ar15

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Sharps Bros Livewire

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Sharps Bros Livewire AR-15 lower receiver review

Written by: Buddy Murphy

  This is a review of the Sharps Bros Livewire AR-15 lower receiver. Yes, these are the same guys that make lowers with skulls, warrior helmets, or other goofy things on their magazine wells. But when they get serious, they make a quality, functional piece of kit.

  One of the first things you'll notice is the heavily flared mag well, which not only looks great but also makes reloads faster and more intuitive. The ambidextrous bolt release is another welcome feature, providing ease of use for both right and left-handed shooters. This particular design for a right side bolt release has the perfect amount of force needed to release the bolt. Some other receivers take too much effort to release the bolt, forcing you to move your hand off of the fire controls, like the PWS Alpha.

  The right side bolt release is especially useful for me (right-handed shooter) when shooting CMP (Civilian Marksmanship Program) courses of fire. The first and last stages are single load stages. Meaning, you have an empty magazine in your rifle (or a specialty mag), you drop a round into the ejection port, close the bolt, and fire your one round. You repeat that 10 or 20 times depending on the stage. This forces you to break position between each shot. By having the bolt release on the right side, I can hold my rifle against my shoulder with my left hand, and get another round, drop it in the rifle, grip the rifle with my right hand, and close the bolt, minimizing my movement between shots.

  The transition between the integrated, oversized trigger guard and the magazine well is stepped, giving it a distinct and clean look. The threaded bolt catch pin and rear takedown pin recess also add to its overall precision and durability.

  As of July 2021, Livewire has undergone a significant upgrade, it is now made from a forging. The process begins with a 7075 aluminum billet, which is heated to 800 degrees and then forged into a near-final shape using a custom tool in an impressive 4100-ton press.

  Post-forging, the receiver undergoes final machining on CNC machines. This reduces material costs and machine time without compromising quality. The result is a receiver that feels incredibly robust and well-finished, with every detail meticulously crafted. The anodized black finish, done to MIL-A-8625 standards, ensures durability and a sleek professional look.

  Putting the lower parts in the receiver was a standard affair except for the left side bolt catch. Instead of a roll pin holding the bolt catch to the receiver, it has a small hex-head screw. This makes it much easier to attach the bolt catch than tapping in a roll pin. Also, before you attach the bolt catch, you must insert the included transfer bar. The transfer bar allows the bolt release, on the right side, to push the bottom of the bolt catch toggle (causing the top to move in towards the receiver as if you pushed it), releasing the bolt.

  In summary, the Sharps Bros Livewire AR15 receiver delivers on every front; strength, precision, and aesthetics. It’s a top-tier choice for anyone looking to build or upgrade their AR15 with a receiver that truly sets itself apart from the rest. While it maintains the classic AR15 aesthetic, it brings its own unique flair and functionality to the table: like the oversized integral trigger guard, beveled magazine flare, and ambidextrous bolt release. It is fully compatible with mil-spec parts and magazines. Weighing around 8.7 ounces, it strikes a perfect balance between weight and durability.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

AR-15 lower receiver with right side bolt release.

Target Market:

Lefties, Competition shooters, those that want ambi-everything

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Large integrated trigger guard

  • Right side bolt release

  • Flared mag well

  • Forged lower

  • Mil-spec

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Only black anodized finish

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars from Dave K. at Brownells

Absolutely the best value for the $$$

I am very impressed with this lower receiver. Everything fit perfectly. Best value for the money! All of my future builds I will use this receiver.

Link to other reviews:

The Firearm Blog

Price point:

MSRP = $136.79

Retail = $124.99 at Brownells

I need it now! Availability:

Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Forged Receiver

  • Flared Magwell

  • Right side bolt release

  • Integrated trigger guard

  • Oversized trigger Guard

  • Mil-spec dimensions

Cons:

  • None

Score: 8.00 Great

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FOXTROT MIKE RANCH RIFLE

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foxtrot mike

ranch rifle review

  I had great pleasure in getting one of the Ranch Rifles from Foxtrot Mike after SHOT Show this year. When I saw one, I was intrigued with how it looked, how it functioned, and the machining that went into it. I liked the fact that it was 50 state legal, was set up like a familiar 870 shotgun, had a forward charging handle, and still took standard capacity AR mags. 

  The 16" barrel version of the Ranch Rifle provides a balanced platform for out to medium-range engagements. The rifle features a **bufferless design**, which is one of the hallmark innovations of FM Products. This eliminates the need for a traditional buffer tube so that other stock options can be had. Hence the addition of the **Hogue 870 stock**. Which is a nice touch, offering superior comfort and control.  For shooters who are familiar with their old 870 shotgun feel, this rifle will fit like an old glove. Especially during extended range sessions. The stock provides excellent support and helps with recoil management.

  The charging handle, which is housed in the handguard on the FM Ranch rifle, can be changed from the left side to the right side. This is so you can choose which side you want to charge the rifle from. The handguard is also Mlok compatible so you can add your favorite accessories to it. They also offer a slap mod. This makes the charging similar to an HK. I did not have this option on my rifle, but it is another feature you can get to add to yours. 

  The 4-Port Muzzle Device is designed to reduce both muzzle rise and recoil, making quicker follow-up shots and better overall control of the rifle. This is especially helpful in rapid-fire scenarios where muzzle control is essential. The device works well in combination with the rifle’s bufferless system. The 16" barrel ensures that the rifle can perform effectively at varying ranges, from short to longer ranges. The rifle is chambered in 556 Nato. The use of Standard AR mags a plus.

  Shooting the Ranch rifle was a complete joy, once I figured out the manual of arms. Things are in a few different spots than your traditional AR rifle. I had a problem trying to reach the mag release to do fast reloads. But this is a ranch rifle and not a tactical rifle. Not saying that you can't use it as such. I had topped it off with an Atibal green dot and ran close to 2K rounds through the rifle, both at the range and at a class. When I first started shooting the rifle, I had a few malfunctions. These were just in the first few mags. Once I got it nice and hot, the rifle was ready to roll and it has been going ever since. Accuracy of the rifle is better than I can shoot, at 25 yards it will cut little cluster groups with a dot sight. Out to 50 and 100 yards it was still on target. It is accurate enough with the dot to hunt or do varmint control. I did not put a magnified optic on it. I am sure that if I would have, it would have been more accurate. I was shooting from a standing position most of the time.

  This is a rifle that I would suggest to someone who wants quality at a good price. Or someone who just might not want a black rifle for whatever reason. If you live in one of those states where you can not have certain AR style rifles, the Foxtrot Mike Ranch Rifle might be just what you need. I plan on taking it on some of my hunting trips this year. It also stays close by in the house. It swings like that old 870 shotgun but with that AR rifle fire power. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to fame:

Bufferless operating system

50 State legal

Some AR accessories will interchange

Direct Impingement operating system

4-PORT muzzle brake

Target Market:

  • Hunters that want AR performance in a non AR rifle

  • Communist state people

  • Those whose choose quality and value

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • CALIBER: .223 WYLDE

  • LOWER RECEIVER:  MACHINED FROM AIRCRAFT GRADE ALUMINUM HARD MIL-SPEC TYPE III ANODIZING

  • STOCK: Magpul SGA 870 Shotgun stock

  • TRIGGER: Mil-Spec ranch rifle

  • SAFETY SELECTOR: Reversible Push Button Steel Barrel Safety

  • BARREL LENGTH: 16" 

  • BARREL TWIST: 1:8

  • BARREL MATERIAL: 41V50 PREMIUM MATCH GRADE 41v50 BARREL, VACUUM STRESS RELIEVED, MELONITE COATED WITH A BURNISHED CHAMBER 

  • MUZZLE DEVICE: 4-PORT BRAKE

  • GAS SYSTEM: INTERMEDIATE-LENGTH

  • UPPER RECEIVER: BILLET AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING 

  • HANDGUARD: 15" M-LOK COMPATIBLE HANDGUARD, TYPE III HARD BLACK ANNODIZING

  • CHARGING HANDLE: 4-POSITION FRONT CHARGE, NON-RECIPROCATING 

  • BOLT: PROPRIETARY BOLT MACHINED FROM PRE-HARD 4342, MACHINED THEN POST VACUUM HEAT TREATED TO INCREASE HARDNESS, THEN COATED IN MELONITE

  • FIRING PIN AND EXTRACTOR MADE OUT OF S7 TOOL STEEL

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

  • Wood furniture

  • Hiperfire trigger

  • Hunter crown barrel

  • Synthetic stock

Link to other reviews:

Gun Mag Warehouse   

American Rifleman   

Price point:

MSRP = $949 to $1449 depending on options

I need it now! 

FoxTrot Mike

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • American Made

  • Reliable

  • Great customer service

  • Takes AR mags

  • Bufferless

Cons:

  • Kind of a weird trigger to get use to

  • Different manual of arms

  • Mag release is hard to reach

Score: 8.00 Great

AR Build: A young woman's perspective

A young woman’s perspective on building an AR15

  So I pitched the idea of building an AR to my daughter and writing something about it. She thought it would be fun. I am not sure if she was humoring me or not. But either way, here we are with an awesome AR15, that she built herself. A special thank you goes out to all the great companies that helped sponsor this build, you can read about their parts later in the story. 

From Zoe:

 Putting together my AR was much more interactive than I expected it to be. In a way it was simple, yet complex. Many little pieces combine together like a delicate puzzle, but also a straightforward process to get to the final outcome. There were many different steps to complete to bring it all together. One of the most tedious was putting all the pins into place! Those slippery little rascals!

  When putting the AR together, all of the parts fit perfectly. Between all the different parts, and parts kits, almost everything needed was there, even little tools for some of the steps! Everything was beginner friendly (although having my father assisting me helped a ton). I enjoyed the experience and the reward was incredibly worth the time put into it. Building the AR also helped me feel closer to my dad and the big parts of his life. As a young woman, knowing that there are places that put these part kits together brought me a sense of safety. I am able to build something to provide protection for myself. Plus I got to learn the intimate process of building it, in turn making me a safer firearms owner and a safer young woman.

  Shooting it was a lovely experience. The parts used were all relatively light in mass and resulted in a very lightweight gun. Having to hold it for long periods was undemanding. Shooting it was like a well polished machine. There was very little recoil when firing the rifle. It also functioned flawlessly and did not jam. One thing that I did struggle with was pulling back the charging handle. Which can be a common issue as a woman, since our upper body strength is usually lower than are male counterparts. Charging the firearm is easier than other guns I have shot because of the larger size charging handle. All of the parts worked as expected and I was very satisfied with the experience as a whole. 

  I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. It provided me with important skills, and knowledge of firearms, that I did not have before building this AR. To any young woman who feels she needs confidence and a sense of security, I would highly recommend learning the safety and process of building a firearm. There are things out there to make life a little safer, and I believe this is one of those. 

Stay safe out there ladies.

Sponsored parts used in Zoe's AR build:

This AR15 is built for .223/5.56, so everything listed below is for that particle caliber rifle.

  When it comes to AR parts, there are many. We were fortunate to have some great sponsors who supplied top notch parts for this build. A lot of these are colorful, literally, but they are all high quality parts. 

  First up is the backbone of any AR build, the lower receiver. Our friends over at Foxtrot Mike Products sent one of their stripped lowers. These are billet receivers with a slightly enlarged trigger guard and a semi built-in magazine well. The Magazine well is 3D machined to give it a super smooth transition when loading magazines into the rifle. The Foxtrot Mike lower has a bunch of small added features that make it a little nicer than your run of the mill lower receiver. One of those is the ability to run a ball detent on the safety. That little detail makes a safety selector work so much smoother. 

  Since that lower receiver needs parts to make it function, ArmaSpec sent a stainless Lower Parts Kit (LPK) and their Stealth Recoil Spring. ArmaSpec’s LPK is one of my favorites. It comes with an ambi safety selector that does 45 and 90 degree throws. We did not use the ambi selector in this build, but I did install it elsewhere. All the springs and detents in the LPK are well made and I have no doubt that they will give the rifle years of use. The Stealth Recoil spring, that ArmaSpec manufactures, is a wonderful piece of equipment. Its complete unit replaces the conventional AR buffer and spring. It is called “Stealth” because it reduces the “twang” noise sometimes heard in normal AR’s. The Stealth Recoil system smooths out the cycling of the firearm and also reduces recoil, which was noticeable by how soft this AR shoots.

  If you want a barrel and need it to look fancy, Faxon Firearms has you covered. Since Zoe wanted something “pretty”, we went looking. Faxon has a match grade 16” Gunner series barrel that happens to come in “Chameleon” PVD. This color option fades from pink to purple, to blue, and then to gold. A perfect option for someone wanting color. It also looks amazing under the Robin Egg blue color scheme. Faxon also sent a gas tube and a 0.625” gas block to round out the package. This barrel is not only super accurate, but it is fairly lightweight too.

