Steve Coulston takes a look at innovative triggers, rails and tools from Geissele Automatics.
With so many options to choose from these days it can be a little confusing on which accessories and components to buy for your next AR build. Do you go with the latest and greatest whiz-bang product that is “guaranteed” to make you a better shooter and turn you into the next range rock star or do you choose components that have a proven track record? While I can’t answer that question for you, I am a firm believer that innovation is good. As a matter of fact it is great. There are companies out there who continue to make outstanding, proven products all the while continuing to innovate amazing new ones. Geissele Automatics is one of those companies.
The Geissele name has become synonymous as some of the best triggers you can buy. Are there other great trigger manufactures out there? Of course and I have used many. But for this Cat, Geissele is always my first choice. They have earned my support after years of using them in my guns and for their outstanding customer service. For those folks unaware of Geissele’s contribution to the AR world, let’s just say they make some of the most badass triggers on the market. Bill Geissele, who at the time had just developed the Hi-Speed National Match Trigger for CMP and NRA High-Power Rifle competitions, started Geissele Automatics in 2004. Due to its popularity and inherent reliability the military took notice. A year later, this resulted in a Department of Defense request for a similar trigger but in select fire. After arduous testing the Geissele Super Select-Fire (SSF) trigger was born and adopted by select door kickers in the SOCOM community. To accommodate LEO departments and the discerning civilian looking for the same reliable trigger, minus the fun switch, the Super Semi-Automatic (SSA) trigger became the next step in the Geissele evolutionary process.
Fast-forward to the end of 2013 and the Geissele line of triggers has expanded dramatically. They now offer 22 different triggers and configurations for everything from your AR15, AR10, SCAR, ACR and HK 416/417 guns. There is one for every application you can think of. Not only that you can get the same trigger, with say a different pin size or a different trigger bow profile. One of my favorite triggers as of late is their Super 3 Gun and Dynamic Super 3 Gun. Geissele describes this trigger as “a semi-automatic-only derivative of the two-stage Super Select-Fire (SSF) combat trigger that Geissele Automatics produces for customers in the U.S. Special Operations Community.” The trigger bow is a traditional curve on the S3G and flat for the SD3G variant. Like all Geissele triggers the trigger and hammer are made out of super hard, high quality tool steel and the sear is cut with a wire EDM machine for a glass like finish. The trigger and hammer pins are hardened 4140 chromoly steel. The hammer springs are full power for use with harder primed rounds. This trigger is designed for close in work and in the right hands can deliver a high volume of rounds on target very quickly. This trigger is more of a hybrid that your traditional one or two stage triggers. The trigger pull is silky smooth, without any discernible second stage. The hammer just simply falls when the trigger is pressed far enough. It is actually difficult to explain how smooth this trigger is. One must feel it for themselves to truly understand how it operates. I measured the trigger pull weight of mine and came out with a consistent 2.5 lbs. The reset is very short and quick which makes for very fast follow up shots. For this reason Geissele doesn’t recommend this trigger be used for anything other than competition. Their triggers are fairly straightforward to install and come with great instructions, a slave pin and grease, but it is best to have a competent gunsmith do the deed. These can be ordered direct from Geissele or one of their authorized dealers and will set you back about $250. Believe you me, it is worth every penny.
Geissele innovation doesn’t end at triggers. No Sir, they have also developed an impressive line of tools and rails. I have only recently become familiar with their rails. They offer five different rail models in a variety of different lengths. There is the MK1, MK2, MK3, M4 and the HK series. I recently had the opportunity to use the MK3 rail on a custom Crossfire build. The MK 3 can be had in three different lengths. 10 inch, 13 inch and 15 inch respectively. They also come in either black or FED depending on your preference. The MK3 is made from aircraft grade aluminum billet and is very ridged and solid platform for your accessories. It is an elegant looking rail which allows your barrel to free float. Free floating the barrel allows for natural, uninhibited barrel harmonics, which have shown to improve accuracy. It also has a very minimalist profile, which results in a nice slick package. This means no more 1913 picatinny rails looking like cheese graters all over your handguard. Instead there is a single full length rail that runs along the top of the rail melding seamlessly with your AR upper receiver flat top rail. This really aids in shooter comfort and cuts down on the weight, which improves the balance of the gun. There are hard attachment points along the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions that allow the user to attached smaller rail sections anywhere along the rail for their lights, lasers and grips. The rail sections are extremely easy to install and remove. The rail will come with 3 rail sections but more can be ordered direct from Geissele for $30.
Everything you need to install is included with the rail to include the barrel nut and special combination wrench. You will need your own torque wrench. The beauty of this system is the way the rail is attached to the barrel nut; it can be easily removed for maintenance and reattached to the exact same spot. Another advantage is this allows the user to swap out longer or shorter hand guards with different rail configurations quickly. There are also integral QD sling points for easy sling attachment on both the port and starboard sides of the rail.
Overall I am very impressed with their rail. It is very well made, lightweight, versatile and rugged. Like their triggers, the rails are meant for hard use and designed for the warfighter and civilian alike. They can be ordered direct from Geissele Automatics or one of their authorized dealers. As SHOT Show 2014 is right around the corner, I am looking forward to seeing what else Bill and his team will dream up. If history repeats itself, then we will be in for a treat!
