The trigger is obviously a very important part of your rifle that you want to make sure is always working properly. With that being said, a trigger upgrade is going to be an important decision. Making sure that you are enhancing the precision of your rifle instead of hurting it will absolutely require some education on the subject.
If you would like to upgrade your AR-15 trigger on your lower, then you can do so within minutes. Just make sure that you have the right trigger depending on your preferences.
With all of the variety that is currently available in the market, you are going to be facing a lot of options when shopping for a drop-in trigger. You may not know exactly which trigger would best suit your specific needs. With that in mind, this guide has been created to give you some insight and introduce you to the ten best AR-15 drop-in triggers.
Best AR-15 Drop-In Triggers
- RISE Armament RA-434 High-Performance AR Trigger
- Timney Calvin Elite AR Trigger
- ATC Adjustable Drop-in Gold Trigger
- RISE Armament RA-535 Advanced-Performance Trigger
- CMC Drop-In Single Stage AR-15 Trigger Group
- Timney AR-15 Drop-In Competition Trigger Group
- Elftmann Tactical ELF Match Trigger
- Timney AR Targa 2-Stage Trigger
- Velocity Classic Drop-In Trigger
- JMT Saber Single-Stage Drop-In Trigger
RISE Armament RA-434 High-Performance AR Trigger
If you are looking at shooting as a hobby and have no intention of shooting in competitions, then this may be a good trigger for you to purchase. This trigger will improve the overall performance of your AR but it will not bring it to a professional level. That is made up for with the relatively low price though.
Something great about this trigger is that it has a quick reset and low overtravel. That makes it so you can shoot at a more rapid pace, which is something that everyone likes.
If you like to shoot at the range or at cans in your backyard, then this is certainly going to be a useful trigger for you.
Key Features
- 3.5-pound trigger pull
- Quick reset technology
Timney Calvin Elite AR Trigger
This is a company that has been very dominant in the trigger manufacturing sector of this industry. With this trigger, you will experience a 1.5-pound trigger pull which makes this among the best triggers for competitive shooting and hunting.
The Timney Calvin Elite Trigger makes it very easy for you to be able to adjust the length of pull, height, and cast. This makes it a great trigger for versatility in addition to the benefit of the light trigger pull. If you are looking to shoot competitively then this is absolutely a great option for you.
Key Features
- 1.5-pound trigger pull
- Easily adjustable
- Durable material
ATC Adjustable Drop-in Gold Trigger
This trigger is going to run on the higher side price-wise, but you are absolutely paying for a great trigger. This could easily be considered one of the best triggers in the market today as it has received nothing but positive reviews.
There is a focus on drop-in safety, which means that the hammer will never fall unless the trigger is pulled, you are guaranteed to never see an accidental drop with this trigger.
Key Features
- 3.5-pound trigger pull
- Drop-in safety
RISE Armament RA-535 Advanced-Performance Trigger
This high-end trigger stands out from other drop-in triggers in a number of ways. There are significant advancements in performance and it comes with an aesthetically pleasing makeup. This trigger has been made for anyone who is looking to be a competitive shooter or hunter.
The shoe of this trigger offers an interesting benefit, as a hybrid of a flat and curved trigger, you will notice that there are some unique benefits that come with this trigger. At a trigger pull weight of 3.5 pounds, it serves as a great median between operation and accuracy.
Overall, you are going to have to spend some more money on this trigger, but that certainly comes with a great level of benefits. If you are looking to shoot competitively then you want this trigger on your AR-15.
Key Features
- Hybrid trigger style
- 3.5 pound pull weight
- High-end trigger
CMC Drop-In Single Stage AR-15 Trigger Group
This trigger will certainly provide a great feel while shooting. A great thing about this is the fact that the trigger pull is highly adjustable, which makes this a great buy if you are a versatile shooter.
The features that you will see on this trigger almost mimic the function of some high-class triggers, and you can get this for under $200. Additionally, there is an audible click and tactical feel when the trigger reset takes place.
Overall, this is a trigger meant for an all-around shooter, if you shoot in varying situations then this will certainly do you justice.