  When you are building an AR of this quality, you do not want to skimp on the Bolt Carrier Group (BCG). After all, this is what makes the firearm function. Walker Defense sent us one of their Nickel Boron BCG’s. Nickel Boron provides enhanced reliability, easier cleaning, and better lubricity. Walker’s BCG is super slick, literally, and has all the top tier options someone would want. It uses a properly hardened 9310 bolt, has properly staked OCKS screws, is magnetic particle inspected, uses a hard chrome firing pin, and has a M16 carrier profile. Walker Defense’s products are also 100% made in the USA with US components. 

  To finish out the build, and add a whole lot of color, Timber Creek sent an Enforcer build kit. These are fairly lightweight kits which work well when you are worried about the final weight of the rifle. Zoe opted for the Robin Egg Blue cerakote color version. The Enforcer kit comes with a ton of parts for your build. In this case, the Robin Egg Blue parts we used were the 15” handguard, pistol grip, charging handle, safety selector, buffer tube, end plate, port door, extended mag release, forward assist, and takedown pins. We also used the supplied muzzle brake, but it only comes in basic black. Timber Creek's Enforcer kit also comes with a 0.750 gas block, which we didn't use due to using a 0.625 barrel. We also did not use the trigger guard since we used a billet lower that has the trigger guard built in. 

  I want to mention two things about the Enforcer kit. First up is the Ultra Light M-Lok handguard. These handguards, by themselves, are stupid lightweight. They also have holes for QD swivels. Making it easier to add a sling. There are also plenty of M-Lok slots along the whole rail for adding whatever you want. The second thing I want to mention is the oversized charging handle. This handle is significantly larger than most. Zoe mentioned it made charging the rifle easier due to its size. I had never thought of this, but because you can get a good grip on it, it works better for those that have a smaller stature. 

  As we all know, you need a way of aiming a rifle. Since this AR is not being used for distance shooting, She opted for a red dot. Why? Because it is lighter than a 1x prism sight. Primary Arms Optics sent us one of their MD-25's with the 2 MOA dot. The Primary Arms MD-25 is a great red dot. It has a large window size and is pretty lightweight. Battery life is really good thanks to it having Primary Arms’ Autolive function. The Autolive turns the dot off after a few minutes of non use, and then turns it back on when it gets moved. The MD-25 is a great option for a defensive rifle. 

  Now you may have noticed that we are missing a few parts. We supplied the stripped upper receiver, stock, and trigger. Most stripped uppers are very similar and fairly cheap, so I just purchased one. When it comes to stocks, there are a lot of personal preferences. We just opted for a Hogue AR stock. They lock up tight, have a good feel, and are inexpensive. If you noticed, the LPK was not one that included a trigger. I had a TriggerTech Duty Trigger laying around. It is the 3.5lb version. This trigger is a really good option for someone that doesn't shoot a lot. Yes, it feels really good, but with the 3.5lb pull weight, it works well for beginners and seasoned pros alike. 

  Now my daughter has her own AR15. The experience of helping her build her own rifle will not be forgotten anytime soon. She has a life saving tool that will give her a lifetime of protection and enjoyment. 

Jacob Grey AR trigger

Jacob Grey

Signature Drop in AR flat faced trigger

  I recently got an AR trigger from Jacob Grey Firearms. This is a flat faced 3.5 lb cassette style trigger. It came nicely packaged and also includes anti walk pins with it. Jacob Grey (JG) is known for their high end 1911 double stack 9mm handguns. When I got the trigger I had to figure out what rifle I was going to put it in. So I chose a Palmetto State lower with a Delton 16” upper. I had an LPVO on this rifle and was taking it to a class. This gave me the chance to run the trigger and get a good feel for it.

  After installing the Jacob Grey trigger I had a small hiccup with it. I followed the instructions that were in the box and I could not get the trigger to function right. I spent several hours working on trying to make it work. I reached out to a few friends, that I knew had the answers. I also called JG customer service and left a voicemail. After using my lifeline, I got the trigger running right. I didn’t realize there were two small set screws on the trigger that you have to run down until they meet the bottom of the receiver. Right after I figured this out the customer support team called me. There were two gentlemen on the phone and one was the head armorer. He gave me a run down and told me how to adjust the trigger after installing it. This was a refreshing relief to get a real person that knows what they are doing to call you back. The big aggravation I had was that there were no instructions on or in the box.

Image from Jacobgreyfirearms.com

  Installing the JG trigger was very straightforward, just yank out that old GI junk, and drop this one in. It came with anti walk pins to secure it. I did use some blue loctite on the screws, after I had one of the screws back out during a training class. So the loctite was definitely an after the fact thought. 

  When I took the rifle to the range I was really impressed with the very short trigger pull. There was no take up, the trigger break was crisp like glass. It was almost scary the first few rounds. After getting used to it, making double taps and triples was no problem. The travel of the trigger was just a out 1/16” of an inch. The reset was very noticeable and tactile. It was refreshing to be able to know where it broke and reset. I did a lot of single shots and held the trigger down and let up on it after the round had impacted. The reset was audible and very noticeable. 

  I took the rifle to a class and the JG trigger performed flawlessly. Granted I already had about 200 rounds on the trigger before this. The trigger was smooth, crisp, broke like glass, reset was wonderful. It almost felt like you could outrun the rifle with the trigger. It is not very often that I find something that I have to tell other people, “you just have to try this”. With the JG trigger I did. I asked several people to shoot it and tell me what they thought of it. Everyone was surprised at the crisp, light break and the reset. 

  So after having well over 1000 rounds on the Jacob Grey trigger it is staying in my go to rifle. The 3.5lb trigger pull is fantastic. I probably would not recommend this trigger to someone starting out just because of how light it is. I would recommend some range time doing drills before I ran it in a class or competition. After someone is used to this trigger, it would make a great all around do anything trigger. You can check the trigger out at Jacob Grey Firearms.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Made in the USA AR trigger

Great quality 

Consistent trigger pull

Target Market:

Competition shooters

Skilled shooter looking for a great trigger

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product): 

  • Clean break

  • Repetitive trigger pull

  • Quality machining

  • Easy instal with instructions 

  • Trigger Shoe Type: Flat

  • Trigger Action: Single Stage

  • Creep: Zero

  • Overtravel: 0.050"

  • Rest Feel: Tactical mild force

  • Hammer Strike: Full

  • Pin Size: Standard Mil Spec 0.154" - Anti-Walk Trigger Pins Included

  • Warranty: Lifetime

  • Weapon Platform: AR15, M4, AR10, AR9

 What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 stars from John D. at OpticsPlanet.com

Alrighty, let me tell you about the Jacob Grey Drop in AR15 Trigger. If you're looking for a trigger that's super crisp and has a super short reset, then this trigger is the real deal, my friend.

I gotta say, I was a bit hesitant at first since I've tried out some other triggers that were supposed to be "crisp," but they just didn't cut it for me. But let me tell ya, the Jacob Grey Trigger definitely lives up to the hype.

First off, installation was a breeze. I'm no gunsmith, but I was able to install it without any issues. And once I got it on my AR, I was absolutely blown away by how smooth and crisp the trigger pull was. Seriously, it's like butter.

And let's not forget about that super short reset. It's insane. You barely have to move the trigger at all to get it to reset. And when it does, you're right back at that crisp trigger pull.

Now, let's talk about the price. For the money, you simply can't beat this trigger. I've seen other triggers out there that cost two or three times as much, but they don't even come close to the performance of the Jacob Grey. It's an absolute steal, in my opinion.

Overall, if you're in the market for a trigger that's crisp, smooth, and has a super short reset, then look no further than the Jacob Grey Drop in AR15 Trigger. It's a total game changer and worth every penny.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $179.99

Retail = Currently $102.00 at OpticsPlanet

I need it now! Availability:

Jacob Grey Firearms or OpticsPlanet

https://www.opticsplanet.com/jacob-grey-custom-one-piece-3-5lb-drop-in-trigger.html

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Quality made

  • Light and crisp trigger pull

  • Good price point

  • Good reset

Cons: 

  • No instructions to adjust the set screws

Score: 8.50 Great 

Black Talon Tactical AR trigger

  The AR market is saturated with aftermarket triggers. If you want to stand out from the big names, you need to do something better and different. Black Talon Tactical has done just that with their Single Stage Calibrated Adjustable Drop In trigger. Yes it has a long name, but it really does describe the Black Talon Trigger quite well. They shipped me out their Improved Finger Position (IFP) profile trigger to try out. For the $180 price tag, I was not disappointed. 

  Black Talon Tactical’s drop in trigger is different in many ways. These differences are all good in my opinion. One, it has an adjustable trigger pull weight from 2-5 pounds. Two, this particular version uses the Improved Finger Position (IFP) trigger shoe that I’ll describe later. Lastly, the Black Talon triggers also have zero take up, very minimal break travel, and a tiny bit of overtravel.  

  When Black Talon Tactical says the trigger pull weight is adjustable, it is even more than that. As mentioned, the trigger’s pull weight is adjustable from 2.0 pounds to 5.0 pounds. I am pretty sure they specify the decimal point because the trigger has a precision adjustment scale on it. Black Talon Tactical also states that the trigger is calibrated to within 1 ounce of the marked adjusted trigger pull weight. Plus, the trigger pull weights are repeatable on the scale. The only noticeable drawback to the IFP trigger is that it must be removed to adjust the pull weight. To adjust the pull weight, just use the supplied allen wrench to turn the screw to the setting you want, it’s that easy. For a small fee you can send Black Talon Tactical a stripped lower receiver and they will modify it so that the trigger can be adjusted without removing it. I did not send in a receiver, so I can not tell you anything about the modification. I will testify to the fact that the adjustment is repeatable. I adjusted the trigger a few times, and then set it back to a 2.5 lb pull. My trigger pull gauge reads 2.5 lbs pretty much every time I check the trigger’s pull weight. 

  While Black Talon Tactical makes these triggers in a standard curved and flat trigger shoe, they also have something different. This different shoe is called the Improved Finger Position (IFP) profile. Essentially the IFP shoe is a flat trigger until you get down toward the tip. Then the trigger has a little curved section that is angled toward the shooter's finger. This little section is about 5/16 inch long. What it does is allow for really precision trigger manipulation. Yes, you can get a really precise feel out of it. The straight portion of the trigger is then used for normal or fast shooting. I thought the IFP trigger shoe was great. It works just as described. When I want precision shots, I just move my finger down to the bottom. When I want to go fast, I just use the flat section of the trigger as normal. And this trigger is fast.

  Installation of the Black Talon trigger is pretty standard. Remove the safety and old trigger. Slide the Black Talon trigger into position. Slide in the supplied anti-walk pins. Tighten anti-walk pin screws. Install safety. Now for the important step: tighten the two rear screws that put upward pressure on the trigger housing. If these screws are not tightened properly, the trigger may not work correctly. I originally had the trigger in a polymer AR lower and had a few failure to fire’s. My best guess is that the polymer flexed enough to cause problems, since those two rear screws couldn’t get tight. When I installed it in a standard aluminum AR lower receiver, those problems stopped. It has over 500 rounds in the aluminum AR receiver and has run flawlessly for over 500 rounds. All the necessary allen wrenches are also included so there is no need to run around trying to find some.

  My favorite aspect of the Black Talon Tactical Single Stage Calibrated Adjustable Drop In trigger is the actual pull, or lack thereof. The actual amount of movement in the trigger, to fire the AR, is minimal. Black talon states 0.5 mm, which is 0.020“. I just know that when I tested it, it was less than 0.040”. The break on the Black Talon Tactical trigger is also fantastic. I wouldn’t say glass rod, even if it is close, but I will say it has a super short tactile feel to it. Overtravel is stated at 1.25mm, or 0.050” maximum. I don’t think the one I have is that long. I will mention that the overtravel feels shorter because it is not the normal free travel that most triggers have. Instead it feels kind of spongy, but it is so short that maybe I am just feeling the end of the total movement. Either way, the overtravel is not really even noticeable. The reset on the trigger is good and a little forceful. The reset is a little better than most drop-in triggers in this price range. Click here for a short video of the trigger movement. 

  I’ve put quite a few rounds through the Black Talon Tactical trigger. It is just so much fun to use. I have another trigger that feels a bunch like this one. The difference is that the Black Talon trigger is adjustable. Plus the IFP trigger shoe is unique in how you can go from fast to precision easily. When I was running a bunch of bill drills with the IFP trigger, I could get 0.10 second splits. 0.12 seconds were really common. If you want a really fast trigger, this may be one to look at. I probably wouldn’t recommend this trigger to a novice shooter. The break is just too short and quick in my opinion. But, the nice thing about this trigger is that you can set the pull weight up to 5 pounds, then as you get more proficient with it, you can turn the pull weight down. 

