Windham, M4, trigger, didju do anything?

[SgtSteve]

OK I have an older AR, Compass Lake trigger in there, and I like it.
Windham M4; like it a whole bunch too. One drawback; to me the trigger is gritty, a little rough, not talking heavy but somewhat rough.
What have some of you done to your trigger on the M4s?
Any success?

Sgt Steve

[sprrdhawk44]

Replace it with a drop in from Timney or Geissele.

[Splittiebus66]

Sure sarge

If you can't afford a G trigger or want to save for one and improve the trigger a bit until then.........


remove the trigger assembly

clean the trigger assembly really well

lube the trigger with a quality grease, look at a Geissele trigger chart online for suggestions

re assemble

dry fire alot

shoot alot

This process won't take out creep, but this process typically improves the feel of the trigger abating the grittiness and making creep less noticable.

Again a Geissele trigger is really the way to go.

[sprrdhawk44]

Sure sarge

If you can't afford a G trigger or want to save for one and improve the trigger a bit until then.........


remove the trigger assembly

clean the trigger assembly really well

lube the trigger with a quality grease, look at a Geissele trigger chart online for suggestions

re assemble

dry fire alot

shoot alot

This process won't take out creep, but this process typically improves the feel of the trigger abating the grittiness and making creep less noticable.

Again a Geissele trigger is really the way to go.

Geissele makes a great trigger, if you like two stage triggers. I had the opportunity to run an SSA-E extensively recently, and while it is a very nice trigger, I'm not a fan of the two stage press. I'm a single stage guy, so I vote Timney. I recommend trying both before dropping coin, though.

[Suburban]

15 minute trigger job

Worked for me for years until I started in on Geissele triggers. 10 years ago there weren't as many good, reliable aftermarket AR triggers out there, and this was the way to go.

A guy at the range handed me his AR with a Bill Springfield trigger. I might run one in a 3-gun rifle, but shooting from reset gave such a light and short pull, that I would call it a "hair trigger," and I'm not sure it would be totally safe on a defensive rifle.

[Bang]

I have replaced trigger groups in two of my ARs and three of friends with Rock River Match triggers...appx $120. Great trigger.

[RXM]

Sounds like you're okay with a milspec trigger; just having issues with the grit. Get a ALG Defense ACT nickel boron trigger. Best $65 or less you'll spend.

[SgtSteve]

Thanks all.
Sounds like the advice I usually give when someone asks me for a specific solution. First thing I tell them is to "keep shooting". Put a couple hundred rounds through it and THEN see how it feels/works/looks.
I had played with the Timiney but never the G trigger. Anything close to $100 is very fair for a good trigger.
The mention of "for a defensive firearm" was on my mind as well. I like the Compass Lake I have in the Colt HBAR but don't think I'd like it for a defensive purpose...handling, etc.
And yep, the reset being a prime consideration. Anyone who has had to work a firearm in an offensive or defensive situation knows that the old saying is true "...it's a great plan until the bullets start flying".
I haven't opened Suburban's 15 minute trigger job yet. I will do that.

Sgt Steve

[RXM]

Careful doing a trigger job. The triggers are only surfaced hardened. Take off too much and you could end up with a runaway trigger which could be considered making a machine gun.

[Kabloosh]

Sounds like you're okay with a milspec trigger; just having issues with the grit. Get a ALG Defense ACT nickel boron trigger. Best $65 or less you'll spend.

I picked up this trigger for my AR and I'm sure it isn't as amazing as a trigger that is twice the price it is certainly a massive improvement over the standard trigger. It's pretty much a highly refined nickel boron milspec trigger that I think is round 5 pounds. From what I hear a milspec trigger can't be below 5.
I personally didn't mind the stock trigger in mine, but then again this was the first after market trigger I ever put in any of my guns and most certainly saw a huge improvement.