What Is a Forced Reset Trigger?
A forced reset trigger is a semi-automatic trigger that resets itself. You still pull once for every shot. The firearm just does the resetting for you.
FRT triggers have gone from a niche product to one of the most talked-about upgrades for the AR-15, and they now exist for HK-pattern rifles, the Glock and other pistols too. This guide explains what an FRT trigger is, how it works, how it compares with a standard trigger, the types you can buy, and where forced reset triggers stand legally today.
- A forced reset trigger is a semi-automatic trigger: one pull of the trigger fires one round.
- The firearm’s cycling action forces the trigger forward to reset, instead of waiting for your finger to release it.
- Most FRTs have a 3-position selector: Safe, Semi and FRT.
- There are four main types: drop-in FRT triggers, forced reset selectors, complete FRT lowers and handgun FRTs.
- Federal law doesn’t currently classify FRTs as machine guns, but 13 states and Washington, D.C. restrict them.
What Is an FRT Trigger?
“FRT” stands for forced reset trigger. It is a replacement fire control group (or, in some designs, a replacement selector) for a semi-automatic firearm.
In any semi-automatic firearm, the trigger has to reset between shots. After you fire, the trigger must travel forward far enough for the internal parts to re-engage before it can fire again. With a standard trigger, that only happens when you ease off and let a spring carry it forward.
An FRT trigger changes who does that work. Instead of relying on your finger and a spring, it uses the movement of the bolt carrier or slide to drive the trigger back to its reset point. Your finger still controls every shot. The FRT simply removes the wait. That is the whole idea behind the name: the trigger is forced to reset.
How Does a Forced Reset Trigger Work?
In short: you pull the trigger and one round fires. As the bolt carrier or slide cycles, the FRT uses that movement to push the trigger forward to its reset point, and holds it there until the action has closed. Nothing fires until you make another separate pull.
Because the reset happens for you, your finger never has to search for it, and that is why FRTs give faster, more consistent follow-up shots than a standard semi-automatic trigger.
See the full FRT cycle, step by stepEvery shot from a forced reset trigger still requires its own separate function of the trigger. That is what separates an FRT from a machine gun, which fires more than one round with a single function of the trigger.
FRT vs. Standard Semi-Auto Trigger
| Standard trigger | Forced reset trigger | |
|---|---|---|
| Rounds per pull | One | One |
| How it resets | You release it and a spring carries it forward | The firearm’s action forces it forward |
| Follow-up shots | Depend on how quickly you find the reset | Faster and more consistent |
| Selector | Usually Safe / Fire | Usually Safe / Semi / FRT |
| Parts needed | Standard parts | Some models need specific parts, such as a full-auto pattern bolt carrier |
| Cost | Included with the firearm | Typically a few hundred dollars |
Selector Modes: Safe, Semi and FRT
Most modern forced reset triggers use a 3-position selector, so you choose how the trigger behaves:
Having both modes means you can shoot a standard pull for slow, precise work and switch to FRT mode when you want it, without changing parts. Some models, such as the Rare Breed FRT-15L2, use a 2-position selector instead, so check the product description to see which modes a trigger offers.
The 4 Types of FRT Triggers
“FRT” is used as a catch-all, but there are four distinct kinds of forced reset products.
Drop-in FRT triggers
The most common type. Replaces your whole fire control group with a complete forced reset unit. Popular AR-15 options include the Rare Breed FRT line, the cassette-style Partisan Disruptor FRT, the LAT and Texas-made Trinity triggers.
Shop AR-15 FRT triggersForced reset selectors
Replaces only the safety selector and works with your existing trigger, so you keep the trigger you already like. The Atrius FRS and AS Designs ARC-Fire V2 are the best-known examples.
Shop forced reset selectorsComplete FRT lowers
For MP5-pattern firearms: a complete grip frame with the FRT already installed. MARS makes them for the HK SP5, Zenith ZF-5, PTR 9, MAC 5 and MKE AP5. Rare Breed’s FRT-RD3 is a trigger-only MP5 FRT option.
Shop HK & MP5 FRTHandgun FRTs
Forced reset kits for pistols, including Texas Triggers Glock kits (Gen 1–6, except the Glock 44) and Freedom Finger for the Taurus TX22 and S&W M&P 2.0. These usually need gunsmith fitting.
Shop Glock FRT triggersCompare every FRT trigger type in detail
Which Firearms Can Use an FRT?
