M&P 15-22 Trigger Upgrade

RANCH HOUND · Jun 25, 2020

I'm fixing up an M&P 15-22 for my son. Wanted to get a solid upgraded trigger and charging handle to start. Any recommendations on these items? Keeping a budget in mind, some articles have me spending over 3 times what I paid for the rifle! Thank you.

the hangman · Jun 26, 2020

Ranch Hound: I suggest you take a look at a pair of triggers made by ALG Defense. ALG is owned by the wife of Bill Geissele - one of the best trigger manufacturers in the world. The ALG triggers are very affordable, yet much, much better than the stock trigger. The two ALG triggers are the Quality Mil-Spec Trigger (QMS) $49 and the Advanced Combat Trigger (ACT) $69. The QMS and ACT are slightly lighter than standard triggers but are much smoother. There are a couple other triggers out there in the $100 range that are pretty good.
Every single AR that I own (I won't put it in writing how many I have) has either ALG or Geissele triggers - I like them that much.

Eric300 · Jun 27, 2020

Good advice on the ALG triggers. They are way better than any factory AR trigger, but, not nearly as good as higher end ($200-$300) triggers. I run mostly Wilson Combat SS TTU 3G triggers in my 5.56 AR's. In my 15-22 I have a Rise Armament RA-140 SST flat trigger (also come in curved) 'drop-in' for around $120.00. You can find them on sale every so often for under $100.00. Real decent trigger for the price. Approx. 3-3.5# pulls, zero take-up/over-travel, and super fast re-set. They also come with anti-walk pins as an added bonus.

AS for an upgrade to the CH, and I assume you want an ambi CH, there are several to chose from. Next Level, NDZ, Tacticool, Ranier, just to name a few. The best deal that I have found was from Radian Weapons. I got the package deal that included the ambi CH and ambi selector/safety swithc(s). Both are well made products. $75.00 for the package.

Any AR build can turn out to be a money pit. Good luck with your 'budget' idea....lol.

Kenneth07ex · Jun 30, 2020

RANCH HOUND said:
I'm fixing up an M&P 15-22 for my son. Wanted to get a solid upgraded trigger and charging handle to start. Any recommendations on these items? Keeping a budget in mind, some articles have me spending over 3 times what I paid for the rifle! Thank you.

I went through the same dilemma with mine. Turns out, that I was asking the wrong question. What I should have wondered about. Is, do I want a single, or a two stage trigger.

So I spent quite a bit of money on a single stage hyperfire. It's a very smooth trigger, with an adjustable pull weight. I like it well enough, but decided to get a two stage Gieselle. That was the best decision for me. If I'd only known that I actually prefer the two stage, I could've saved a lot of money. Turns out that I really don't care for a super light trigger pull in a single stage.

RANCH HOUND · Jul 1, 2020

Much appreciated!

Thank you all for the replies and advice. I'm definitley a rookie at working on firearms and the learning curve is steep. Your input helps a great deal, God Bless.

Gunslinger808 · Jul 4, 2020

At $80, I’d go with the LaRue MBT line of triggers.

HardToHandle · Jul 4, 2020

Good recommendations so far.

I have tried several types of triggers but I am not snob (a term used with endearment).

ALG triggers seem a good value and have the ACT. I have a similar knock off from Palmetto State Arms that is coated in a slick Silver coating that is even less costly. That said, the LaRue MBS In a flat bow would be something I would try if I was looking to replace my present triggers.

wh20crazy · Jul 12, 2020

I put a CMC drop in 2.5lbs. Competition trigger in mine. It cost more than others posted here, but I like it. It is much better than stock.

Be sure to put blue loc-tite on the screws or you'll shoot them lose. If you do lose them, CMC will send you another set of pins and screws. Ask me how I know. Lol

Kenneth07ex · Jul 12, 2020

wh20crazy said:
I put a CMC drop in 2.5lbs. Competition trigger in mine. It cost more than others posted here, but I like it. It is much better than stock.

