Trigger Selection For 22lr Use
FRT Style Triggers are not created equal. They fall into two broad categories with many derivatives of each of the two main types. Each trigger listed below can be used with 22lr, but each is unique in how easily it is able to be tuned for reliable and repeatable function with 22LR. Note that function with a 223/556/300BLK or other centerfire does not indicate whether that trigger will or will not work easily with 22lr.
Triggers are listed roughly in order of tuning difficulty from easy to hard.
CLICK HERE FOR OUR BARREL LENGTH AND TUNING GUIDE
Category 1: Super Safety and Derivatives
BOREBUDDY 22LR CERTIFIED TRIGGERS:
AS Designs ARC-FIRE – Tuning difficulty: VERY EASY, TRIGGER PRESSURE SENSITIVITY: VERY LOW
(BOREBUDDY 22LR CERTIFIED)
Choose and upper that is ARC-FIRE ready. ARC TRIP KIT or ARC BUNDLE
1.) The milspec version is recommended, the others may have trigger side issues.
2.) Using a Reduced power hammer spring in conjunction with the Super Strike firing pin can be helpful when running short barrel lengths and/or subsonic ammo.
3.) Shimming the ARC-FIRE selector is generally necessary for V1 with a milspec trigger and hammer, and may or may not be needed with a Geissele Trigger. V2 will likely not need to be shimmed, try it without first.
Atrius Selektor – TUNING DIFFICULTY: VERY EASY*, TRIGGER PRESSURE SENSITIVITY: LOW
(BOREBUDDY 22LR CERTIFIED)*
Choose and upper that is Atrius Selektor ready. Atruis TRIP KIT or Atrius BUNDLE
Atrius has guides on trigger binding than need to be read if you encounter binding. Most commonly when using the Atrius with a 22lr upper is trigger binding in the 3rd position about halfway back in bolt travel. This is caused by a hammer incompatibility. There are videos published on youtube (not ours) on how to remove material from the hammer, but the simple fix is to use a Rave 140 trigger which avoids binding issues.
*with proper trigger selection – we recommend a Rave 140
NON-CERTIFIED TRIGGERS:
Traditional Super Safety – TUNING DIFFICULTY: MODERATE, TRIGGER PRESSURE SENSITIVITY: MODERATE
Choose and upper that is Super Safety ready. Super Safety TRIP KIT or Super Safety BUNDLE
Super Safety components vary greatly in quality and dimensions depending on source. Shimming the lever to remove the front to rear play is recommended on most super Safety triggers. Video on how to shim
Aside from tuning, the one of the most overlooked factors to a successful SS AR22 build is the trigger cut. See the guide at the bottom of the page.
Category 2: Rare Breed and Clones
All Category 2 Triggers require adjustment of the trip kit length to allow the trigger locking bar to release the hammer at the proper point. If adjusted too long, the bar will not reliably release the hammer. If adjusted too short, the locking bar will bottom out and the bolt will be held slightly out of battery, resulting in light strikes (often on the second round)
Set timing to a proper gap between the bolt and breech to check for gap. You want no gap to be present or you WILL get light strikes.
You want the hammer to be unlocked and able to fall when the trigger is pulled with no gap present between bolt and barrel when the bolt is forward under spring pressure or you WILL get light strikes.
Optimally, having the hammer fall 0.010″ to 0.040″ prior to bolt close without the locking bare holding the bolt open will give best function. RB and clones often lack the locking bar overtravel needed to get timing correct.
Gen 2 Rare Breed and Clones (Delta Team Tactical, Disruptor, etc.) – TUNING DIFFICULTY: HARD, TRIGGER PRESSURE SENSITIVITY: EXTREME
Choose and upper that is FRT ready. FRT TRIP KIT or FRT BUNDLE
The RB and Clones reset the trigger late in the bolt cycle and the mechanical advantage on the reset is very low. With these two factors the trigger pressure becomes very sensitive, with too much pressure causing the bolt to short stroke and end in a dead trigger malfunction. Too little and the string of fire will also be broken until pressure increases past the trigger pull weight.
Gen 1 Rare Breed and Clones (WOT, Graves, etc.) – TUNING DIFFICULTY: EXTREME, TRIGGER PRESSURE SENSITIVITY: EXTREME
These are essentially an exercise in futility. Avoid.
Further Notes
Cutting a SS trigger by hand:
Traditional Super Safety components vary greatly in quality and dimensions depending on source. Aside from tuning, the one of the most overlooked factors to a successful SS AR22 build is the trigger cut.
How to profile the Super Safety trigger properly for AR22 use:
Note: this procedure requires a new unmodified trigger, not a pre-cut trigger.
- Cut the right side of the trigger normally with the standard 45 degree cut
- For the left side start by only taking a few light passes using a file or sandpaper to barely round the corner, only removing a very minimal amount of material
- Install trigger and fully assemble the gun (including upper and trip kit) and perform function test in Super Safe mode using the dry fire block.
- If you are unable to pull charging handle back due to hammer binding or unable to pull the trigger to drop the hammer then remove trigger and continue to round the left side of the trigger taking a few light passes at a time. After each light pass reassemble and function test using the fry fire block. Repeat the process until SS mode passes function test.
- Once gun is able to pass the function test in SS mode with- the trigger held down as tight as possible, polish the left side with some fine grit sandpaper.
It is critical to only file the left side of the trigger based on function testing your specific fully assembled gun. Testing the lower only is not recommended.