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Best AR-15 Trigger

June 21, 2019 By Josh Leave a Comment

As someone with more than an average amount of experience with the AR-15 pattern rifle both in the civilian world working for the gun industry for quite a few years and in the Marines, I can say that the stock triggers in America’s Rifles leave a lot to be desired.

They can be gritty, inconsistent, and some are just downright awful.

What are the best AR-15 triggers?

Why you need a new trigger for your AR-15 rifle:

I’ve had one in an AR that double tapped, fired bursts, and sometimes fired on the pull and release. It was a budget trigger train-wreck and I nearly shat myself the first time it happened. Because of this I’ve been on a journey to find the best AR-15 trigger I could.

Don’t get me wrong, for the most part they get the job done and there isn’t anything necessarily wrong with a stock trigger. That being said, the stock AR-15 trigger that comes in a lower parts kit (LPK) or installed on your budget AR-15, can and likely should be upgraded.

In fact, behind the grip and the hand guard, the trigger is more often than not the next upgrade to your average AR-15 platform rifle and with good reason.

This is the best AR-15 upgrade for accuracy and performance, besides a proper set of sights or an optic, and, of course, proper training.

Why? Because a smooth, crisp, and consistently breaking and resetting trigger is paramount to your accuracy as a shooter.

Let’s take a look at the best AR-15 triggers that I’ve found —

Geissele Automatics SSA E –

Geissele (pronounced guys-lee) is no stranger to making quality AR-15 parts. I guess it wasn’t really a surprise when they announced earlier this year at SHOT Show, 2019 that they were actually entering the AR-15 manufacturing market.

Every trigger of theirs I’ve ever shot was smooth as butter and is a night and day difference from your standard mil-spec trigger.

The Super Semi-Automatic Enhanced (SSA-E) is the one I’m recommending right now.

It’s built on the chassis of their famous SSA trigger and provides enhanced trigger control and weapon accuracy while maintaining the robustness and reliability of their two-stage trigger.

The SSA-E’s feature a reduced 2-2.5 pound first stage and a .9-1.3 pound second stage pull. This is a little lighter than the standard SSA weights, resulting in a smooth trigger with a light first stage take-up and a crisp, second stage break.

This is a fantastic feeling trigger meant for both combat and accuracy and you cannot go wrong here. This is one of the best AR-15 triggers on the market.

Timney Competition

Timney makes one of my absolute favorite single stage triggers, and is one that FN installs on their higher end rifles which speaks volumes to me.

The one that FN included in the latest rifle I reviewed for them, which can be found here, had a 3.5 pound pull. However, Timney makes many different pull weights for these single stage bang switches.

Every Timney trigger I’ve ever had the pleasure of squeezing has felt fantastic and is more in line with what you’d be used to on a bolt gun, instead of an AR-15. This is one of my personal go-to companies whenever I need a good single stage competition trigger.

It’s a self-contained module and is ready to install into your small-pin AR to deliver a smooth, crisp, creep-free single-stage trigger pull. It is 100% drop-in—and requires no gunsmithing, fitting, or adjusting. All components are inside the lightweight, aluminum housing.

It installs using your rifle’s original hammer/trigger pins and the design prevents the pins from walking out. Available trigger weights are 3, 3.5, and 4 pounds.

This is the best AR-15 trigger for shooting competitions.

HiperFire Hipertouch

I have friends who only run HiperFire triggers in their ARs. They make great triggers that are a little different than the rest on this best ar15 trigger list. You can spot the difference, right?

If you look closely at this trigger, and compare it to one of the Geissele triggers, you’ll notice a pair extra springs that are integral to the overall design.

The design of this drop in AR-15 trigger is such that it offers up a very light pull, but doesn’t sacrifice hammer weight. What this equals is a superb, light trigger with unmatched reliability.

Oftentimes, when a trigger weight is adjusted to be lighter it sacrifices hammer force. This can sometimes result in a light strike, which is obviously not the best case scenario.

Even better, the Hipertouch triggers feel excellent and are on par with the other expensive triggers on this list.

CMC

CMC is where we start to drop in price a bit to the more affordable range but with a still much better than stock feel drop in trigger. I’m not going to offer any one CMC trigger over the others because I don’t have as much experience with them as I do the other companies on my best AR 15 trigger list.