Be sure to put blue loc-tite on the screws or you'll shoot them lose. If you do lose them, CMC will send you another set of pins and screws. Ask me how I know. Lol

Trigger pull weight is all a matter of personal preference. I personally don't care for the extremely light pull weight. Opting instead for a two stage trigger, that gives the illusion of light pull weight. In both cases, the light pull, as well as the two stage. The shot groups tightened up noticeably.

But you mentioned the pins. So I thought I would mention, that I've installed the KNS anti walk pins, on both my 15/22s. They're meant to prevent the pins from walking out. But I've never had that problem.

Instead, I find them extremely useful for a trigger finger rest. They fall in exactly the right place, and angle to comfortably index my trigger finger. Keeping it out of the trigger guard unless you're ready to pull the trigger is essential. And these just make it that much easier, by giving tactile feedback. Just one of those happy accidental consequences. I put them on my rifle, along with the first new trigger. I immediately thought wow, I like this. So I added them to the other rifle.

Kp321 · Jul 13, 2020

Not all drop in triggers have strong enough hammer springs to be 100% reliable with all 22 ammo. Takes more power to set off rimfire ammo than center fire. I am running CMC triggers in all of my AR’s and have had 100% reliability. They are not adjustable but have optional pull weights down to 2.5#. I am running 3.5# in all of mine.

Kenneth07ex · Jul 13, 2020

Kp321 said:
Not all drop in triggers have strong enough hammer springs to be 100% reliable with all 22 ammo. Takes more power to set off rimfire ammo than center fire. I am running CMC triggers in all of my AR’s and have had 100% reliability. They are not adjustable but have optional pull weights down to 2.5#. I am running 3.5# in all of mine.

Funny you should mention that. One of my aftermarket triggers, is the hyperfire. It has three pull weight options. Accomplished by three different sets of springs. The lighter you go, the harder it hits. I was a little bit surprised by this.

Ranger514 · Jan 4, 2021

My 15-22 is kinda particular when it comes to ammo. I've experienced failures to fire with some standard .22 LR. Since I switched to CCI AR-Tactical, I've had no issues. Now, however, I want to replace my stock, heavy and gritty S&W trigger, but am concerned that some smoother, lighter trigger upgrades don't have enough hammer spring power to reliably discharge .22 primers. I'd like to be able to get a trigger upgrade made for the 15-22 that reliably fires regular .22 LR. Anyone have recommedations?

Jon651 · Jan 4, 2021

I'll second the recommendation on the Rise Armament RA-140 SST trigger (flat or curved), especially if you are budget-minded. You can often find it for <$100 with just a little searching. The only issue is the anti-walk pins that are included are the correct length for a standard AR lower, but the lower for the M&P15-22 needs slightly longer pins because it uses thicker walls due to it being made from composite plastic versus metal.

The M&P15-22 will accept any trigger meant for a MIL-SPEC AR platform, but the trigger pins and charging handle are not interchangeable with MIL-SPEC components. You must ensure that when you are looking for those two pieces they specifically state it will fit the M&P15-22.

bamashooter · Jan 5, 2021

Some of the triggers mentioned are gtg. Even the ALG is acceptable when compared to a bone-stock mil-spec type. But to categorize it as "one of the best trigger manufacturers in the world" is laughaable. I'd put it in the same class as the PSA / EPT. If you get a good one, it will surpass a mil-spec but that's about it. The RA is at the bottom of better aftermarket cassette-style triggers. They're ok for entry-level. Regardless of trigger assembly, make sure your pins are the extended versions for the plastic 15-22. Radian offers good CHs. Regarding charging handles, unless there's an ambi need, I just can't see the expense of an "upgrade" for this little .22. But of course it's your call.

M&P 15-22 Trigger Upgrade

RANCH HOUND

the hangman

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Eric300

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Kenneth07ex

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RANCH HOUND

Gunslinger808

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HardToHandle

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wh20crazy

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Kenneth07ex

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Kp321

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Kenneth07ex

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Ranger514

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Jon651

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bamashooter

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