Geissele SSA-E or High Speed National Match?

[mudholestomper]

I’m finishing up my 308 AR10 precision rifle. It’s currently got a CMC single stage flat bow trigger.

The last time I measured the pull weight, it was right at 2-2.25lbs. It’s been a while since, so I don’t remember exactly.

It’s a fine trigger, but I want a light 2-stage trigger. Sub 2lb on the second stage.

I’m looking at the different versions of the SSA-E as well as the High Speed National Match, but can’t decide which is the best choice.

This gun is a 15lb bench gun that I’m using to learn the fundamentals of long range. It’s built on Aero Precision receivers and rail, an 18” X-Caliber barrel, a RifleSpeed gas block, rifle length gas and buffer, and a JP bcg. Current glass is a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18 in an ADM mount.

I like the idea of having the 3 different spring sets if the role of the rifle changes, and the 2nd stage of the HSNM trigger can get down under 1/2lb.

The SSA-E is obviously a very proven commodity, and the 2nd stage is also really light around 1-1.5lb.

Thoughts on which would be the best choice?

Hi-Speed National Match - Trigger Set

1st Stage 2nd Stage Total Weight Service Rifle 3.2 - 5 lbs. 0.5 - 1.5 lbs. 4.5 lbs. Minimum DMR 2.5 - 3.6 lbs. 0.5 - 1.5 lbs. 3.0 - 5.1 lbs. Match Rifle 1.5 - 2.5 lbs. 6.0 - 14 oz. 1.9 - 3.4 lbs All weights are approximate. Please note, our triggers are designed for mil-spec AR15/M4...

geissele.com

https://geissele.com/super-semi-automatic-enhanced-ssa-e-trigger.html

 

[TicTacTex]

The best choice is the one you’re the most happy with.
Triggers are just one of those items you end up buying multiples of and trying for yourself to see what fits you the best.

 

[Bacarrat]

I have multiples of both. If i was to pick one, SSAE. Don't need a trigger that light personally. On the NM I installed them and never messed with the trigger pull. It's very light straight from the factory and the 1st stage is very short. It all comes down to a personal preference. Even on my AI's I don't mess with the trigger pull weight and I'm perfectly happy with the 3.5-2.5lb pull weight on those.

 

[Gasgun]

I have a Hi Speed NM and a few SSA-EX.
They are so close that IMO, it’s not worth the effort setting up the Hi-Speed.
The SSA-EX is drop in and go.

 

[vanrichten]

I personally love the flat trigger SSA and have a dozen of them. I have a NM still in the package I’ll eventually put in my A2 but I’ve been “meaning to do that” for about a year.

 

[jmornoinf]

SSA-E

 

[Hoser]

NM for sure unless you have short fingers.

 

[Nik H]

I've tried both of your choices and the newer SSA-EX. The EX is pretty sweet. The National Match is also pretty nice but a little more finicky.

I know this is no help but you won't go wrong with any of those choices and it does come down to what you will actually prefer.

 

[mudholestomper]

The best choice is the one you’re the most happy with.
Triggers are just one of those items you end up buying multiples of and trying for yourself to see what fits you the best.

I can’t justify spending $250-$300 per trigger so I can try for myself and see what fits me best. I’d be willing to bet that most people would find that approach unreasonable.

I have considerable experience with lots of triggers and so do the members here. And I outlined my objective reasons for looking at these two triggers

SSA-E

It’s close to useless for you to answer and not provide any context for your answer.

 

[mudholestomper]

NM for sure unless you have short fingers.

Why?

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

SD-E is the best trigger they make imo. The x triggers aren't really even noticable and your just paying for the coating. Have owned dozens of G triggers over the years and tried them all. Hi speed is still a great trigger but you can get similar performance for less money.

 

[TimK]

I have several of both and strongly prefer the national match. Not only is it adjustable (you might want light weight someday), but I also think it's a crisper break.

 

[Hoser]

Why?

The front face of the trigger shoe is moved forward a little bit.

 

[Clayman]

I have multiple SSA-E, SD-E and one NM. The NM the way mine is set up is about 1 lb less combined force pull than my SSA-E/SD-E triggers at just under 2 lb.

As far as drop in I love the trigger tech diamond, you can adjust it to a very light pull weight.

 

[rdinak]

I lost count after the first 7 or 8 SSA-E’s. Still miss the old Jewel trigger.

Whenever the Black Friday sales roll out, I will be looking for another SSA-E.

 

[tarheel7734]

I’m finishing up my 308 AR10 precision rifle. It’s currently got a CMC single stage flat bow trigger.

