post and/or look at the pics in the “Colt speed hammer” thread here: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=4667
You’re only cutting off the tail of the hammer - which has no functionality in a semi carbine, so it doesn’t have to be elegant.
Use a cut off wheel to remove the tail. Then smooth it up with a sanding wheel. Slap on some cold blue and you’re ready to reassemble and shoot.
Good luck.
Yep - the springs are only $10, so it’s no big loss if you don’t like it.
If you do try them again, lighten the hammer and you should be GTG.
Its too bad the shipping is almost the same cost as the springs. $8.50 Anyone know of another vendor that might carrier the springs and would be able to save on shipping?
Years ago I discovered that STP oil treatment (thick stuff) would greatly reduce friction on sear surfaces. Apply a bit with a Q-tip and see the results.
Next time you have the trigger parts out, polishing engagement surfaces and anything else that moves with FLITZ polish will have a dramatic effect. The old Q-tip works nicely for this application. This operation can be done easily and quickly and is idiot/fool proof.
Combining the above two steps will produce a much improved trigger pull for the stock trigger.
Williejc
One man hits the nail on the head…
That’s not a bad idea, but I’ve had good luck with just squirting a bunch of CLP in the hole, wiping down the excess and doing lots of dry fire. My shooting buddy with the JP springs hates my trigger, but I like it and it hasn’t clicked on any primers yet. When I had JP yellow springs in, I started getting clicks after ~1k.