ShootingSight RPS AR15 Trigger Review

Written by: Buddy Murphy

This is a review of the ShootingSight RPS Trigger upgrade kit. This kit features a 2-stage trigger and hammer configuration, compatible with the AR-15 and other platforms that utilize similar pivot pin spacing. This trigger is considered a National Match trigger and should be compared to others like the Geissele’s National Match.

Should this hammer be black? No. That is carbon from heavy use suppressed in a direct impingement rifle. Does the trigger feel gritty? No, it is still very smooth.

The sear surfaces have been meticulously lapped to achieve ultimate smoothness and feature a Nickel Boron (NiB) coating. This makes the trigger highly resistant to wear and offers a low coefficient of friction, resulting in a smooth and consistent pull. Like most AR triggers, this is not adjustable.

Let me take you back to High School physics class. Static friction is greater than kinetic friction because static friction acts when the body is at rest. Whereas in kinetic friction, an object is in motion. You can feel this in the trigger. Once the trigger starts moving towards the second stage wall, it feels less heavy than when you start moving the trigger. The reset is very positive and is just beyond the second stage wall, but not fully out to the first stages at-rest position.

One of the standout aspects of these trigger/hammer sets is that they are CNC machined from alloy Rolled Plate Steel. Thus entirely avoiding the use of cast parts. The finer grain structure of this steel provides significantly greater tensile strength (about 10 to 20% stronger), better impact resistance, and less fatigue compared to cast steel. This allows for the sear edges to be precisely honed, resulting in an exceptionally crisp break that maintains its sharpness over heavy use.

This trigger installs like any mil-spec trigger, nothing proprietary (look at you cartridge triggers). Which makes it compatible with any lower that accepts mil-spec triggers.

Additionally, the RPS Trigger kit includes an extra powerful Wolff hammer spring, which delivers maximum ignition energy and an impressively fast lock-time of just 4 milliseconds. The second stage trigger creep has been virtually eliminated, ensuring a clean and crisp break with no felt travel in the second stage.

I use this rifle for CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) practice every weekend (unless I’m trying out a different rifle), so this trigger gets a lot of use. I can tell when I am using a different trigger, it just isn’t as smooth, and my scores can tell too.

The trigger pull weight is set at 4.5 (2.5/2.0) pounds, which meets the NRA/CMP minimum requirements for the Service Rifle class. Overall, the RPS Trigger upgrade kit is an excellent choice for those looking to enhance the performance and reliability of their rifle.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

A durable, smooth, and crisp National Match trigger.

Target Market:

People who want to hit what they are aiming at. Seriously though, this is a great replacement trigger for any AR user and it conforms with minimum trigger weight for CMP or NRA competitions.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

Match trigger
2 stage trigger
4.5lb total pull
2.5lb first stage
2.0lb second stage
Standard mil-spec dimensions and install
Curved trigger
Heavy hammer strike force

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

These triggers come in either raw metal or several colors (Tan,Blue,Red,Green,Pink,Black).

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found

Price point:

MSRP = $215.00

Retail = Same

They do have sales from time to time, but otherwise the price is the price. They also have Military/LE discounts

I need it now! Availability:

ShootingSight.com

Our Rating:

Pros:

Smooth trigger, tactile reset
Strong steel
Standard install

Cons:

Price (but is comparable with other National Match triggers)

Score: Great 8.50 if not 9.00

I'm not usually a 2 stage AR trigger guy. So when Bushmaster asked me to review one of their new DM2S triggers, I was a little hesitant. But, since I really like trying different triggers out, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. When it showed up, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked it. The DM2S is a good 2 stage AR trigger.

If you haven’t heard, Bushmaster recently came under new ownership. What does that mean for you, the consumer? Most likely they will be introducing new products, like the DM2S, suppressors, and new updated rifles. All made in America.

The DM2S is a little different then most aftermarket triggers you might be used to. It is not a cartridge style. Instead it resembles a Mil-spec trigger. So when you install it, it installs in two pieces, just like that old GI trigger. But, it is definitely not your old GI trigger. However, the trigger shoe is a spot on match for a GI trigger. So the trigger shoe curve will be recognizable to all. In fact, when you look at the exterior of a rifle with the DM2S trigger in it, you can’t even tell that it has a match grade trigger installed.

I guess an explanation of what a “2 stage” trigger is, is in order. A 2 stage trigger has 2 distinct actions. When you first pull the trigger, a lighter weight pull is felt. This lighter pull can feel like take-up, but in fact, it is part of the design. Once you pull through the first stage, you come to a stop, or wall. This is the second stage. The second stage is a heavier pull weight that is added onto the first stage's pull weight. Then you add a little more pressure, and the trigger breaks, thus firing the firearm. 2 stage triggers are sometimes used by those wanting to “stage” the trigger to get that little extra accuracy. By pulling through the first stage, a shooter can then make slight accuracy adjustments before breaking the shot. Or if the shooter decides not to take the shot, they can simply just release pressure to reset the trigger back to its original starting point. The DM2S that is here, measured around 1.5 lb pull for the first stage and 4 lbs for the second stage. So the DM2S’ second stage adds 2.5 lbs to the first stages 1.5 lbs, thus giving the total pull weight 4 lbs. Bushmaster publishes lubricated and unlubricated pull weights, listed in the FNB’s down below. The 4 lb weight, I measured, was with a lubricated trigger. It was only slightly higher before I lubricated it, maybe 0.25 lbs heavier. The DM2S’ second stage pull is crisp and clean. I was pretty impressed with the trigger break. It also has an excellent reset.

As mentioned, I’m more of a single stage trigger guy. However, the DM2S isn’t something to turn away. I was pleasantly surprised at how fast I could shoot this trigger. I ran some rifle Bill drills with it and they were about 0.30 seconds slower. That’s 6 shots on target at 7 yards, in 1.7 seconds with the DM2S. Not quite as fast as a super light single stage, but still fast. I can also see where the 2 stage has advantages when shooting from a bench, or prone, or for accuracy. Staging the trigger and then pulling through the 2nd stage can really help staying on target. With the trigger only having a pull weight of 4 lbs, it doesn’t lend itself to moving you off target like a heavy trigger pull weight can.

The DM2S is a non-adjustable trigger. There is nothing to set for pull weight, over travel, or anything else. That being said, the DM2S has a little bit of over-travel, but not much, maybe 0.050”. Since it is a 2 stage trigger, pre-travel is included in the first stage. I did measure it at around 0.150”. The trigger break measured a little under 0.100”, so I’d say about .080”. Therefore, the total trigger movement, to get the trigger to fire, is around 0.230”, or just under ¼ inch. Reset on the trigger seemed to be around 0.100” since you don’t need to reset the trigger all the way through the first stage, only to the beginning of the second stage.

The DM2S trigger, from Bushmaster, actually surprised me. For a 2 stage, dedicated marksman style trigger, it is pretty good. The pull weight is good, it has a crisp 2nd stage, and a forceful reset. If you are the type who likes 2 stage AR triggers, you might give the DM2S a try.