• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Need a trigger - Which Geissele/Timney

Yerman

Private
Banned !
Minuteman
Jun 15, 2013
722
498
Fort Worth, Texas
Hey guys, I just ordered a RRA 24" Vermint .223 Wylde upper. I am building a precision setup for up to 600 yards and would like to upgrade the trigger.

I am considering the Geissele Hi-Speed National Match - Match trigger but having trouble committing. Also looking at the SSA-E.

I am most familiar with
- a single stage Timney trigger on my .308 Remington 700.
- a single stage Timney trigger on one of my other AR's.

I really like single stage but I have never tried a 2-stage trigger. It sounds like a lot of people like them very much and would be worth a try.

Anyone with precision AR experience help me decide? Thanks.
 
I went with the SSA-E because I dont think the national match is necessary. For a precision gun I like a two stage, for a run and gun type of weapon I like a single stage. Although the SD3G I've got is a pleasant mix of a two stage and single stage. Its hard to go wrong with geissele or timney for that matter. It truly is personal preference but I wouldn't spend the extra on the national match. My ssae has served me well shooting groups. If you dont like the geissele theyve got great resale value so you wont lose a lot if you dont like it.
 
Thanks for the response. It looks like the trigger profile for the two are very similar with the National Match just being a bit lighter. Do you feel like the SSA-E would be a little better if it was lighter?
 
Thanks for the response. It looks like the trigger profile for the two are very similar with the National Match just being a bit lighter. Do you feel like the SSA-E would be a little better if it was lighter?

The NM is adjustable, so you can have it your way, and it will fit your gun even if it's not quite in spec.

The real advantage of the NM is the 50% decrease in lock time. You WANT this for a precision setup. Very important to get the most out of your rifle.
 
Whether you opt for a single-stage or a two-stage trigger is almost entirely a function of personal preferences, second to how light a trigger pull you ultimately want. I have posted a "comparison" of the two types of triggers, as well as an overview of their function, features, etc. more times than I can count, so I won't do that again here, but they are very different animals and not everyone likes or wants to get to like the two-stage triggers. However, if you want to get a trigger pull that is safely below 3-3.5lbs in an AR-platform rifle...then the two-stage is the ONLY way to go without question despite some companies offering alleged single-stage AR triggers with absurdly low pull weights.

As for which specific Geissele trigger is "best" for you...only you can make that call. Generally speaking, I tend to recommend that people who don't have a lot of experience building or otherwise working on Ar-platform rifles stay clear of the adjustable units like the HSNM from Geissele as they can be tricky to get setup correctly, and can cause issues in terms of hampering proper function of the rifle if adjusted improperly. Now, Geissele provides excellent installation instructions and there are plenty of vids floating around on the install/adjustment tips/tricks, but only you can determine whether you want/need the adjustments and the individual customization/settings that come with it, or whether you'd be more comfortable/better suited with one of their many non-adjustable triggers. The significantly reduced lock-time of the HSNM is really a nice advantage at only 4.4ms thanks to its lightweight/low-mass hammer, but to be honest, having shot them adjusted to my liking/preferences side-by-side with both my SSA-E and SD-E triggers...trying to find any perceptible difference in the three in terms of the differences for me in accurately putting rounds on target even at extended ranges is NONE.

The SSA-E (curved shoe) and the SD-E (flat shoe) are the lightest of the non-adjustable units and are also built like tanks. They both offer extremely crisp and clean breaks with a ~2.3lb first stage and a ~1.2lb second stage and are 100% simple "drop-in" triggers for the AR-platform rifles.
 
I also vote for the Geissele. I wanted a two stage that had a nice consistant break but also extremely reliable and the Geissele fit that bill perfectly. Geissele was approached by the Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) when he was first starting out becasue they were impressed with his triggers. The Geissele triggers were put in the first prototypes of the SASSR platforms. I chose the SSA for my AR but there are several to choose from and I assure you won't be disappointed.
 
Don't want to hijack the thread, but would be interested in opinions on the JP vs Geiselle. Don't think I've seen any bad things about either way, just interested in first hand experiences.
 
As for which specific Geissele trigger is "best" for you...only you can make that call. Generally speaking, I tend to recommend that people who don't have a lot of experience building or otherwise working on Ar-platform rifles stay clear of the adjustable units like the HSNM from Geissele as they can be tricky to get setup correctly, and can cause issues in terms of hampering proper function of the rifle if adjusted improperly.

That said, I'll throw in that I was able to install this trigger at home, with no tools other than a rubber hammer, on my first AR-15. I had never worked on a gun or changed a trigger before. It sounds hard, but the reality is it's fairly simple and just requires watching the detailed Youtube video once or twice. The 'adjustments' are as simple as turning a screw in the trigger with an allen wrench... Not rocket science.

I wouldn't let the install turn you away. The price tag might, but this trigger is excellent.
 
Don't want to hijack the thread, but would be interested in opinions on the JP vs Geiselle. Don't think I've seen any bad things about either way, just interested in first hand experiences.

I've had both and prefer the Geiselle.
 
From the many triggers I've had the joy to fingerbang on the AR platform, the one I seem to keep buying is the SSA-E. I really do like that trigger.
 
