It’s no secret that Timney Triggers are among the best in the business, and the brand doesn’t just offer a one-size fits all approach. For AR shooters, there are quite a few good options.

One of the premium options for AR shooters, and one of the most highly rated, is the AR Impact trigger.

Here’s what makes this a superior trigger, as well as how to install one.

Why This Is a Superior AR Timney Trigger

If you love your mil-spec AR but don’t love the trigger, the AR Impact trigger may be right for you.

Mil-spec AR triggers are often “just OK,” which, if you compete with an AR, is not good enough. They’re reliable, but they can be gritty and don’t offer the most precise, crisp breaks. They’re good for high-volume shooting, but for competition and precision shooting? They’re not the best.

Timney’s AR Impact trigger is a 100% self-contained, cassette-style drop-in trigger that anyone can install at their home bench with nothing more than basic tools and a comparably basic understanding of firearm mechanics (more on that below).

These Timney triggers are non-adjustable, single stage triggers that break at around 3-4 pounds, which is fairly light and extremely responsive.

We cannot underestimate how solid, crisp, light, reliable, and responsive these triggers are. Other customers have said it perhaps better than we could. If you don’t believe us, just check out the reviews on the product page on their website.

Easy to install, reliable, consistent, and much crisper than most factory stock mil-spec triggers, the AR Impact has been lauded for its value and performance.

Like many other Timney triggers, these have a light trigger pull and are extremely crisp, which makes them a joy to shoot, especially for AR shooters that compete or who practice at long ranges, in which applications a consistent, crisp trigger with a reliable break and reset is not just nice to have, it’s a must.

Now, like other Timney triggers, these things are built to stand up to the harshest environments possible, and require no gunsmithing, fitting or adjusting. They’re also proudly made in the United States.

Moreover, Timney triggers like these are covered by a generous guarantee that each has been individually inspected, adjusted and tested in order to serve a lifetime of use. If any defect in material or workmanship becomes manifest as a result of reasonable use, Timney will replace it at no charge (see their website for more details on their guarantee).

So now let’s talk about installing these Timney triggers.

Installing the AR Impact Trigger

As stated, you don’t need to be a gunsmith to install these Timney triggers. They are completely drop-in ready and you can get to using one as soon as you have installed it.

Moreover, you only need basic tools to install these Timney triggers. If your AR has a mil-spec lower receiver and you have a straight punch for the takedown pins, a 5/64” hex key, and either a flathead screwdriver or another hex key to remove the pistol grip, you’re set.

Obviously, before you get started, all common sense gun safety applies here. Drop the magazine, open and lock back the action, and physically and visually inspect the weapon to be sure it is clear before proceeding.

The first practical step is to separate the AR’s upper and lower receivers. To do this, you will have to knock out the two takedown pins, then take the upper and lower apart. It helps to have a magnetic tray handy so you won’t lose your pins and other hardware.

Now flip over the lower and take a look through the bottom of the pistol grip. There should be a large screw visible that secures the grip to the lower receiver. Using either your flathead or your hex key, remove this screw, place it in your magnetic tray, and remove the pistol grip.

A safety spring and detent will also pop out here; be very careful not to lose these, as you will obviously need them when reassembling the rifle once you’ve completed the installation.

There should be two pins on the lower that secure the trigger assembly in place. Using your straight punch, remove these pins, then remove the stock trigger group. With the stock trigger removed, you can take out the safety selector lever, at which point you will be ready to install your new Timney trigger.

Drop the trigger in the lower, then reinstall the safety selector lever, followed by the trigger pins that secure the trigger assembly.

The trigger housing has pre-installed set screws under each hammer spring leg. Make sure to tighten these screws before proceeding.

Next, reinstall the safety detent and spring, followed by the pistol grip. After that, re-mate the upper to the lower and secure them with the takedown pins that you removed earlier.

At this point, you can perform a function check to make sure you didn’t miss anything, and that you installed the parts correctly.

Rather than dry-firing, get yourself some snap caps and test the trigger to make sure it breaks and resets as it should. If all is good, you’re ready to get to the range.

Here for a Different Timney Trigger?

While the AR Impact trigger is one of the best Timney triggers designed for mil-spec AR rifles, it is far from the only option - not only in general but for ARs.

There are also the AR Pro, the AR PCC, and Competition triggers, among others for AR platforms. Timney also makes triggers for a dizzying amount of rifles and handguns from Remington, Glock, Mauser, Springfield, Howa, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and many other brands. They even make trigger assemblies for Enfield and Mosin-Nagant rifles, along with triggers for some shotguns.

If you have questions about any of the Timney triggers we sell, get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.