Key Features
- Varying trigger pull weight
- High-class function with low price
Timney AR-15 Drop-In Competition Trigger Group
This company has earned a great level of respect throughout the industry as they always deliver products that are of high quality. The Timney drop-in trigger is another trigger that offers varying trigger pull weights, which again makes it great for versatile shooters.
In addition to that, you can get this trigger in either a curved or flat design depending on how you like it. This ability to customize is something that shooters have grown to be very fond of with this trigger.
In terms of functionality, there is a smooth, crisp, creep-free feel when you pull this trigger. Overall, this is going to be a great trigger for those looking to shoot in varying situations.
Key Features
- Varying trigger pull weights
- Crisp feel
- Durable material
Elftmann Tactical ELF Match Trigger
This trigger is going to run on the more expensive side, but when purchasing this, you will receive one of the best drop-in triggers offered to civilians today. This is another trigger that will offer you a drop in safety feature to minimize the probability of the hammer dropping.
With an aerospace-grade needle to enhance the operation of both the trigger as well as the hammer, the operation of this trigger will feel crisp and smooth.
If you are looking for a high-class and adjustable drop-in trigger then this is certainly going to be a viable option for you.
Key Features
- Durable and smooth
- Variable pull weight options
- Enhanced trigger and hammer
Timney AR Targa 2-Stage Trigger
If you like to shoot long-range, be it for competition or hunting, then you are certainly going to want to consider this trigger. This will take your shooting skills to the next level as it offers a beautifully crisp feel when you pull it.
One of the best things about this trigger is that it is priced very reasonably. It will provide you with a number of benefits while shooting and will not break the bank.
Key Features
- 4 point trigger pull
- Durable material
- Enhanced safety features
Velocity Classic Drop-In Trigger
If you are looking to stick to a strict budget but do not want to sacrifice the functionality then the Velocity Classic Drop-In Trigger is a great option for you. It offers about three pounds of trigger pull which makes it a little on the heavier side for hunting, but overall the function of this trigger is great.
Something that is certainly notable about this trigger is the fact that shooters have reported this to outperform some of the more expensive brands.
Key Features
- Great for value
- High-quality function
JMT Saber Single-Stage Drop-In Trigger
This is another trigger that is going to offer great value and high functionality. With about three pounds of trigger pull, you will be able to get a great feel while pulling this trigger. To categorize, this is going to be one of the better self-defense triggers in the market today. If you are looking for a trigger to put in your rifle for non-hunting purposes then this is likely going to be the best way to go for you.
Key Features
- 3.5-pound trigger pull
- Great self-defense trigger
- Excellent for-value purchase
What is a Drop-In Trigger?
A drop-in trigger is a trigger that comes preassembled with all of the parts already installed inside. This makes it much easier for the shooter to install the trigger than receiving a pouch containing multiple parts, which is how triggers used to come. If you were looking to install a new trigger into your AR then you would have to hire a gunsmith which could certainly get expensive.
The recent innovation in the industry has enabled shooters to be able to apply a durable and consistent trigger right out of a box. This is great because you can avoid the expensive labor offered by a gunsmith.
The actual functionality of the drop-in trigger is similar to the older triggers, but you can purchase drop-in triggers that will offer you a better shooting feel. Overall, drop-in triggers are just made so that you can have an easier and less expensive time installing them into your AR-15.
Benefits of a Drop-in Trigger
Shooters like to make firearms their own, that is the beauty of being able to customize firearms. One of the most notable customizations is trigger preference. With a drop-in trigger is installed in your rifle, you will eliminate the microscopic variances that can mess up the standard trigger group.
Additionally, you will experience a higher level of consistency with the creep, overtravel, and trigger reset. With an advanced level of consistency in your rifle, there will be a better level of accuracy when you’re shooting. When you really think about it, in terms of time and budget, installing a drop-in trigger is the single best thing that you can do for your AR-15.
Wrap Up
Installing a drop-in trigger into your AR-15 is a great way for you to enhance your shooting game. These triggers will give you a great feel and even improve your accuracy. With a focus on safety features, a drop-in trigger is much safer to have than a traditional trigger.
Now that you have a strong foundation of insight and have been introduced to the ten best AR-15 drop-in triggers of 2021, it is time to decide which one would be best for you.
