REVIEW – Trigger Tech Adjustable AR-15 Trigger

So we found an AR trigger designed to feel like a 1911 trigger…

Wait. Let's back up.

In a world of people being sued by Mossberg for making drop in-triggers, you quickly realize just how many trigger manufacturers there are out there.  So what can a trigger do to set itself out from the rest? It's a question many of you have likely asked. Let's take a look at what one Canadian company did.

Trigger Tech didn't begin making dr0p-ins or even trigger parts for firearms. They originally set out to fix something that feels even worse — the crossbow trigger. Crossbow triggers are notoriously bad. Most range from barely tolerable to something Guglielmo Embriaco would recognize.

The company was born out of a what if and a, well we got time to fill so we might as well build something.  The particulars of their technology was developed by Mats Lipowski (Master Engineer) along with his friend (and design engineer) Greg Baniak.  However, making a good thing doesn't do much for you unless you have someone who knows how to sell it. Thus the third piece of the trifecta was their friend and current CEO Frank Gairdner, who brought along some business know how to get things off the ground. 

The three founded TriggerTech.

Back to the original question — we received some of their AR drop-ins,  and a Remington 700 drop in, and set out to see what (if anything) set them apart.

Trigger Tech Adjustable AR-15 Trigger

AR Trigger

The Trigger Tech TT-AR-15 is a two short stage-trigger that comes in curved and straight trigger variants.  You're likely saying, OK yeah that's been done so what? Well, how does about a 1/32″ take up and reset sound to you?  Once the slack is taken up with thisthing, you run into a very definite wall.  Unlike a lot of two stages though, the Trigger Tech's take up (hear that alliteration?) doesn't really have much force to it.  This trigger was designed to feel like that of a 1911.

The trigger really does break like a fine piece of glass. The click of the reset is a bit less noticeable than other triggers, but it's still there. Another short pull and you're going loud again.

Install is as simple as knocking some pins out, loosening the grip so you can move the safety, and popping it in.  The (included) instructions were very clear and concise.  Once it's all in,you have two screws at the rear of the trigger that need to be snugged down (aptly called the Snug-Down Screw), to ensure a good fit inside the trigger group area.  Make sure to grab the other supplied Allen key to adjust your trigger to your desired pull between ~2.5 to 5lbs.  Each little turn of the trigger adjustment screw has an audible click (each roughly 2 ounces) giving you an idea of exactly where you need to go if you have different trigger weights for different events.  The trigger we have is set around the 3.5lb mark measured at the middle of the trigger.  This will seem lower with a straight trigger however, as the further down the trigger you are the more leverage you have, meaning less work.  You will have to travel marginally further, but remember, we're talking about a trigger with take up and reset roughly equivalent to the thickness of a ten pieces of paper.

The only thing that irks me is the use of the word frictionless in their marketing. As a person who struggled through several years of engineering course to wind up with a diploma to hang on the wall for my suffering, I can tell you that genuine frictionless is impossible to achieve. Outside of science fiction that is. It's a minor point more than counterbalanced by the take-up they do achieve, but worth noting.

I am a fan of the straight blade trigger I have. Seating your trigger finger lower on the bar provides more leverage, making the trigger seem a bit lighter then it actually is. The other thing that isn't too shabby is the MSRP: it's $200 USD. I'm not a person who owns thirteen AR lowers and enough uppers to make a modern day version of the Iron Throne, but if I was I'd strongly consider picking up a few more of these.

They do make a non-adjustable version with a 3.5 or 5.5 pound pull depending on the model about $170.

Every person I let try this trigger out is astounded by the light pull and short reset — one of my friends who has only ever fired military triggers actually thought something was wrong with it.

If you look you'll also notice Trigger Tech triggers in such rifles as PGW Defence, Christensen Arms and Surgeon Rifles.  We aren't done with Trigger Tech and will be writing a bit more on their other trigger for the Remington 700 at a later date, we just need to prostitute ourselves out to buy some more .308.  In the mean time head on over to their website, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram to get a better look at things.

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