5 Best AK-47 Triggers [Best AK Trigger Upgrade] 2024

BEST-AK-47-TRIGGERS

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The AK-47 has been one of the world's most popular and ubiquitous rifles since it was first invented, and for good reason: it is one of the most iconic rifle designs in history, it's durability is nothing short of legendary, and despite its simple appearance, everything from the muzzle to the stock to barrel length can be modified to fit your needs

That said, there is one part in particular that almost every AK owner will agree can be improved: the trigger. And whether you just want to improve the trigger pull, or upgrade to something fancier like a double trigger kit or even a 3-stage trigger, we've got you covered. 

In this article, we will review the top five aftermarket AK-47 triggers, as well as provide information on how they work and what you should think about when purchasing a new trigger. For the purpose of comparison, we are going to be focusing primarily on crucial factors like trigger pull, reset, comfort, and ease of installation. 

PRODUCT

DETAILS

Products

BEST FOR SHOTTING

Product Name

red star arms ak-47 adjustable trigger set

Red Star AK47 Adjustable Trigger 

  • Style: Kit
  • Fits : 7.62x39, 5.45x39
  • Material: Steel
BEST FOR HUNTNING

Product Name

cmc 3 single stage trigger

CMC AK Tactical 3 Single Stage Trigger

  • Methods : Advanced
  • Pull Weight: 3.5lb
  • Material: Steel
BEST FOR PLINKING

Product Name

alg defense ak-47 trigger

ALG AK Trigger Ultimate with Lightning Bow

  • Colour: Black
  • Pull Weight: 3.5lb
  • Material: Steel

Product Name

alg-defens-ak-47

ALG AK47 AKT Enhanced Trigger Lightning Bow

  • Colour: Black
  • Pull Weight: 3.5lb
  • Material: Steel

Product Name

bfsIII ak-c1 trigger

Franklin Armory BFSIII AK-C1 Trigger

  • Colour: Black
  • Pull Weight: 4.5lb
  • Material: Steel

Why Bother With an Upgraded Trigger? 

There are plenty of purists out there that feel that an AK style rifle doesn't need any fancy upgrades at all - these rifles are built to be rugged and simple, and as the argument goes, swapping out the classic wood furniture and iron sight for aftermarket parts or accessories only introduces new potential points of failure. It's an argument that I can sympathize with to some degree, but in my mind, an unmodified trigger is one of the few areas of the AK 47's design that can be improved upon without having to make any compromises. 

AK rifles have a notoriously simple design and loose tolerances, which is great if you need a gun that is still able to fire after it's been dropped in the mud, run over by a truck, or left out in the pouring rain to rust, but not so good if you want to avoid trigger slap or a squishy trigger that can limit what your rifle is capable of.

While some people will say that all you need to do is file down some edges on the standard AK's hammer with a bit of sandpaper to smooth things out, the best bang for your buck is going to come from swapping out the entire fire control group with something designed specifically for better performance.

If you want smooth operation, a short crisp reset, improved trigger break, and light pull, then it's time to ditch the standard trigger and look at some of the excellent aftermarket AK triggers that have entered the market in recent years. These include durable construction options such as alloyed steel and aircraft grade aluminum, and they also come in different price ranges so there is an option here no matter what budget you have set out for yourself.

1. Red Star Arms AK-47 Adjustable Trigger Set

best ak 47 trigger

It's time to update your trigger for more speed and accuracy. Put control back in your hands with this high-quality AK-47 Adjustable Trigger Kit from Red Star Arms!

This kit features a competition grade hammer, trigger, and disconnector that is fully adjustable for take-up, overtravel, pull weight and disconnector engagement. Trigger pull adjusts from 4 to 8 lbs., with a two-stage or single-stage pull depending on your own specific preferences. It's designed for use with most stamped receivers including the AKM, MAK 90 and Yugo pattern rifles as well as under folder stock conversions – but keep in mind that it is not compatible with milled receivers or Draco pistols.

The kit comes complete with installation instructions and a U.S.-made competition hammer supported by state of the art springs, but please note that while the ideal trigger is a matter of personal taste, our findings suggest that human error may cause some minor problems when installing this kit, resulting in slightly lighter than specified weight springs (under 60%). 

red star arms ak-47 adjustable trigger set

Red Star AK47 Adjustable Trigger 

The price of Red Star AK47 Adjustable Trigger varies, so check the latest price at

2. CMC Triggers AK Tactical 3 Single Stage Trigger

ak-47-trigger-upgrade

Have you always wanted to upgrade the trigger on your AK, but didn't know where to start? The CMC Single-Stage Drop In Trigger Group is the perfect introduction to replacement AK triggers, and it installs in only minutes, giving your AK that clean and crisp feel every time you fire. The trigger is made with 8620 steel for top of the line durability, while still maintaining an overall lightweight design thanks to the aluminum trigger body. 