  If you can not tell, I became a big fan of Black Talon Tactical’s Single stage trigger. It really does everything an aftermarket single stage AR trigger should do. It has adjustable pull weight, a super short trigger pull, and a great trigger break. You also get the IFP trigger shoe for more precision shots. Go check out the Calibrated Adjustable Drop in Single Stage Trigger from Black Talon Tactical, it is worth a look.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Single stage adjustable AR trigger 

Target Market:

AR users who want a super fast, adjustable pull weight, trigger

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Improved Finger Position (IFP) trigger shoe

  • Adjustable pull weight between 2.0 - 5.0 lbs

  • Repeatable adjustments to within 1 ounce

  • Zero take up

  • 0.5 mm break

  • 1.25mm max over-travel

  • Cartridge style drop in housing

  • A2 tool steel construction

  • Anti-walk pins included

  • Lifetime warranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Curved bow and Straight, all options in fixed pull weights too    

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars at Opticsplanet.com   

Love this trigger

I'm always looking for new/different products to upgrade my rifles and this is my favorite recent discovery. I love that it's adjustable and I set the weight at about 2.5 lbs and it is amazing! The IFP design is great as it gives you multiple positions for finger placement and it makes it easier to rapid fire. The hammer design on this trigger is unique and the housing feels extremely durable.

Overall I would recommend this trigger to anyone looking for something new and better.

Link to other reviews:

None found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $179.99

Retail = $161.99 at Optics Planet    

I need it now! Availability:

Black Talon Tactical or Optics Planet 

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super short trigger break

  • Good reset

  • Adjustable pull weight

  • Super fast to shoot

  • Improved Finger Position (IFP) profile trigger shoe

  • Precision shooting option due to the IFP

  • Drop in design

Cons:

  • Might not be the greatest trigger for novice shooters

  • Must take the trigger out to adjust

Score: 9.00 Amazing

Favorite Link:  Magne-Tech Rigel II review

Foxtrot Mike - Mike15 gen 2

200 rounds of ammunition was supplied by Target Barn for the review

  AR pistols have become very commonplace. Foxtrot Mike has designed their pistols and rifles to be a little different, but in a good way. They use an integrated bufferless recoil system in their Gen II AR’s. Foxtrot Mike sent me a 12.5 inch Mike-15 pistol with a few added in options. So let’s get into what advantages this Mike-15 has to offer.

  When you first look at the Mike-15 Gen II, it looks very AR15ish. That is because most of it is. The lower receiver is Foxtrot Mike’s standard AR15 billet lower. But installed in the lower is a rear picatinny mount that also doubles as the bolt stop. The upper receiver system is where the difference is. Yes, it uses a standard AR barrel assembly and is still direct impingement. Because the Mike-15 is a bufferless system, the bolt carrier is different. As is the self contained recoil system that is placed above the bolt carrier, not behind like in a standard AR. This does make the upper about a quarter inch taller than your standard AR. The Mike-15 also uses a forward charging handle. All of these work very well together.

  As mentioned, the Foxtrot Mike, Mike-15 lower receiver is billet. This means that it is machined from a solid block of aluminum, not from a forging. This allows Foxtrot Mike to add in some different features. One of those is an oversized built-in trigger guard. This guard also has a slot in the bottom of it. I don’t know if it is for weight savings, or if it is for something else, but it looks nice. Foxtrot Mike also machines in a radiused 3 dimensional magazine well. This is a pretty nice feature to aid in reloading the rifle/pistol, even if you can see a few light machine marks in the magwell. Some other advanced features are: a screw in bolt catch pin, threaded and set screwed spring for the rear takedown pin, a ball detent for the safety with a set screw to hold it in (normal style spring and detent work also), and a screw for tightening the upper to lower fit. This Mike-15 also came with an upgraded Hiperfire trigger and an ambidextrous safety selector. The safety selector came as a 90 degree throw, but can be switched to a 45 degree, which I did as I like short throw safety levers. The optional Hiperfire Eclipse trigger is fantastic and has a pull weight of 2.5 pounds. The Hiperfire is not listed as an option on the website, but contact them and they will let you know how much extra it adds to the price. I also have a stripped Mike-15 lower for a different project, this is partly why I know about all those extras. I should also mention that the rear picatinny rail installs into the buffer tube threads and has the recoil bumper attached in it. It also has a QD slot at the bottom of the rail, so if a brace is not attached, a sling can be.

  The Upper receiver of the Foxtrot Mike is really where the huge differences are in this pistol, and their rifles. To start with, the upper receiver contains the recoil system. It is housed above the bolt. This recoil system consists of a dual spring and guide rod. The guide rod also goes through the top part of the bolt carrier. This allows the bolt carrier to push against the recoil system. The Mike-15 then uses a standard AR bolt assembly, but not a standard carrier. Because of this system, the receiver is about a ¼ inch taller than a normal AR’s receiver. The extra ¼ inch can make optics sit a little higher. This doesn’t cause any problems on the pistol version, but on a rifle, your optic may need a slightly lower mount. Foxtrot’s upper receiver does not have a forward assist, but does have a shell deflector. The Mike-15 gen II still uses a gas impingement system, so no differences over a standard AR in that respect. Except that the gas block is pinned, not set screwed or clamped. Foxtrot Mike then installs a 4150 barrel. This one is 12.5 inches with a mid length gas system. Because of the higher receiver height, a M-Lok rail that matches the height of the upper is installed. This handguard measures 11.75 inches, so it comes up flush with the muzzle brake. Depending on the rifle or pistol you order, the handguard length will vary. Lastly, Foxtrot Mike put a nice little 4 port compensator on this pistol. The comp works better than I was expecting it to.

  Operation of the Mike-15 gen II is a little different then a standard AR15. Instead of using a rear charging handle, Foxtrot Mike designed a forward charging handle that is in the upper part of the handguard. The charging handle is basically in the part of the handguard that is taller, so it doesn’t affect the M-Lok slots or get in the way. You can set this charging handle up to be either right or left charging. The charging handle DOES NOT reciprocate. However, it can be angled either slightly up, or slightly down, depending on how you have it configured. It comes curved up on the left side of the firearm. A folding lever is also available from Foxtrot Mike. The folding lever folds out of the way against the upper, for a more streamlined charging handle.

  Maintenance on the Mike-15 gen II is also a little different. Because of the self contained recoil system, you can not just pull the bolt out like a standard AR. On the top rear of the upper, there is a little square plug with a hole in it, located where the charging handle on a regular AR would be. One must use a small punch, or something, and push down the recoil spring assembly. Then slide the plug down. Watch out for lift off of that spring, as it can go flying. Then just pull the recoil spring assembly out, tip the gun back, and the bolt carrier should slide right out. All the other maintenance stuff is pretty similar to what a standard AR is.

  The Mike-15 pistols come in a variety of options. Some of those are barrel length and different colors. These pistols can be had in the picatinny rail version. Meaning they only have the pic rail on the rear of the receiver. Or you can get them with a folding SBA3 brace. I'd opt for the folder. The Mike-15 12.5 inch they sent me had an A3 Tactical folding brace with an A3 Steady Brace. These braces are top tier and work great. Plus they are super lightweight. If you want one of these as an add-on to your Mike-15, just ask Foxtrot Mike Products to see what they can do for you. The A3 brace folds to the left side of the Mike-15. Because the Mike-15 uses the forward charging handle, the brace does not get in the way of manipulating the firearm. Yes, of course the Mike-15 will fire while the brace is folded because of the self contained recoil system. 

  The Mike-15 that they sent was pretty solid. I’ve run a bunch of bill drills with it, along with other stuff. Target Barn supplied some 5.56 to help with the review: 100rds of Winchester 5.56 55gr M193 and 100rds of PMC 5.56 55gr. The Mike-15 currently has over 500 rounds through it. I did run into a problem with the recoil system after around 150 rounds. The springs were binding up and wouldn’t allow the bolt to go rearward all the way. I contacted Foxtrot Mike and they sent the “new” style buffer springs and guide rod. I literally had them the next day! Somehow the “old” style guide rod had been installed in this Mike-15. It has run flat out since with zero malfunctions since the initial problem. During my conversation with Foxtrot Mike, they also told me that they have a buffer tube spacer that plugs the buffer tube in case you want to run the Gen II uppers on a standard AR. They sent me one, so I tried it. The Gen II Mike-15 upper ran fine on a standard AR lower with that buffer tube spacer. One thing to mention is that the Mike-15 uses a different manual of arms, kind of. Because of the forward charging handle, one needs to readjust a little. Is this a bad thing? I don’t think so, but I thought it needed mentioning. When it comes to that manual of arms, the Mike-15 also seems to take a little more muscle power to manually cycle the bolt. Probably a non-issue for most. Watch a short clip of how it runs HERE.

  There are a few aspects of the Mike-15 that I really like. The first is the folding brace. I really liked this addition. One, because it folds and makes the Mike-15 really compact. Two, because it has M-lok slots in the arm. Having M-lok allows me to install a QD socket so I can run a sling easily. The next aspect I like is the weight. It weighs 5.6 pounds on my scale, and that is with the Lucid E7 blue-dot optic and the brace. When it comes to performance, the Mike-15 can hold its own. Being only a 12.5 inch barrel, I do shoot it slightly slower than a 16 inch barreled AR, but it is still fast. The Hiperfire trigger helps with the speed also. It is a very nice trigger upgrade. Lastly, I really like the self contained buffer system as it makes the Mike-15 pistol something you can shoot with the brace folded. I’d say the performance of the Mike-15 is above par for the price you pay.

  Foxtrot Mike designs their products for the everyday user. You get a high quality product for not a ton of cash. The Mike-15 Gen II pistols start at $699 MSRP and work their way up from there, depending on options of course. If you are looking for a truly foldable ARish pistol or rifle, the quality you get from Foxtrot Mike is top notch. You can check them out over at fm-products.com.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Bufferless AR style rifle or pistol

Target Market:

Those wanting a non conventional AR that has the advantage of not having a buffer tube.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • CALIBER: .223 WYLDE

  • OPERATING SYSTEM: DIRECT IMPINGEMENT

  • BARREL LENGTH: 12.5"

  • BARREL TWIST: 1:8

  • BARREL MATERIAL: 41V50 PREMIUM MATCH GRADE 41v50 BARREL, VACUUM STRESS RELIEVED, MELONITE COATED WITH A BURNISHED CHAMBER

  • GAS SYSTEM: MIDLENGTH

  • GAS BLOCK: 0.625" NON-ADJUSTABLE

  • UPPER RECEIVER: BILLET AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING 

  • LOWER RECEIVER:  BILLET AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING 

  • HANDGUARD: 11.75" M-LOK FREE FLOAT TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING

  • CHARGING HANDLE: 4 POSITION NON-RECIPROCATING FRONT CHARGING HANDLE

  • PISTOL GRIP: THRIL

  • BUFFER LESS  

  • LENGTH (INCHES): 22"

  • WEIGHT (LBS): 4.7 without brace or optic

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Various lengths, rifle options, etc.

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 stars at Brownells - yes it’s for the rifle version, but it is still close   

One of my favorites

I purchased the 16" as well as the 11.5" pistol version. I shot the 16" primarily and was able to zero at 100y and hit targets at 500y without issue. A bit more fine tuning with my scope could yield a bit more in its capability. Some things to note about the rifle: I had some issues with the first round in a magazine going into battery and having light primer strikes that were rectified through break-in. After a couple magazines, I had zero errors. The biggest issue I had was getting proper eye level with my sight. Be aware the Zhukov stock and the folding, mounting system sits 0.25" lower than a standard AR. You may have to buy the $15 0.25 Magpul AK Riser to get the proper eye line. I paired my 30mm LVPO with a low mount, cantilever scope mount. In all, it only cost an additional $50, but I wish there were a way to have the stock sit at the same level as a buffer tube would. This is information I wish had been noted in reviews/videos before purchasing the rifle. Am I happy with my FM-15?Yes, it's probably my favorite AR long gun. Would the sight-line information have changed my decision to buy? Maybe, but ultimately I'm happy to own such a unique rifle. Time will tell if I enjoy the pistol length version as much as the 16".Though, I do hope Foxtrot Mike develops a 300BLK, short barreled upper of the same style.

Link to other reviews:

Tiberious Gib on YouTube   

Pew Pew Tactical   

Price point:

MSRP = $699.00 +

As tested = Approximately $1125

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Foxtrot Mike or Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • Folding brace

  • Self contained recoil system

  • Pinned gas block

  • 3D magwell

Cons:

  • Manual of Arms is slightly different 

  • Harder to charge the firearm when compared to an AR

Score:  8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Gforce Arms Rapture review

Primary Weapon Systems MK116 Pro Upper

 When it comes to AR upper receivers, there are a ton to choose from. You can get dirt cheap, or super hi-end. There’s also different ways for the firearm to cycle those upper receivers. One of those is the long stroke gas piston. Which leads us to Primary Weapon Systems (PWS for short). Primary Weapon System has been making long stroke gas piston AR uppers for some time, as well as complete rifles. PWS is well known for their long stroke gas piston AR’s and upper receivers.