Still, the ones I have handled were, for the price, a great option. I know I’m starting to sound like a trigger snob and maybe I am to some degree, but I just like the feel of a high quality trigger.

This is an AR-15 drop in trigger company that uses stamped steel as the housing, instead of aluminum alloy like the other drop ins on this list.

This is a good option for those who can’t spend $250+ on a trigger.

Geissele G2S

Yes this is Geissele’s second product on this best AR-15 trigger list. When you’re good, you’re good. And the G2S is a much more affordable option than the SSA-E is and it is still a fantastic trigger–likely the best value on this list.

Geissele built their 2 Stage (G2S) to be a high quality, cost effective option of the SSA. It is a non-adjustable, two stage, precision combat trigger that allows accurate trigger control. The G2S is manufactured from the same tool steel as the SSA.

Comparing the G2S to the SSA-E from the outside, you can’t see a difference except that there aren’t laser markings. The feel and reliability are the same, with the G2S having a different way of holding the hammer pin in place.

If I had to pick a “best budget AR-15 trigger,” or the best AR-15 trigger for the money, it’d be this one.

Franklin Armory

Say what?! Yeah, I put Franklin Armory on this list of the best AR-15 triggers, but not for the same reason as the other companies listed. The main reason why they’re here, is because it IS a decent AR-15 trigger, but also because of the giggle capabilities it comes with.

No joke, I still remember the first time I shot the binary firing system. And, in my opinion, anything that sticks in your memory like that and is loads of fun is worthwhile to being put on a list.

In case you didn’t know, the BFS trigger fires a shot on both the pull and the release which really increases your rate of fire. I have every intention of buying one of these for my PTR32P (7.62X39) because of how cheap ammo is for that platform.

Now, I want to insert a disclaimer here, because this trigger is not for everybody as they can take some getting used to. And, when you really start to get your finger moving it can cause some finger fatigue.

It should probably go without saying that you obviously burn up more ammo and sacrifice some accuracy. But, it’s a lot of fun and different from every other trigger on this list.

Which is your favorite AR15 trigger? Did yours show up here on my list? Let me know in the comments below.

17 Most Fun Guns To Own and Shoot

March 25, 2019 By Josh Leave a Comment

m1 garand — Credit: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/07/foghorn/gun-review-us-rifle-caliber-30-m1-m1-garand/

I know you’ve heard of the whole bucket list thing, right? In case you haven’t, a bucket list is filled with things you want to do before you die. What follows here is a combination of my gun bucket list, as well as firearms that I’d suggest for someone else’s. I have fired a lot of what’s on here, already, but I’d be lying if I said I’ve fired all of them.

So, here is a list of the guns you absolutely, positively, without a doubt need to shoot before you die.

1) Any belt-fed machine guns:

As a Marine, I’ve had my fair share of trigger time behind belt-fed machine guns. It’s some of the most fun I’ve ever had, and if I had to pick my most favorite of all time, I’d have to say that it is the Mk19, belt-fed grenade launcher. There’s just something about being able to shoot bursts of grenades down range, actually following them down to their target with nothing more than the eyeballs inside your head. Oh, and of course, you get to then witness an impact. It’s effing awesome.

I’ve also had the pleasure of firing the M2, both stationary and from a truck mount, M249 SAW, and I was issued an M240 Golf. (Admittedly, I’m not an 03 machine gunner, but had a b-billet.)

2) Anything chambered in .454 Casull or bigger:

One thing that really lets you know if you’re still alive or not, is hanging on to a large caliber revolver. There isn’t really a whole lot more I can say about this, other than if you’re not that experienced, you should start small and work your way up. If you’ve never had you hands on a .44 magnum before, start there, and then go to a BFR. And no, BFR does not stand for Big eFFing Revolver. It means, Big Frame Revolver.

3) Coonan Classic:

I’ve mentioned this before, and it’s still on my list (my buy list). There’s just something about shooting a full-load .357 Magnum cartridge out of a semi-automatic 1911. I can honestly say that you don’t get it until you shoot it. Once you do, you’ll wonder why you waited for so long.

