Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles Difference between 1 and 2 stage AR triggers

Guys I don't know that much about ARs to begin with but I do know hate their factory triggers. I use mine for hunting predators and shooting does sometimes. All Ive ever used is single stage triggers on ARs and bolt guns but I see alot of two stage triggers being sold for ARs. Whats the pros and cons of the two stage for hunting?

Thanks,
Trent

I started my kid off this summer shooting a mbt2 two stage in a 223 (precision type practice). When I swapped her to a 6arc I put the upper on a lower I had laying around with a nice CMC single stage trigger.

Right away she commented that she didn’t like it as much for being able to precisely break the shot, she described perfectly why she likes feeling the “wall” and then pressing a little more to break the shot for accuracy.

That was pretty telling to me.

Besides precision I think they are a bit safer with a relatively high overall pull weight (first plus second stage)

2 stage triggers (2ST) aren't dependent on pull weight for hammer energy like some SSTs are.

2STs allow you to have a much lighter final pull weight than a SST and still be safe.

I don't know of any "cons" for hunting with a 2ST. I have them on all my ARs anymore.

I think it depends on what a person is used to. All of my bolt action hunting rifles have good single stage triggers. Finely tuned to 2.5 pounds. Lighter rifles and my precision rifles tuned to around 2 pounds. When I set up my AR's for hunting, I use a single stage. Most of my AR's have nice 2 stage varmint match style triggers, but those get shot off the bench or prone. There is no right or wrong answer here, but on my "hunting" rifles, I prefer a single stage. One thing I'd be aware of if starting a kid off on a 2 stage trigger for hunting, if they switch to a bolt gun, make damn sure they practice with the single stage trigger so there is no searching for that "wall" and have an AD.. Muscle memory and familiarity thing..

I can think of a "con" for hunting with a 2ST..........they suck IMO !!!!!!!
I will take a good single stage every time especially when hunting

BSA's first sentence says it all

I use RRA national match triggers in my AR's, not quit like a good single stage but not much different, buy a good single stage drop in for your AR,, then try a RRA NM, 95 bucks vs. 200

Excellent information Tyrone!….that’s a great post that directly addresses the OP’s question and cleared up some misinformation for me. 👍🏼

Two stage for me on my ARs. I’ve never had an issue transitioning from a single stage trigger on a bolt gun to a two stage on my ARs.
As BSA mentioned make sure a young shooter is aware of the difference and what they are running.

I've never had an issue with transitioning between the two either. The first, heavier stage of a 2ST is nothing like the pull on a SST - there's no "wall" like there is in the pull of a SST or like when you hit the 2nd stage is a 2ST. It's all take-up.

That's about field guns. Smallbore guns with ~8oz triggers are another beast and I'll screw those up no matter which style if I'm not careful!

AKA: creep

There’s a difference between creep and take up, creep on a single stage trigger doesn’t give you any clue of when it’s going off. The first stage on a two stage runs into a wall so you know where it’s gonna break.

Honestly, I use both and have no problems transitioning between them. I feel for those that have trouble with such a simple design.

Same. I have a 2 stage on an AR and on a Ruger Predator 223.

I absolutely love them, especially on jumpy game like hogs. Pull back to that wall and wait for the shot, just a touch of pressure and bang.

The 2 stage makes it much easier to force the break when you want it.

I generally use 2 stage triggers on my AR-15's, mostly Geissele SSA-E models. They are fine for hunting. I use a single stage trigger on the AR's I use for 3 Gun because most of the stages where I shoot are hoser stages, and a single stage trigger is slightly faster for those.

But a good trigger of either type works fine for me. The one place where I don't like a single stage is for duty or self defense purposes. In that situation, a 2 stage gives you more leeway under stress.

Excellent thread. Thanks! 👍🏼👍🏼

This.

I just replaced a couple of MBT-2s with two SSA-Es in a couple of ARs, and I am super impressed with them.

I have a Jard adjustable single-stage in another AR, selected because of my previous experiences with good triggers on bolt rifles. What I found was that I was not able to achieve the same kind of light, crisp break with the Jard without experiencing some doubling. I relented and went with considerably more engagement, and what I have now is a very light pull with easily discernable creep, but buttery smooth (emphasis on smooth) with a sudden break. It isn't the pull I set out to achieve but I can sure shoot with it.

I tried a Timney s/s in an AR years ago and just couldn't warm up to it.

Thanks for all the information guys, I may go two-stage this time just to try it out.

Sit down, watch a game or something and dry fire whatever trigger you pick up. Pay attention to it.

The OP was talking about a youngster and switching between the 2. You guys can read into that however you like.. The suggestion I made was very valid when dealing with someone with little experience, especially in a hunting type situation.