2 Stage vs Single Stage triggers

Rastoff · Dec 17, 2017

I don't understand 2 stage triggers. I guess the idea is to help with precision shots when necessary. The first stage is to give you a little prep time and the second stage is to allow easy let off for long/precision shots. When shooting quickly, think controlled pairs, you don't really notice the first stage.

I have always preferred single stage. I like that there is just one "feel" to the trigger. A good trigger, even if it's 5lbs, is still easy to use for precision if your fundamentals are correct.

I do have a 2 stage in my X95. It was the only type available for that gun in an after market trigger. Mine is a Geissele and is very nice. It literally feels like a decent trigger with a lot of creep. I don't really see the advantage.

Which do you like? Why?

agksimon · Dec 17, 2017

Like anything else, time is money. This is why Mil-Spec triggers are gritty. PROPERLY honing them smooth, not removing more than a tenth of a thousandth or two, takes a little time, but produces a dramatic improvement in smoothness and trigger pull weight. Add a JP reliability spring set and your 6-10 pound trigger is now a very smooth, crisp 4-4.5 pounds. I've done dozens of them and have a lot of happy shooting buddies.

Rastoff · Dec 17, 2017

So....do you like single or 2 stage?

WVSig · Dec 17, 2017

A good 2 stage trigger lets you prep the trigger when you need to take a precise longer range or even shorter range shot. You take the first stage out of the trigger say 2.5 lbs and then you can feel the "wall". From that point all you have to do is break the 2lbs remaining which will be about half of a good single stage trigger.

When you are banging away at short range man of minute targets you can simply pull through the wall and you have what is essentially a single stage 4.5lb trigger.

This theoretically allows you a more precise long distance accurate trigger at distance while still having a 4.5lb trigger for up close serious business.

Now take up is a very subjective thing in both rifle and pistol shooting. As is reset. In the end it comes down to preference and training. One is not objectively better than the other. Which ever you choose shoot enough so you can run that trigger effectively.

Some people have trained themselves to prep a trigger and run and gun with a 2 stage. Others have learned to run and gun with a controlled slap. Each technique requires or demands a different trigger style. A good trained shooter can get good results with either style but there will always be a preference. IMHO.

OKFC05 · Dec 17, 2017

I'm an old shooter who learned when 2 stage was the norm, and the final shoot off was sometimes driving roofing nails with the shot.
The 2 stage feels natural to me, and also shooting revolvers, pulling straight through when in a hurry is no challenge.

Depends on what you know and were trained to do.
Learned on a single shot and the 2 stage is my friend.

vonn · Dec 17, 2017

Most military triggers I have experienced over a large number of mil-surplus weapons are 2 stage triggers of a somewhat heavy pull weight and I believe that is to prevent accidental/unwanted discharges by the troops to who they are issued. Once you learn them they are sufficient for combat accuracy but for precision shooting a single stage trigger may contribute to improved accuracy. I advise caution on using very light single stage triggers for anything besides bench type target shooting for safety reasons.

WR Moore · Dec 17, 2017

The double stage trigger does have an application for service use, as Vonn noted above. The first stage allows a user to acquire the trigger under stress, possibly with touch impeded by gloves or cold, without causing an inappropriate loud noise. The rather robust trigger weight also helps.

The first time you stack up for an entry-unless you're tail end Charlie-you gain a whole new appreciation for service weight/2 stage triggers. Also body armor.

agksimon · Dec 17, 2017

Rastoff said:
So....do you like single or 2 stage?

I use a single stage, Mil-Specs that I've reworked myself. At 4 pounds, they work great for 2 gun shoots or change to a higher power scope and bench-rest it. I don't think I'd really gain anything with a 2 stage, 2 pound pull trigger. Grip exercisers help, they really do.

WVSig · Dec 17, 2017

vonn said:
Most military triggers I have experienced over a large number of mil-surplus weapons are 2 stage triggers of a somewhat heavy pull weight and I believe that is to prevent accidental/unwanted discharges by the troops to who they are issued. Once you learn them they are sufficient for combat accuracy but for precision shooting a single stage trigger may contribute to improved accuracy. I advise caution on using very light single stage triggers for anything besides bench type target shooting for safety reasons.

What do you consider very light?

vonn · Dec 17, 2017

Two pounds and less would be light in most situations in my opinion.

WVSig · Dec 17, 2017

WR Moore said:
The double stage trigger does have an application for service use, as Vonn noted above. The first stage allows a user to acquire the trigger under stress, possibly with touch impeded by gloves or cold, without causing an inappropriate loud noise. The rather robust trigger weight also helps.

The first time you stack up for an entry-unless you're tail end Charlie-you gain a whole new appreciation for service weight/2 stage triggers. Also body armor.

This is why I like the SSA and the MBT-2S, with the heavier spring at 5-5.5lbs, for a duty gun. It lets me prep the trigger when I want to shoot a 2lb trigger but allows me some take up before taking a shot.