Don't want to hijack the thread, but would be interested in opinions on the JP vs Geiselle. Don't think I've seen any bad things about either way, just interested in first hand experiences.

Good grief, man!! Run a search or post a new thread instead of half-ass acknowledging you "[d]on't want to hijack the thread" and then going through with it anyway. :( ;)

That said...you generally won't find anything "bad" about either as they are high quality products from some of the best in the business...BUT...they are NOT comparable triggers in any respect (again...two-stage vs. single-stage, not even close on weights of pull, etc., etc., etc. Only YOU can decide if single or two-stage is best for you, but both are quality products).


That said, I'll throw in that I was able to install this trigger at home, with no tools other than a rubber hammer, on my first AR-15. I had never worked on a gun or changed a trigger before. It sounds hard, but the reality is it's fairly simple and just requires watching the detailed Youtube video once or twice. The 'adjustments' are as simple as turning a screw in the trigger with an allen wrench... Not rocket science.

I wouldn't let the install turn you away. The price tag might, but this trigger is excellent.

I never said it was rocket-science or beyond the capability of someone willing to give it a whirl and take their time getting it right, but not all installs are that simple and straightforward and not everyone is as comfortable with the endeavor as others and trouble-shooting one if you do run into issues isn't always easy to square away. I agree that it shouldn't turn anyone away, but its worth mentioning as some people won't want do deal with anything beyond knocking out the hammer/trigger pins and dropping in a new trigger. ;) Again...personal preference and an individual judgment call based on wants/needs for the person and the role the rifle will fill as to whether the HSNM is the way to go or not.
 
I have several Geissele triggers. You want the Hi-Speed for sure if you want precision first. It may have the lowest lock time in the industry. It's fully adjustable and mine came with three spring weights: service, DMR and match. Only way to explain it is that it has zero slop in any direction. I love it.

If you want one that isn't adjustable (more reliable) and almost as good, the SSA-E is hard to beat; it's similar to the DMR setup above. The SSA is similar to the SSA-E but not as light. I think I have the SSA-E in my M4 and SSA's in a couple others.

Their 3G (I have the SD version which makes it even faster) trigger FEELS like a one stage, but it is in fact a two stage setup. Very, very short and light trigger pull. I've never used one faster, it's almost like full auto (seriously). I wouldn't recommend it for long range precision shooting though, mostly because the trigger pull is way too short for it.

They truly do make a trigger for every occasion. And better yet, I've NEVER had to do a damn thing to tweak a Geissele trigger unless it was adjustable (and only once).

Wilson also makes another good trigger, and they offer 1 and 2 stage versions but their 2 stage version is the match one. Theirs come as one unit and are likely easier to install, but I wouldn't consider that a factor when looking for a trigger. When I compared their triggers to the Geisseles, I preferred the Geisseles. In fact, I preferred the Giessele over any other 2 stage or 1 stage that Rainier Arms sells/sold, regardless of price (they had floor models with lowers modded to dry fire). That's my opinion though.
 
Thanks for the response. It looks like the trigger profile for the two are very similar with the National Match just being a bit lighter. Do you feel like the SSA-E would be a little better if it was lighter?
I find the SSA-E to be pretty much the perfect weight pull for an SPR, I wouldn't want it any lighter. Worth every penny in my book. Planning to eventually go with the SSA (might try the G2S also) for my M4.
 
I've switched everything to SSA-E at this point. That's my preference out of the ones I've tried. I liked the 3G version as well, and it does feel more like a single stage. Never tried the Hi-Speed National Match though. I'm also in the process of trying to decide between SSA-E and Hi Speed National Match for my LMT LM8. I'm going to need all the advantages I can get to help drive that thing.
 
I take that back. I have the G2S on my 300 BLK that I'm going to use for hog hunting. I didn't want something as light as the SSA-E on a hunting rifle that would likely be used in the presence of other people.
 
I have the HSNM-DMR. I've had stock, JP, Timney & now Geissele triggers and would have to say my HSNM-DMR is by far my favorite. The 2stage gives you a extra fine tuned trigger pull IMO
 
I own the SSA-E and the National Match Geissele triggers. I would recommend the NM, but I like a lighter trigger.

I had a Timney previously and it had a bit of creep in it that bothered me.
 
Last edited:
I've had both and prefer the Geiselle.

Same for me and I'll add that in addition to the JP and Geissele, I've also installed and used a Jewell. The Geissele G2s is very easy to install, well made and rock-solid.
I just installed one on an SPR build and I was reminded as to how nice they are.
 
I really like the SSA-E. IMO, it's the best all around trigger on the market. It works really well for precision work and will get the job for general/ other purposes. It's safe and doesn't have any set-screws to worry about. I sold a couple Timney's and my SD3G and now only shoot the SSA-E. YMMV.
 
Don't want to hijack the thread, but would be interested in opinions on the JP vs Geiselle. Don't think I've seen any bad things about either way, just interested in first hand experiences.

I currently own a JP and a Geissele SD-E. Both are superb. I lean towards the JP over the Geissele, but the Geissele is drop-in and the JP has to be set up.
 
Thanks for all thre great responses guys. I think I will stick with my original plan and get the HS Match. If I don't like it, I can always sell it for a small loss and move on.

I did find his video floating around

Love the lockup of the HS