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Posted: 1/4/2026 12:39:43 AM EDT
https://meridiandefensecorp.com/ak-trigger/ Anyone taking the plunge? I'm going to stick with my Geissele for awhile lol 
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Elite Soviet Democrat
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I've been seeing a lot of stuff that says they're good. I'm tempted. ETA: I think I'm going to try AKs this year. I didn't realize how far 5.56 AKs have come. This Meridian Defense trigger may be compatible with my Zastava M90, so I might pick one up next month. This month is sorting out my standard build stuff. |
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Originally Posted By nictra: looks similar to the Geissele As far as the sears? The 2 stage or the ALG? I wonder what the hammer looks like. I like alg but not the profile. The clunky feel I know doesn't matter and you could carefully round it off but a nice smooth hammer makes the action seem nice and smooth. I have an ALG ultimate in my Beryl and it's almost too light. I did get used to it my last trip but I'm thinking about something different for that particular rifle. They do make a specific FRT for the beryl but it doesn't have 3 positions or I would of tried that. This might be worth a shot. Edit - Didn't see the link so I got my answer. At $100 it better be a great trigger but I'm guessing it is. I'll put it on my 2026 buy list. |
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Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: Its very similar. Its cheaper and the hammer doesn't beat up the tangs on the bolt like the ALG's do. Awesome triggers! I think it is sort of targeted at Geissele’s ALG trigger (the standard one not the ultimate). The hammer is S7 tool steel though, which is harder than the steel Zastava uses. I’m very tempted to try one on my M70, but I fear the same issue I have seen on other Zastavas when using a Geissele trigger. |
Elite Soviet Democrat
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Originally Posted By themao: Anyone here tried one yet? I guess I will order one for my SAM-5, but I wanted to check with my fellow AK whores first I had one in my old Meridian AK and recently picked up 4 of them. I put them in my SAM7K44, RH-10, AK74, and my KP-9. Im going to put them in the rest of my AK's too. I like that they look a little more traditional but perform like an ALG. |
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I am guessing this is optimized for stamped receiver rifles. I tried installing the trigger last night. I had to install the set screw and really grind it down (only needed like a 1/16-1/8" protrusion) to ensure the safety worked. Once I did that job, I installed the rest of the trigger as usual. Trigger feels good. There is obvious interference though between the hammer and bolt carrier on the way back and forward. I can actually lock the bolt to the rear with the hammer. I felt like I turned my SAM-5 into a circa 2002 Century Arms SAR import at this point lol Looking at the wear of the hammer after a feel cyclings, I guess I would have to polish it down much like I learned how to do with an ALG at a Vickers AK class. These triggers are phosphate coated though, so that's not exactly optimal if I do that and have to find a way to coat it again. I might as well put my Geissele two stage back in. It works great out of the box, but just has a mushy trigger reset. Thoughts? I guess I could try this Meridian Defense trigger in my Zastava. I sold my KR-103. I am knee deep in Swiss Sig s#%#. I realize I don't have a AK-100 series to play with 
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Elite Soviet Democrat
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Originally Posted By themao: I am guessing this is optimized for stamped receiver rifles. I tried installing the trigger last night. I had to install the set screw and really grind it down (only needed like a 1/16-1/8" protrusion) to ensure the safety worked. Once I did that job, I installed the rest of the trigger as usual. Trigger feels good. There is obvious interference though between the hammer and bolt carrier on the way back and forward. I can actually lock the bolt to the rear with the hammer. I felt like I turned my SAM-5 into a circa 2002 Century Arms SAR import at this point lol Looking at the wear of the hammer after a feel cyclings, I guess I would have to polish it down much like I learned how to do with an ALG at a Vickers AK class. These triggers are phosphate coated though, so that's not exactly optimal if I do that and have to find a way to coat it again. I might as well put my Geissele two stage