Single Stage vs Two-Stage Triggers: What’s the Difference?

Are you looking to upgrade your factory AR trigger group, but you’re unsure about the differences between single stage vs two-stage triggers? We’re here to put any confusion you may have to rest so that you can get the most out of your semi-auto boomstick.

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The Design Metamorphosis of AR-15 Triggers

While the decision between single-stage and two-stage triggers ultimately comes down to the shooter’s preference, purpose, and the situation in which the firearm is used, it’s worth outlining why triggers, their design, and stage designations matter.

Triggers are critical components of firearms because they function as an interface between the shooter and the gun’s mechanized firing group. The satisfactory function of a trigger is integral to a gun’s overall performance because it sets off a series of internal events that concludes with the successful discharge of a bullet.

Without the trigger, a gun ceases to be a gun, which is why its design is so important – thanks, Captain Obvious!

From the bulk of its pull weight, to the punchy responsiveness of its breakpoint, to the overall quickness of its reset, an AR-style trigger’s blueprint can vary significantly and is wholly dependent upon its development and intended use.

For this reason, trigger technology has gone through a much needed metamorphosis from its original single-stage roots to better accommodate for style and situational shooting scenarios with the introduction of the two-stage trigger.

But, while trigger advancements are continuously changing, the inherent combat applications of single-stage triggers should not be easily discounted as simplistic, old-hat technology. These triggers have not only left an indelible footprint on gun culture, but they possess a level of utility that sets them apart from their updated contemporaries.

So, what exactly is a single-stage trigger?

Single-Stage Triggers

Single-stage AR triggers, with their storied relationship with U.S. military operations, have long since been preferred by shooters for their intrinsic combat applications, especially in scenarios that call for defensive or tactical shooting where quick-handed trigger pulls are essential.

Single-stage designation is defined by the trigger’s swift, single range of motion backward to engage the sear, which releases the hammer to initiate a weapon discharge. There’s little to no presence of take-up or creep in most single-stage triggers because the solitary pull of the trigger maintains the same weight from the moment it’s actuated up until the gun fires.

While the pull weight of a single-stage trigger can vary depending upon its design specifications, the trigger’s quick-fire feature generally sees it fall between 2 and 4.5-pounds of force in order to fire.

Single-stage composite triggers designated for law enforcement or military personnel, on the other hand, require between 5.5 and 9-pounds of force to fire, and possess significantly more creep. This signature Mil-Spec feature is an important one, because it’s an effective safeguard against the possibility of accidental discharge in the field or on mission.

While most single-stage triggers are not adjustable, other component triggers are designed to allow for adjustability – typically, between two preset pull weights to account for shooter preference.

Valued for their quick-acting seamlessness and striking breakpoint, single-stage triggers continue to maintain their more utilitarian roots of yesteryear. For this reason, these composite triggers still enjoy a level of Americana-like nostalgia among operators of all disciplines who admire the traditions of gun culture.

While single-stage triggers have their advantages, such as straightforward operation and a shorter learning curve, they do not easily adhere to all shooting competencies. The most glaring of these drawbacks include a lack of trigger predictability and a heavier pull, which can negatively impact both aim and shot placement.

Therefore, trigger development was necessary in order to curb these issues and enhance its overall utility. Enter the two-stage trigger.

Two-Stage Triggers

Two-stage triggers, as its name suggests, possess two distinct phases or “stages” of operation, which provide a greater amount of trigger control than that of single-stage triggers. This level of trigger manipulation affords shooters the ability to take a more measured approach in order to refine their aim when precision is a necessity.

The first stage consists mainly of the trigger’s take-up or dead space during its travel backward. During this phase of the trigger’s initial actuation, shooters apply a certain amount of pressure, causing the trigger to travel backward without discharging the firearm. The trigger pull during the first stage is usually on the lighter side.

During the second stage, the trigger’s travel sees a more stringent level of resistance in the form of the wall. Beyond that point of resistance, the trigger’s positive travel backward – known as creep – causes the initial movement of the sear.

The continual movement of the sear causes a crisp break, at which point the gun fires, and the trigger resets. The feel of the trigger pull during the second stage is noticeably stiffer.

Source: CheaperThanDirt

The two-stage trigger design proves to be quite multifaceted in terms of situations requiring a stark degree of precision. For example, a two-stage trigger compliments a multitude of disciplines – from tactical sniper operations, to long-range competition shooting, or hunting.

This is because of the great level of utility of the two-stage designation, which allows operators to better prepare their forthcoming gunshots by essentially eliminating the first stage of their trigger pull without taking aim.

Once in an advantageous firing position, operators can more thoroughly focus and apply a predictable amount of pull weight for a smoother, more precise shot without sacrificing an extra movement that could negatively affect aim.

