Trigger Pulls: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

    I recently posted an article evaluating the Beretta ARX-100 rifle, and the feature that I feel was most detrimental to the shooting experience was the trigger, which actually maxed out a trigger pull gauge. My friend CJ is serious about distance shooting, reloading, and is quite handy when it comes to trigger work and as such he has a gauge.

    On measuring the pull of the ARX-100, most attempts resulted in a max:


    However we did manage to get it to read once after several times at 11 pounds, 8 ounces:


    After this experience, I thought it might be reasonable and prudent to put many other rifles (including two Beretta products) to the test that I feel are comparable in at least one category to the ARX-100.

    For testing, I dug pretty deep into the safe. I will also note that none of these have had any trigger work on them. All have completely stock triggers:


    A set of testing parameters were established:

    1. The same gauge used in the review would be used on all rifles
    2. Three attempts would be made on all rifles
    3. The median of the three tests would be collected as data

    The rifles were placed with their stocks on a flat surface and all tested by my business partner Patrick while I photographed the rifles (he has no vested interest in any rifle performing better than any other).

    Anyways, on with some results.

    I felt starting with the previous Italian service rifle was appropriate; the tried and true Beretta AR70:


    Which did much better than the ARX-100’s 11 pounds, 8 ounces:


    Next up was a Daewoo K1A1, Korea’s AR15.

    IMG_7464 IMG_7465

    Then the Israeli Tavor:

    IMG_7468 IMG_7471

    A new, unfired Colt M4:

    IMG_7472 IMG_7477

    A select fire M16A1:

    IMG_7480 IMG_7485

    A Rock River Arms AR15 with their 2-stage trigger:

    IMG_7487 IMG_7489

    An HK MR556A1:

    IMG_7491 IMG_7493

    A select-fire HK33:



    8 pounds, 2 ounces

    An FN FNC:

    IMG_7501 IMG_7504

    A Ruger Mini 14:

    IMG_7505 IMG_7511

    New AUG A3:

    IMG_7512 IMG_7514


    IMG_7517 IMG_7519

    Sig 556:

    IMG_7522 IMG_7525

    Masterpiece Arms MPAR:

    IMG_7528 IMG_7533

    Bushmaster ACR:

    IMG_7536 IMG_7540

    FN SCAR 16s:

    IMG_7544 IMG_7549

    Arsenal AK74 (SGL-31):

    IMG_7551 IMG_7555

    Valmet M76:

    IMG_7559 IMG_7561

    Israeli Galil 392:

    IMG_7562 IMG_7565

    H&K G36 (SL8 trigger group):

    IMG_7567 IMG_7571

    Beretta CX4 Storm:

    IMG_7573 IMG_7577

    Armalite AR180:

    IMG_7579 IMG_7581

    Bushmaster M17s:

    IMG_7583 IMG_7585

    Robinson M96:

    IMG_7586 IMG_7589

    Benelli MR1:

    IMG_7591 IMG_7592


    So with that we have a final pool of all data, arranged from the gun with the lightest trigger pull to the heaviest:

    Gun Pounds, Ounces Ounces Pounds
    Valmet M76 3, 2.5 50.5 3.15625
    Sig 556 3, 14.1 62.1 3.88125
    Rock River 3, 14.9 62.9 3.93125
    HK MR556 4, 14.4 78.4 4.9
    Mini 14 5, 2 82 5.125
    Benelli MR1 5, 12 92 5.75
    G36/SL8 5, 14.5 94.5 5.90625
    MPAR 6, 0 96 6
    Galil 392 6, 1.5 97.5 6.09375
    Robinson M96 6, 4 100 6.25
    Daewoo 6, 8.5 104.5 6.53125
    M4 Carbine 6, 8.5 104.5 6.53125
    AK74 6, 8.5 104.5 6.53125
    Bushmaster M17s 6, 12 108 6.75
    M16A1 6, 14 110 6.875
    AR180 6, 15 111 6.9375
    SCAR 7, 0.5 112.5 7.03125
    AR70 7, 2 114 7.125
    ACR 7, 7 119 7.4375
    CX4 Storm 7, 11 123 7.6875
    FNC 7, 12.5 124.5 7.78125
    HK33 8, 2 130 8.125
    FS2000 9, 0 144 9
    AUG 9, 3 147 9.1875
    Tavor 9, 7 151 9.4375


    And this fancy graph should help as well:


    This experiment was eye opening to me, and I hope that this data is pertinent to you choosing your next rifle!

    Alex C.
