FRT Trigger information on your FRT Tiggers AR-15

The Complete 2026 Guide

FRT Trigger AR-15 —
Everything You Need to Know

How forced reset triggers work, what makes them legal, the hardware they need to run right, and the best AR-15 FRT trigger available today.

Updated 2026 Post-Cargill Legal Status Mil-Spec Compatible USA-Made Options
What's in This Guide
  1. What Is an FRT Trigger?
  2. Shop FRT Triggers — All Options
  3. How a Forced Reset Trigger Works
  4. Are FRT Triggers Legal in 2026?
  5. The Hardware You Need: BCG, Buffer & Gas
  6. FRT vs Binary vs Standard Semi-Auto
  7. The Best FRT Trigger for AR-15 in 2026
  8. Installation Overview
  9. Common Problems & Fixes
  10. FAQ

What Is an FRT Trigger?

An FRT trigger — short for forced reset trigger — is a drop-in trigger designed for semi-automatic rifles, most commonly the AR-15 platform. Instead of relying on the shooter to manually release the trigger to achieve reset, an FRT uses the rearward energy of the bolt carrier group to physically push the trigger forward, forcing it to reset mid-cycle.

The practical result: a trained shooter maintaining steady rearward finger pressure can fire at dramatically faster split times than any standard mil-spec trigger allows — without modifying the lower receiver, barrel, or gas system beyond the trigger group and compatible supporting hardware.

Key distinction: An FRT trigger is not a machine gun component. Each round fired requires one complete trigger pull — the forced reset simply prepares the trigger faster than a standard disconnector system.

How a Forced Reset Trigger Works on an AR-15

In a standard AR-15, after firing the bolt travels rearward, the disconnector catches the hammer, and the trigger must be fully released before the sear can catch the hammer and allow another shot. The speed ceiling is your finger speed.

An FRT changes one step: as the BCG travels rearward after firing, a lobe on the carrier contacts the trigger and physically drives it forward — completing the reset before the bolt even returns to battery. By the time a new round is chambered, the trigger is already in reset position.

1
Trigger Pull → Round Fires
Shooter pulls trigger, hammer falls, round fires. Identical to standard semi-auto.
2
BCG Travels Rearward
Gas pressure drives the BCG rearward, extracting and ejecting the spent case.
3
BCG Contacts & Resets Trigger
A lobe on the BCG contacts and pushes the trigger forward — mechanically forcing the reset. This is the defining FRT action.
4
Trigger Locks Until Battery
The FRT mechanism holds the trigger until the BCG fully returns to battery — preventing out-of-battery detonation.
5
Battery → Ready to Fire
Once the bolt closes, the trigger releases. If you're maintaining rearward pressure, it fires again immediately.
Why BCG profile matters: The M16 BCG's extended carrier tail provides a larger, more consistent contact surface for the FRT reset lobe — improving reliability and reducing missed resets.
Authorized Partisan Dealer

Ready to Run the Best FRT Trigger for AR-15?

The Partisan Disruptor bundle includes the trigger, M16 BCG, and H2.5 buffer — everything needed for a reliable FRT build in one package.

Shop the Partisan FRT Bundle — $449.99 View all Partisan Triggers →

The Hardware You Need: BCG, Buffer & Gas System

An FRT trigger is a system, not just a trigger swap. Getting the BCG and buffer wrong is the number one cause of FRT reliability problems.

M16 BCG — Required

The M16 bolt carrier group has a longer carrier tail that provides a larger, more consistent contact surface for the FRT's reset lobe. A standard AR-15 BCG causes inconsistent resets. Running an M16 BCG in a semi-auto AR-15 is completely legal in all 50 states.

H2 Buffer Minimum — Required

A standard carbine buffer (3.0 oz) cycles too fast for reliable FRT reset timing. An H2 heavy buffer (4.6 oz) slows the BCG's rearward velocity enough to give the reset sequence the dwell time it needs on every shot. See our complete FRT buffer guide and M16 BCG vs AR-15 BCG guide.

Component Standard Build FRT Build Why
BCG Standard AR-15 BCG M16-profile BCG Larger reset contact surface
Buffer Carbine 3.0 oz H2 4.6 oz minimum Correct dwell time for reset
Gas System Any aligned system Properly aligned, full-port Under-gas causes short-stroke
Lower Receiver Standard mil-spec Standard mil-spec No modification needed

FRT Trigger vs Binary Trigger vs Standard Semi-Auto

Feature Standard Semi-Auto Binary Trigger FRT Trigger
Reset mechanism Manual — shooter releases Manual — fires on release Mechanical — BCG forces reset
Rounds per pull 1 1 pull + 1 release = 2 1 per pull
Speed ceiling Finger speed Pull-release cadence BCG cycle time
Special hardware No Minimal M16 BCG + H2 buffer

→ FRT vs Super Safety — full comparison · FRT vs Binary Trigger · FRT vs Mil-Spec

The Best FRT Trigger for AR-15 in 2026

Four primary FRT options dominate the AR-15 market in 2026:

