single stage vs. double stage
- Thread starter bner21
- Start date
Bucksquirrely
New member
I cant answer specificaly for the AR platform,or even recent set triggers, but when I think of a 2 stage trigger I think of a set trigger, whereby you have two stages of trigger pull. The last gun I shot with a set trigger was a CZ in .270, to set the trigger you pushed forward on the trigger whereupon it engaged its second stage with a very light pull( probably around 6-8 ozs or less) . We all assume a light and crisp trigger pull will increase accuracy, and it does in a single stage trigger, but with a set trigger, at least with ones from the 1970's and earlier, it increases lock time. Benchrest shooters and the like have long strived to minimize lock time therefore reducing the amount of error in each shot. I dont own any rifles with a set trigger and probably never will, but not because I think they will degrade accuracy. Keep in mind this is mainly pertaining to bench and competition shooting. In a hunting situation(which is what a majority of my guns are used for) I would rather have a well tuned single stage trigger so I'm not fumbling around trying to get a set trigger engaged, but that just personal preference.
A buddy of mine has an AR with a RRA 2 stage. I personally do not like it. I could be because I am not used to it. He, on the other hand loves the trigger.
His requires no "setting" meaning you do not have to push it forward. It has two stages to the pull. First a very light pull in which the trigger travels quite a ways. Then it gets stiff to about 3lbs before it breaks. Try to find someone who has one and try it out. You may like it. You may not.
His requires no "setting" meaning you do not have to push it forward. It has two stages to the pull. First a very light pull in which the trigger travels quite a ways. Then it gets stiff to about 3lbs before it breaks. Try to find someone who has one and try it out. You may like it. You may not.
IDBob
New member
A two stage military trigger was a safety measure. The first stage was an easy slack movement with some tension before the trigger would fire. The second stage was the actual trigger pull. You see this type of trigger on most all of the military guns used from world war 1 on.
The single stage trigger is what comes on most sporting rifles world wide today. There is no slack and when the right amount of pressure is applied to the trigger the rifle fires. Most folks that hunt prefer the standard single stage trigger.
A set trigger is completely different. There are several types of set triggers. The single set trigger such as on the CZ bolt rifles is a standard single stage trigger and is pushed forward to make it a set trigger. The standard trigger can be set in the 1.5 to 5 pound range and when pushed forward to set it can be set in the 4 to 12 ounce range. The other type of set trigger you often see on European guns and many muzzle loaders is the double set trigger. It consists of two triggers. One works as a standard trigger in the 2 to 5 pound range and the other when pulled sets the standard trigger to work in the ounce range. If you saw the movie Quigly Down Under he had a double set trigger on the single shot rifle he was using.
Triggers like the Canjur single set and the CZ's single set are examples of modern single set triggers. Kipplinger also makes single set triggers for the Ruger #1's and 3's and several different bolt guns.
The single stage trigger is what comes on most sporting rifles world wide today. There is no slack and when the right amount of pressure is applied to the trigger the rifle fires. Most folks that hunt prefer the standard single stage trigger.
A set trigger is completely different. There are several types of set triggers. The single set trigger such as on the CZ bolt rifles is a standard single stage trigger and is pushed forward to make it a set trigger. The standard trigger can be set in the 1.5 to 5 pound range and when pushed forward to set it can be set in the 4 to 12 ounce range. The other type of set trigger you often see on European guns and many muzzle loaders is the double set trigger. It consists of two triggers. One works as a standard trigger in the 2 to 5 pound range and the other when pulled sets the standard trigger to work in the ounce range. If you saw the movie Quigly Down Under he had a double set trigger on the single shot rifle he was using.
Triggers like the Canjur single set and the CZ's single set are examples of modern single set triggers. Kipplinger also makes single set triggers for the Ruger #1's and 3's and several different bolt guns.
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OldTurtle
Moderator - Deceased
I have both triggers in my ARs... I prefer my single stage in my "target/Prairie Dog" rifles were I'm mostly shooting from the bench and taking my time lining up the shot before I ever put my finger on the trigger.
My DPMS AR that I use in action competitions and take out in the field has a two stage trigger since sometimes I'm wearing thin leather gloves and want to feel that 'first pressure' before any potential let off... I really don't want an "accidental discharge" in either situation..
I also have an older Walther .22lr single shot that has a two stage "set" trigger that has very little resistance in the first stage, but a distinct feel/click when it is "set" for the second stage and the pressure to trip the hammer is miniscule...as in ounces...
My DPMS AR that I use in action competitions and take out in the field has a two stage trigger since sometimes I'm wearing thin leather gloves and want to feel that 'first pressure' before any potential let off... I really don't want an "accidental discharge" in either situation..
I also have an older Walther .22lr single shot that has a two stage "set" trigger that has very little resistance in the first stage, but a distinct feel/click when it is "set" for the second stage and the pressure to trip the hammer is miniscule...as in ounces...
Bner21
I just bought an R-15 and replaced the trigger with a Jard 2 pound single stage trigger, man it is like night and day difference, light and crisp, no creep at all. I have only put 50 rds thru it since because its been so cold. The only drawback, if it is, is that the gun has to be in the fire position to chamber a round. I ordered it from Brownells on Sunday and it was in my mail box on wednesday.
I just bought an R-15 and replaced the trigger with a Jard 2 pound single stage trigger, man it is like night and day difference, light and crisp, no creep at all. I have only put 50 rds thru it since because its been so cold. The only drawback, if it is, is that the gun has to be in the fire position to chamber a round. I ordered it from Brownells on Sunday and it was in my mail box on wednesday.
bigwheeler
New member
On the RRA type two stage, which is the most common type in AR's, as you
pull the trigger the disconnector side of the hammer runs into the disconnector
right before the trigger breaks, causing the disconnector spring to put additional weight on the trigger pull. Super simple and safe, you still have a
long contact surface for the trigger and hammer but with tuning you can have
a near perfect break in a semi auto.
pull the trigger the disconnector side of the hammer runs into the disconnector
right before the trigger breaks, causing the disconnector spring to put additional weight on the trigger pull. Super simple and safe, you still have a
long contact surface for the trigger and hammer but with tuning you can have
a near perfect break in a semi auto.