The last time I measured the pull weight, it was right at 2-2.25lbs. It’s been a while since, so I don’t remember exactly.

It’s a fine trigger, but I want a light 2-stage trigger. Sub 2lb on the second stage.

I’m looking at the different versions of the SSA-E as well as the High Speed National Match, but can’t decide which is the best choice.

This gun is a 15lb bench gun that I’m using to learn the fundamentals of long range. It’s built on Aero Precision receivers and rail, an 18” X-Caliber barrel, a RifleSpeed gas block, rifle length gas and buffer, and a JP bcg. Current glass is a Trijicon Tenmile 3-18 in an ADM mount.

I like the idea of having the 3 different spring sets if the role of the rifle changes, and the 2nd stage of the HSNM trigger can get down under 1/2lb.

The SSA-E is obviously a very proven commodity, and the 2nd stage is also really light around 1-1.5lb.

Thoughts on which would be the best choice?

Hi-Speed National Match - Trigger Set

1st Stage 2nd Stage Total Weight Service Rifle 3.2 - 5 lbs. 0.5 - 1.5 lbs. 4.5 lbs. Minimum DMR 2.5 - 3.6 lbs. 0.5 - 1.5 lbs. 3.0 - 5.1 lbs. Match Rifle 1.5 - 2.5 lbs. 6.0 - 14 oz. 1.9 - 3.4 lbs All weights are approximate. Please note, our triggers are designed for mil-spec AR15/M4...

geissele.com

https://geissele.com/super-semi-automatic-enhanced-ssa-e-trigger.html

If you dont need adjustability that the nm offers, the ssa-e is an amazing trigger. I actually put it in all my ar platform rifles.

 

[mudholestomper]

Well, dammit, y’all were supposed to make this decision easier lol.

I’m going to keep my eyes on the sales/blems/equipment exchanges and pick up whatever comes in at the best deal - nm/ssa-e/sd-e.

And right after I type that, I think “I’m very comfortable setting up the nm trigger, and this is a bench gun that I’ve invested a lot of time and money into making it the best it can be, and the nm seems like the best option for precision”.

Awesome to have these options!

I have a Larue MBT-2 in my main squeeze 13.7. It’s a good trigger, but I don’t like the reset too much. But it’s in my go to rifle, so that says something.

I see the ssa-e commonly compared to the mbt-2, with a mix of which is better leaning Geissele.

But I don’t hear anyone compare the mbt-2 with the nm.

 

[tarheel7734]

Well, dammit, y’all were supposed to make this decision easier lol.

I’m going to keep my eyes on the sales/blems/equipment exchanges and pick up whatever comes in at the best deal - nm/ssa-e/sd-e.

And right after I type that, I think “I’m very comfortable setting up the nm trigger, and this is a bench gun that I’ve invested a lot of time and money into making it the best it can be, and the nm seems like the best option for precision”.

Awesome to have these options!

I have a Larue MBT-2 in my main squeeze 13.7. It’s a good trigger, but I don’t like the reset too much. But it’s in my go to rifle, so that says something.

I see the ssa-e commonly compared to the mbt-2, with a mix of which is better leaning Geissele.

But I don’t hear anyone compare the mbt-2 with the nm.

The mbt2 is not in same category as nm. It's closer to the standard ssa.

 

[Bacarrat]

Well, dammit, y’all were supposed to make this decision easier lol.

I’m going to keep my eyes on the sales/blems/equipment exchanges and pick up whatever comes in at the best deal - nm/ssa-e/sd-e.

And right after I type that, I think “I’m very comfortable setting up the nm trigger, and this is a bench gun that I’ve invested a lot of time and money into making it the best it can be, and the nm seems like the best option for precision”.

Awesome to have these options!

I have a Larue MBT-2 in my main squeeze 13.7. It’s a good trigger, but I don’t like the reset too much. But it’s in my go to rifle, so that says something.

I see the ssa-e commonly compared to the mbt-2, with a mix of which is better leaning Geissele.

But I don’t hear anyone compare the mbt-2 with the nm.

Check with Primary Arms they always have sales on the G triggers, especially during any holiday. Or you can get a blem. It works all the same and I could never find any cosmetic issues with it nor do I care.

Geissele Automatics Super Semi-Automatic Two Stage AR-15 Trigger - BLEMULA

These blemished products are guaranteed to function correctly but may have minor cosmetic defects.

www.primaryarms.com

This blows the MBT2 out of the water. I got one the other day wanting to be different. I took it out within a day and ordered another SSAE.

 

[surprisingrerun]

Any reason you aren't considering the TriggerTech AR10 triggers as well? For two stage I think they are hard to beat.