back in. It works great out of the box, but just has a mushy trigger reset. Thoughts? I guess I could try this Meridian Defense trigger in my Zastava. I sold my KR-103. I am knee deep in Swiss Sig s#%#. I realize I don't have a AK-100 series to play with Well they dont do any milled guns. Doesnt really matter though regardless, most AKs will naturally have resistance with all kinds of different triggers when you manually cycle it. Some hammers just need re profiled some just dont. The coating will wear off so no need to be concerned about recoating it. Its nothing to worry about and does not hurt anything weather you leave it or re profile it. As far as the screw. Most dont even need the screw at all. Did you test the safety without it 1st before installing the screw? |
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I did test the safety before installing the screw. I could drop the hammer with the safety on. I literally needed an extra 1/16-1/8” protrusion. Now it works fine. I have it set so there is virtually no play of the trigger with the safety on. I will try to play with it this weekend. I need to get polishing compound though. |
Elite Soviet Democrat
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Originally Posted By themao: I did test the safety before installing the screw. I could drop the hammer with the safety on. I literally needed an extra 1/16-1/8” protrusion. Now it works fine. I have it set so there is virtually no play of the trigger with the safety on. I will try to play with it this weekend. I need to get polishing compound though. Good deal. As long as your selector functions smooth leave it as is. If you have to fight it at all to go hot take just a tiny bit more off to give it a small amount of play. |
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OK, despite my lack of sleep from work this week, I had the motivation this evening to whip out the Dremel tool. . Again, I installed the Meridian defense trigger on my MILLED Arsenal SAM-5 5.56 AK worked over by Rifle Dynamics. Around 5-6 years ago, I took an AK build class. We used Geissele ALG Enhanced (AKT-EL) triggers for our builds on Childer's receivers. The gunsmith who ran the class made us use Dremel tools to shape out the uneven surfaces on the hammer. This was the end result on my original Polish parts kit AKM build:  The finish is gone, but you can see the usual two bumps on the ALG hammer are gone. I like this set up, there is just a little bit of take up to give you a safety margin and then a very smooth release. My rudimentary understanding (and correct me if I am wrong) is that after firing an AK, the hammer will be engaged and driven back to reset with the sear by the bolt carrier in two different areas on the bolt carrier itself: 1. The little flange on the back of the bolt carrier that sits above the bolt and where the hammer strikes the back of the bolt (firing pin). This is the area where people always talk about "mushrooming" from inappropriately installed hammers or bad heat treated steel. 2. The very bottom leading edge of the bolt carrier. You will always see wear on the bottom of the bolt carrier and on the bolt itself. I was having problems with this Meridian defense trigger in my Arsenal SAM-5 on the 2nd part, where the bottom of the bolt carrier strikes the hammer. I had zero issues with the fancy two stage Geissele AK-X trigger out of the box. However, I noticed the Geissele AK-X's hammer had a lower profile than the ALG (just by eye balling it). For some background, my Arsenal SAM-5 has been worked over twice by Rifle Dynamics. The first time, they installed a BAD trigger and did their classic Ultimak conversion with an adjustable gas block. I actually found the BAD trigger to be good. Not sure why I kept messing with it . I also had them fit an ALG Ultimate trigger at the same time (which apparently they do not like the ALGs), and I stopped using it and went back to the BAD trigger. I felt the ALG Ultimate was just WAY too light with zero take up. I re-sent the gun in a second time to redo the pin and weld to a HUXWRX flash hider and to change the Ultimak configuration to the Occam Defense rail system with the lower profile Rifle Dynamics adjustable gas block. At that time, the shop foreman told me they wanted to change to the LBE trigger from the BAD trigger. I never understood why exactly. I said, sure OK. Frankly, I am not impressed by the LBE trigger. I thought it was no better than the BAD, and I do not like the profile of the trigger shoe on the LBE. This SAM-5 hasn't seen much action until the past six months. I'm currently running it with a HUXWRX Flow 556k and an Aimpoint on top. Very nice set