Mil Spec Trigger?

waddy · May 18, 2022, 01:44 PM

Daniel Defense states that their M4V7 AR comes "standard with a Mil Spec Trigger". What does that mean? Is it a double stage, single stage, horrible trigger pull, what?

**44 AMP** · May 18, 2022, 02:48 PM

"Mil-spec" is short for "military specifications", and means the part was made to meet those specs.

whether or not it does is a different matter. In general usage today referring to something as "mil-spec" could mean it is, or it could mean it is made to the same pattern as the actual part/equipment in military use, because in general use, people are sloppy with their terminology.

The trigger of the M16 family (as installed by the maker for govt contract guns) is a two stage trigger, and there is a spec that covers the range of pull weight considered serviceable. (I don't have the spec handy, but I know it existed in the 70s when I used it in Army service)

As to "horrible trigger pull", you get what you get, there is no GI spec defining "horrible" , there is only serviceable or unserviceable.

waddy · May 18, 2022, 03:25 PM

Thanks. I assumed it would be a double stage trigger, since that what the military seems to prefer, but I appreciate you confirming it.

Scorch · May 18, 2022, 05:39 PM

Just as an aside, Daniel Defense makes pretty nice equipment. Most of the DD rifles I have handled have pretty nice triggers, about 5 lbs but smooth and break crisp. You may want to replace or maybe not, depends on you.

chadio · May 18, 2022, 06:30 PM

If one is going to buy a rifle that is the bee's knees (DDM4v7), plan on getting a top-shelf trigger to be the frosting on the cake.

My one and only AR has a CMC 'cassette' or 'modular' style, with the flat trigger lever. One would have to show me a very impressive trigger to top this one, it is far and away the nicest trigger I have ever felt, pistol / rifle / mil spec or not.

The one downside? Whenever someone else shoots my AR, I have to warn them in advance, don't even lean on it until you are ready to take the shot.

It feels like cracking the tip off of an icicle...

**44 AMP** · May 18, 2022, 07:18 PM

Quote:

a double stage trigger, since that what the military seems to prefer,

There is a good, valid, reason with a long history, and that is the military prefers the two stage trigger for safety reasons.

No matter how much, or how good the training is, (and the military doesn't spend all that much effort training the rank and file) there is going to be a percentage of guys moving around in combat with their fingers on the trigger.

The two stage trigger provides a "safety buffer" against unintentional discharge, and does not hinder aimed accurate fire in any way.

I don't know exactly when they first showed up, but as far as I can tell the two stage trigger appeared with the early military bolt action repeaters in the late 1880s.

EVERYONE used them, all the great military power's infantry rifles used two stage triggers throughout the 20th century and we're still using them today.

Shadow9mm · May 18, 2022, 11:12 PM

I have had and shot several ar rifes over the years. All with mil-spec type triggers. All have been a long single stage. Based on my limited googling mil spec pull weight is between 5.5 to 9.5lb. The mil spec triggers i have shot were in the 6.5 to 7.5lb range. Many had lots of creep and were gritty. Most of that was solved by a good cleaning and light oiling.

The jp enhanced reliability spring is also great and cheap at around $12 off midway. Takes about 1lb off trigger pull but still sets off military primers.

DubC-Hicks · May 19, 2022, 12:04 AM

When referring to "mil-spec" triggers in ARs, it means your typical single stage trigger. Not very many come with two stage triggers from the factory.

jetinteriorguy · May 19, 2022, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadio

If one is going to buy a rifle that is the bee's knees (DDM4v7), plan on getting a top-shelf trigger to be the frosting on the cake.

My one and only AR has a CMC 'cassette' or 'modular' style, with the flat trigger lever. One would have to show me a very impressive trigger to top this one, it is far and away the nicest trigger I have ever felt, pistol / rifle / mil spec or not.

The one downside? Whenever someone else shoots my AR, I have to warn them in advance, don't even lean on it until you are ready to take the shot.

It feels like cracking the tip off of an icicle...

Have you ever had an Elftman trigger? Pretty hard to beat.

May 18, 2022, 01:44 PM	#1
waddy Junior Member Join Date: November 2, 2011 Posts: 13	Mil Spec Trigger? Daniel Defense states that their M4V7 AR comes "standard with a Mil Spec Trigger". What does that mean? Is it a double stage, single stage, horrible trigger pull, what?

May 18, 2022, 02:48 PM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,487	"Mil-spec" is short for "military specifications", and means the part was made to meet those specs. whether or not it does is a different matter. In general usage today referring to something as "mil-spec" could mean it is, or it could mean it is made to the same pattern as the actual part/equipment in military use, because in general use, people are sloppy with their terminology. The trigger of the M16 family (as installed by the maker for govt contract guns) is a two stage trigger, and there is a spec that covers the range of pull weight considered serviceable. (I don't have the spec handy, but I know it existed in the 70s when I used it in Army service) As to "horrible trigger pull", you get what you get, there is no GI spec defining "horrible" , there is only serviceable or unserviceable. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

May 18, 2022, 05:39 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,249	Just as an aside, Daniel Defense makes pretty nice equipment. Most of the DD rifles I have handled have pretty nice triggers, about 5 lbs but smooth and break crisp. You may want to replace or maybe not, depends on you. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

May 18, 2022, 06:30 PM	#5
chadio Senior Member Join Date: June 29, 2011 Posts: 931	If one is going to buy a rifle that is the bee's knees (DDM4v7), plan on getting a top-shelf trigger to be the frosting on the cake. My one and only AR has a CMC 'cassette' or 'modular' style, with the flat trigger lever. One would have to show me a very impressive trigger to top this one, it is far and away the nicest trigger I have ever felt, pistol / rifle / mil spec or not. The one downside? Whenever someone else shoots my AR, I have to warn them in advance, don't even lean on it until you are ready to take the shot. It feels like cracking the tip off of an icicle... __________________ Ex - Navy, Persian Gulf Veteran. Loved shooting the M14, 1911, M60, M2

May 18, 2022, 11:12 PM	#7
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,603	I have had and shot several ar rifes over the years. All with mil-spec type triggers. All have been a long single stage. Based on my limited googling mil spec pull weight is between 5.5 to 9.5lb. The mil spec triggers i have shot were in the 6.5 to 7.5lb range. Many had lots of creep and were gritty. Most of that was solved by a good cleaning and light oiling. The jp enhanced reliability spring is also great and cheap at around $12 off midway. Takes about 1lb off trigger pull but still sets off military primers. __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload. Last edited by Shadow9mm; May 18, 2022 at 11:24 PM.

May 18, 2022, 03:25 PM	#3
waddy Junior Member Join Date: November 2, 2011 Posts: 13	Thanks. I assumed it would be a double stage trigger, since that what the military seems to prefer, but I appreciate you confirming it.

May 19, 2022, 12:04 AM	#8
DubC-Hicks Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2009 Location: Backwoods, Northern MI Posts: 1,035	When referring to "mil-spec" triggers in ARs, it means your typical single stage trigger. Not very many come with two stage triggers from the factory. __________________ ”Gun control is like trying to reduce drunk driving by making it tougher for sober people to own cars.” ~Unknown