 

[ggmanning]

I have both and I prefer the NM for the feel. The NM will adjust lower but I have them set similarly in pull weight. Both are great but the NM breaks cleaner for me.......splitting hairs though unless you want very light.

 

[SV_Dude]

I use the SD-E for my gap10. It’s a very nice trigger but I wouldn’t mind if it was a bit lighter. Not that there’s anything wrong with it to begin with, I just prefer a little lighter trigger for the AR’s. I bought some NM springs that I’m going to put in it and tinker a bit. I would have just gone with the NM trigger but I wanted a flat trigger.

I use a trigger tech diamond in my ar15 and it’s awesome. Id definitely be happy with that in any ar.

 

[oldrifleman]

I have gone SSA-E with lightning bow

 

[Rileysboo]

I have the SSA-E and the HS-DMR. Other than the fact that the DMR is adjustable, I really did not feel there was too much or a discernible difference between the two. Keep in mind this is just personal experience and I do like both triggers a lot. I also have SSA's, S3G's, SD3G's as well.

The National Match looks like it just has a slightly lighter trigger pull weight than the DMR and that could make all the difference in the world when comparing it to the SSA-E but, until you actually get some trigger time behind it, only you can make that call.

 

[mudholestomper]

Any reason you aren't considering the TriggerTech AR10 triggers as well? For two stage I think they are hard to beat.

I have a TriggerTech Diamond adjustable single stage in my 556 target rifle. I think it’s very impressive. I have it adjusted to right below 2lbs and one thing I rarely remember when shooting that gun is the trigger pull.

My point is that if I have a flyer or two in a group of 10 shots, and I’m trying to diagnose why, I never think “this trigger has that little hitch in it that is breaking my focus” or “I know this is a 2lb trigger, but it feels a lot heavier”.

The return is the greatest weak point. I want the option of running the 308 in the field, and the reset on the TT diamond is unsafe for that imo.

I did look into a TriggerTech 2 stage diamond, but for reasons I can’t remember at the moment, I decided it wasn’t the best option. Could be the reset, but I’m probably being pedantic. Or I wanted a traditional trigger instead of a cartridge.

Now I have to go back and figure out why…

 

[mudholestomper]

I use the SD-E for my gap10. It’s a very nice trigger but I wouldn’t mind if it was a bit lighter. Not that there’s anything wrong with it to begin with, I just prefer a little lighter trigger for the AR’s. I bought some NM springs that I’m going to put in it and tinker a bit. I would have just gone with the NM trigger but I wanted a flat trigger.

I use a trigger tech diamond in my ar15 and it’s awesome. Id definitely be happy with that in any ar.

Is your TT diamond a single or a two stage?

 

[mudholestomper]

Just for laughs, this is one of the reviews of the TT Diamond 2-stage AR-10 triggers. He gave it 5 stars, btw.

Customer Review:

No Trigger Pins
For a $315.00 trigger you'd think these maple syrup chugging moose fuckers would add trigger pins but no. Those are extra.

 

[6DasherImpact]

I have several of both and strongly prefer the national match. Not only is it adjustable (you might want light weight someday), but I also think it's a crisper break.

The break feels much crisper to me as well. Both are nice, but NM is hands-down my favorite out of the SSA, SSA-E, and NM. For my bench-only lower, I really like the lightest-weight spring that's included.

 

[mudholestomper]

The break feels much crisper to me as well. Both are nice, but NM is hands-down my favorite out of the SSA, SSA-E, and NM. For my bench-only lower, I really like the lightest-weight spring that's included.

I’m leaning NM, if I choose a traditional trigger. I’m going to be honest with myself about running around during the apocalypse or hiking in the mountains with this fat pig of a rifle and set it up for the bench/positional long range shooting.

 

[SV_Dude]

Is your TT diamond a single or a two stage?

It’s a single stage. For the ar10 or a bolt gun I think I’d want a two stage.

 

[oldrifleman]

The only Trigger Tech I have ever had a problem with was the diamond 2 stage on one of my precision ARs. It would fail to reset on a regular basis. I received a replacement ( great customer service). The second did the same, put the single stage back in and no issues. Not sure of what was going on, just chucked it and went on with life.

 

[Bacarrat]

Bought a 2 stage TT Diamond because I wanted to be different. Hated it. While it was probably lighter then the NM trigger out of the box, I didn't like the sharp edges on the trigger bow. About 5-600 round on the trigger the disconnector broke, would get a double tap and not reset the trigger. After a lengthy questioning from TT, they sent me a new trigger and I sold it off to get another Giessele.