up. Now I need a damn light. The LBE trigger is "OK", but I am always wasting money on AKs and wanted to try something different. The Geissele AK-X trigger has a great two stage pull (close but not exactly like the SSA on an AR). However, the reset is mushy even after use. They need a stronger return spring. Hence, I went ahead and just bought a Meridian Defense to play with. So here is what the Meridian Defense hammer looks like out of the box:  Notice the two sharp edges. The top of my SAM-5 bolt carrier (the flange that everyone always gripes can mushroom on bad guns), had zero issues. It was the second portion of the hammer engaging the very bottom of the bolt carrier. It would get caught up when cycling by hand (I never even tried shooting it). I could also lock back the bolt on the hammer. So I whipped out the Dremel tool like I was taught and did my best to smooth out the edges and resurface the hammer:   Haven't shot it yet. It is very smooth cycling. I forgot to buy polishing compound, so I should probably do that next to make it smoother. I don't see any burrs. I will try to shoot it next weekend or tomorrow depending upon the weather. Thoughts on my amateur gunsmithing? Just dry firing, it is very smooth but there is ZERO take up with this Meridian defense trigger, I don't believe I did anything to alter how the "hooks" of the hammer interfaces with the sear. I left those alone. As I said before, I installed the pin into the trigger for the safety. I only needed a 1/16-1/8" protrusion. I really think I will wind up putting the old BAD trigger and hammer back into this rifle and calling it a day. I may send the AK-X back to Geissele to see if they will give me a strong reset spring. I never had any issues with the BAD trigger originally installed by RD. I should have just stuck with it. An ALG enhanced is another option. Edited to add: Yes, I took the hammer out of the receiver and stuck it in a vise so I could Dremel it. Just in case any of you ask.
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Elite Soviet Democrat
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I finally got around to shooting my Meridian Defense 101 with their trigger. It reminded me of a nicely worn in Tapco G2. I found the take up to be mushy before you hit a wall and then a crisp clean break. Short and nice reset. It's a decent trigger but does not dethrone the ALG for me. 
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Originally Posted By ATravis11b: I finally got around to shooting my Meridian Defense 101 with their trigger. It reminded me of a nicely worn in Tapco G2. I found the take up to be mushy before you hit a wall and then a crisp clean break. Short and nice reset. It's a decent trigger but does not dethrone the ALG for me. https://i.imgur.com/7lDvhjl.jpeg Looks great! The spring Meridian uses is a bit stiffer than using a factory spring. To me the only thing I notice is my ALG's have .066 more trigger pull than the Meridian and no more hammer follow with the Meridian triggers which is awesome. |
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Originally Posted By Alaskacajun: I'm in the market for a trigger for my Zastava M90, jumped over to the Meridian website and threw one in the cart and they wanted $120 for shipping soooooo..... won't be going that route.  - Clint Thats weird. Id email or call them. They ship USPS and UPS so USPS should still be under $10.00 |
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Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: Thats weird. Id email or call them. They ship USPS and UPS so USPS should still be under $10.00 They wanted $27 and change to ship to colorado (at least about a week ago; as of today it's now "down to" $20.10 just for shipping, not including government theft) If it's a website glitch, I'm not wasting time calling or emailing a company to "fix" the shipping rate in 2026. That should be fairly well established and integrated into the cart feature on any e-commerce site. |
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Originally Posted By Tamarit_167: They wanted $27 and change to ship to colorado (at least about a week ago; as of today it's now "down to" $20.10 just for shipping, not including government theft) If it's a website glitch, I'm not wasting time calling or emailing a company to "fix" the shipping rate in 2026. That should be fairly well established and integrated into the cart feature on any e-commerce site. That doesnt sound right. They have always had a Flat rate USPS option for under $10.00 and a UPS ground option which will obviously vary on locations. |
