What upgraded Trigger Groups are we using/who is using them?

Joined
Sep 13, 2011
Messages
267
Reaction score
91
Location
Central Western Florida
Hi all-

I have thought about it and it seems (Please correct me if I'm wrong here) that there is not really any 'upgrades' you can do to the 15-22 gun-wise (Or Gunsmith-wise?) - That is, I mean there isn't like real performance upgrades to make for the rifle part of the rifle-

Let me try to get that out better. So on my Remington 597 (I have a long gun version but I imagine its the same for the tactical versions of the 597) you can (and I have) put in the Volquartsen 'Exact Edge' Extractor and the Volquartsen Target Hammer. Not only are these only $20 and $40 parts, they are ABSOLUTELY REVOLUTIONARY when it comes to the rifle and make HUGE performance increases / reliability increases/ arguably accuracy increase due to the better trigger performance and better breaking/squeezability.

but really, there's not much to do for a 15-22 right? I mean, on a real AR you could buy a new bolt carrier group, spend $500 on a diamond coated titanium one if you wanted. the 15-22 uses its own little bolt group. The 15-22 doesn't need a heavy buffer, etc. I am THINKING the only thing is the trigger group.

I am not at all a gunsmith nor knowledgeable on this subject so please bear with me and feel free to (respectfully :=} ) correct me here. The 15-22 takes almost any AR Trigger group according to my reading. so , Who has done it?

I remember thinking about doing it for my Bushmaster 5.56 and people were saying- if you're using your AR for SHTF/HD you wouldnt want a 2 stage trigger, it's more for target shooting, is that right? IS there a 'tactical' 2-stage trigger or even a 1 stage trigger?

I remember reading the info on the Remington R-15, and it was a company VP explaining how the R-15 and R-25 *are NOT* just Bushmaster and DPMS AR's with color and brand names on them . And the gent was respectful in his explanation he understands the rumor but its not true, and the R-15 was purposely built ground up, and also, it had mentioned it had a really good, purposely built, 1 Stage trigger for hunting and tactical applications but target accuracy as well. Maybe that would be good for the 15-22?

I am using my 15-22 as a general purpose, .22LR 'combat carbine' and it's going to be ready for SHTF cause all my portfolio is ready for SHTF. Just smart in my humble opinion. I would probably take my 15-22 over both my scoped long rifle .22LR's (as awesome as they are) because it's so versatile. One of the reasons I've spent so much on it, it's so perfect for many missions. So upgrading the trigger group would be fun and useful for me.

BUT- I am not KNOCKING Those of who have their 15-22's set up like this, but my 15-22 is not decked out for a hunting AR varminter/predator or a target AR. Some ppl have really nice very large , powerful riflescopes, bipods, and the like on theirs, mine is a lightweight compact CQB style. But still, i'd like to take advtange of it's inherent accuracy and I am an upgrader by heart so , if possible, etc.


(And of course, it is not possible to buy the 15-22 performance center components, right? like the barrel? Nor is there a set of upgraded 15-22 componets? I know it's not gonna be the 10/22 but arguably the 15-22 has been the most popular firearm since Jan 10 SOMEONE will have to take advtange of all us owners to make some stuff.)

Thanks for your time, respectfuuly, Scrapmaster.;)
 
Register to hide this ad
Buy the JP spring set(yellow) and follow their instructions. You can lightly touch up the sear with a mild(Flizt for example)compound. Take care that your not actually cutting into the metal. Put the compound on the sear, make sure the hammer won't hit the front of the lower, sit down, watch TV, and cycle the FCG 30-40 times. When you're done make sure you clean off the compound thoroughly and lube it. I use a moly paste in the sear components. There is also a set-screw take-up mod but do so at you and yours own risk. Chuck and a few others point out that you could make the FCG unsafe by doing this and I can't dispute their reasoning. However, I did these things to my MOE and it improved the FCG greatly.

Cost: Under $15
Huge improvement: Priceless.

Hobie
 
Hobie I'm very interrested in this and quite thankfulp but- could i beg your pardon for more details?

I'm much more knowledgeable about the latest tactics for ninja-flipping and bedroom-door-stomping while carrying your 15-22 and storming the backayrd while maneouvering thru the neighborhood tactically and silently.... and of course I'm a picatinny rails expert- but lots less knowledgable about gunsmithing so- you say this is just some springs ? Rather than a new trigger group, plz explain if u have some time.
 
I'm using JP Enterprise E Z Trigger kit ,that I installed myself. I'm no gunsmith . Its little expensive at 250.00 from Midway . Its set up with about 3 lb trigger pull with very short reset . For me my 15-22 strictly a range gun to have fun with . I used the dvd ,it came with the Trigger Kit . Go to JP Enterprises web site ,look under fire control ,watch there video . If nothing else its good information about AR triggers set up . If you are not sure then I would use a Gunsmith . Not much harder than installing new springs .
 
I have used the cmmg two stage trigger out of my m4. It works good. The smith trigger in my m4 was a lot better than the one that it started with.
 
I'm using JP Enterprise E Z Trigger kit ,that I installed myself. I'm no gunsmith . Its little expensive at 250.00 from Midway . Its set up with about 3 lb trigger pull with very short reset . For me my 15-22 strictly a range gun to have fun with . I used the dvd ,it came with the Trigger Kit . Go to JP Enterprises web site ,look under fire control ,watch there video . If nothing else its good information about AR triggers set up . If you are not sure then I would use a Gunsmith . Not much harder than installing new springs .

Are you using the small or large pin size trigger group
 
McCormick 1 piece drop in. incredibly easy and no-fuss, no-muss. it is in my Bushmaster M4 mini Y-comp.
 