CMC Triggers are recognized worldwide for their quality parts and accessories, which are designed to increase accuracy while maintaining critical safety features. They have very high standards when it comes to manufacturing these products, so they can live up to what they say on their website about being a premiere manufacturer in the United States since 1991.

CMC stands behind all of their triggers with a lifetime warranty and outstanding customer service, which is why it's the number one best selling replacement trigger for AR-platform rifles. While they aren't quite as well known for their AK triggers yet, I've personally used this fantastic trigger myself on my AR-15s, AK-47s, and AK-74s alike without any issues whatsoever, even during rapid fire! I recommend this product to anyone who is just looking for an upgrade drop in trigger for an AK rifle, or even if you are wanting to put together a rifle where each piece is selected according to your own exact specifications.

cmc 3 single stage trigger

CMC AK Tactical 3 Single Stage Trigger

The price of CMC AK Tactical 3 Single Stage Trigger varies, so check the latest price at

3. ALG Defense AK 47 Trigger Ultimate with Lightning Bow

best ak trigger

If you've ever fired a rifle with a Gissele trigger installed, then you have some idea of what to expect from their sister company, ALG. The ALG Defense AK 47 drop in trigger is designed to reduce your rifle's pre-travel and over travel, similar to a single stage trigger just like the trigger an off-the-shelf AK has. 

It has an improved geometry which allows you to take advantage of all the benefits offered by AK pattern rifles – low perceived recoil, smooth uptake and reset, and fast hammer lock time, among others. In addition, like several other options in the ALG Defense AK 47 line of triggers, this one comes with a Lightning ones option which gives it a more comfortable feel than other alternative triggers available on the market right now.

The ALG AK Trigger is a single-stage trigger designed for both competitive shooting and combat. Machined from alloy steel, it features a durable manganese phosphate finish and machined triple alloy construction that counts as 3 parts down towards 922(r) compliance. 

With the Lightning's light pull, you'll have more control over your weapon in just about any situation, whether you're plinking at the range or dealing with a home intruder that poses a threat to you or your loved ones. Best of all, it's a drop in trigger, so it only takes a few minutes to install, and there's no need to worry about any gunsmithing!

alg defense ak-47 trigger

ALG AK Trigger Ultimate with Lightning Bow

The price of ALG AK Trigger Ultimate with Lightning Bow varies, so check the latest price at

4. ALG Defense AK47 AKT Enhanced Trigger With Lightning Bow

alg ak trigger install

The ALG Defense AKT Trigger is a single-stage drop in trigger designed for the AK 47 and 74, and utilizes ALG's proprietary lightning bow technology.

It has been designed to have shorter trigger pull length with increased reset, which provides more precision in shooting compared to standard triggers, and ALG's Lightning system is a major plus, aiding in smooth cycling and faster follow up shots. This also helps reduce felt trigger pull weight by around 50 percent for an even smoother shooting experience than before!

The ALG Defense AK 47 AKT is one of the most popular aftermarket triggers available, in part because it has been designed with the specific needs of AK-47 shooters in mind, and also because there is very little competition for single stage triggers available at this price point- making ALG Defense AK 47 AKT Enhanced Trigger extremely popular amongst rifle enthusiasts who don't want to break the bank to get better accuracy along with high reliability from their rifles. 

All in all, an ALG trigger is a great option for shooters on a budget, and the installation process is pretty straightforward and can be done without professional help.

alg-defens-ak-47

ALG AK47 AKT Enhanced Trigger Lightning Bow

The price of ALG AK47 AKT Enhanced Trigger Lightning Bow varies, so check the latest price at

5. Franklin Armory BFSIII AK-C1 Trigger

ak 47 trigger assembly

If you want to have some real fun, the Franklin Armory Binary Firing System Gen III is the perfect trigger for you. Its three position trigger design makes this the fastest semi automatic one out there, delivering one round on a standard trigger pull and another on the release. 

The reduced split times between rounds are great for competition shooting, and because the firing mechanism relies on shooter input each step of the way, it avoids your rifle being legally classified as a machine gun - just be sure to spend some time at the range getting used to how it operates and how much finger pressure is required for each shot. 

