Why Use a Two Stage Trigger?

Trigger style is a factor you need to consider when dealing with long range, precision shooting, and hunting. While it does come down to personal preference, a two stage trigger can be very beneficial to you at times where speed is less of an issue and accuracy is.

First we are going to go over what these are and then explore some of its benefits. That way you know what you’re getting when you select a two stage trigger for your rifle.

What is a Two Stage Trigger?

A two stage trigger, sometimes called a double pull trigger, is defined as a trigger that has two distinctive pull characteristics (SAAMI’s glossary of terms). This creates two trigger stages where one stage is characterized by a light pull force over a (relatively) long distance while the other stage is shorter with a distinctive increase in the pull force that is necessary to fire the gun.

Two Stage Benefits

While it might not seem like much on the surface, having two distinct stages provides a number of benefits to a shooter that a single stage trigger won’t have. The benefits can be broken down to safety, splitting the trigger weight, and more sear engagement. 

Better safety

Starting off with safety, two stage triggers are relatively safer than a single stage trigger. While both types of triggers can be run quickly there is less margin of error when dealing with a single stage trigger when compared to a two stage trigger.

This is because of the two stage trigger’s first stage. The initial trigger pull is sometimes called the trigger’s slack, but this isn’t very accurate. That initial stage is actually pre-staging the trigger mechanism. This takes some of the trigger weight (which we’ll cover next) and leads you up to a “wall”.

Once you break that wall, the gun fires. At any point before that wall you can release the trigger without firing the gun. This allows you much more “wiggle room” when it comes to canceling a shot. You could sit at that wall for a long time and consider whether or not you should make the shot.

That whole initial stage takes time, time that can be used to process whether or not you should fire. This could keep you from shooting at an out of season animal or prevent an accident when someone is ignoring safety guidelines.

Split Trigger Weight/Lighter Pull

Back to that trigger slack. The initial pre-staging or pre-loading of the trigger can help you with your accuracy. Every trigger is weighted, this means a certain amount of force has to be applied in order to overcome the trigger’s weight in order to fire.

For single stage triggers there is very little take up and then 100% of the trigger’s weight in the trigger pull. This is great for firing fast, but that full trigger weight can feel a lot heavier than the trigger pull of a similar weighted two stage trigger.

Why does it feel like that?

Well, two stage triggers actually breaks up the weight distribution in the trigger. That initial trigger pull is part of the total trigger’s weight. For example you might have a 4.5lb trigger. If the trigger was single stage, you would be pulling all 4.5 lbs in one trigger press.

If you had a two stage 4.5 lb trigger, the initial pull might be 3lbs and then you hit the wall. The remaining 1.5 lbs is all that’s left to break the wall. This makes the two stage feel lighter than the single stage.

It also allows for lighter triggers since that initial pull helps you be in control of the trigger at all times.

More Sear Engagement

Since there are two stages to deal with there is an increase in sear engagement. The initial stage engages the sear and the second stage releases it. A single stage trigger has that entire process resting on one stage.

This means engagement and release all happen in one trigger press which means there’s less contact with the internal parts. Which might be appealing to some, but is less appealing when you’re out hunting or dealing with precise shots due how much more risk of impact there is.

How Does It Affect Long Range Shooting?

Using two stage triggers allows you to be in control of your trigger when you are firing. This translates to controlling when the gun fires. At longer distances when multiple factors are in play, choosing when the gun fires can be the difference between a hit and a miss.

They can also be much lighter than single stage triggers without compromising safety. That first stage is treated like a shield against accidental discharges since the first trigger motion doesn’t fire the gun. This allows 3 lb or under triggers to be less of a safety concern while making it easier to break the shot at the perfect time.

Conclusion

Two stage triggers are worth the effort for better control of the trigger and safety in a precision long gun. They are great for hunts and competition that are at a slower pace than 3 gun matches.

If you are looking to upgrade your trigger to a two stage we have TriggerTech and Bix n’ Andy two stage triggers available that are compatible with your R700 footprint rifle.