Seriously, every time I brought the Coonan Classic .357 to the range it sparked a conversation. “What the hell are you shooting?” Of course, they don’t usually ask until they witness the nuclear-like, two foot ball of flame erupting from the muzzle as if it were a volcano.

Ah, memories. I miss that gun …

4) Browning Automatic Rifle:

Good luck trying to find an original BAR (pronounced B. A. R., and not the building you walk into to get loaded with friends late at night.). This one is actually on my own personal bucket list. I haven’t had a chance to shoot one yet, and it’s on my short list of guns to operate at some point. One way to think about the BAR, is as the Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW, of WWII. Chambered in the heart stopping .30-06 with a box magazine, this is one of America’s war-winning guns. And, of course, genius gun designer John Moses Browning built it.

5) MP5:

I’m not talking about one of the knock offs you can get, or even one of the modern HK SP5Ks that, in my humble opinion, cost way too much money. I’m talking about a gun with a giggle switch on it, to raise up those goose bumples. I mean, this is one of the most iconic guns of modern times, still used by some special forces units from different countries, and is in almost every action packed shooter movie ever made, when there was need for a compact, machine gun pistol.

The one pictured below, is a semi-auto version I had done a review on for a different publication. I own rights to this photo, which is why I’m using it, instead of a full-auto version.

MP5s are chambered in 9mm. If you wanna see my top 20 best 9mm handguns, give that link a push.

6) Mini Gun:

This is another one on my own personal bucket list. A mini gun is sort of like a cross between a gatling gun and a modern day machine gun. There is really no way I can explain it, because my words won’t do its beauty justice. Instead, just watch this video:

7) M1 Garand:

I’m not exactly a history buff. But, I do come from the frame of mind that history should never be forgotten. I also feel as though history’s tools, in this case an M1 Garand chambered in the venerable 30-06 should be preserved for all generations. This rifle was described as some, to be the reason why we won WWII.

8) Tommy Gun:

The Tommy Gun is one of those American icons from the gangster era. Whenever you see one, or even hear its name mentioned, where does your mind drift? For some reason, I see Dick Tracy with his in that 90s movie. The Thompson Sub Machine Gun is a representative of times gone by. Also, I’m not talking about one of those semi-auto only guns, like the one I have pictured below from SHOT Show.

9) Lever Action .45-70:

You haven’t lived until you’ve caused some internal shoulder bleeding (in the form of a bruise) from the brass butt of a Henry, Lever Action rifle chambered in .45-70. Big, slow projectiles are where it’s at if you need one rifle to take a majority of big game for dinner. Bullet weights start in the 325 grain area, and go up to 540. Of course, the major player and most popular is the 405 grain projectile, which was the original weight offered.

10) Brown Bess:

Flintlock muskets were an evolutionary step to where we’re at right now in the gun industry. The Brown Bess is a great example of something from firearms history. There are many different variations, and I don’t have specific one for this list, because there are Short Land Pattern, Mortimer Models, India Patterns, etc. If you can get one, and it’s safe to fire, go for it. This, by the way, is another one on my own personal bucket list.

Credit: http://www.militaryheritage.com/musket1.htm

11) FN P90:

Keep in mind, that I’m not talking about the semi-automatic version. On my bucket list is a P90 with a giggle switch. I’m going to see if I can weasel my way into the FN facility at some point this summer, and if they actually let me in, I plan to adamantly suggest they let me have my way with a P90.

12) Colt Python:

I suppose this list wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t have at least one of Colt’s famous snake guns on it. Iconic in every way, chambered in the very capable .357 Magnum self-defense cartridge, and made even more popular by Rick Grimes himself, in the Walking Dead comics and TV Show. I don’t think I need to say much else about it.

13) Colt Single Action Army:

Here’s another one on my bucket list. I do have to admit that my time shooting old, single action only revolvers is limited. I have a buddy who owns a few Colt SAAs, but talking him into allowing me to shoot them proves harder to be than it should.

Credit: http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/colt-saa.htm

14) A Reach Out And Touch Someone, Rifle:

Sometimes, you just need to share a round with ISIS. Okay, I stole that from a t-shirt company. Still, anything chambered in .300 Win Mag or bigger should get the job done. Oh, and I’m talking about going the distance here, like Hercules had to do in that Disney movie. (Hey, I have 3 little kids, Disney is an obsession in my house). The point, is that I’m talking distances past one mile. These are distances where taking the rotation of the earth starts to become reality, just so you can hit your target.

