Hey, I was wondering if Smith and Wesson put the same triggers in every M&P15 with the exception of the VTACII.. I figure they do, but after playing around with a sport and my sister-in-law's M&P15T, I realized that they seem to be a bit more sloppy than my MOE MID. I'm not sure if it's a different trigger, how the trigger fits in the receiver, or just got lucky and got a decent trigger. Seems to have no take up, crisp break (guessing around 7-7.5lbs), and a crisp positive reset. How much better would getting an aftermarket trigger be (if I get one, I'd still get a single stage "duty" type trigger)?

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Isaiah 43:1-3

My wife owns a very early M&P15 with a trigger similar to the OP's. It breaks crisply at 7lbs even with no take-up. She likes it, so I haven't done anything with it.

I have a M&P15A that came with a trigger with all the worst attributes; heavy, gritty, long take up, inconsistent break, etc. I immediately changed it out with A RRA two stage match trigger, which I prefer. I have a RRA match trigger on one of my hunting AR's and one of my dedicated match guns.

All the triggers on the M&P line of AR15s are the same except for the Viking Tactical which comes with a Geissele. What you are experiencing is the variation you will find in most mass produced AR15s with a GI trigger.

A new trigger, if you did not get lucky and get a good one right out of the box is the best money that you can spend on an AR15. I personally think that 7.5lbs even if its clean is too heavy.

If you want to stick a milspec single stage trigger I would look at ALGs QMS or Advanced Combat Trigger. They will give you a 5.5 lbs trigger. ALG Defense | Custom Triggers & Rails | Where Triggers with Tradition, Value and Regulatory Concerns are of Primary Importance

OR

The BCM PNT which is a high quality milspec trigger with teflon coating. Mine that came in a build kit dropped in at 6.5lbs. I could swap the springs and get it into the 5lb range if I wanted to.

I prefer 2 stage triggers even for defense use. If you pick the right ones they will allow you to prep the trigger and run the gun in a safe manner.

I like the Geissele G2s and the SSA Triggers. Geissele Triggers

I also really like the LaRue Tactical MBT. They are available for $125 if you are willing to wait 2-3 weeks. They even go on sale sometimes for as low as $99. http://www.larue.com/larue-tactical-mbt-2s-trigger

The LaRue is my go to these days! A lot of people like the RRA 2 stage triggers. There have been a lot of reports with high round count guns where the RRA drops the second stage. I am not sure if that his been corrected.

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Use should dictate gear!

I agree with @WVSig, I've learned I like a 2 stage trigger much more so than a single stage, even for a defensive gun. My go to right now is the Geissele G2S, pretty much the same as the SSA but more reasonable.

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Still carrying my S&W 642

The G2S are a great trigger. They can be had for around $100 on sale.

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Use should dictate gear!

I have an early production M&P15OR and the trigger in mine was exactly what you describe. Next to no take up with a smooth and very clean/predictable break. It's MILSPEC so yes probably around 7lbs though.

Here's my opinion based on recent builds I have done: I just recently purchased a few CMC 3.5lb single stage triggers @ $130 each for a couple of my better quality builds (including my M&P15).
Since my M&P trigger is a good MILSPEC trigger I moved it into a budget PSA pistol build that had a terribly gritty and heavy trigger and it is a really nice improvement to that budget build/truck gun.
A few weeks back PSA had their polished EPT triggers on sale for $29 which is a really nice deal if you don't want to drop over $100 on a trigger upgrade. Personally, I'm sure I'll be looking for more CMC triggers in the future but it's nice to know sometimes you can save money recycling a decent MILSPEC trigger like what my M&P had into another build. Seriously though I could not be more pleased with the CMC 3.5lb single stage drop-in triggers. For the longest time I did not want to justify the cost of a good AR15 trigger upgrade, now I wish I would not have waited so long and my groups attest to this.

The mil-spec range for AR triggers is 5-8.5 lbs. You can live with heavy if it's clean, you just have to learn to preload the trigger by a few pounds so the final pull is 3 ish pounds.

The ALS enhanced trigger parts are less than $100.

I prefer triggers in the 4.5-5# range and they tend to have a better feel through out the trigger pull. Heavy enough for in the field but light enough for the range.

That being said, a good shooter can make a rough mil spec trigger work and the rifle will shoot better than most shooters can. But a good trigger makes it easier. You can get a decent trigger without spending a lot of money to do it. ie, the ALG mentioned above and many others. A good buy for the money.

A Giesslie is sweet, I have one and love it but not every rifle needs a $200 trigger either.