Sturm, Ruger & Co. recently released the new Elite 452 MSR Trigger for most AR-15 rifles on the market. Touted as a “perfect upgrade” to your “Modern Sporting Rifle”, the trigger module is also a viable option to replace single stage or older, outdated triggers on police duty rifles.
The Elite 452 is a 2-stage trigger with a 4.5 pound trigger pull. Ruger claims a 30% faster lock time over standard AR-15 triggers. A great feature of the Elite 452 trigger is that it comes in an easy to install completely self-contained module that will fit into any AR-15 lower receiver with .154″ trigger/hammer pins.
Here are the other features of the Elite 452 MSR Trigger:
- Lightweight hammer
- Full-strength hammer spring
- All pins and springs necessary for easy installation
- Safety selector
- Ergonomic, Optimized trigger-reach, polymer grip
- Fully assembled to allow dry-fire or for use as a trigger manipulation training aid
- Genuine Ruger Factory Accessory
- MSRP – $159.95
For those who have not experienced a 2-stage trigger, the difference in trigger pull is remarkably better than a standard single stage trigger. As the graph in the illustration above reflects, a 2-stage trigger reduces the felt pull weight by nearly half, and drastically changes to trigger break to a flatter (crisper) distinction than the ever-increasing standard mil-spec trigger.
The smoothness of the trigger pull, and the crispness of the trigger break are great benefits to any shooter, but particularly to police officers who need to eliminate as many outside influences to accurate shooting as they can. The faster reset of the trigger with a 2-stage system is another great benefit.
Our Department has been progressively replacing antiquated patrol rifles with Rock River Arms LAR-15’s that come with their RRA National Match 2-stage trigger. Those rifles coming with standard with the RRA National Match 2-stage trigger was a big factor in our selection of those rifles to replace our older arms.
The Ruger Elite 452 MSR trigger module is an amazing advancement in the application of replacement triggers, and the $159.95 MSRP is a very reasonable price for what you are getting.
For more information check out Ruger’s website:
http://www.ruger.com/index.html
What do you think of the modular format of this 2-stage trigger?
Jim says
How does the Ruger 452 trigger compare with the RRA 2 stage trigger?
Aaron says
Jim I haven’t had the opportunity to put my fingers on the Ruger 452, but the graphs offer a lot to hope for. I would imagine that the Ruger 452 will be in the same category as the RRA 2-stage match trigger for feel, pull, and reset but that is supposition.
I would not expect the Ruger 452 to reach the glass-like smoothness of the higher level 2-stage triggers like Giessele or JP Enterprises.