  Primary Weapon Systems sent me one of their MK116 Pro Upper receivers. Which version they sent isn’t as important as how the upper operates. As all of the PWS uppers use the long stroke gas piston for operation. The long stroke gas piston operates differently than your standard AR’s direct impingement system. Instead of using the gas to cycle the Bolt Carrier rearward, the PWS long stroke gas piston uses a piston that is, essentially, directly hooked to the BCG through the piston rod. When gas comes into the gas block, it directly pushes on the piston to cycle the action. This gives a few advantages over the normal direct impingement system. For one, the gun runs cleaner because all the gas isn’t being directed directly into the action. It also allows the action to run cooler, since the hot gas isn’t being directly blown into the action. A big plus if you are running an upper on a full auto gun. Lastly, the action can tend to run smoother because all the operating parts are fixed together. There are also a few downsides to a long stroke piston upper. They can weigh a little more. The PWS upper is only a few ounces heavier than my comparable DI upper, so it’s not a lot of extra weight. The only other notable thing is that it comes apart differently than a DI upper. Not a big deal at all, just different.

  The PWS MK116 Pro upper has a lot of great features. First off, I’ll mention that I received the 16” barreled version. This is important to note because it uses a mid length gas system for the piston. It also has a 15” M-Lok handguard. The handguard is a little different then what most people are used to. This is because it is missing a small chunk of the top picatinny rail, or basically one lug of the rail. This lug is missing so that you can easily adjust the 3 position gas block. The MK116 also runs a slick side upper, so no forward assist. There is a small shell deflector on it to keep the ejected brass from hitting you, but it will hit your camera man in the face. This particular upper came with an A2 birdcage. If you want flash suppression, the A2 birdcage works very well. Lastly, the PWS MK116 comes with a Radian Raptor charging handle. I really like the Raptor charginging handles, PWS made a good choice in using them. 

Staking on Carrier bolts is different due to long stroke piston setup

  PWS gave the long stroke gas piston uppers, and firearms, a 3 position gas block. As mentioned earlier, this is easily adjusted through the handguard. One can even use the tip of a bullet to adjust it. The 3 positions are labeled 1,2,3, and “X”. All 3 positions have a detent and click to them. The X position is for disassembly and cleaning, it’s not a click adjustment. Position 1 is for unsuppressed use, or normal everyday use for those without a suppressor. Position 2 is for suppressed light loads or low back pressure (flow through) suppressors. Position 3 is for suppressed heavier loads or higher back pressure suppressors. I did try out all 3 positions. Position 1 works exactly as advertised. Position 2 would eject rounds without a suppressor, most of the time, Position 3 would not cycle without a suppressor. With my 556 suppressor, position 3 was spot on. Positions 1 and 2 had a bit of force behind the ejection pattern. I really like how PWS gives you a simple, yet effective, way to adjust the upper for suppressed and unsuppressed use. Through all my testing on the PWS upper, I had zero malfunctions, not counting the ones I caused by using the wrong gas position (I had to test them). I also used a variety of ammunition types and brands for testing, both suppressed and unsuppressed.

  Being that the Primary Weapon Systems MK116 was just a complete upper receiver, I needed something worthy of mounting it on. I ended up using an Aero Precision lower. This lower has a few options that make it a great companion to the PWS upper. The lower has a Blackout Defense Zero trigger installed in it, a VZ stipple grip, and an ambi safety selector. The trigger is what really makes such a great combo with the PWS long stroke piston. You can shoot this rifle super fast if you want to. Also, I needed to have some way to aim the rifle. I ended up using a 1x prism sight. Well, I did have a 1-6x on it at first, but I took it off in favor of the prism. The last thing I did to enhance the PWS upper was to install some NILE grip panels and a sling. The NILE panels use a M-Lok attachment, so they mounted up super easy to the PWS M-Lok rail. I had to use a M-Lok QD attachment for the sling. This particular PWS upper doesn’t have QD mounting points built into the handguard, that’s not a big deal for me, but it would be nice. I was really happy with how the PWS upper worked in conjunction with my lower receiver. The fit to the lower receiver was a bit tighter than what I would call “normal”, but not tight enough that it was hard to install on the lower. The PWS upper, when mated to my lower, made a really nice rifle.

  Anyone looking for a great way to upgrade an AR rifle, needs to look into the Primary Weapon Systems long stroke gas piston uppers. The PWS system works very well. The action is super smooth. The piston system is robust and will keep your rifle cleaner than the original gas system does. If you are using a suppressor, it also keeps the blowback gasses out of your face. So if you are searching for a top tier upper receiver, do yourself a favor and go check out what Primary Weapon Systems has to offer.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Long Stroke Gas Piston Upper

Target Market:

Those wanting a super reliable gas piston rifle

Features & Benefits of this product:

  • Operating System: PWS Long Stroke Piston System, 3 setting Adjustable Gas Regulator

  • Caliber: .223 Wylde

  • Barrel Length: 16.1”

  • Gas System Length: Mid-Length

  • Barrel Twist Rate: 1:8

  • Muzzle Device: A2 Flash Hider

  • Upper Receiver: PWS Proprietary Piston Upper, 6061 extrusion, Anodized

  • Handguard: PWS M-Lok™ 15” Handguard (1.7” width, 2.25” height)

  • Charging Handle: Radian Raptor™ Ambidextrous Charging Handle

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

PWS has a ton of different uppers, all are gas piston

What others are saying?:

Not much found

Link to other reviews:

Pew Pew Tactical full rifle review  

Price point:

MSRP = $824.95

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Weapon Systems

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Long Stroke piston

  • Radian Raptor charging handle

  • Adjustable gas block

  • Cut-out in handguard for gas block adjustment

  • Quality

Cons:

  • Cut-out in handguard for gas block adjustment

  • Proprietary system

  • Pricey

Score: 8.00 Great

TriggerTech AR Duty trigger

  When it comes to aftermarket AR triggers, there are numerous options. One of the categories some of these fall under are “Duty Grade” or “Enhanced Duty Grade”. I tend to lump everything in these categories into the “Enhanced Duty Grade” except the standard mil-spec trigger. That leads me to Triggertech coming out with their version of a Duty Trigger. Triggertech was kind enough to send me an AR Duty Trigger at the same time they sent the AR Diamond trigger.

  Since this is a duty trigger, I opted for the curved shoe version. As you may know from previous reviews, I like a curved trigger. Triggertech does make the Duty version with their signature straight shoe also. Triggertech’s curved shoe is pretty close to the same width as a mil-spec trigger. But it feels narrower due to the ribs on the face of it. Because of this, the face is more radiused than the mil-spec trigger. However, the curve on the shoe seems to be the same as a mil-spec trigger. I really like the physical feel of the Triggertech curved shoe. 

  This Duty trigger has a few options available. I already discussed the shoe options, so those are taken care of. First, the Triggertech Duty comes in either a fixed 3.5 lb pull weight, or a 5.5 lb version. I opted for the 3.5 lb version as I like lighter pull weights, even in a duty trigger. Both of those pull weight options are also available in a single stage or two stage version. I opted for the single stage, which is just that, one pull and break. The two stage will have some light take-up before you hit the wall of the trigger pull and break. It’s really personal preference as to which one you go with.

  The Triggertech Duty trigger comes as a cartridge style, drop in unit. This makes installation a snap. Triggertech used a different material for the Duty’s housing. They are using a EZAC diecast zinc. Here’s what I found on EZAC: “EZAC is a hot-chamber zinc die casting alloy with superior creep resistance, high yield strength, and high hardness.” So basically the housing should last a long, long time. The parts inside, that really matter, are made from 440C stainless. The trigger shoe is also PVD coated black. Drop-in triggers are my choice for trigger installs and not all “Duty” triggers are this way.

  Since this Duty trigger is made by Triggertech, it inherits some of the technology from its higher end siblings. This means that you get the benefit of having their roller bearing between the trigger and sear. Big deal you say? Yes it is, because it removes the friction portion of a trigger pull. Rollers always beat friction, at least in my world. This makes the trigger have essentially no take up. At least on the single stage version. If you want to know more about Triggertech’s technology, you can check out their How-It-Works page. I think the only tech it doesn’t have is the CLKR adjustment,  but that’s because it’s a fixed pull weight.

  I will say, the Triggertech Duty has one of the best “duty” trigger pulls I have felt. There is no take up, just a crisp 0.050” break, with some overtravel. Here is where the trigger gets weird. If you dry fire the trigger, it has about 0.025” of overtravel. But when you cycle the action, after pulling the trigger and holding it (also during live fire), the trigger moves rearward another 0.050”, for a total overtravel of around 0.075”. This gives the Triggertech Duty trigger a 0.125” reset, or an ⅛”. This isn’t bad for a duty trigger, but it does make the trigger a little slower to shoot. Not in a bad way, just different. The clean break definitely makes up for the reset. Speaking of reset, it's pretty good. Not as strong as a mil-spec trigger, but better than the Triggertech Diamond line, at least in reset feel.

  I ended up sticking the Triggertech Duty trigger in my Kaiser Blackbird. It was a great addition to the lightweight build. The trigger shoots very well in it. Double taps are fairly easy and quick for a duty style trigger. Bill Drills (6 shots) are a little slower due to the reset not being as short as non-duty triggers, but still manageable. Overall, the Duty trigger is still a great trigger in this category of AR triggers.

  As I mentioned, the Triggertech AR Duty trigger is one of the best I have felt. I don’t think you can go wrong choosing this trigger, especially when you find out the MSRP is only $130 bucks. So if you want a good inexpensive trigger, or if you need an actual “Duty” grade trigger, go check out Triggertech’s version of a Duty trigger.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Duty style trigger with a great trigger pull

Target Market:

Close quarter engagement,  harsh environments operations,  law enforcement, military, 3 Gun

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Traditional Curved trigger shoe

  • Trigger Action: Single-Stage

  • Zero Creep

  • TKR Technology 

  • FLatwire spring 

  • Creep: 0.000"

  • Overtravel: 0.060"

  • Reset: 0.070"

  • Reset Feel: Tactile mid force

  • Full Hammer Strike Force

  • EZAC Diecast drop in housing

  • Standard Mil-Spec Pin 0.154" (trigger pins not included)

  • Lifetime Warranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Straight shoe, two stage, 5.5 lb pull weights. AR9 and AR10 options

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 stars from Glenn P. at Brownells

Excellent trigger

Wanted a better trigger for my AR15 than the factory trigger. After an easy 5 minute swap the difference is night and day. Zero grit, creep. Consistent 3.5# pull and short crisp reset. Highly recommended for an upgrade to your rifle.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $129.99

Retail = same at Brownells

I need it now! Availability:

TriggerTech or Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Great trigger break

  • Decent reset

  • Drop in installation

  • Curved or straight shoe 

  • Price

Cons:

  • Over Travel after bolt movement

  • Long reset

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Triggertech Diamond review

TriggerTech AR Diamond single stage trigger

  I am someone that is always looking for the newest and best AR trigger. I have found some that are pretty fantastic. Which leads me to the Triggertech AR Diamond Single stage trigger. The Diamond is Triggertech’s top of the line model and it shows. They were gracious enough to send me one for review, and I am glad they did.

  For this particular review, I opted for the straight trigger shoe. Triggertech also has a curved option in the Diamond line, if that is your pleasure. I am known to like a curved trigger, but for a hi-performance trigger, I can get behind the straight options. The shoe is definitely straight and flat, but also has a tiny hook/knob at the foot. There are no sharp edges anywhere on the trigger,  even if it looks like there would be. The trigger felt great to me, which surprised me since it has no texture on it and is super smooth. Part of that feel is in the trigger operation, but more on that later. Triggertech also puts a “TT” at the very top of the trigger, where it pivots. A nice touch to say whose trigger it is.

  Let’s get into what makes the Triggertech Diamond single stage work so well. The most notable aspect to Triggertech triggers is their use of a roller between the sear and the trigger. They call this Frictionless release technology (FRT). This roller allows the trigger to not have any friction in the actual trigger pull. Most every other trigger on the market uses the friction between the sear and the trigger. You can definitely feel the difference because of the FRT, especially if you compare it to a standard friction trigger. They also use their TRK system to give you the shortest trigger pull possible. If you are curious about their other tech, check out their How-It-Works page.  

  Since the Diamond trigger is at the top of Triggertech’s lineup, it is adjustable. Triggertech states an adjustable pull from 1.5 lbs to 4.0 lbs. I can attest to these values, as I adjusted it all the way down and back up. To adjust the trigger pull weight, there is a set screw at the rear of the trigger housing. Turn clockwise to increase pull weight, and counterclockwise to decrease pull weight. This set screw also uses Triggertech’s Clicker technology. Essentially the set screw clicks every 2 oz of pull weight. The Clicker adjustment makes adjusting the pull weight super easy. I have mine set at 2 lbs and love it. The Diamond came set at 2.5 lbs on my trigger pull scale. It is definitely one of the easier triggers to adjust, due to that single adjustment screw.

