Best FRT Triggers (2026): Legal Status & Buyer’s Guide

The best FRT triggers promise something that sounds impossible: a semi-automatic AR-15 that runs at a cadence close to full auto, with no NFA paperwork. A forced reset trigger, or FRT, uses the rifle’s own bolt carrier to push the trigger forward after every shot. You still have to pull the trigger for each round, but the reset happens so fast that the gun can sound like a machine gun.

FRTs are also one of the most legally complicated accessories you can buy. ATF called some of them machineguns, courts disagreed with each other, and the federal government settled with Rare Breed Triggers in 2025. Some states ban them outright. Read the legal section below before you spend a dollar.

This is a buyer’s guide and explainer, not a ranked best-of list. GunsAmerica Digest has not published a hands-on review of any forced reset trigger, including the Rare Breed FRT-15 and the Wide Open Trigger. We have covered the FRT legal fight as news, recapped a video of the Hoffman Tactical Super Safety, and tested related rapid-fire triggers: two Franklin Armory binary triggers and the Tac-Con 3MR. Every pick below is labeled with the kind of coverage behind it.

Legal notice: this guide is not legal advice. Federal, state and local laws on FRTs and binary triggers differ and keep changing. Check every law that applies to you, and talk to a qualified firearms attorney before you buy, install, carry or ship one.

Buyer’s Guide: FRT Legal Status And How To Choose

Shopping for the best FRT triggers starts with the law, because it decides whether you can own one of these triggers at all. Then think about how it works with your rifle and your budget.

What A Forced Reset Trigger Is

A forced reset trigger uses the rearward travel of the bolt carrier to push the trigger forward and lock it until the action is safe to fire again. Rare Breed’s FRT-15 is the best known example. When our news desk covered its launch, Rare Breed said it used energy from the bolt to reset the trigger, allowing rapid, but not automatic, fire.

That is different from a binary trigger, which fires one round when you pull the trigger and another when you release it. It is also different from a bump stock, which uses recoil to bounce the trigger against your finger, and from an assisted reset trigger like the Tac-Con 3MR, which our reviewer said still requires a pull for each round.

Federal Legal Status As Of October 2026

Federal law defines a machinegun as a weapon that fires more than one shot automatically by a single function of the trigger, and it bans civilian possession of machineguns made after 1986. The fight over FRTs is about whether a forced reset counts as a new function of the trigger.

In March 2022, ATF sent an open letter to gun dealers saying certain FRTs are machineguns. A federal court in New York agreed in 2023 and blocked Rare Breed from selling FRTs. In 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in Garland v. Cargill that a bump stock is not a machinegun, and a federal court in Texas held that FRTs are not machineguns either, in a case brought by the National Association for Gun Rights. The courts were split.

In May 2025, the Department of Justice announced a settlement with Rare Breed that ended three of those cases. Under it, the United States agreed not to enforce the federal machinegun laws against people who possess or transfer FRTs that work the way the Texas court described: the trigger is forcibly reset after every shot, is mechanically locked until the gun is safe to fire, the hammer is released from the sear for every round, the trigger resets every round, and blocking the reset makes the gun malfunction. The FRT also cannot be designed for or used in a handgun, which the agreement defines as a gun whose magazine loads into the trigger-hand grip.

Two cautions. First, the settlement is a promise not to enforce, not a new law, regulation or nationwide court ruling, and it says it does not create rights that anyone other than the named parties can enforce in court. Federal policy could change. Second, in an August 2026 filing in Rare Breed’s patent case, the government said ATF has an interest in limiting the sale and distribution of FRTs and that the settlement does not bind other manufacturers. The non enforcement promise is written around how a trigger works, not who made it, but no court or agency has said which non Rare Breed products meet those five conditions. Do not assume a particular FRT qualifies just because it is sold as one.

Rare Breed’s Patent Fights With Other FRT Makers

As part of the settlement, Rare Breed agreed not to design FRTs for handguns and to enforce its patents against other companies that make or sell FRTs. It has sued other FRT makers, and those cases are now consolidated in federal court in Texas, where the government filed a statement in August 2026 saying Rare Breed’s injunction efforts, if successful, would support ATF’s public safety efforts. The outcome could affect which non Rare Breed FRTs stay on the market.

State Laws: Where FRTs And Binary Triggers Are Restricted

State law matters as much as federal policy. Connecticut added forced reset triggers to its existing ban on rate of fire enhancements, which already covered binary triggers, effective October 1, 2026. The Illinois Attorney General has said FRTs are unlawful under Illinois law. When a group of states challenged the settlement in 2025, the federal government agreed not to return seized FRTs into California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington, and Rare Breed made a similar commitment about sales. That is not a complete list of state bans, but if you live in one of those places, assume FRTs are a serious legal risk until a lawyer tells you otherwise.