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Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: That doesnt sound right. They have always had a Flat rate USPS option for under $10.00 and a UPS ground option which will obviously vary on locations. And yet it's what I am provided. I reiterate my previous statement; it's 2026. I'm not wasting time calling or emailing a company "just in case" the quoted price isn't right. If they can't get it right in the cart software at this point in time, I'm not interested in trying to work it out. It shouldn't even be an issue. 20 years ago, hey sure. the internet was still relatively young and things happen. We're way past that point by now; their cart system isn't bespoke and is a fairly common one. It shouldn't be misquoting unless they just don't care about it. |
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Attached File Just went and checked again, and the math ain’t mathin 🤷🏻♂️ -Clint |
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Originally Posted By Tamarit_167: And yet it's what I am provided. I reiterate my previous statement; it's 2026. I'm not wasting time calling or emailing a company "just in case" the quoted price isn't right. If they can't get it right in the cart software at this point in time, I'm not interested in trying to work it out. It shouldn't even be an issue. 20 years ago, hey sure. the internet was still relatively young and things happen. We're way past that point by now; their cart system isn't bespoke and is a fairly common one. It shouldn't be misquoting unless they just don't care about it. Ok, Its a loss for both Meridian and you lol! I personally would spend a couple seconds to at least call THEM out on it. I mean you took the time here to complain about it. |
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Originally Posted By Alaskacajun: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90213/IMG_1043_png-3725616.JPG Just went and checked again, and the math ain’t mathin 🤷🏻♂️ -Clint I put in an Alaska Address and got the same result as you. Most likely just dont want to ship to Alaska and the web host they use cant remove Alaska from shipping. |
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Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: Ok, Its a loss for both Meridian and you lol! I personally would spend a couple seconds to at least call THEM out on it. I mean you took the time here to complain about it. Not a complaint, and I'm not at a loss (suspect they aren't either). There's plenty of options in the AK trigger world, many of them for less money, and that won't bend you over for shipping. 
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Originally Posted By Tamarit_167: Not a complaint, and I'm not at a loss (suspect they aren't either). There's plenty of options in the AK trigger world, many of them for less money, and that won't bend you over for shipping. Its weird that you are getting "Bent over". Maybe they just don't like ban states but that would be weird being they are located in Cali lol! I typed in some Colorado address's and got $10.64 for USPS and $20.10 for UPS ground, but to your point there are tons of triggers out there are they as crisp as a MD or an ALG? Nope. I say try a Polytech but those aren't cheap. |
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Originally Posted By Tamarit_167: It's an AK, when did we start shooting sub-moa at 500 yards where we need a "crisp" trigger? I've still got G2s in a bunch of rigs that were built 20 years ago and shooting perfectly fine. /Shrug The G2s are GTG for sure. Same with FIME triggers. Some of us enjoy shorter pull, short reset triggers a lot so that's why I like ALG's and Meridian tiggers. To your point being that its just an AK.... why were you even bother looking at Meridian triggers in the 1st place???? |
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Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: The G2s are GTG for sure. Same with FIME triggers. Some of us enjoy shorter pull, short reset triggers a lot so that's why I like ALG's and Meridian tiggers. To your point being that its just an AK.... why were you even bother looking at Meridian triggers in the 1st place???? Now who's complaining? 1. Why the hell does it make any difference in your life what I do or don't do?  2. I'm not allowed to look into new offerings to see if they're something I may want? I have to live my entire life with something I bought 20 years ago now? You're the arbiter of my purchases? Christ alive man....it's not that fucking serious is it? Go have a bourbon and a nap....or don't, I wouldn't profess to tell you how to live, despite your apparent affinity for determining the courses of others' lives.
