Should I change a trigger on new Rifle?

[Thirsty Traveler]

Just picked up my S&W M&P 15, 5.56/223
I also purchased a Geissele 2 stage trigger upgrade from PSA on an Easter sale. I haven’t shot the firearm yet. Would it be advisable to break in the firearm with the original trigger first, or just go ahead and change it out? I broke in my Kel Tec Sub2K with 200 rounds first, before I did the trigger upgrade. Just wondering.

TT

 

[Rodan]

It won't matter in regard to 'breaking-in' the rifle.

About the only reason to leave the stock trigger in until test firing is if there are any problems and it needs to go back to S&W. You'd need to swap the trigger back out before sending it in. And they'd probably blame whatever the issue was on the trigger.

 

[Peak53]

Shoot first ... ask questions later

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Shoot first ... ask questions later

Then... Let God sort them out.

Cheers!

P.S. If you swap out 1st you will then have an unused mil-spec trigger (and not a particulary shabby one, either)...

 

[TJm15.38]

Giessele makes great triggers for AR. I built an AR completely in 2019 and had originally installed a single stage Spike's Tactical milspec fire control group. I shot the rifle with the standard trigger for test-firing, sighting in and gas block tuning purposes. Then, a couple of years down the road, I bought a G2S Giessele and installed it. It's the best trigger I have on an AR. I guess I would say shoot the rifle some and see how satisfied you are with the accuracy of the rifle and the pull of the standard trigger.

Attached is a photo of the results on the range at 100 yards with the G2S trigger installed. The rifle was very good before installing the trigger upgrade; the new trigger just tightened up the groups a bit.

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

Thanks everyone. I guess I’m treating this post more like a pole. I’m leaning towards running a few hundred rounds through it first. 1, to make sure it’s functional out of the box and 2nd, I think I’d appreciate the upgrade even more!

But please, keep the comments coming!

Thanks y’all

TT

 

[ken158]

You will never know the value of the upgrade unless you shoot the factory trigger. Might or might not be worth it…

 

[Imissedagain]

I'd run a mag or two with the OEM trigger then try the upgrade trigger.
Whether you shoot factory or your own loadings, use the appropriate bullets for the Smith's twist rate.

Always nice to put a high power scope on and see how the rifle shoots.
We keep a Weaver T36 around for those fun chores.

 

[bamashooter]

Might as well change it now. Oddly, the best factory trigger I've ever had on several ARs and my 15-22 was in fact, the one on my 15-22. Smooth, consistent, a low 4lbs. I changed it to a now older HiperFire/Hipertouch 24C model. Pull is 1lb. more or less.

 

[Hair Trigger]

Just picked up my S&W M&P 15, 5.56/223
I also purchased a Geissele 2 stage trigger upgrade from PSA on an Easter sale. I haven’t shot the firearm yet. Would it be advisable to break in the firearm with the original trigger first, or just go ahead and change it out? I broke in my Kel Tec Sub2K with 200 rounds first, before I did the trigger upgrade. Just wondering.

TT

I'd run 5-10 magazine loads through it to make sure the rest of the rifle runs well, then change it out. Don't know which 2-stage you got from Geissele, but I believe you'll like it.....a lot. I have a High-Speed National Match DMR 2-stage trigger of his in my rifle, it's awesome.

 

[BRL40]

I would say the choice is yours but you already have the trigger so why waste the ammo.

Maybe 10 rounds if it would make you feel better, but you can get the same trigger feel result by dry firing anyway so...

 

[Thirsty Traveler]

I would say the choice is yours but you already have the trigger so why waste the ammo.

Maybe 10 rounds if it would make you feel better, but you can get the same trigger feel result by dry firing anyway so...

I sorta agree with ya, but dry firing and having recoil while firing, to me, doesn’t feel the same. I have too much going through my brain when live firing, just makes it difficult to compare the trigger. I also like the fact of seeing if the factory setup has any issues first. So I’ve decided to shoot first and upgrade afterwards!

Thanks everyone! But I still don’t mind the comments.

TT

 

[Hair Trigger]

So I’ve decided to shoot first and upgrade afterwards!

It will certainly make the difference between triggers stand out more when you do change them. Just going from a single stage to a two-stage makes a big difference in feel.

 

[BRL40]

OK story time!

I bought my first ever used AR at a gun show during the '94 gun ban era, it had an old SGW lower (pre Olympic Arms) and came with a JP Enterprises single stage trigger already installed.

It was a pretty good trigger, but when I added an Olympic Arms (.223 chambered) Fluted Stainless Ultra Match (SUM) barrel, and my reloads consisting of a 52 grain Hornady BTHP Match bullet, in front of some weight of IMR powder, I could put 5 shots into a standard postage stamp sized group at 100 yards benchrested! (approx. 1/2" MOA)

That is when I fell in love with the AR-15 platform!

I let a friend talk me into trading that rifle in on an Armalite AR-10, which turned out to be too heavy to pack around in the woods all day, so I bought a Sig Sauer M-400 and added a Jewell two stage trigger.

That was one seriously sweet trigger...once you figured out how to set it up, but it would not work with my CMMG dedicated .22 upper, so I sold that and got a Geissele SSA-E two stage.

Sold all that and currently own a Ruger AR-556 with that Rise Aamament single stage trigger pictured in my previous post.

My point is: I wouldn't waste any more than 10 rounds discovering how lousy a stock mil-spec. trigger is before installing a better trigger that you already have sitting there...YMMV.

 

[Eric300]

I have a box full of Mil Spec trigger groups. One of the first 'upgrades' I do on any of my AR's is install a quality aftermarket trigger. There's plenty out there to choose from. Single Stage or Double Stage, flat or curved is up to you. 3#-4# trigger is perfect. Expect to spend at least $250+ for a decent trigger.

 

[pistolpete10]

Shoot it first to see if it works, you may need to send it back.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I doubt if the majority of shooters can do any better than the factory trigger. Those that can do better will see a benefit.

If it shoots fine with the factory trigger why change it? You’re only lightening your wallet and fattening the wallet of the aftermarket trigger maker. If you’re capable of shooting better than what’s built in by the factory then go for it.

 

[reddog81]

I doubt if the majority of shooters can do any better than the factory trigger. Those that can do better will see a benefit.

But just about everyone will shoot better with a better trigger. It doesn’t make the gun any more accurate, it just makes it easier to shoot accurately.

Give a new shooter a heavy gritty trigger with lots of travel and I guarantee they will improve with just swapping out for a nice trigger.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I would fire a couple mags just to check function incase there is a mechanical problem but then install your upgraded trigger. Why waste your money and ammo shooting hundreds of rounds. As soon as you upgrade the trigger your groups will change for the better. If they don’t then there is a gun problem somewhere.

 

[Oldsalt66]

There's no need to break in that rifle, but I'd function check it by running a few magazines through it and then swap out the trigger.