  For those wondering, the Triggertech Diamond is a drop in style trigger. This cartridge style makes installation easy. The cartridge is made from 7075 aluminum. Does it need to be this higher grade of aluminum? Probably not, but it does show quality. If you are worried about it wearing out, don’t. Even if it did, it’s covered by the lifetime warranty. One thing I wish that Triggertech included were anti-walk pins. Yes I can get them inexpensively, but in a top tier trigger, I think they should be included. I have criticized other companies for the same thing, even if it is kind of nitpicking.

  Now for the really good stuff. The Triggertech Diamond has essentially zero take up or creep. Yes, I can’t perceive any, or measure it with the tools I have. There is also zero perceived over travel. You simply put your finger on the trigger and apply pressure. Then the trigger breaks with one of the cleanest breaks I have felt on an AR trigger. When I measured the total movement of the trigger, it measured at 0.050”. This was at the very bottom of the trigger shoe, so it is less as you move your finger up the trigger shoe. The trigger pull on the Triggertech Diamond is fantastic. Now comes my only complaint, and it’s minor. I would like the reset to be stronger. Triggertech calls it “tactile mid force”, which I think is a fair explanation. The reset works fine, even when shooting really fast, I just want a tactile high force reset. This trigger can be shot super fast if that’s what you want. If you like single stage triggers in a precision gun, it would do a fantastic job there too.

  The Triggertech Diamond has impressed everyone that I let use it, even me. The Diamond is just that good. I did run it in a local match where it performed well. There were some rapid fire targets, and some small precise targets. The Diamond made it easy to do both and transition between them. When the sight was on target, I just touched the trigger and made decent hits. I attribute this to the consistent pull weight and lack of any trigger take up. The Triggertech Diamond is now in my top 2 triggers for an AR. The Diamond is a better all around trigger than my other top pick, which is more a speed trigger. The Diamond single stage can do everything an AR trigger should do, and it does it extremely well.

  If you are looking for a great AR trigger, do not skip over looking into Triggertech. The Diamond AR single stage trigger does everything one could ask for. It works for precision shooting, as well as ultra fast shooting. I definitely place it in the best of the best category. If you want a top quality AR trigger, check out the AR Diamond from Triggertech. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Adjustable single stage trigger with no pre-travel and very little over travel

Target Market:

3 Gun,  close quarter engagement,  competition,  harsh environments operations,  high speed shooting,  law enforcement,  long range hunting,  military,  precision shooting,  rugged hunting,  target shooting,  varmint hunting.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Flat Straight trigger shoe

  • Single-Stage

  • Adjustable pull weight: 1.5-4lbs

  • Zero Creep

  • TKR Technology

  • CLKR Technology

  • FLTWR Technology

  • Creep: 0.000"

  • Overtravel: < 0.015"

  • Reset: < 0.030"

  • Full Hammer Strike Force

  • 7075 Aluminum drop in housing

  • Standard Mil-Spec Pin 0.154" (trigger pins not included)

  • Lifetime Warranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Curved shoe and AR9, AR10 variants 

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars from Tuomas K. at TriggerTech 

I have been solely using Triggertech triggers on all my platforms since the IPSC World Shoot Rifle 2019. I have tried a lot of other triggers throughout the years and can happily say that I found the best in Triggertech Triggers. I run them on my AR-platforms, PCC:s and my PRS rigs. The Diamond triggers are beautiful and I love the action and the clean break in them.

Even though I love my red Diamonds for the AR-platforms, the new Single Stage Diamond Trigger will be my go-to trigger for the future. Got the opportunity to test this trigger out and I basically love It!

Superfast, short distinct reset and breaks like glass, every time!

Link to other reviews:

Ultimate Reloader (2 stage diamond, but closest I could find)     

Price point:

MSRP = $304.99

Retail = Same at Brownells

I need it now! Availability:

TriggerTech or Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super short pull

  • Zero take up

  • Zero overtravel

  • Super clean break

  • Easy to shoot fast or accurately

Cons:

  • Price

  • Doesn’t include anti-walk trigger pins

Score: 9.00 Amazing

Favorite Link:  Walker Defense NERO  

Kaiser X-7 Blackbird receiver set

  When you think about lightweight AR’s, you usually don’t think of composite hybrids. Kaiser US is here to change that, and in a big way. Kaiser has plenty of experience in the hybrid AR market with great product success. Recently they introduced a new Titanium-Graphite composite AR15 receiver set called the X-7 Blackbird. The name pays tribute to the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane, a composite plane that was way ahead of it’s time, thus similar to the X-7 Blackbird receiver set. After having Mike, from Kaiser, on the podcast, he offered to send me one of these hot new Blackbird receiver sets for review.

  Let’s talk a little about this Ti-Graphite composite. There are a lot of misnomers about composite, or plastic, receivers. Even though some of these are true, they do not apply to the Kaiser X-7 Blackbird, or any of Kaiser’s other receivers. This is because Kaiser engineered the composite receiver, so it is not just your everyday “polymer” like the others. It has more material in certain places to help with strength. But Kaiser doesn’t stop there. They wanted it to be stronger than the standard aluminum AR15 receivers. So they put titanium and anodized aluminum inserts into the places needing strength. For instance, some of these places are the threads for the buffer tube and the barrel nut threads. The Blackbird’s Ti-Graphite composite also adds in some more strength, simply because the titanium and graphite are molded into the composite. Another huge advantage to the Ti-Graphite composite is its lubricity and wear resistance. Essentially, it is so smooth that very little to no lubrication is needed. I still put some oil on the BCG, but it cycled smoothly without it. So what does this Ti-Graphite composite get you? It yields a super strong upper/lower receiver set that weighs in at 9 ounces stripped. For comparison, a standard stripped, forged AR15 lower receiver, without an upper, weighs 8.8 ounces.

   Besides the Blackbird being a super lightweight receiver set, it also has some other enhancements. Up first is its textured magwell. Not only is it textured on the side, but the front as well. This texture consists of raised rectangles. For those of us that grab the magwell with your support hand, this gives you a good, no slip, grip on the Blackbird. The magwell is also beveled to help get those magazines changed quickly. Next is the fit between the upper and lower receiver. It’s tight! I have never had a matched receiver set fit like this before, in a good way. I can push the receiver pins out, hold the upper, and shake it vigorously before the two halves come apart. If you are using the Blackbird for a precision style rifle build, this fitment would be perfect and would definitely help in the accuracy department.

  With the X-7 Blackbird being engineered differently, it has a few slight differences. All of them are good, just different. First, since the lower receiver is slightly wider than a standard aluminum one, at least in some spots, it can’t use standard anti-walk pins to hold the trigger in place. Standard trigger pins will work, but there is no reason to use them. Kaiser gives you their proprietary V2 anti-walk trigger pins, as well as the allen wrenches to install them. These V2 pins work for any trigger you wish to install into the Blackbird lower. It pretty much accepts any mil-spec or drop in AR trigger. The X-7 Blackbird also uses a proprietary port door on the upper receiver. As with the trigger pins, the lightweight port door assembly is also included. Most standard and ambi safeties will work with the Blackbird. I installed a Timber Creek ambi safety and it works well. Because the Blackbird is about weight, Kaiser also includes a skeletonized titanium grip screw for mounting your favorite grip. I went with the old A2 style grip, because it is one of the lighter weight grips around. The Blackbird upper receiver also does not have a forward assist. My guess is to save weight, since the forward assist isn’t always needed. The last two differences have to do with assembling the lower and upper. Instead of being able to put the rear takedown pin spring in normal, it now goes under the pistol grip, similar to the safety detent. I have zero problems with this, it's just different enough to mention. When installing a barrel and handguard onto the Blackbird, Kaiser recommends the use of a “reaction rod”. This prevents the upper receiver from being over torqued and damaged. They also only recommend 30 ft lbs of torque on the barrel nut as to not cause any unseen damage to the receiver.

  A little bit about the build with the X-7 Blackbird receiver set, is in order. I wanted to try and make this build pretty light, since the Blackbird is so light to begin with. I basically took an assembled AR pistol and took it apart, that way I could use the lightweight parts on the Blackbird. These consisted of a Faxon Lightweight 10.5” pencil barrel, a Walker Defense Titanium BCG, a Dark Hour Defense Magnesium handguard, and some other miscellaneous parts. What this gave me was an AR pistol that weighed 4.2 lbs without an optic. That is with parts that one can buy everyday, no custom special parts here. If you were to put a small lightweight red dot on it, it wouldn’t weigh much more. I did install a larger red dot, a finger stop, and a light. This only brought the weight up to 5.2 pounds, which is respectable with a light. It is possible to get the Blackbird to below 4 lbs without sights, I just haven’t tried to do it yet. One could put a shorter handguard and some titanium small parts to help reduce the weight even more. I am happy with how this build turned out. When you pick it up next to my decked out 11.5” SBR, it feels like it weighs nothing.

  How does it shoot? “Fantastic” would be the first word to come out of my mouth. The Ti-Graphite composite makes it so smooth. There really is barely any recoil, partly due to the Ti BCG and adjustable gas block. But It’s smoother feeling than when the same parts were in a standard aluminum receiver set. Double taps are super easy and quick to make. Essentially, this lightweight Blackbird receiver set makes an awesome place to start your lightweight AR build. I’m sure full Blackbird rifles will be available soon if building isn’t your thing.

  In the end, if you are looking at a lightweight AR15 receiver set, the Kaiser Blackbird can help you out. This Ti-Graphite matched upper/lower receiver set is one of the strongest and lightest ones around. The Blackbird is way lighter than its nearest, more expensive competitor. Don’t be scared by those who say “plastic” will break, they haven’t used the Blackbird and they probably haven’t ever heard of Kaiser US either. So, if you want one of the lightest AR’s around, start with the Kaiser X-7 Blackbird receiver set and don’t look back. You’ll be getting a quality product that will perform above your expectations.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Ultra lightweight AR15 receiver set

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a lightweight receiver set

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Titanium Graphite Composite Material

  • Titanium & anodized aluminum inserts at all critical wear points

  • Beveled mag well

  • Compatible with any Mil-Spec drop-in trigger

  • Compatible with all Mil-Spec and most aftermarket grips

  • X-7 Weight - 9 oz, for the complete receiver set

  • Non-Slip texture

  • Skeletonized Titanium Grip Screw included

  • Ejection Port Cover (EPC): Proprietary for X-7 EPC /Spring /Rods (Included)

  • V2 System: Anti-Walk Trigger Pins (included), Proprietary for X-7

  • Trigger Pin Screws and Allen wrenches included

  • No Forward Assist

  • Zero Corrosion

  • Impact Resistant

  • Maintenance: No Oil or Lubrication Necessary

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Midnight Grey

What others are saying?:

Could only find stuff on the Monarch series

Link to other reviews:

Only found Monarch series reviews    

Price point:

MSRP = $375.00

Retail = $356.00 at Rainier Arms

I need it now! Availability:

Kaiser US

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super lightweight

  • Smooth operation

  • Tight upper/lower fit

  • Unique look

  • Includes anti-walk pins, port cover, and titanium grip screw

Cons:

  • Price, but lightweight always costs money

  • Slightly wider, in some places,  than standard AR lower receivers 

Score: 9.00 Amazing

Favorite Link:  Blackout Defense 

AR Gold trigger

  Some time ago I was asked if I had ever used an AR Gold trigger. My answer was “no”, but I had heard they are pretty good. That led me to ask American Trigger Corporation if they would send one out for a full review. As one can guess, here I am with a full review of the Adjustable, curved, AR Gold trigger.

  When the AR Gold trigger showed up, I eagerly installed it into a lower receiver. The AR Gold comes in a nicely packaged box with some stickers and such. The packaging itself makes the trigger look like a finely tuned race car, which it kind of is. Since the AR Gold is a cartridge style AR-15 trigger, installation is very straightforward. 

  As mentioned, I opted for the adjustable version. Yes, a non-adjustable one is also available, its pull weight is set at 3.5 lbs. The adjustable one is also set at the factory to 3.5 lbs. I set mine a little lighter, down to 2.5 lbs. To adjust the AR Gold trigger, there are 2 set screws at the back of the trigger housing. Use the top screw. Clockwise will increase the sear tension, thus increasing the break weight of the trigger. Of course, turning the screw counter-clockwise will decrease the sear tension, lightening the trigger break. From ATC Gold’s website - “As you reduce the amount of spring tension on the sear, you WILL reach a point that the gun will not cock reliably when live firing – though it may still cock dry firing. On most AR’s this will occur somewhere between 3 and 2 lbs.” So go slowly with your adjustments. From my understanding, there is really no need to even go near the bottom screw on the trigger housing. I had no problems adjusting the AR gold trigger down to a measured 2.5 lbs, everything still safely checked out as normal. Individual results for the trigger adjustments may vary. ATC also designed this trigger from the ground up. It is not just a modified GI trigger in a drop-in cage. Which is really noticeable if you compare them side by side. 