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Originally Posted By Tamarit_167: Now who's complaining? 1. Why the hell does it make any difference in your life what I do or don't do? 2. I'm not allowed to look into new offerings to see if they're something I may want? I have to live my entire life with something I bought 20 years ago now? You're the arbiter of my purchases? Christ alive man....it's not that fucking serious is it? Go have a bourbon and a nap....or don't, I wouldn't profess to tell you how to live, despite your apparent affinity for determining the courses of others' lives. What? I agreed with you on everything. I asked a simple question lol! No need to go off on the deep end lol! |
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Originally Posted By nictra: An AK is not a sniper rifle, but an AK can be better than 4 MOA, and having a nicer than milspec trigger helps. I do the same in my ARs and spec is 3-4 MOA for them too. Absolutely! I swapped out the ALG in my KRINK and have one in my Bulgy. I need to get one for the 102 now.    |
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I'm wary about going back to ALG; I grabbed several of the OG AKT when they first introduced it years ago (back when ALG was its own entity, and before the "enhanced" or whatever the baseline is now) and despite trying them in numerous rifles with the little roll pin installed to the letter as instructed, it still had substantially more slap than even polish, romanian, and bulgarian OE setups. they offered zero support, just telling me "well you must have installed it wrong, try it according to the directions" and then leaving it at that. Not what I had expected from such a beloved company. It was a great trigger pull, but i usually would only take one mag per caliber to the range so I would have a little break to reload it between strings. I've got a couple friends nearby with them, maybe I'll see about trying theirs first to see if the enhanced one is any better. |
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Originally Posted By Tamarit_167: I'm wary about going back to ALG; I grabbed several of the OG AKT when they first introduced it years ago (back when ALG was its own entity, and before the "enhanced" or whatever the baseline is now) and despite trying them in numerous rifles with the little roll pin installed to the letter as instructed, it still had substantially more slap than even polish, romanian, and bulgarian OE setups. they offered zero support, just telling me "well you must have installed it wrong, try it according to the directions" and then leaving it at that. Not what I had expected from such a beloved company. It was a great trigger pull, but i usually would only take one mag per caliber to the range so I would have a little break to reload it between strings. I've got a couple friends nearby with them, maybe I'll see about trying theirs first to see if the enhanced one is any better. The trigger slap is an easy fix. Not all AKs are created equal so it is not uncommon to have to fit an ALG every once in a while. All you had to do was just remove a very tiny amount of material off the rear of the tail on the disconnector so that it couldn't make contact with the receiver or rivet. Very common to have to do. |
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Originally Posted By KDG_Dave: The trigger slap is an easy fix. Not all AKs are created equal so it is not uncommon to have to fit an ALG every once in a while. All you had to do was just remove a very tiny amount of material off the rear of the tail on the disconnector so that it couldn't make contact with the receiver or rivet. Very common to have to do. That's why they have the roll pin in them, to push downward through the trigger (raising the back of it upward slightly) to avoid disconnector contact. Or at least that's what they claimed it was for. after 5 different AKs I kinda decided maybe it wasn't one or two individual rifles causing it, but a poorly designed trigger. went back to the tapcos and never had any trigger slap after. Like i said, maybe they've changed the design i don't know. i sure hope they have, i wouldn't want to have to take a bunch of tools to the range and sit there filing on a disconnector until the trigger works the way it's supposed to in the first place. I could understand it with a 30-40 dollar setup, but 100+? should work correctly out of the box. |
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Originally Posted By Tamarit_167: That's why they have the roll pin in them, to push downward through the trigger (raising the back of it upward slightly) to avoid disconnector contact. Or at least that's what they claimed it was for. after 5 different AKs I kinda decided maybe it wasn't one or two individual rifles causing it, but a poorly designed trigger. went back to the tapcos and never had any trigger slap after. Like i said, maybe they've changed the design i don't know. i sure hope they have, i wouldn't want to have to take a bunch of tools to the range and sit there filing on a disconnector until the trigger works the way it's supposed to in the first place. I could understand it with a 30-40 dollar setup, but 100+? should work correctly out of the box. LMAO!!!!! No and they never claimed that. The roll pin has always been for dialing the safety selector in so that the safety actually works when in safe. Has absolutely nothing to do with trigger slap or anything else. Never has never will. If you used it for that then you did in fact install it completely wrong lol! |
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That is nuts. It cannot be that much just use USPS for instance to Alaska. I can see $30-45. Shipping prices are insane. I will attempt to hit the range tomorrow to try the trigger out. I have a feeling I will put back the BAD trigger back into my SAM-5. |
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