15) Unica 6:

Ever wonder what would happen if a revolver got together with a semi-auto pistol and had a baby? Well, the Unica 6 would be your answer. This revolver is unlike most others on the market. Instead of by conventional means, like manipulating the trigger or pulling back the hammer to spin the cylinder, on the Mateba Autorevolver, the cylinder is recoil operated (and is technically a slide). To make it even stranger, the barrel is on the bottom, dropping the bore axis and, thus, the amount of felt recoil. Caliber choices afford you the .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and the giggle-worthy .454 Cassull.

16) SIG P210 (original):

Not to be confused with what gun maker Sig Sauer was building as their Legend. Though, that pistol in its own right could also make a longer version of this list. The original P210 was first built back in 1949 for the Swiss Army, and is known to be one of the most accurate pistols of its generation. It’s about as rare as a unicorn, so chances of either of us actually finding an original P210 to shoot are slim.

17) M14:

The M14 is similar to the rifle it replaced, the M1 Garand seen above, but with some key differences. Some of the bigger changes were a box magazine, it was chambered in 7.62X51, and had the ability to go full-auto. The M14 didn’t see as much service as it’s predecessor, but that doesn’t necessarily make it inferior. Here’s a video of some people I don’t know having some fun:

What did I miss? What would you add to my gun bucket list? Let me know in the comments below.

Stock up on ammo here:

Also, if you’re in the market for a new AR-15, make sure you check out our top 12 best AR-15 list, first.

Firearm Wholesalers

March 8, 2019 By GunnersDen Leave a Comment

Here is a list of firearms wholesalers:

Amchar:

AmChar has delivery trucks that covers the north east USA for the bulk items such as lead shot, safes and more.

Bangers:

We are a top-tier customer of Remington, Smith & Wesson, Colt, Beretta, Browning, Leupold and many other quality manufacturers of shooting sports equipment.

Camfour:

Our national buying power allows us to sell at low prices, while our multi-million dollar inventory assures you we will have what you’re looking for in stock and ready to be shipped.

Davidsons Supply:

Davidson’s stocks a vast inventory of firearms, possesses years of industry experience and has a reputation as both a “deal maker” and an “innovation leader.”

Ellett Brothers:

The Company’s product lines, which contain over 60,000 SKU’s, include firearms, marine electronics, trolling motors, optics, clothing, boots, cutlery, archery equipment, leather goods, camping equipment, sportsman gifts, and a variety of other outdoor sporting goods products.

Jerry’s Sport Center:

Jerry’s is a wholesale distributor of outdoor sporting goods products. We only sell to stocking retail dealers. Retail dealers can use this website to search for merchandise by product keyword, by JSC’s item number, or by the manufacturer’s item number. In addition, you can shop our website for product specials and closeouts.

Lew Horton Distributing:

Lew Horton Distributing Co. is a wholesale distributor of sporting firearms and hunting related accessories. We specialize in Special Edition and Custom Guns made for us by the Smith & Wesson Performance Center, Colt Custom Shop, Springfield Armory and other leading manufacturing companies.

Lipsey’s:

We offer the best selection of exclusive firearms in the industry. We partner with our manufacturers to create special make-up firearms that have enhanced features not available in their normal catalogs. All Lipsey’s Exclusives carry a full manufacturer warranty.

RSR Wholesale:

With five strategically located sales and distribution centers across the U.S., RSR provides FFL dealers in every region of the country with unparalleled customer service, a broad product selection, and rapid, inexpensive shipping.

Sport’s South:

Sports South is the country’s largest and oldest single source distributor of handguns, long guns, and ammunition. As we are a WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTOR, we sell only to LICENSED FEDERAL FIREARMS DEALERS (FFL HOLDERS).

Zanders:

We offer Stocking Dealer Buying Programs that are easy to qualify for, yet meaningful in which to participate. The Staff at Zanders’ Sporting Goods takes great pride in providing complete retailer support. From same day shipping to the special order of a unique or hard to find item, their goal is to serve the shooting sports retailer.