Short answer: the ALG Defense ACT (Advanced Combat Trigger) is a mil-spec style, single-stage AR-15 trigger with a cleaner, sharper pull than a stock trigger, at about 6 lb (ALG says never below the M4/M16 minimum of 5.5 lb). Its trigger is nickel-boron coated and its hammer, disconnector and pins nickel-Teflon. It is the pick if you want a better duty-style pull without a light match trigger. ALG's lower-priced QMS is honed, without the ACT's coatings, at about 6.5 lb.
This is a spec review based on ALG's published descriptions; we have not bench-tested the trigger.
ACT vs QMS at a glance
What ALG says the ACT does
ALG describes the ACT as "very similar to a standard mil-spec trigger" but sharper, with the grittiness of the stock pull removed and the reliability kept. It calls its coating HardLube: electroless nickel with boron or Teflon added. The trigger itself is nickel-boron (matte light grey, for hardness and wear), and the hammer, disconnector and pins are nickel-Teflon (mottled grey-green, for low friction). ALG says this differential coating is part of why the single-stage pull breaks sharply.
Who it suits
- Duty or defensive rifles where you want a heavier, predictable pull rather than a 3.5 lb match trigger.
- Builders on a budget who want something better than a stock parts-kit trigger.
- Not for precision shooters who want a two-stage or light pull; look at a Geissele SSA-E or a drop-in cassette instead. See the best AR-15 triggers.
Installing it
The ACT installs like a standard mil-spec trigger; see how to install an AR-15 trigger and how an AR-15 trigger works.
ALG triggers and alternatives, with today's prices
Lowest price across the stores we track:
ALG Defense ACT trigger (05-199)
Pros
- About 6 lb single stage
- Nickel-boron and nickel-Teflon coated
Cons
- Not a light match pull
The ACT
ALG Defense QMS trigger (05-198)
Pros
- Honed mil-spec style, about 6.5 lb
Cons
- No ACT coatings
Budget ALG
CMMG AR-15 mil-spec trigger kit
Pros
- Standard mil-spec trigger group
Cons
- Stock pull
Baseline
BCM PNT trigger
Pros
- Polished, nickel-Teflon coated mil-spec style trigger
Cons
- Single stage, mil-spec weight
Alternative
Geissele SSA-E trigger (05-160)
Pros
- Two-stage enhanced trigger
Cons
- Two-stage, not a duty-style single stage
Step up
Compare all AR-15 triggers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pull weight of the ALG ACT?
About 6 lb, and ALG says it is never below the M4/M16 minimum of 5.5 lb.
What is the difference between the ALG ACT and QMS?
The ACT adds nickel-boron and nickel-Teflon coatings for a sharper pull at about 6 lb; the QMS is honed, without those coatings, at about 6.5 lb.
Is the ALG ACT a drop-in trigger?
No. It is a mil-spec style trigger with separate parts that installs like a stock trigger.
Is the ALG ACT good for a duty rifle?
That is what it is designed for: a cleaner single-stage pull that stays at a duty-style weight.