Partisan Disruptor — Top Pick

True drop-in cassette architecture — the entire assembly is self-contained in a single housing. Three-position selector (Safe/Semi/Enhanced Semi) built into the cassette. Engineered specifically around the M16 BCG profile. USA-made, patented, $299. Shop the Partisan Disruptor →

Hoffman Tactical Super Safety

Selector-based forced reset — works with your existing trigger group, replaces only the safety selector. Available in flat and curved trigger face. Lower cost of entry. Shop the Super Safety →

AS Designs ARC-Fire V2

Patent-pending Active Reset Clutch (ARC) selector system. BCG-driven reset using a selector mechanism rather than a full FCG replacement. Compatible with 10+ platforms including Sig MCX/MPX, Stribog, MP5, and more. Shop the ARC-Fire V2 →

Atrius Super Selektor

Three-position forced reset selector for AR-15. Works with existing trigger groups. Shop the Atrius →

→ Full 2026 FRT Buyer's Guide with side-by-side specs

FRT Trigger Installation Overview

1
Clear and Safe the Rifle
Remove magazine, lock bolt open, verify chamber empty.
2
Separate Upper from Lower
Push out both takedown pins and separate the receivers.
3
Remove Existing Trigger Group
Drive out the trigger and hammer pins. The AR Takedown Tool's precision punch end makes pin removal clean and damage-free.
4
Drop In the FRT Cassette
Lower the Partisan Disruptor cassette into the trigger pocket. Align pin holes and install the trigger pins. No separate spring installation required.
5
Install M16 BCG and H2 Buffer
BCG drops into upper normally; buffer goes into buffer tube via buffer retainer.
6
Reassemble and Function Check
Reunite upper and lower. Verify trigger reset, hammer function, and safety positions before loading.
Pro tip: The AR Takedown Tool was designed specifically for clean, damage-free trigger pin installation on AR-15 platforms. Shop the AR Takedown Tool →

Common FRT Trigger Problems & Fixes

Trigger Freeze / Fails to Reset

Cause: BCG cycling too fast — dwell window too short.
Fix: Upgrade to H2 buffer. Check for over-ported gas block.

Short Stroking

Cause: BCG not traveling far enough to contact reset lobe.
Fix: Check gas block alignment. Run standard-pressure ammo first.

Light Primer Strikes

Cause: Hammer releasing before reaching full velocity.
Fix: Verify BCG is fully returning to battery. Step down from H3 to H2 if over-buffered.

→ Full FRT troubleshooting guide · Partisan Disruptor troubleshooting · Gas system dwell time guide

Complete FRT Build Package

Partisan Disruptor + M16 BCG + H2.5 Buffer

The only bundle that pairs the best AR-15 FRT trigger with the exact BCG and buffer it needs to run. Ships from our USA warehouse.

Get the Bundle — $449.99 Compare all FRT triggers →

Explore More

Buyer's Guide
Best FRT Triggers for AR-15 — 2026 Full Comparison
→
Legal Guide
Are FRT Triggers Legal? State-by-State 2026 Guide
→
Comparison
FRT Trigger vs Super Safety — Which Is Right for You?
→
Education
What Is an FRT Trigger? Complete Explanation
→
Legal History
Garland v. Cargill — What the Ruling Means for FRTs
→
Support
Partisan Disruptor Troubleshooting Guide
→

FRT Trigger AR-15 — Frequently Asked Questions

What does FRT stand for?
FRT stands for forced reset trigger — a trigger design where the bolt carrier group mechanically forces the trigger to reset during rearward travel, rather than requiring the shooter to release the trigger manually.
Is an FRT trigger the same as a full-auto trigger?
No. An FRT trigger fires one round per trigger pull. Full-auto fires continuously with a single trigger function. FRT triggers are legally classified as semi-automatic following the Supreme Court's ruling in Garland v. Cargill (2024).
Do I need a special BCG for an FRT trigger?
An M16-profile BCG is strongly recommended. The extended carrier tail provides better contact with the FRT reset lobe. Standard AR-15 BCGs cause inconsistent resets, especially under sustained fire.
What buffer weight should I use with an FRT trigger?
An H2 heavy buffer (4.6 oz) is the minimum for most carbine and mid-length FRT builds. H2.5 is the sweet spot for the Partisan Disruptor. H3 is recommended for carbine gas builds under 16" or suppressed setups.
Will an FRT trigger work in any AR-15 lower?
Drop-in cassette FRT triggers like the Partisan Disruptor are compatible with any standard mil-spec AR-15 lower using standard trigger pin spacing. No machining or modification required.
What states are FRT triggers banned in?
As of 2026, FRT triggers are restricted in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. See our state-by-state legal guide.
Where can I buy an FRT trigger?
All FRT triggers on this page are available at ARTakedownTool.com — an authorized dealer for Partisan Triggers, Hoffman Tactical, AS Designs, and Atrius. Every order includes compliance verification. We do not ship to restricted states.