FRT Trigger Types
There is no single “FRT trigger.” There are four distinct types, and the right one depends on your firearm and how you want it to feel.
Forced reset products have spread well beyond the original AR-15 drop-in trigger. Today you can buy complete FRT triggers, selectors that work with the trigger you already own, complete lowers for MP5-pattern firearms, and kits for popular pistols. This guide compares every type of FRT trigger, explains the options within each, and helps you work out which one fits your build.
- Drop-in FRT triggers replace your whole fire control group and are the most popular choice for the AR-15.
- Forced reset selectors replace only the safety selector, so you keep your current trigger.
- Complete FRT lowers swap in a whole grip frame with the FRT pre-installed, for MP5-pattern firearms.
- Handgun FRTs exist for the Glock, Taurus TX22 and S&W M&P 2.0, and usually need fitting.
- Within each type, you choose between single- and two-stage, 2- and 3-position, and flat or curved shoes.
FRT Trigger Types at a Glance
| Type | What it replaces | Platforms | Brands we carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drop-in FRT trigger | Whole fire control group | AR-15, HK MR556, MP5 / SP5 | Rare Breed, Partisan, The LAT, Trinity |
| Forced reset selector | Safety selector only | AR-15, plus more with ARC-Fire kits | Atrius, AS Designs ARC-Fire |
| Complete FRT lower | Whole lower / grip frame | MP5-pattern (SP5, ZF-5, PTR 9, MAC 5, AP5) | MARS |
| Handgun FRT | Trigger parts, disconnector or backplate | Glock, Taurus TX22, M&P 2.0 | Texas Triggers, Freedom Finger |
1. Drop-In FRT Triggers
The drop-in forced reset trigger is the original and still the most popular type, especially for the AR-15. It replaces your trigger, hammer, disconnector and springs with a complete forced reset unit, and most install in a standard mil-spec lower without permanent changes.
Standard-pin FRTs
Installed like a conventional fire control group on the lower’s trigger and hammer pins, usually with anti-walk pins. The Rare Breed FRT line (FRT-15L3, FRT-15C3, FRT-15L2) and Trinity triggers work this way.
Shop Rare Breed triggersCassette FRTs
The whole fire control group comes pre-assembled in one housing, so it drops in as a single unit. The Partisan Disruptor FRT and the lighter-pull LAT are cassette designs.
Shop Partisan Disruptor FRTMost drop-in AR-15 FRTs need a full-auto pattern bolt carrier group and specific buffer setups, and won’t fit lowers with a sear block. HK owners have dedicated drop-in options too: Rare Breed’s FRT-MR3 for the HK MR223 and MR556, and the FRT-RD3, an MP5 FRT for AMBI or SEF grip frames.
2. Forced Reset Selectors
A forced reset selector replaces only your safety selector. It adds a forced reset position while your existing trigger stays in place. If you have spent money on a trigger you like, or you run a Geissele, this is the type to look at.
- Atrius FRS: adds a Super-Semi position alongside Safe and Semi. Available as the original single-sided FRS, a Mil-Spec style version for retro builds, an Ambidextrous FRS, and the G-LEVER for Geissele SSA, SSA-E and G2S triggers.
- AS Designs ARC-Fire V2: uses an Active Reset Clutch and works across more platforms than any other option we sell, including the HK MR556 and CMMG Banshee, and the MPX, MCX and Stribog with the right kit. Comes in ambidextrous or single-sided kits, with a choice of selector angles.
3. Complete FRT Lowers (MP5 FRT)
For MP5-pattern firearms, the simplest route is a complete lower. MARS lowers come with the fire control group and a 3-position super safety already installed in a polymer grip frame. You remove your factory lower and fit the MARS unit, with no trigger pack to build.
Each lower is matched to one host firearm, so you must order the right one:
- HK SP5
- HK SP5K
- Zenith ZF-5
- Zenith ZF-5K
- PTR 9
- MAC 5
- MAC 5K
- MKE AP5
- MKE AP5-P
Shop MP5 FRT lowers and triggers
4. Handgun FRTs
Forced reset designs now exist for several popular pistols. Because handguns vary in tolerances, these usually need careful fitting, and a qualified gunsmith is recommended.
Glock FRT triggers
Texas Triggers kits fit Glock Gen 1 to Gen 6 (except the Glock 44), with a billet aluminum flat-face or enhanced-grip shoe in black or red and two stainless resets for fitting.
Shop Glock FRT triggersTX22 and M&P 2.0
Freedom Finger’s 22TY replaces the Taurus TX22’s disconnector, and its M&P 2.0 model replaces the factory backplate. Both fall back to normal semi-auto if the reset does not engage.
Shop handgun FRTsRelated: Positive Displacement Triggers
Positive displacement triggers, such as the Powered by Graves ALAMO-15, are a close relative of the FRT. They also use an assisted reset, but they are not selector-switched forced reset triggers in the usual sense. The ALAMO-15 comes from Thomas Allen Graves, the original designer and patent holder of the positive displacement reset trigger.
Options Within Each Type
Price Ranges by Type
Prices in our store at the time of writing:
| Type | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| Drop-in AR-15 FRT triggers | About $250 to $400 |
| HK-specific FRT triggers | About $550 |
| Forced reset selectors | About $179 to $249 |
| Complete MP5 FRT lowers | About $499 to $510 |
| Handgun FRTs | From about $85 |
Which Type of FRT Trigger Is Right for You?
- You have an AR-15 and want the full upgradeChoose a drop-in FRT trigger. Rare Breed for the widest range, the Partisan Disruptor FRT for a cassette design, Trinity for Texas-made value.
- You love your current AR-15 triggerChoose a forced reset selector. The Atrius G-LEVER if you run a Geissele, the ARC-Fire V2 for other platforms.
- You have an SP5 or MP5 cloneChoose a complete MARS lower for your exact model, or the Rare Breed FRT-RD3 for the right grip frame.
- You want an FRT for a pistolChoose a Glock FRT trigger, the 22TY for the TX22, or the M&P 2.0 model, and plan on gunsmith fitting.
Still unsure? Read how a forced reset trigger works, or contact our team with your platform and model.
Forced reset triggers are restricted in some states. See our state restrictions before you order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main types of FRT triggers?
There are four: drop-in FRT triggers that replace the fire control group, forced reset selectors that replace only the safety selector, complete FRT lowers for MP5-pattern firearms, and handgun FRTs for pistols such as the Glock.
What is the best FRT trigger for an AR-15?
It depends on what you want. The Rare Breed FRT-15L3 is the most established single-stage option, the FRT-15C3 offers a two-stage feel, and the Partisan Disruptor FRT is a popular drop-in cassette. If you want to keep your current trigger, a forced reset selector is the better fit.
What is the difference between an FRT and a forced reset selector?
An FRT trigger replaces your entire fire control group. A forced reset selector replaces only the safety selector and works with the trigger you already have.
Is there an FRT for the MP5?
Yes. MARS makes complete FRT lowers for the HK SP5, Zenith ZF-5, PTR 9, MAC 5 and MKE AP5, and Rare Breed makes the FRT-RD3 for HK MP5 and SP5 pattern firearms in AMBI or SEF grip frames.
Is there a Glock FRT trigger?
Yes. Texas Triggers makes forced reset trigger kits for Glock Gen 1 to Gen 6, except the Glock 44. They need fitting, and installation by a gunsmith is recommended.
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.