  The trigger pull on the AR Gold is really good, but it may not be what you are used to. It is more like a really good 1911 pistol trigger pull. ATC has a good explanation on their website, but essentially it says “AR Gold is a single-stage with a slight bit of very light (8 oz.) of take up.” After the take up, you then hit the “wall,” this is where the actual pull weight is. Apply pressure and the trigger breaks super crisply. This is by far one of the crispest trigger pulls I have felt. When I measured it, at the bottom of the trigger shoe, the break only moved the trigger around 0.050”. So up higher on the trigger, the pull length is actually shorter. After the break, there is some slight over travel. Not a bunch, most people might not even notice it. Then there is the reset. The reset is short, essentially the same as the break of the trigger. But, the reset is not very positive. It didn’t seem to matter if the trigger was set to the factory 3.5 lbs, or the 2.5 lbs I set it at. I would have liked to see a more positive reset, but I could still shoot this trigger very fast. All kinds of “super fast” professional shooters use this trigger, so it’s not like the reset is slow.

  I chose the AR Gold with a curved trigger shoe. Why? Because I like the consistency that a curved trigger gives me. ATC also offers a flat style trigger shoe. I think the flat style looks better, but I’m about functionality. The AR Gold trigger shoe is pretty narrow. It doesn’t affect anything, it’s just notable compared to a GI trigger. The curve of the trigger feels very much like the curve of a GI trigger, at least to me. The trigger, as a whole, feels like an expensive watch. It functions superbly, but also looks elegant. 

  The AR Gold trigger could be used on just about any style of AR rifle. It is fast, has a great break, and is adjustable. So if you are just into backyard plinking, or full blown competition, the AR Gold might be something to look into. I’m probably going to stick it in a AR varmint rifle build, but what you do with one is really up to you. American Trigger Corporation did a great job making a 1911 style trigger for your AR. If you are into finely tuned race cars, or triggers that are similar, then you need to check out the AR Gold trigger.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Adjustable AR trigger with a super short break

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a top of the line AR trigger

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 3.5 lbs. (Adjustable Weight)

  • Drop Safe

  • Drop-In trigger module 

  • Includes .154” trigger pins

  • Short Reset

  • Short, Crisp break

  • Adjustable weight engagement and over-travel

  • Designed for AR-15 & AR-10 Platform (.223, 5.56, .308, 7.62, .300 BLK, 6.5 Grendal)

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Flat faced trigger

What others are saying?:

4 out of 5 stars at Brownells

EXCELLENT

Pricey yes, but a great trigger. A clean sheet design. Not a reworked set of standard parts but a whole new way of thinking. Pulls very light and crisp. Yet punches deep pits into the primers. Can't comment on long term results until much more "testing" is done. But so far, perfect reliability and function. Just wish they were a bit cheaper. Then they would be a 5 star rating!

Link to other reviews:

Western Shooter  

Price point:

MSRP = $279.00

Retail = $279.00 at Rainier Arms  

I need it now! Availability:

American Trigger Co. or Rainier Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super crisp Break - glass rod type

  • Adjustable

  • Thin trigger profile

  • Cartridge style drop-in installation

Cons:

  • Slower reset

  • Slight over-travel

  • Price

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Gun Guys Garage

Expo Arms Patrol Series AR Upper

  Expo Arms has recently gotten into the AR-15 upper receiver market. They have a few options for pistols, SBR’s, and standard AR configurations. This particular upper is their Patrol series with a 16” barrel and A2 flash hider. If you didn’t know, Expo Arms is the in-house brand for Primary Arms and is sold exclusively through them.

  The Expo Arms Patrol Series is an everyday use AR-15 barrelled upper receiver. These do not come with a bolt carrier group (BCG) or charging handle. However when you order the upper, Primary Arms gives some drop down menus with discounted add ons, such as a BCG. The Patrol Series comes with a bunch of good specs: A 5.56 chamber, 1:7 twist nitrided 4150 cmv barrel, mid-length gas system, A2 flash hider, T-marked upper receiver, and a 15” M-Lok handguard.

  Barrels are an important part of any AR system. On 16” barrels, like this one, I like mid-length gas systems. They are smoother feeling and put less wear on components then a carbine length gas system. Being that the barrel is also salt bath nitrided, it will have a good lifespan and keep corrosion away. Expo Arms uses a SOCOM profile on the barrel. I like the profile as it gives strength and consistency without being heavy. Of course the muzzle is threaded and comes with an A2 flash hider installed. The barrel consistently shoots under 1 MOA for me with 69 grain match rounds. 

  Expo Arms uses their own T-marked upper receiver. This is a standard forged version made from 7075-T6 aluminum. It has a round style forward assist and a standard mil-spec port door. The whole upper is nicely machined and anodized. 

  To cover the barrel, and give you something to hold onto, is the 15” M-Lok handguard. This is a very nice, useful, no frills handguard. It runs a full top rail that is not sharp. The sharp parts of the rail have been deburred slightly. Along the other portions of the handguard are M-Lok slots. These M-Lok slots are every 45 degrees around the handguard, not just the standard of every 90. It’s a clamp on style handguard, but also has some anti-rotation tabs to keep it from rotating. I’ve never had a problem with these style handguards rotating on me, but the tabs are a nice addition. I really liked the Expo Arms handguard, I’d even consider it as a stand alone item. 

  If you’re looking for a good quality AR upper, the Expo Arms Patrol series might just be it. It has a lot of nice features for the price. In fact, I am still amazed at the 0.75” group I shot with it. Definitely go check out the Expo Arms series of stuff over at Primary Arms. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Quality 5.56 AR Upper receiver at a fair price

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a 16” AR upper

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 7075-T6 forged aluminum MIL-SPEC upper

  • 5.56 NATO chamber

  • T-Marked

  • 16" Patrol Series Nitride barrel

  • 41V50 Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel barrel

  • SOCOM barrel contour 

  • Mid-Length Gas System

  • 1:7 Twist Rate

  • 15" Expo Arms Patrol Series M-LOK Handguard

  • A2 Flash Hider

  • No BCG or Charging handle

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Various

What others are saying?:

Nothing as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Nothing as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $349.99

Retail = Check Primary Arms for sales

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Nitride Barrel

  • T-Marked upper

  • M-Lok handguard

  • Full top rail

  • Accurate

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come with BCG or CH (options are available)

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Walker Defense Nero Review

Dark Hour Defense MAGNESIUM DARKLITE handguard

  As one may have heard, I was building out a lightweight AR pistol and was in need of a lightweight handguard. Along comes Dark Hour Defense with their Magnesium Darklite M-Lok handguard. If you haven’t heard of Dark Hour Defense, they are a sister company of V Seven Weapon Systems. Dark Hour Defense is more of the “not as fancy” line, but still using the same technology and quality of V Seven. This makes the Dark Hour products more cost effective for the end user. 

  I decided on the Darklite handguard in the 9.2” length. I chose this length because I was using a 10.5” pencil barrel. Essentially, I didn’t want the handguard to extend over the muzzle, but also wanted it to cover the gas block. The 9.2” Darklite turned out to be just perfect. Dark Hour also has a 7.1” as well as sizes out to 18”. Outside diameter on them is 1.5”s wide and 1.97”s tall. The 1.97” height is due to the full length top rail. Inside diameter is 1.3” wide and 1.55” tall. 

  The Darklite handguard is super light! The 9.2” comes in weighing 4.23 ounces, on my scale, without any hardware. The barrel nut adds in another 1.13 ounces. Add in some mounting screws and the total weight is 5.64 ounces. I will mention that the weight listings on the Dark Hour Defense website are really close to the actual weight I measured. To get this lightweight handguard, Dark Hour uses an aluminum magnesium alloy that is 30% lighter than standard 6061 aluminum. It appears to be just as strong, if not stronger. Remember, this handguard also has a full top picatinny rail. The barrel nut is made from 7068 aluminum, which is harder and stronger than 7075 aluminum, but weighs less than steel by a good margin. All one needs to really know is that these are super light and strong.

  The Darklite handguard is pretty normal in other aspects except one. As noted before, it is running a full top picatinny rail. The M-Lok slots are at 3,6, & 9 o’clock. As of now, it is only available with M-Lok, because that’s the standard in my opinion. Instead of anodizing, Dark Hour uses a plasma deposition coating that gives a “tough ceramic-like coating with superior wear resistance compared to anodizing.” I’ll agree, this E-Cote finish, as they call it, is super tough. I haven’t even scratched it. Also, I had a QD point mounted to it and when I removed it, you couldn’t even tell it was on the handguard. It didn’t even leave a chip or indent. I kind of wish the Darklite had a QD point built in. That way I could connect a sling without adding the weight of the QD mount. The black color of this E-Cote finish matches the rifles anodizing very well and I like the durability of it.

  Installation of the Darklite handguard is pretty normal also. Install the barrel nut with the supplied wrench. YES, it includes a wrench! This is one of my favorite things. Every other manufacture, please do like Dark Hour Defense and include a barrel nut wrench with your handguards. The barrel nut may or may not need shims, mine was on the tight side without them, but still in specifications for torque. When installing the handguard tube, you may need to tap it on with a rubber mallet, or heat it up slightly. It is a nice snug fit. I just tapped it on and it worked fine. Dark Hour also includes a locator pin, so if your upper has this provision , you can use it for added rotational stability. I didn’t use the pin and have not had any problems with the handguard rotating. Lastly, install the 6 torx screws to spec, and off to the range you go.

  As usual, I’ve been trying to use the Darklite as much as possible. I really like it, but I like slim handguards, and at 1.5”s, it is just perfect. The Darkilite is a no frills, super lightweight handguard. They smoothed it all out and put angles and radiuses where they needed to be, like on the muzzle end of the handguard. The top rail portion is even pretty smooth, which is not an easy task with all those slot cuts. The price won’t kill your wallet either. At $195 for the 9.2”, it’s a great deal. Yes, longer ones cost more, but they are still a reasonable option for what you are getting. 

  The Dark Hour Defense Magnesium Darklite handguard is well worth checking out. You are definitely getting a quality lightweight handguard at a reasonable price, at least in the lightweight product category. I think Dark Hour Defense will be doing some more nice stuff in the future. Definitely keep your eye on them for cost effective lightweight products. You can check them out at https://darkhourdefense.com/

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Ultra Lightweight AR15 handguard

Target Market:

Those wanting a strong, lightweight handguard

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Aluminum Magnesium alloy

  • E-cote black finish

  • Length: 9.2"

  • Width: 1.5"

  • Height: 1.97"

  • Weight: 4.2 oz

  • ID of 1.3"(left to right) & 1.55" (top to bottom for gas block clearance)

  • 7068 Aluminum barrel nut

  • Includes barrel nut wrench

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Various lengths

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publication

Link to other reviews:

Same as above

Price point:

MSRP = $195.00

Retail = $189.15 at Optics Planet

I need it now! Availability:

Dark Hour Defense

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super light

  • Full top rail

  • All sharp edges are deburred

  • E-cote finish

  • Small Diameter

Cons:

  • No QD mounting points

Score:  9.00 Amazing

Favorite Link:  Atibal Optics

RMT Nomad Trigger

  The trigger market is flooded with good AR triggers. To stand out, you need to think outside the box. RMT Triggers has done just that with their Nomad trigger. The Nomad has a pivoting and rotating trigger shoe. Yes, the trigger actually pivots to fit to your finger placement on the shoe.

  As mentioned, the first noticeable difference in the Nomad trigger is its moveable trigger shoe. The trigger shoe is free floating, so to speak. It will pivot and rotate up to 6 degrees off of center. This will place the trigger shoe exactly where it needs to be on your finger. If your finger is a little short or long, it rotates to give your finger pad a perfect contact point on the trigger face. Maybe you don’t have a perfect grip on the rifle, the Nomad will also pivot for better finger pad contact. 

  The Nomad uses a flat face trigger. This works very well with the pivoting system. I typically don’t prefer flat faced triggers, but the Nomad is really nice. It’s called a flat trigger, but in reality, it has an ever so slight curve to it. This very slight curve might be why I like it more than other flat faced triggers.

Notice that the trigger is pushed out toward the edge of the trigger guard, due to it’s pivoting system

  When I, and others, first felt the Nomad trigger we thought it was a little odd. This was because of the noticeably left and right movement. This completely went away when we shot the actual Nomad. When shooting a rifle with the Nomad trigger in it, you don’t even notice that the trigger pivots and rotates to fit you. The Nomad just does what it does, adjusts to you and how you shoot. The trigger is also very fast to use!

  Now that the exotic parts of the Nomad are out of the way, it is still a drop in trigger. The Nomad is your typical cartridge style AR trigger. This makes installation super easy. Just remove the old trigger, pull the grip off, slide out the safety, then drop the Nomad in. The trigger comes with a set of anti-rotation pins, which are needed for installation and are something I recommend for cartridge style triggers. So the pins being included is a bonus in my eyes.

