LaRue Tactical MBT-2S AR-15 Trigger Review

LaRue Tactical, makers of very accurate and reliable ARs, introduced their own trigger at the end of 2014. Dubbed the MBT-2S, its initials stand for Meticulously Built Trigger. The 2-stage design is built from solid, S7 tool steel plates. The MBT is compatible with any standard AR-15 platform as a drop-in upgrade, not just for LaRue Tactical rifles

Many of LaRue's rifles are serving the U.S. military. As such, their rifles need to be not just accurate, but highly reliable as well. Balancing the two is not an easy task, but LaRue rifles have proven themselves to be up to the task. All their accessories and components, including the MBT Trigger, must live up to the same high standards.

Its specifications state that the MBT "breaks crisply at 4.5 lbs.  (2.5-lb. first stage, 2-lb. second stage) and has a smooth and positive reset." LaRue boasts that the MBT is a glass-smooth, hyper-consistent trigger that will satisfy even the most scrupulous competition shooter, but also is overly rugged for the battlefield.

While LaRue's words and the trigger's specs are impressive, the proof is on the range. I pulled the existing trigger out of my LaRue lower and installed the MBT for this test. Before live-fire testing, I measured the trigger's pull weight. My MBT averaged 2.25 lbs. on the first stage about 4 lbs. total, quite close to LaRue's specs. The difference is more likely attributed to the fact that we are using two different measuring methods and two different gauges than it is to actual pull weight differences.

Naturally, I used a LaRue Tactical Stealth upper. It is chambered in 5.56 NATO and sports a 16-inch, 1:8 twist, steel barrel. The barrel is marked "Rearden Steel," but the exact metal type is a closely-guarded, company secret. Much like the Colonel Sander's eleven herbs and spices.

My Stealth upper has a love affair with Hornady's 75-grain BTHP .223 Rem. My last groups measured ¼ MOA at 100 yards from the bench. That's outstanding accuracy, especially for factory ammunition, and says a lot about the quality of both the upper and the ammunition.

Shooting prone from my shoulder on a bipod, groups consistently measured around 3/8-inch and a few at ¼ inches at 100 yards. Fired from the prone position, these groups could become even tighter when shot from the bench.

I can't disagree with LaRue's description, the Meticulously Built Trigger is very smooth and has a clean, crisp break. I can also see myself switching out a few of my other triggers. Best news of all, the MBT is made in-house at LaRue Tactical's factory in Texas in the good 'ole US of A.