Other states’ laws are less clear. California’s ban on multiburst trigger activators is widely reported to cover FRTs and binary triggers, and online summaries disagree about several other states. Binary triggers have their own restrictions: Franklin Armory’s own product page says its BFSIII is not for civilian sales in California, Connecticut, D.C., Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington. Bump stocks are still banned in some states after Cargill. Laws change, so check your state and city before you buy.

Disclaimer: Check The Law Before You Buy

Nothing in this guide is legal advice. The information here reflects public court records, government statements and our own coverage as of October 2026, and it may be out of date by the time you read it. Before you buy, install, transport, sell or ship an FRT or binary trigger, check federal, state and local law where you live and anywhere you will take it, and consult a qualified firearms attorney. As one of our writers warned in our report on an FRT raid, do not assume someone else’s court win protects you.

Practical Notes: Rifles, Parts And Ammo

Even the best FRT triggers only work in a rifle set up for them, and only after you have confirmed they are legal where you live. FRTs are picky. When we covered the FRT-15 launch, Rare Breed said it needed an H3 or similar heavy buffer and a full-auto-rated bolt carrier group, recommended gunsmith installation, and warned it may not work in every gun that uses AR trigger parts. Binary triggers need fitting and practice: our BFS reviewer had to shim his and run 11 function checks first. All of these triggers burn ammunition fast, and rapid fire makes it easier to lose control of where your rounds go. Shoot only where your range allows rapid fire, and practice safe muzzle and trigger discipline. If you still need the rifle, start with our best AR-15 rifles by price.

FRT And Binary Triggers We Have Covered

Rare Breed FRT-15: Best Known Forced Reset Trigger (News Coverage Only) (2026)

The Rare Breed FRT-15 is the forced reset trigger at the center of the legal fight, and the one the 2025 settlement grew out of, but GunsAmerica Digest has not reviewed one hands-on. Our coverage is news: its 2020 launch, Rare Breed’s 2021 lawsuit, the 2022 ATF letter, the 2023 injunction and the court rulings since.

Read our full FRT-15 launch report here.

At launch, Rare Breed listed it at $380 at the time of the report (2020), as a drop-in cassette trigger for AR-pattern rifles with a 7075-T6 aluminum housing, wire EDM steel parts with a nitride finish and a 5 pound pull. It needs a heavy buffer and a full-auto-rated bolt carrier group, and Rare Breed suggested gunsmith installation. Our news desk also covered Rare Breed’s 2021 lawsuit against ATF. Check the legal section above before you buy, and confirm that current production matches the design the settlement describes.

Key Specs

• Type: forced reset trigger, drop-in cassette
• Platform: AR-pattern rifles
• Housing: 7075-T6 aluminum
• Pull: 5 lb rated
• Requires: H3 or similar heavy buffer, full-auto-rated BCG
• Price: $380 at the time of the report (2020)

Pros

• Design described in the federal settlement
• Drop-in cassette
• Durable materials

Cons

• No hands-on Digest review
• Needs specific buffer and BCG
• Banned or restricted in several states

🛒 Check Current Price for Rare Breed FRT-15 on GunsAmerica

Hoffman Tactical Super Safety: Best FRT For HK-Style Builds (Video Recap Only) (2026)

The Hoffman Tactical Super Safety is a forced reset design we have seen in action only through a third-party video, so treat this as a recap, not a review. We recapped Brandon Herrera, the AK Guy, running a Super Safety lower on a Century AP5-SD clone with a suppressor. The selector is marked safe, semi and super safe.

Read our full Super Safety video recap here.

In the video he said that if you did not tell him it was not a machine gun, he would not know. The lower and trigger assembly sold for around $650 at the time of the report (2025). Hoffman Tactical is not Rare Breed and is not a party to the 2025 settlement, and the government has said the settlement does not bind other manufacturers. Rare Breed has also filed patent suits against other FRT makers. Our recap was more upbeat about legality than the record supports, so read the legal section above first.

Key Specs

• Type: forced reset trigger in a lower assembly
• Selector: safe, semi, super safe
• Shown on: Century AP5-SD clone (HK MP5 style)
• Price: about $650 for lower and trigger at the time of the report (2025)

Pros

• Third position keeps a normal semi mode
• Fits HK-style builds

Cons

• Not tested by GunsAmerica
• Not covered by the Rare Breed settlement terms as a party
• Patent litigation risk

🛒 Check Current Price for Hoffman Tactical Super Safety on GunsAmerica

Franklin Armory BFS Binary Trigger: Best Binary Trigger For AR-15s (Hands-On Review) (2026)

The Franklin Armory Binary Firing System is the best binary trigger for AR-15s we have tested, and it is the alternative many shooters consider where FRTs are off the table. It is not an FRT. It fires one round when you pull the trigger and one when you release it, using three sears controlled by a special ambidextrous selector with safe, semi and binary positions.