Shooting steel or paper targets at speed controlled slapping on a square range is not the same at stacking up. I have never had to do that but I intellectually understand the difference.

webfarmer · Dec 17, 2017

While I understand the benefits of two stage triggers for precision shooting, I choose single stage drop in triggers and my choice has been Wilson Combat TTU's for my AR's. Love the feel of them, simplicity and that added built in drop safety. Nothing to not like about them in my book except maybe the expense. Looks like I'm not the only one

Culina · Dec 17, 2017

Well, some shooting disciplines like Service Rifle competitions require a minimum 4.5# trigger, so you can do a 2.5# first stage then a 2# second stage for 4.5# total. Once you take up the first stage, the second stage feels like a single stage trigger anyway. For long range shooting, this is way easier to shoot than a single stage 4.5# break.

Flash_80 · Dec 18, 2017

I had a Black Rain single stage in one AR and bought a Geissele SSA-E 2 stage for my other AR earlier this year. Within 5 mins of installing the Geissele, I had already gone in and ordered another to replace the Black Rain single stage, and it went on Ebay an hour later. Now that was my preference. I felt that 2 stage gave me better control since I could takeup and feel the wall better. Before that, I had no experience with a good 2 stage. All of my shooting is backyard stuff, and generally for somewhat precision. If I were doing 3 gun or any kind of speed shooting, I'd have a single stage most likely.

ChattanoogaPhil · Dec 18, 2017

For offhand shooting there's a practical limit to a lighter weight single stage trigger. Around 4lbs is generally considered the threshold. Much lighter than 4lbs increases the likelihood of the shooter inadvertently firing before ready. A two stage trigger, while sometimes having an overall heavier trigger pull than some single stage triggers, provides a short lighter second stage at the expense of suffering a long first stage to help avoid inadvertently shooting before ready.

I shoot offhand with a 4lb single stage to my satisfaction. So... I don't care for a long first stage to chase after a lighter second stage. Tennessee has a mild climate so I have no need for a heavier single stage or the long pull of a two stage for winter gloved shooting.

Generally speaking, I think if a guy gets ahold of quality aftermarket trigger, single or two stage, he'll likely think it's wonderful in comparison to a typical gritty, stacking, heavy GI trigger. Having the opportunity to try several different aftermarket triggers allowed me to find what type trigger well suited me. My primary AR has a Wilson Combat TTU. I recently purchased a LaRue MBT-(two stage) for the wife to try on her AR. Like I said in another thread... I wouldn't waste ammo with it. But more importantly, it will be what the wife thinks that counts.

vonn · Dec 18, 2017

Happy wife,happy life! I have spent a buck or two on both types of triggers over the years and can live with either type as long as they have a clean repeatable break. Practice with attention to the basics works for me.

ChattanoogaPhil · Dec 18, 2017

vonn said:
Happy wife,happy life! I have spent a buck or two on both types of triggers over the years and can live with either type as long as they have a clean repeatable break. Practice with attention to the basics works for me.

Right. While different designs can be inherently better suited for particular applications, overall operator skills and fitness is key. Long past my prime... this reality grows more annoying every year.

Shoo2tr · Dec 18, 2017

I like both but...

All of my AR's in .556, .223 Wylde, .300 BO, and 9mm do have single stage triggers only and the overwhelming majority have CMC 3.5lb triggers installed.

All my AK-47's have 2 stage triggers. And all the AR47's that I have built have Rock River Arms National Match 2 stage triggers installed (4.5-5lbs). The RRA National Match triggers have excellent hammer velocity and as a result I've never had a single issue with hard primers not firing with this trigger. I have built AR47's in 16, 10.5, and 7.5 inches. The RRA National Match trigger along with the scope I have on the 16 inch version is a very accurate and an excellent hunting set up believe it or not.

To each their own, this is a system I practice and train to and it works for me.

blues7 · Dec 19, 2017

webfarmer said:
While I understand the benefits of two stage triggers for precision shooting, I choose single stage drop in triggers and my choice has been Wilson Combat TTU's for my AR's. Love the feel of them, simplicity and that added built in drop safety. Nothing to not like about them in my book except maybe the expense. Looks like I'm not the only one

You're right about that, friend.

REM 3200 · Dec 19, 2017

webfarmer said:
While I understand the benefits of two stage triggers for precision shooting, I choose single stage drop in triggers and my choice has been Wilson Combat TTU's for my AR's. Love the feel of them, simplicity and that added built in drop safety. Nothing to not like about them in my book except maybe the expense. Looks like I'm not the only one

I also am using a Wilson 4lb. TTU. I can't add any more than what webfarmer,
Blues 7 and ChattanoogaPhil have already said.
It's a great drop-in unit.

2 Stage vs Single Stage triggers

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