Notice how trigger is rotated.

  Besides the free adjusting trigger shoe system, the Nomad is a good feeling trigger. As mentioned before, I like the shape of the trigger shoe. The pull has a tiny bit of pre-travel, followed by a fairly short break , with little to no over-travel. Total trigger travel is around 0.125” measured at the bottom of the trigger shoe. My only complaint with the Nomad is its gritty pull. When pulling the trigger slowly, you can feel the grittiness in it. It hasn’t gone away either, even with over a thousand trigger presses, thanks to the Mantis Blackbeard. The Nomad is still a very fast trigger to shoot. When pulling the trigger at anything other than a slow pace, the grittiness is not noticeable. Part of the reason the trigger is fast is its great reset. The other reason is its 3 lb pull weight. I can shoot the Nomad on par with my other “fast” triggers. I don’t even notice the pivoting shoe when shooting fast or slow. The Nomad I received consistently has a pull weight of 3lbs 2ozs. 

  I’ve put a bunch of time in on the RMT Nomad trigger. I’ve had other people try it out. In the end, everyone seemed to like it. I think RMT has a really good idea going with the Nomad trigger. It may seem a little expensive, but you're getting a quality trigger PLUS something that can help you pull that trigger, wherever your finger decides it wants to be placed on it. At first the RMT Nomad may seem odd, but give it a chance, and you will see what it is all about. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

AR pivoting shoe trigger

Target Market:

Those wanting a good trigger that adjusts to their finger placement

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 6 degrees rotation & pivot

  • Short Reset

  • Non-adjustable 3 lb pull weight

  • Cartridge style

  • Anti-rotation pins included

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Soon to be non-pivoting trigger

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars at Opticsplanet.com

Red's Review of RMT Triggers Nomad Trigger

Fascinated by the concept, but skeptical at first. Buddies tried to convince me to go with something else, cause they thought “it would exacerbate bad habits.” Now here I am having the last laugh. Shooting this trigger compared to my buddies, my groupings are significantly tighter, and now they want one! Definitely worth every penny. I still shoot well with other triggers, I just shoot even better with this one. If you are looking for the competitive advantage, this trigger gives you it!

Pros:

  • Crisp break

  • Short reset

  • really well made

  • The trigger adapts to me

  • No need for finger gymnastics or awkward gripping

  • improved my groupings

Link to other reviews:

Gun Mag Warehouse

Price point:

MSRP = $299.00

Retail = $279.99 at Optics Planet

I need it now! Availability:

RMT Triggers or Optics Planet

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Trigger adjusts to user

  • Short 3 lb pull

  • Extremely Fast

  • Great short reset

  • Drop in - cartridge style

Cons:

  • Gritty when pulling slow

  • Price

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Walker Defense Research

Bushmaster DM2S Trigger

  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.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Dedicated Marksman 2 stage AR trigger

Target Market:

AR15 users wanting a good 2 stage trigger

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 2 stage AR15 trigger

  • 4.12 - 4.56 lbs. unlubricated pull weight

  • 3.12 - 3.71 lbs. lubricated pull weight

  • Standard Mil-Spec Curved Trigger Bow

  • Mil Spec Pin Size - 0.154”

  • Mil-Spec lower compatibility 

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

The Truth About Guns 

Price point:

MSRP = $129.99

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Bushmaster Firearms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Installs like any mil-spec AR trigger

  • 4 lb total average pull weight

  • 2 - stage

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Only available in standard mil-spec curved shoe

  • Not a drop in style

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Midwest Firearm Solutions

Blackout Defense Zero Trigger

  When people that have been shooting for a while ask me for the best upgrade, I usually tell them a good trigger. For newer shooters, it’s dry fire practice, but that’s a different story. Since I’m on the trigger subject, Blackout Defense has come out with their Zero trigger for the AR15 and AR10 platforms. Blackout Defense sent me a curved shoe trigger with a 3lb pull. This is one of the best single stage triggers I’ve had the pleasure of using.

  When you first see the Zero trigger, you don’t really notice anything different about it. The differences are on the inside, and become quickly apparent, more on that later. First off, it’s a cartridge style “drop in” trigger assembly. This makes installation easy. I’d recommend the anti-walk pins, as I would with any cartridge style trigger. They just give that little bit of added security, even if it’s just in my mind. As mentioned, I opted for the curved trigger. The curve is not near as much as a stock GI trigger. I would call it a short radius, but it’s appears to be a pretty standard profile for aftermarket triggers. I really like the curved profile, it works really well for me. If you don’t like curved triggers, they make it in a flat profile too. For me, the curve gives a consistent finger placement, so the felt pull is always the same.

  Now for the Zero trigger internals. What makes the Zero trigger so unique is its ability to completely remove pre-travel and over-travel. So much so, that the total trigger movement can be set to 0.078”. Part of this is accomplished by a curved or cupped trigger tail. This “cup” allows the tail to cradle the safety drum. To fully adjust, or get rid of, the pre and over travel. Hardened set screws are installed on the bottom of the trigger housing, both at the front and the rear. From Blackout Defense’s website - “The bottom of the Zero™ trigger housing features threaded holes that straddle both the front and rear of the trigger tail.  Hardened set screws are provided and can be installed through these threaded holes to finely tune the trigger location and push it into contact with the safety.” The trigger tail riding on the safety drum is what eliminates the pre-travel and is adjustable through the rear set screw. The over-travel is then adjusted with the front set screw. Once set, red loctite is recommended to keep them from moving. My only complaint about this process is that it is tedious work. Mainly because you have to pull the trigger out, turn the set screw a tiny amount, then reinstall the trigger and try it again. Be patient, it could take a while. The Zero trigger is so well made, that these tedious adjustments aren’t really needed for a great trigger pull. I just needed to see how it was done, as it is an option. The trigger will fit in any mil-spec lower, but if you don’t want to take the trigger in and out to adjust it, Blackout Defense’s lower receiver has 2 small holes in it, so that you don’t have to take the trigger out for this adjustment. The Zero trigger also has two different finish options for the internal components. Either Black Nitrided, or NP3. Both finishes help with lubricity and corrosion resistance. After factory setting the trigger pull weight, Blackout Defense then arc welds these set screws to make sure that they never come out of the factory adjustment. Note: these are different from the set screws used to adjust the pre and over travel, these are the ones the factory uses to adjust the pull weight (see inside the trigger housing picture). As you can see, those two screws aren’t ever moving.

  Two different trigger pull weights are available from the factory. Either a 4.5lb pull or a 3lb pull weight. I opted for the 3lb pull weight. When I measured it, it is consistently under the 3lb mark. Anywhere from 2-¾ lbs up to just shy of 3 lbs. Follow that up with the super short pull and the super crisp break, it feels like less. The reset on the Zero trigger is also great. Super crisp and tactile. The reset impressed me for a 3lb pull weight trigger.

  The Zero trigger has me sold. It is one of the best single stage AR triggers out there, at least in my opinion. It works spectacularly when shooting fast. I can consistently shoot a rifle bill drill (6 shots, A zone hits, 7yds) 0.25-0.30 seconds faster then when I use the same upper with different triggers. It works really well for precision shooting also. Having that short crisp pull allows me to not disturb the rifle when pulling the trigger slowly. Does it help my groups? Who knows, but I do know it’s easier for me to not move the rifle.

  While running the Zero trigger, I put a lot of time into dry fire. Well, maybe not dry fire, but the Mantis Blackbeard. This gave me the thousands of trigger pulls I needed to really fall in love with Zero trigger. The trigger never had a single hiccup, either dry fire or live fire. The super fast reset and crisp break made it a dream to use with the Blackbeard system. 

  When it comes to aftermarket triggers, the Zero trigger is a gold mine. This trigger does everything I want in a good AR trigger. Yes, the light, short pull may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for a super fast trigger, it might just be for you. Having the ability to have ZERO take up and overtravel really makes the Zero trigger shine. If you are looking for a great trigger for your AR, I would definitely give Blackout Defense a call. They are super helpful if you need any questions answered about the Zero trigger, or any of their other products.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

AR15 trigger with zero take up and overtravel

Target Market:

Those wanting a great, fast trigger for their AR style firearms

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Single stage drop in trigger for AR-15

  • Short reset design

  • Fits any MIL-SPEC AR-15 lower receiver

  • Trigger and Disconnector: A2 Tool Steel

  • Black Nitrided trigger 

  • Black Nitride disconnector

  • Hammer: S7 Tool Steel

  • Black Nitrided hammer

  • Balck anodized aluminum housing

  • Hardened set screws to adjust pre and over travel

  • 0.154” pin diameter

  • Curved trigger tail

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

4.5 lb, NP3 finish, Straight bow, AR10’s

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars - Charles @BlackoutDefense

SPOOKY PERFECT TRIGGER

I shot National Match Competition on the USMC Shooting Team at Quantico “back in the day”. We fired highly-tuned M-14’s built by amazing craftsman.

Everyone was obsessed with trigger performance.

This is the trigger we were always chasing, only better.

First, there really is no takeup. Apply 4.5lbs with absolutely zero creep. The trigger breaks clean, moves about .05″ and stops.

Release the trigger and it resets: click. Press again. Zero creep, breaks at 4.5lbs, and stops dead. All. Day. Long. Absolutely consistent. It’s uncanny.

After the Marines, I worked my entire career with High Tech CNC manufacturers. So, I know what it takes to make something great: engineering, equipment, people, and quality control. It takes them all.

Hats off to Customer Service too: fast, friendly, efficient, responsive and effective. Thanks.

Does this sound like a paid endorsement? It isn’t. I paid full retail for the NP3 All with Trigger Pins direct from the Blackout Defense webstore.

I am just an ex-Jarhead who knows that you (often, hopefully) get what you pay for. In this case, I got more than I thought was even possible. Nice upside surprise.

To my fellow trigger-obsessed perfectionist, you won’t be disappointed.

Link to other reviews:

The Firearm Blog

Price point:

MSRP = $204.99

Retail = $199.00 at Optics Planet 

I need it now! Availability:

Blackout Defense

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • 3lb pull weight

  • Zero take-up and overtravel

  • Super short pull length

  • Great reset

  • Drop-in style

  • Crisp, Clean break

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Set Screw adjustment

Score: 9.00 Amazing

Midwest Firearm Solutions X-wing Themed Cerakote

  Usually when I think of Cerakote, I think camouflage, or something like that. Well, cerakote can be anything you can think of. Midwest Firearm Solutions is just one of those places that can make your cerakote dreams come true. I gave them the task of figuring out how to make an AR pistol look like an X-Wing from the Star Wars franchise. They managed to do it!

  If you are new to firearms coatings, I’ll try to give you a quick rundown. Cerakote is a thin film coating. Because of this, it lends itself well to firearms. It does this because it doesn’t build up like typical paints. This helps to keep all of the firearms parts working as they should. Another advantage of Cerakote is its chemical resistance. So gun cleaning solvents and such won’t cause it to melt off. It is abrasion and wear resistant. A good thing for moving firearm parts. Lastly, it adds a level of corrosion resistance that is better than most factory firearm finishes. Plus it looks cool.

  Midwest Firearm Solutions coated the entire AR pistol to look like a X-Wing fighter from Star Wars movies. They started with a Snow White base coat. Added on some Graphite Black to give the pistol a “blasted” look, typical of the X-Wings you might see. The top rail portion is Cerakoted NRA Blue and it matches the striping of the fighter well. There are some yellow accent colors on the “nose” of the forearm, as well as the buffer tube and magazine. These are in Corvette Yellow. The small parts of the AR, including the barrel, are coated in Gunmetal Gray. They also did some small “rebel” markings in Firehouse Red. When seen, side by side next to a X-Wing picture or model, you can definitely tell that Midwest Firearm Solutions did some stellar work!

 Being that the AR is cerakoted, I am sure the finish will hold up well. Even though I try to be gentle with this firearm, it has been used. So far, not even a minor scratch in the coating. If I do scratch it up, this design lends itself to not show imperfections because of the “blasted up” look.

  When doing patterns with spray on coatings, there can be some problems that arise. The most notable, to me, is seam lines. These happen where the pattern changes. Midwest Firearm Solutions does not have this problem. Their attention to detail provides beautiful, seamless, transitions between colors and patterns. The quality of the coated small parts is excellent also. The Gunmetal Gray, of the small parts and barrel, really stands out. This color gives it almost a sparkled industrial look. You really have to see it to understand.

   The X-Wing gun, as I call it, is really only for fun. Having firearms coated can be that way. Or you can go for something that is actually useful, like certain types of camouflage. Another option is just to restore an old firearm to like new standards. The days of only having one color are gone, unless that is what you are looking for. Midwest Firearm solutions can supply you with a fantastic coating. Either simple, or out of this world.