Hobie I'm very interrested in this and quite thankfulp but- could i beg your pardon for more details?

I'm much more knowledgeable about the latest tactics for ninja-flipping and bedroom-door-stomping while carrying your 15-22 and storming the backayrd while maneouvering thru the neighborhood tactically and silently.... and of course I'm a picatinny rails expert- but lots less knowledgable about gunsmithing so- you say this is just some springs ? Rather than a new trigger group, plz explain if u have some time.

Trigger Spring Kit AR-15 3-1/2 lb Reduced Power

These are the springs. My MOE had a gritty, heavy trigger when I got it. I read about this conversion somewhere on this forum. I had already read about the "15 minute trigger job" but wasn't too keen on clipping off a piece of a spring to make it work, so I ordered the spring kit, followed JP's instructions and it got much better. Then I read about putting a allen head set-screw up through the same bolt hole that the bolt that holds the grip on to reduce the travel in the trigger. This where you can possibly get yourself in trouble as the set-screw actually pushes up on the tail of the trigger. You could over-do it and have the gun fire when you don't expect it. I approached it slowly until the tail just touches the safety then backed it off just a bit. The safety still functions as designed but it does shorten the pull to break. My reasoning, flawed perhaps is that you can do the same thing when on safety just by pulling the trigger back until it touches the safety. I then (with weapon clear)beat up the gun. I slapped it, smacked the butt on the floor, pulled the trigger on safety, called it bad names and the hammer never fell. Also I've had zero issues with the hammer not resetting. I've fired about 1500 rounds without anything strange happening. I love the feel of the trigger. BUT
please do not do this mod(set-screw) if you're the least bit uncomfortable with it.Plus, if you do it, start out with just one round in the mag, then 2 if all goes well.

I'm not a person that believes everything cheaper has got to be better, but spending $300 on a whiz bang FCG for a fun gun that cost me $500 doesn't resonate with me either.

Please oh please be very careful with the set-screw mod. The spring/polish is just fine though. You can always get the super FCG down the road if you want.

Regards,

Hobie
 
Try the free "15 minute AR15 trigger job." Works very well. As good as the JP yellow spring set in my trials.

Any fire control group that works in a standard AR15 should work in the M&P15-22. Putting even a $120 trigger in a $380 rifle, though, makes little sense to me economically. And we're still shooting 2 MOA ammo at best.

Standard AR15s (and the M&P15-22) don't have "big pins." Those were a Colt gimmick years ago to prevent using M16 parts.

-- Chuck
 
I am not an expert on the FCG nor am I a expert marksman, just the average target shooter/plinker. I was not happy with the stock 15-22 trigger pull so I did a lot of research here on the forum and finally made the decision to order and install the JP yellow spring set. After the install per the instructions, I was off to the range. I found this mod. to be extremely helpfull as the trigger pull was brought down to a 3.6lbs. with a crisp break :D With the cost of the springs & shipping it is the the best $15 I have ever spent, WOULD RECOMMEND HIGHLY!!
 
15 minute trigger job or a $10 JP Enterprises 3.5lb spring upgrade should honestly be the most you should do on this rifle in terms of economic value for your hard earned money.

But if you seriously feel like burning a hole in your wallet for a good two-stage, the most I'd spend is $170 for a Geissele SSA Trigger. It's still considered a milspec trigger but 2lb first stage and a carrot-like 2.5lb second stage break. I don't see the point for true match triggers on what is essentially a battle rifle trainer/plinker. The only way I would see spending more is if you're attempting to clone your 5.56 AR15 build so when you transition your trigger habits remain consistent (in which case you should just get whatever your AR15 has and problem solved).
 
Jard 2 lbs single with KNS-pins. You need a good gun, so you can make it good. Total cost fo you maybe around 200$ only which is nothing if you can enjoy shooting next years.
 
Just ordered a set of JP yellows......thanks for the info guys.



Jard 2 lbs single with KNS-pins. You need a good gun, so you can make it good. Total cost fo you maybe around 200$ only which is nothing if you can enjoy shooting next years.

So the factory trigger makes it a "bad gun".
 
Some time back I settled on the Jard non-adjustable triggers for ARs with springs for a 3# pull, which worked out quite well. The original triggers were pretty heavy and creepy, and the difference was like night and day.

When I got the 15-22 I planned on installing the same trigger in that which would cost around $120. However the .22s trigger wasn't bad at all even though it weighed in at 6 pounds 9.5 ozs. Most of my shooting is timed drills from 50 yards in; using a reduced target at 50 yards, from low ready in 3.0 sec. I found that the factory trigger and pull weren't a handicap--and poor shots were ME, not the trigger.

Just to keep my mind and my options open, though, I ordered the JP yellow spring set and installed it. The pull weight dropped to 5 pounds, 6.5 ounces. But on the first trip to the range, using my usual Federal bulk ammo, I started getting light firing pin hits and misfires. And I really couldn't tell any difference in the pull; so I swapped back to the stock springs and called it good.

I might just be lucky in getting a decent, if slightly heavy pull out of the box. If I thought I really needed it I would have installed a Jard like that on the 5.56 rifle on this, but there turns out not to be a great need for it in my case. It's said that pull weight is very secondary to the quality of the pull, and this may be a case of that.
 
Just ordered a set of JP yellows......thanks for the info guys.

Got it installed today. Time for some testing. It doesn't feel that different, but it is a little lighter. That's all I was looking for.

Hopefully I don't have any issues like bat guano did. I don't want to kick myself for not following the "if it aint broke don't fix it" idea.

Thanks again guys.
 
Back
Top