Read our full Franklin Armory BFS review here.

Our reviewer found it is not a true drop-in. He had to shim it to fit his lower and run 11 function checks before going to the range. In semi mode the trigger broke cleanly at about 4.5 pounds, and after about a magazine he got the hang of release firing and said the speed was astounding. To avoid the release shot, you move the selector back to semi before letting go. MSRP was $399.99 at the time of review (2016); Franklin now sells the BFSIII. Franklin has said binary triggers remain federally legal, but many states restrict them.

Key Specs

• Type: binary (fires on pull and on release)
• Platform: AR-15
• Selector: ambidextrous, safe, semi, binary
• Semi pull: about 4.5 lb as tested
• Price: $399.99 MSRP at the time of review (2016)

Pros

• Normal semi mode plus binary
• Clean 4.5 lb semi break
• Clear safety procedures

Cons

• Needs fitting and shims
• Release shot takes training
• Restricted in many states

🛒 Check Current Price for Franklin Armory BFSIII on GunsAmerica

Franklin Armory 22-C1 Binary Trigger For Ruger 10/22: Best Budget Rapid-Fire Option (Hands-On Review) (2026)

The Franklin Armory 22-C1 is the best budget rapid-fire option we have tested, because it runs on cheap .22 LR in a Ruger 10/22 or compatible rifle. It is a binary trigger, not an FRT. Our reviewer ran about 1,000 rounds through it and said he had a blast.

Read our full Franklin Armory 22-C1 review here.

The trigger, housing and magazine release are all metal. He measured the pull at 6.5 pounds, heavier than he wanted for a squirrel gun. If he pulled too fast, the hammer could follow the bolt home and leave an unfired round, which happened more than once until he learned the cadence. With so little recoil, he landed every shot on a 6 inch steel target at 50 yards, and Franklin told him better ammo like CCI Stingers helps it run. The trigger and housing came to $399 at the time of review (2022), and his review listed several states where it is illegal to own.

Key Specs

• Type: binary
• Platform: Ruger 10/22 and compatibles
• Pull: 6.5 lb as tested
• Housing: optional aluminum, $99.99 at the time of review (2022)
• Price: $399 for trigger and housing at the time of review (2022)

Pros

• Cheap to shoot
• All metal
• About 1,000 rounds of testing
• Easy hits at 50 yards

Cons

• Heavy 6.5 lb pull
• Hammer follow if you pull too fast
• Restricted in many states

🛒 Check Current Price for Franklin Armory 22-C1 on GunsAmerica

Tac-Con 3MR: Best Assisted Reset Trigger (Hands-On Review) (2026)

The Tac-Con 3MR is the assisted reset trigger our reviewer tested, and an ancestor of today’s FRTs. Our launch story on the FRT-15 noted that Tac-Con had made a trigger that taps the host firearm’s action to assist the reset. Our reviewer said you still pull the trigger for each round, but in its third position the reset is so short that he regularly put 30 rounds on target in under five seconds.

Read our full Tac-Con 3MR review here.

It has three positions: safe, semi-auto and the fast mode. The pull was 4.5 pounds but felt more like a light 3, and it took him close to 300 rounds to get efficient with it. His bigger point was that after the mag dumps, the short reset made him a better shooter in drills. This review is from 2014, and our news desk later covered a Gen-2 3MR from Delta V. Check current availability and your state’s law.

Key Specs

• Type: assisted reset trigger
• Platform: AR-15
• Positions: safe, semi, fast reset mode
• Pull: 4.5 lb, feels lighter

Pros

• Very short reset
• Useful for drills, not just mag dumps
• Pull for every shot

Cons

• About 300 rounds to learn
• 2014 review
• No price in our review

🛒 Check Current Price for Tac-Con 3MR on GunsAmerica

Final Thoughts On FRT Triggers In 2026

When it comes to the best FRT triggers, there is no single pick we can recommend from testing, because GunsAmerica Digest has not reviewed one hands-on. The Rare Breed FRT-15 is the design the 2025 federal settlement describes, and the Hoffman Tactical Super Safety is a non Rare Breed design that the settlement does not bind as a party. If an FRT is not legal or not worth the risk where you live, the Franklin Armory binary triggers and the Tac-Con 3MR are rapid-fire alternatives we have tested, but they have legal limits of their own. We have also covered the Fostech Echo and AR-Elite binary triggers as news.

We will update this guide when we test an FRT or when the law changes. Until then, check federal, state and local law, talk to a firearms attorney, and do not rely on anyone’s marketing or court win as your legal protection. Shop triggers on GunsAmerica.com.