Forced reset triggers are built for specific platforms, and one model won’t fit another. The main platforms with FRT options today:
- AR-15
- HK MR223 / MR556
- HK MP5 / SP5
- MP5 clones
- Glock Gen 1–6
- S&W M&P 2.0
- Taurus TX22
Even within a platform, details matter. Many AR-15 FRTs need a full-auto pattern bolt carrier group and won’t fit lowers with a sear block. HK triggers must match your grip frame (AMBI or SEF), and Glock kits list the generations they fit. Always read the compatibility list on the product page before you buy.
Pros and Cons of FRT Triggers
Advantages
- Faster, more consistent follow-up shots
- Two triggers in one on 3-position models
- Most rifle FRTs drop in with no permanent changes
- Many are US-made from heat-treated steel and aircraft-grade aluminum
Disadvantages
- Costs more than a standard or match trigger
- Uses ammunition faster in FRT mode
- Some models need specific parts or professional fitting
- Restricted or prohibited in some states
Read the full pros and cons of FRT triggers
A Short History of the FRT
Forced reset designs have existed for decades, but the modern FRT trigger became widely known through Rare Breed Triggers and its FRT-15, followed by years of legal debate over whether FRTs count as machine guns.
- 2020Rare Breed Triggers announces the FRT-15, a drop-in forced reset trigger for the AR-15.
- July 2021The ATF tells Rare Breed it considers the FRT-15 a machine gun under the National Firearms Act. Rare Breed disputes this in court, arguing the trigger fires one round per function of the trigger.
- June 2024In Garland v. Cargill, the U.S. Supreme Court rules that a semi-automatic rifle with a bump stock is not a machine gun, a decision that shapes the FRT cases that follow.
- July 2024In National Association for Gun Rights v. Garland, a federal judge in the Northern District of Texas vacates the ATF’s classification of forced reset triggers as machine guns.
- May 2025The U.S. Department of Justice settles the remaining federal FRT cases. The ATF begins returning seized FRT-15s and similar triggers to their owners.
- 2025–2026Several states pursue their own restrictions and legal challenges. State law, not federal law, now determines where FRTs can be owned.
Are Forced Reset Triggers Legal?
Federal: not a machine gun. State: it depends.
Under current federal law, forced reset triggers are not classified as machine guns. Following the 2024 court ruling and the May 2025 settlement, the federal government treats FRTs that work as described above as semi-automatic parts.
State law is different. Several states and Washington, D.C. restrict or prohibit FRTs or similar trigger devices. We do not ship FRT triggers to:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
Some cities and counties have their own rules, and the law is still changing through the courts. Confirm that owning an FRT is legal where you live before you buy. Our shipping and state restrictions page is kept up to date.
This article is general information, not legal advice.How to Choose the Right FRT Trigger
Work through these five questions before you order:
- What firearm will it go in?Start with your exact platform and model. That narrows the options immediately.
- Trigger or selector?Want a complete, purpose-built upgrade? Choose a drop-in FRT trigger. Love your current trigger? A forced reset selector lets you keep it.
- Single-stage or two-stage?A single-stage FRT has one clean break. A two-stage model, such as the Rare Breed FRT-15C3, gives you a take-up and a wall in semi mode.
- Does your firearm meet the requirements?Check the bolt carrier, buffer and lower receiver requirements listed for the model.
- Is it legal where you live?Check your state and local laws first.
Not sure? Contact our team with your platform and model, and we’ll tell you which FRT triggers fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does FRT stand for?
FRT stands for forced reset trigger: a semi-automatic trigger that uses the firearm’s cycling action to force the trigger back to its reset position after each shot.
Is an FRT trigger the same as a machine gun or full auto?
No. A machine gun fires more than one round with a single function of the trigger. A forced reset trigger fires one round per pull. You must pull the trigger again for every shot, which is why federal law does not currently classify FRTs as machine guns.
Is an FRT the same as a binary trigger?
No. A binary trigger fires one round when you pull the trigger and a second when you release it. A forced reset trigger fires only on the pull. The action forces the trigger back to reset, and nothing fires until you pull again.
Can I put an FRT trigger in any AR-15?
Most AR-15 FRTs drop into a mil-spec lower, but many also need a full-auto pattern bolt carrier group and won’t fit lowers with a sear block. Check the compatibility list for the specific trigger before you buy.
Do I need a gunsmith to install a forced reset trigger?
Many drop-in AR-15 FRTs install like a standard fire control group. Handgun FRTs, such as Glock kits, usually need fitting, and a qualified gunsmith is recommended. If you’re not comfortable working on fire control parts, use a gunsmith.
Shop FRT Triggers for Sale
Nine brands, free 3–5 day shipping from Wichita Falls, Texas, to every state where FRTs are legal. Compare Rare Breed, Partisan, Atrius, ARC-Fire, MARS and more.