Triggers: Single Stage vs. Two-Stage
One of the first things new gun owners want to do is make upgrades. They want to customize their firearms. One of their first questions is, “What should I upgrade first?” Regardless of whether you upgrade your firearm, my answer is always the trigger.
The trigger is one of the most critical components of any firearm. A good trigger allows for a smoother, more comfortable shooting experience, which results in better shots on target. However, selecting a trigger can be mind-boggling, especially for a new gun owner. The internet is filled with options, all claiming to be the best or the latest option, but the most confusion is around what type.
Once you consider all the options, such as composition, blade shape, and even color, the main decision is what type of trigger you need—single-stage or two-stage. This is the focus of today’s discussion.
What is a Single Stage Trigger?
Although there are more complicated explanations available, in the simplest terms, a single-stage trigger requires the same amount of pressure to be applied from start to finish. For example, if you have a rifle with a 4-pound trigger pull and a single-stage trigger, 4 pounds of pressure will be needed throughout the manipulation of the trigger.
What is a Two-Stage Trigger?
As the name implies, a two-stage trigger will experience two different stages while being manipulated, each with a distinct amount of pressure needed to complete the process. For example, if you have the same rifle with a two-stage trigger, you will need 4 pounds of pressure for the initial stage. When you reach a point just before the trigger breaks, this pressure will increase to 6 pounds. When this happens, the increased pressure needed will feel like you have hit a wall; increase your pressure to the required 6 pounds, and the trigger will break.
Why do this? The original idea was to allow a shooter to take up all the slack in the trigger, reaching a point of almost firing, and then have only a short, quick pull before the shot. It was designed to allow for more precise, long-range shooting. But nowadays, many shooters do not understand the differences and tend to simply accept the type of trigger a firearm comes with as the best choice.
Key Differences
As stated earlier, the key difference is how the trigger reacts under pressure. Does it operate with one single amount of pressure throughout manipulation, or does it increase just before breaking?
The other distinction is how this difference is applied. A two-stage trigger allows the shooter to stop just before the shot, knowing that only a slight increase in pressure will send the bullet down range. This is extremely valuable during precision shooting, long-range hunting, or high-stress situations.
Most average shooters will not notice a difference in speed, but the advanced shooter will find a single-stage trigger to be slightly faster. The average shooter will see that the slight pause allows them to make minor adjustments and refocus before the final shot.
How to Choose the Right Trigger for You
The single-stage trigger is more widely used because it is easier and cheaper to manufacture. This means most shooters learn to shoot using this type of trigger, and they have a long-term ingrained muscle memory that relies on using a single-stage trigger in all their firearms.
Early on, the two-stage trigger was a go-to option for high-end long-range rifles. This led to the belief that a two-stage trigger was necessary to achieve more precise shots. While this is not completely accurate, today’s long-range rifles are built using both types of trigger. There are still reasons to consider following the trend.
Precision shooters, military or police sharpshooters, or those operating in high-stress situations tend to prefer the two-stage trigger as it lessens the chance of an unintended discharge.
Despite the advantages of each, the choice as to which type of trigger is best for you usually comes down to personal preference and experience. Even if you are building a long-range platform or a decked-out AR for self-defense, what are the chances you will use it for the intended purpose? How often will you be using the firearm for long-range shooting, defending yourself, or just plinking at the range?
Regardless of your selected trigger, Rifle Basix is here to meet your needs. Our selection of trigger upgrades includes single—and two-stage triggers for a wide range of platforms, at competitive prices, and with a history of providing the best in firearm upgrades. Rifle Basix is home for all your trigger needs.