  Midwest Firearm Solutions is a top notch Cerakote applicator. This X-Wing gun turned out awesome. So good that I might need a themed pistol to go with it! MFS also does laser engraving along with tons of other stuff. Check out their website at https://www.midwestfirearmsolutions.com/ to see all the great stuff they have to offer.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Custom Cerakote coatings

Target Market:

Anyone wanting to change the look of their firearm

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Customer designs ideas are unlimited

  • Durable

  • Chemical resistant

  • Protects firearm from the elements

  • Various color options

  • Thin film - doesn’t build up and stop firearm from working

  • Cerakote trained and certified

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Pretty much anything you can imagine

What others are saying?:

From FaceBook

Tristan did a fantastic job with the cerakote for my slide. Wouldn’t go anywhere else for the quality, price, and friendliness!

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found, but lots of mini reviews at Cerakote.com

Price point:

MSRP = $600.00

Retail = Base rifle color - $225, Each additional color - $65 each, small parts are extra

I need it now! Availability:

Midwest Firearm Solutions

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Certified Cerakote applicator

  • Can do almost any idea you have

  • Looks amazing

  • Cerakote seams are almost not noticeable

Cons:

  • Cerakote jobs like this aren’t cheap

Score: 9.00 Amazing

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Favorite Link:  Axeon Optics

Hiperfire PDI trigger

  Sometime around the beginning of 2020, Hiperfire contacted me about reviewing their new PDI drop in single stage trigger. Since I really like the other triggers I have from them, I suspected this one would be nice also. When it finally arrived in September, I was not disappointed.  

  The Hiperfire PDI is their latest “drop in trigger” system for AR15 style rifles. They even make one specifically for the Sig MCX platform also. Usually when I think of a “drop in trigger”, I think of the cartridge style, where all the parts are contained inside a cartridge, that just drops in where the trigger assembly goes. The PDI is slightly different. It is essentially a cartridge style, but with the hammer spring feet extending forward, like a standard GI trigger assembly. Installation is pretty straight forward for anyone used to dealing with AR triggers. It also comes supplied with an anti-walk pin set. 

  If you have ever seen a Hiperfire trigger, you know that they look a little different than a normal trigger. The PDI is no different. It uses a curved trigger with a “backbone”. The backbone consists of a toothed section on the back of the trigger shoe. One of the purposes of the backbone, is to install their “Hipershoe”. The Hipershoe is an adjustable finger pad that can be moved up or down, depending on user preference. Using the Hipershoe will also allow slight adjustments in trigger pull weight. If you move it down, it slightly lowers the trigger pull weight. Moving it up slightly increases the pull weight. The drawback to this is, may it be ever so slight, that more creep is added to the pull, when the pad is in the lower positions, and more trigger pull weight is added when in the upper positions. I only really noticed this when shooting slowly, as in precise aimed shots. The Hipershoe also helps individualize the trigger, by placing the shooter's finger in a better location for him or her. 

  One of my favorite aspects of the PDI trigger is it’s hammer energy. Lots of aftermarket triggers reduce the hammer strike energy to lower the trigger pull weight. Not the PDI trigger. It has Mil-strength hammer strike energy. What does that mean for you? Well, it means that you will probably never have a misfire because the hammer didn’t hit the primer hard enough. My sample PDI worked with every type of ammunition used, from steel cased .223 to 9mm and even .22LR. 

  My Second favorite aspect is the trigger pull weight. It comes in at a 2 lb fixed pull weight. Yes, 2 lbs. When I first installed the PDI, it measured 2-¼ lbs, but with some use, came down to the stated 2 lb weight. As mentioned earlier, the weight can be finely adjusted by moving the Hipershoe up or down the trigger face. When I say slightly, I get about ¼ lb difference in pull weight, from the top setting to the bottom setting. My least favorite aspect of the PDI, also includes trigger pull. There is quite a bit of initial creep in the trigger before it releases. When shooting fast, it is not really noticeable. But, when shooting slow, precise aimed shots, it is annoying. As the Hipershoe gets moved farther down, for the lightest pull available, this creep gets more noticeable. The trigger reset has to be mentioned. It is very positive, that trigger snaps back way better than I expected, basically like a standard mil-spec trigger. 

  The PDI trigger can also be used in Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC’s). The design has a hammer collision bumper and disconnector crash protection. This allows the hammer to reset properly under the harsh direct blowback of most PCC’s. PCC’s tend to bounce hammers from their harsh recoil impulse, especially with lower trigger weights. Thankfully, Hiperfire has alleviated this with their PDI trigger. I ran the PDI in a 9mm PCC. I had zero times where the rifle went more than one round per trigger pull, something I can’t say about other PCC triggers I’ve used.

  I used the PDI in just about every type of situation I could think of. It ran flawlessly in all of them and was a joy to use. Since I don’t use this trigger for slow fire, the creep was not an issue. The trigger pull weight is just awesome. I am able to shoot super fast double and triple taps, thanks to the PDI. This applies to 9mm, .223, and .22LR. I even use it with the “Blackbeard” system from MantisX. I really do think this trigger improved my speed on follow up shots. I even dropped the rifle with the PDI in it, and it still works as if it were brand new.

  The Hiperfire PDI drop in trigger is everything they say it is. I just can’t get over the 2 lb pull weight in a drop in trigger system. Yes, it might be $180, but it’s not the highest priced drop in out there. If you are looking for a good AR15 trigger, for PCC or anything else, definitely go check out Hiperfire and the PDI.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Smooth, light, drop in trigger for AR15”s

Target Market:

Those wanting a nice drop in trigger that will work in just about any AR configuration

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • MIL-Grade Hammer Strike

  • H&M BLACKNITRIDE Finish

  • Hammer Collision Bumper

  • Disconnector Crash Protection

  • Disconnector Spring Crush Protection

  • Curved Trigger Bow with a Backbone

  • HIPERSHOE

  • Drop in assembly

  • 2 lb trigger pull weight

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

SIG MCX, Titanium-Nitride or Titanium-Carbon-Nitride coatings 

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars on Brownells

WELL DESIGNED

I installed the trigger in a Quarter Circle 10 PCC and would comment the second trigger pin was a little tight to get through the hole. Not saying this is a problem just an observation. The trigger breaks between 2.5 and 3 pounds and has a nice feel. The reset is short and is very audible. No failures or problems after 500 rounds (practice and 2 gun match). I feel the trigger is a good value, appears to be well made, and should hold up to the demands a blow-back bolt places on a trigger.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found at the writing of this

Price point:

MSRP = $180.00

Retail = $171.00 at Brownells

I need it now! Availability:

HiperFire or Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Hammer Energy

  • Pull weight

  • Hipershoe

  • PCC compatible

  • Great reset

  • Ease of installation - drop in

  • Comes with anti-walk pins

Cons:

  • Creep in trigger

  • A little on the higher price side

Score: 8.50 Great

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GunSkins

  Being curious, I had to try out some of the GunSkins vinyl wraps. I am always one that likes to tinker with firearms. So, the GunSkins were right up my alley. The skins are a vinyl wrap, similar to what one might “wrap” a vehicle in. These wraps come in almost any pattern or print one can imagine.

  When I inquired about an AR15 skin, I was also encouraged to get a pistol skin. Since GunSkins was sending me the products for free, I didn’t say no. They recommended I install the pistol skin first. Maybe to increase my learning curve, or maybe to just have me try both out. Either way, that’s exactly what I did. The pistol skin is “Proveil Victory”, which is an American flag pattern. I opted for the “Prym1 Black Out” skin for the AR.

  Installation is not particularly hard, but it does take patience. To install the skin, you will need a few items. These include: A heat gun or blow dryer, a razor knife with lots of extra blade, some kind of squeegee (I used an old credit card), a way to degrease the firearm (I used non-chlorinated brake cleaner), and a piece of foam to aid in pressing the vinyl into crevasses. If you decide to take on installing a GunSkins, definitely go watch their install videos.

Before trimming

After trimming

  Patience is needed as the install takes a bit of time. In the GunSkins kit, are the pre-cut vinyl pieces, and some generic pieces. For a pistol slide, for instance, peel the “slide” piece off, and then lay it down on one side of your slide. Press it down, then stretch it slightly to fit the non-flat surfaces. Add a tiny bit of heat (from the heat gun) to stretch it around. DON’T use too much heat, or the vinyl can split and melt. After a little practice, you will know how much heat to use to “pull” the skin around hard to reach places, like sights. I used a little too much heat going around the rail section of the pistol, so I know what can happen. In the pistol slide case, you just then work the material around the slide with heat when needed. Going around the sights was probably the hardest part. Just take your time and maybe have the install video handy to keep looking at. When everything is where it is supposed to be, then you can trim the extra off with a sharp hobby knife. Sharp is the key point, which is why having a bunch of sharp blades handy is key. Doing the frame is similar, it just takes even more time.

  The AR skin is more complicated, but only because it has more pre-cut parts. Since I have the tools, I removed the freefloat handguard to make it a little easier. One of the good things in the AR skin, is the pre-cut pic rail pieces. I used this on the 15” handguard. It worked well. There is not enough rail section vinyl to do the rail and the receiver, but that was okay for me. Especially since the vinyl adds some material to the rails. This makes accessories not fit properly all of the time. Since I was mounting a red dot on this rifle, not having enough to cover the receiver, worked out well. The skin went on much better than the pistol. Probably because I had done the pistol first. Or, more likely, because I knew that it was a time consuming project. 

  The GunSkins look good. Even if you have minor wrinkles or screw ups, they can only be seen close up. Trust me, neither the pistol or AR I did came out perfect. The camouflage style patterns don’t show the flaws as much as some other patterns, imagine that. I do have a few dislikes about the GunSkins. They make the grip extremely slick. It’s not as big of a problem on the AR grip, but is a nogo for me on the pistol. The skin is also pulling up around the beavertail section on the pistol. I tried to reheat it and press it down, but it keeps coming up. On the pistol skin, kydex holster wear is a problem. Especially around the trigger guard, at least for me. There is also a little wear around the rear of the ejection port, but not near as bad. The AR, on the other hand, doesn’t get put in a holster, so it has worn extremely well. The GunSkins are a good quality vinyl, not cheap thin stuff, so they also help protect the firearm. 

Grip strap and beavertail area not sticking

  For something like a hunting rifle, the GunSkins may be just the ticket. Since the skins come in so many different camouflage patterns, choosing the right one for your environment is easy. Having the ability to inexpensively throw some camo on your rifle for that once in a lifetime hunting trip, priceless. The skins will also help protect the rifle in the elements, either from scratches or rain and snow. When you return, you can leave the skin on, or just peel it off and have your firearm back to original.

  GunSkins might be a good option. Especially if you're like me, and like to experiment with different firearm accessories, this is a good way for you to put some flair on your firearm. Installation takes time, but isn’t difficult. There are so many different options to pick from, it might actually take longer to decide which pattern, than to complete the install. Go check out the GunSkins website, maybe they have the pattern you are looking for.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Do it yourself vinyl wraps for firearms

Target Market:

Those wanting a protective pattern for their firearms

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Multiple Patterns

  • Pre-cut shapes

  • Stretches into and around odd shapes

  • Removable 

  • Waterproof non-reflective matte finish

  • Made in USA

  • Lifetime warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

GunSkins Patterns

What others are saying?:

PISTOL:

4 / 5 stars on Amazon

Makes grips very slick.

First , it is much more difficult to apply correctly the first time than the manufacturers video

Leads you to believe. Maybe by the 5th or 6th one you could do it fairly easily, not the first one, not difficult just more so that it first appears. It looks great on the gun , would be great for a display, but it makes it much more difficult to rack as it has a slick finish, same for grips, makes them slick. I put this on my Glock 43, my EDC, not sure I will keep it on, have to go to the range and see. Maybe will

put one on that’s not for EDC.

They don’t emphasize you need a VERY sharp blade to trim it easily, it’s pretty tough material.

They also don’t emphasize about not trimming too close to the mag release, be generous or it makes it sticky, mag doesn’t drop, trimming has to really be fine tuned. You also have to trim both sides of the release button( both grip sides) to prevent sticking.

RIFLE:

4 / 5 stars on Amazon

Take your time!!

This is an extremely well made vinyl wrap for your AR. Take your time and make sure you have plenty of extra blades. Watch the videos on YouTube for installation instructions. It doesn’t hold up well to bumps and usage but it does protect the original finish underneath. Take your time and use a piece of egg crate foam to press into small crevasses.

Link to other reviews:

Gear-Report

Price point:

MSRP =

Retail = Same price on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

GunSkins or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Multiple patterns available

  • Protects firearm finish

  • Looks nice

  • Quality Vinyl, not the cheap thin stuff

  • Pre-cut for hard to do places (rails, safety, mag release, etc)

Cons:

  • Makes firearm slick

  • Lengthy installation time

  • Holster wear

  • Stretched parts don’t stick as well

Score:

Rifle - 7.00 Good

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Pistol - 5.50 Mediocre

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Favorite Link:  Gun & Gear Cult   

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