However, just as we’ve seen with the single-stage, the two-stage trigger also has its own set of blindspots when it comes to its configuration. Not only is there more of a learning curve for shooters that are new to the enhanced features of the two-stage designation, these triggers carry a higher price tag.

What’s more, two-stage variants have an inherent design complexity that can make both installation and trigger upkeep more of a cumbersome process. Furthermore, not all two-stage triggers readily possess a level of uniformity to accommodate all AR-15 lowers.

Basically, operators are required to research as to whether their selected two-stage trigger will fit and perform satisfactorily in their AR rifle before the time of purchase.

Different Triggers, Different Shooting Applications

It’s often been suggested that, as a point of instruction, a trigger pull should carry an element of surprise in order to simultaneously allow the gun to go through its paces towards firing without the shooter’s anticipation of recoil being a factor. Such human error can cause inadvertent flinching or jerking on the operator’s part, which can negatively affect a bullet’s trajectory as well as shot placement.

This shooting phenomenon is seen less in single-stage triggers because of their swift, single range of motion backwards. For this reason, shooters, especially those marksmen familiar with bolt-action rifles, stand by the single-stage designation because the possibility of human error during the initial trigger pull has been dramatically decreased.

Source: The Truth About Guns

Two-stage triggers offer a considerable level of utility in terms of trigger pull manipulation between the first and second stage, which aids in both long-range and competition shooting scenarios. However, there’s a greater chance, especially in two-stage variants, for unintended flinching because the operator’s anticipation of a weapon’s recoil is still very much in play.

In the same vein, two-stage competition triggers often require maintenance and fine-tuning to keep their firing sure, which is why they are unsuitable for defensive scenarios requiring a single-action trigger. Single-stage variants, on the other hand, can greatly hinder the speed required for competition shooting.

Basically, while single and two-stage triggers have their own form of inherent utility, the success rates of either of these trigger groups are wholly dependent upon the specifics of the shooting scenario in which they are utilized.

Practice, Practice, Practice

All that to say, if you’re unfamiliar with your weapon at the end of the day, its trigger’s stage designation matters very little. Therefore, we strongly suggest all shooters, especially newcomers, to get out there, gain experience, and practice with both triggers. Find out for yourselves which trigger best suits your level of comfort and shooting style.    

We strongly recommend that you get to know your AR, whatever trigger designation and accessories you choose to apply to your build, get proficient with them – all of them. There’s simply no ceiling when it comes to practice and proper training in terms of shooting safety and technique. 

If you’re not ready to take aim and fire, keep your finger off the trigger with the gun’s safety engaged. We cannot stress this enough – your safety, and the safety of those around you, should be of the utmost importance when handling firearms.

Final Thoughts

While it’s clear that these two trigger designations possess their own unique shooting applications – with one serving in a more tactical and defensive shooting capacity, while the other maintaining a specialty in downrange sniper operations.

Their overall utility continues to share equal-footing within the gun community because, now as always, the adoption of either the single or two-stage trigger wholly depends upon your own personal preference and shooting style. The choice is yours. You do you.

Which trigger variant do you like best? Tell us about your experiences in the comments.

Glossary

Take-Up refers to the level of movement that the trigger travels before hitting what’s known as the “wall.” This movement doesn’t set off the trigger and is basically dead space that must be taken up before engaging the trigger’s other primary functions.

Pull Weight refers to the amount of force required for a trigger to complete its cycle and fire. The trigger’s overall sensitivity depends upon the trigger-type and whether it’s been designated as a single or a two-stage trigger. 

For instance, a single-stage trigger can be fired in one swift range of motion, but it requires several more pounds of pressure to discharge – a Mil-Spec feature that functions as a misfiring stop-gap. 

A two-stage trigger, however, allows for a quicker rate of fire with less shooter fatigue, but the trigger-weight safeguards that belong to its Mil-Spec counterpart are absent from this design.        

The Wall refers to the point of resistance during the trigger’s range of motion before reaching the break point. 

Break, also known as “release,” refers to a particular point of resistance, which is met after the trigger breaks through the “wall” in its range of motion. The break functions as a crucial part of an ignition sequence because it releases the sear, which causes the hammer to strike the primer and initiate a discharge.

Creep, also known as “slack,” refers to the small amount of additional movement after the breach of the “wall,” but before hitting the break point, which releases the sear and prompts the weapon to discharge.

Reset refers to the time between a trigger’s trajectory forward after a discharge to the sear’s reengagement. At which time, the trigger is back in position and ready to be pulled again for another successive shot. 

Aaron Basiliere

Aaron Basiliere is a staunch 2A advocate, a firearms researcher, and one of the principal content creators here at CAT Outdoors. He has written in multiple professional capacities for the last 16 years. He has a BA in English Writing from the University of Wisconsin. When not writing for CAT Outdoors he enjoys drinking coffee, watching documentaries, and spending time with his family and friends.