What is a Match Trigger?
Match triggers are often found in competition and high-end guns. I think everyone likes the idea of having a "match trigger" in their gun. However, most shooters don't know exactly what makes a match trigger.
Match triggers consist of 4 major components:
Lighter springs simply reduce the amount of weight needed for the trigger to break. They are usually set several pounds lower than the stock pull weight. Match triggers for AR-15 rifles often come with several different springs to achieve a shooters desired pull weight.
The components used in match triggers are usually polished or coated with something like Nickel Boron to create a smoother trigger action. Stock triggers will often feel rough or gritty compared to match triggers.
The springs and hammers used in match triggers are also faster than their stock equivalents. The time it takes from when the trigger is pulled to when the hammer hits the firing pin is faster by a very small margin. 10ths to 100ths of a second. This is often the requirement that separates true match triggers from other after market triggers.
Last, the over travel in the trigger is reduced. This is usually done with a set screw that can be adjusted to the shooters desire. This prevents the trigger from traveling further than it needs to. I addition, the trigger reset is also shortened for faster and more accurate follow ups.
Match triggers are not cheap. Most of them sell for around $200 and while some of them can be dropped in (depending on the weapon), others require a skilled gunsmith or the original manufacturer to install them correctly.
Match triggers consist of 4 major components:
- Lighter springs
- Smoother action
- Faster firing pin strikes
- Less over travel/short reset
Lighter springs simply reduce the amount of weight needed for the trigger to break. They are usually set several pounds lower than the stock pull weight. Match triggers for AR-15 rifles often come with several different springs to achieve a shooters desired pull weight.
The components used in match triggers are usually polished or coated with something like Nickel Boron to create a smoother trigger action. Stock triggers will often feel rough or gritty compared to match triggers.
The springs and hammers used in match triggers are also faster than their stock equivalents. The time it takes from when the trigger is pulled to when the hammer hits the firing pin is faster by a very small margin. 10ths to 100ths of a second. This is often the requirement that separates true match triggers from other after market triggers.
Last, the over travel in the trigger is reduced. This is usually done with a set screw that can be adjusted to the shooters desire. This prevents the trigger from traveling further than it needs to. I addition, the trigger reset is also shortened for faster and more accurate follow ups.
Match triggers are not cheap. Most of them sell for around $200 and while some of them can be dropped in (depending on the weapon), others require a skilled gunsmith or the original manufacturer to install them correctly.
Categories: Hand Guns, Long Guns, General Tags: competition trigger, match trigger, pull weight, trigger job, trigger spring
10/02/12 10:51:00 pm,
10/02/12 10:51:00 pm, 3 comments
Comment from: Joel [Visitor]
why the spikes tactical trigger you mentioned in the AR15 trigger article not a match trigger?
10/08/12 @ 02:10
I’m not sure, but I was told by one of the guys at Spike’s that it is not a match trigger. I’d guess the hammer timing and maybe the pull weight. Spike’s says it is still a mil-spec trigger for safety reasons. Although, it is coated in nickel boron to smooth out the action.
10/08/12 @ 02:36