The Patent Pending selector lets you quickly switch between modes like binary mode, without having to remove the shooter's trigger finger from the trigger, which means no more relying on your support hand or worrying about second hand's thumb getting tired trying to slide that disconnector over. It's a very user-friendly design that was obviously developed with the shooter's convenience in mind. Franklin Armory is one of the major player in the Binary triggers market. 

bfsIII ak-c1 trigger

Franklin Armory BFSIII AK-C1 Trigger

The price of Franklin Armory Trigger varies, so check the latest price at

Why is a Trigger Upgrade the Best Upgrade You Can Make?

ak 47 upgrades

So you've gotten your hands on a new AK-47, and the first thing that probably comes to mind is make it better. You want a lighter trigger pull and short reset after every shot. The best upgrade out there for your AK47 or other AK variants is an upgraded trigger group. This will improve accuracy by cutting down on muzzle climb because of reduced felt recoil, allowing for fast follow up shots.

Investing $50 -$100 in a simple drop in trigger now can save you money and provide enhanced performance in line with rifles that cost substantially more money. It also makes home defense much easier as stock triggers are heavy, with an average trigger pull between 11 – 12 lbs, making them difficult to shoot accurately in full panic mode.

Replacement fire control groups are also ideal for anyone who is interesting in using an AK for competitive shooting. Though it's certainly not the most common choice, perks like fine drawn trigger handling, an extra length trigger, light pull, and positive reset can all give shooters a leg up on the competition. 

How To Choose The Best AK Trigger for You?

modified ak 47

The first thing to consider is the purpose of your AK47 – will you be just target shooting at a range or going hunting? If it's for competitive purposes then you need faster follow up shots and a lighter trigger pull, so look into single stage triggers that have less than half pound pulls. For home defense, go with two stage triggers because it requires more pressure to let off the second round - an extremely light pull is counterproductive when adrenaline is pumping through your veins.

Next check the distances you'll typically be shooting at. If it's under 100 yards, then get a standard AK trigger will do just fine, but for longer ranges you'll want to go with an adjustable or match grade trigger which will give you better control over your weapon and smoother pull for those long-distance shots. 

Do I Need to Hire a Gunsmith?

ak upgrades

While there are plenty of AK 47 triggers that boast drop in construction, it's still generally recommended to have a certified gunsmith handle any AK trigger work that you need done. 

Regardless of rifle trigger installation type, AKs can be tricky to work with, and while this has improved in recent years with the superior build quality of made-in-America AKs (though those also come with made-in-America AK price points), the vast majority of AKs on the market are still imports from all over the world that rarely have the same exact design specs. 

The biggest culprit when having the first AK trigger removed and replaced with a better trigger is the trigger casing rivet, which is intended to reduce trigger slap. While many triggers, like the ALG Defense AK 47 series, can actually be called a drop in trigger and are designed to work with most rivet heights, some others may require the rivet to be filed down in order to avoid damaging the disconnector. 

That said, if you've got a drop in trigger kit and you're confident in your ability to swap out the stock trigger without any issues, read on to see how to get the job done. 

How to Install an AK 47 Trigger?

Most drop in trigger kits come with a detailed trigger installation guide, and it is pretty straightforward to install. You should familiarize yourself with the instructions before you start in order to avoid any complications, and it's worth checking to see if there are any videos on YouTube or read the manufacturer's website that can help walk you through the process.

First, remove your safety selector by loosening up its screws using an Allen wrench provided in your kit, but make sure you tighten them back when done so that they don't get loose during shooting sessions and potentially cause accidents. 

Then push out the rifle's trigger pin from the left side (it's usually easier than removing it from right side, and be mindful of the hammer spring pressure pushing under tension) and take out both disconnectors and hammer pins by pushing them through their respective holes/sleeves inside the receiver cover plate located at the rear of gun.

Now remove the cover plate, and you will have your entire trigger assembly in front of you. Installation is just the reverse of the removal, so make sure each supplied roll pin is properly aligned and the trigger springing is correct before pushing them back in place, or it can be quite frustrating. 

After installation, reattach the selector switch & test your new trigger by dry firing it a few times to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! Our top five aftermarket triggers for AK47s – whether you're looking for a no-frills option or a trigger that's adjustable and competition-ready, we've got you covered. 

At the end of the day, swapping your stock trigger is one of the simplest, most affordable, and most useful upgrades you can make to your AK, regardless of whether you're just plinking at the range, hunting, or taking it to a match. 

We hope this article has given you enough information to help you make an informed decision about which trigger option would be best for your needs. Just be sure to do your own research before making a purchase, as there are an enormous number of different AK manufacturers with their own unique specs, and some may require specific adjustment tools or procedures that others don't, even if they're marketed as a drop in trigger.

If you have any experience with these triggers, or if we left off one of your favorite alternatives that you think we should know about, let us know in the comments!

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