What Is an FRT Trigger?
An FRT trigger — short for Forced Reset Trigger — is a drop-in AR-15 trigger system that uses the forward movement of the bolt carrier group to mechanically reset the trigger after every shot. Instead of the shooter having to manually release the trigger to allow it to reset, the BCG does it automatically during the cycling stroke.
The result is the fastest legal semi-automatic fire possible on an AR-15 platform. One round fires per trigger pull. The trigger resets before the bolt returns to battery. The shooter maintains rearward finger pressure and fires at a cyclic rate limited only by how fast the BCG cycles — approximately 1,150 RPM on most builds.
An FRT trigger is not a machine gun. It fires one round per trigger function. It is federally legal. It is semi-automatic. The mechanism is different from a standard trigger — but the legal definition is the same: one round, one pull.
How Does an FRT Trigger Work?
A standard AR-15 trigger resets when the shooter releases rearward finger pressure, allowing the trigger to spring forward until it catches the disconnector and resets. The shooter has to consciously release the trigger between shots. This limits the speed of follow-up fire to how fast the shooter can release and re-engage the trigger.
An FRT trigger changes this entirely. Here's what happens on every shot:
- Shooter pulls trigger — hammer falls, round fires.
- BCG travels rearward — gas-driven bolt carrier moves back, extracting the spent case.
- BCG contacts the FRT reset lobe — on its rearward stroke, the bolt carrier physically pushes the trigger forward, mechanically completing the reset.
- BCG returns forward — bolt chambers next round, returns to battery.
- Trigger is already reset — shooter can fire again immediately without releasing finger pressure.
The key is that the BCG — not the shooter's finger — resets the trigger. This is what enables the dramatically higher cyclic rate while remaining semi-automatic: one round fires per trigger pull, but the trigger resets between every shot without the shooter having to release it.
Is an FRT Trigger Legal?
Yes — federally. An FRT trigger fires one round per trigger function. Under federal law, a machine gun fires more than one round per trigger function. An FRT trigger does not meet that definition and is not classified as a machine gun.
The Supreme Court confirmed this framework in Garland v. Cargill (2024). The DOJ settled all outstanding FRT enforcement litigation in May 2025. Federal enforcement against FRT possession and transfer has ended. No NFA tax stamp is required.
What Do You Need to Run an FRT Trigger?
An FRT trigger on an AR-15 requires three things beyond the trigger itself:
- M16-profile BCG — required. The M16 carrier tail provides the extended geometry that contacts the FRT's reset lobe on the rearward stroke. A standard semi-auto profile carrier will not engage the reset mechanism consistently. Shop MPI Nickel Boron M16 BCG — $159.99
- H2 buffer minimum — H3 recommended. A standard carbine buffer cycles too fast for the FRT to reset reliably. The bolt returns to battery before the reset lobe can engage. H2 (4.6 oz) is the minimum viable weight. H3 (5.4 oz) is the recommended sweet spot for carbine builds. Shop Odin Works HFRT — $79.99
- Mil-spec AR-15 lower receiver. All current FRT triggers are designed for standard mil-spec AR-15 pocket-cut lowers. Some — like the Partisan Disruptor — require no modification whatsoever. Others may require minor fitment adjustments.
FRT Trigger vs Standard AR-15 Trigger
| Standard AR-15 Trigger | FRT Trigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Reset Mechanism | Manual — shooter releases trigger | Mechanical — BCG resets trigger |
| Cyclic Rate | Limited by shooter's finger speed | ~1,150 RPM — limited by BCG cycle speed |
| Rounds Per Trigger Pull | 1 | 1 |
| Legal Classification | Semi-automatic | Semi-automatic |
| M16 BCG Required | No | Yes |
| Heavy Buffer Required | No | Yes — H2 minimum |
| Install Type | Standard FCG | Drop-in cassette (most models) |
| Price Range | $50 – $300 | $139.99 – $374.99 |
FRT Trigger vs Super Safety — What's the Difference?
Both an FRT trigger and a Super Safety produce rapid semi-automatic fire — but they work differently. An FRT trigger is a drop-in trigger cassette that replaces your entire fire control group. A Super Safety is a selector-based device that stays in the selector position and uses a different mechanism to assist reset.
The net result is similar — faster semi-automatic fire — but the installation, the mechanism, and the feel are different. Both require an M16 BCG and heavy buffer. See our full comparison: FRT vs Super Safety — What's the Difference?
Which FRT Trigger Should You Buy?
We carry several FRT triggers at ARTakedownTool.com. Here's the quick version:
| Trigger | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Partisan Disruptor FRT | $299.99 | Most AR-15 FRT builds — the proven standard |
| Disruptor Ambi (SBW) | $324.99 | Left-handed or ambidextrous shooters |
| The LAT — The Triggered Company | $374.99 | Match grade, lighter pull, ARSE mode |
| NSPEC Kubota | $139.99 | Entry-level FRT — pocket-cut lowers only |
| NSPEC 10/22 FRT | TBD | Ruger 10/22 platform |
| Kriss Vector FRT | $149.99 | KRISS Vector platform |
