Dillon Rifle Company ‘On Patrol’ AR Trigger — SHOT Show 2022

in Ivan Loomis, SHOT Show 2022, Uncategorized
Dillon Rifle Company 'On Patrol' AR Trigger -- SHOT Show 2022
Dillon Rifle Company, the little brother to Dillon Aero and Dillon Precision.

This year at SHOT Show 2022 I saw a new company and product branching off from an older company. While many people are familiar with Dillon Precision as well as their sister company Dillon Aero, maker of amazing mini-guns, there is a newer smaller branch, the Dillon Rifle Company. This year Dillon Rifle Company released a line of soft goods as well as their OPAR Trigger.

The OPAR (On Patrol AR) Trigger is a drop-in cassette trigger. Made for any AR platform, either AR-15s or AR-10s, it has some unique things going on as well as some history. The genesis of the trigger starts with a near miss. Long story short, it solves the problem of most “truly” accidental discharges.

Dillon Rifle Company 'On Patrol' AR Trigger -- SHOT Show 2022
The OPAR Trigger installed in a standard forged lower.

While the AR-15 family of weapons is inherently safe, there are times when accidental discharges can happen. I’m not talking about poor trigger discipline, I’m talking about true accidents. This usually happens when rifles are slung on the back, freeing up the users hands for other tasks, from the mundane to securing prisoners, whatever it may be. What can sometimes happen is the safety selector can get unknowingly manipulated while on someone’s back. Then when the weapon is brought forward, stray gear or some other object can find its way into the trigger guard, and depress the trigger…

This can and has happened to people at the highest levels of training and proficiency. While people will dismiss it out of hand, usually the people dismissing it have never carried a weapon professionally and had to go hands on in a timely manner, without the luxury of handing off their hot weapon. So, how is this addressed?

Dillon Rifle Company 'On Patrol' AR Trigger -- SHOT Show 2022
The OPAR Trigger will be offered in two different styles.

In the most simple terms, think of the OPAR Trigger as a Glock Trigger for your AR-15. While that is a large oversimplification, it makes things easier to understand. There is a blade of sorts inset into the trigger shoe that has to be depressed in order for the trigger to release the hammer. It however, in design and feel, is quite different from a Glock trigger.

And more impressive, is watching the OPAR Trigger demonstration. One of the most common culprits for ADs is stray webbing. While at SHOT Show I watched a sling get fed across the trigger and a impressive amount of pressure put on it… It did not drop the hammer. Can you get it to? Sure, if you really try hard. But keep in mind, it isn’t a replacement for your safety. It is just something to make your rifle even safer.

Dillon Rifle Company 'On Patrol' AR Trigger -- SHOT Show 2022
The trigger wouldn’t “fire” regardless of tension on the sling.

Is the OPAR Trigger for everyone? It can be, but it really shines for Military and Law Enforcement, or anyone else who really “handles” their rifle a lot. Shooting off of a bench at the 100? Probably not. But if you end up going hands on, climbing ladders or most any other dynamic movement with your rifle slung, I think there is a huge benefit.

The Dillion Rifle Company offers two different versions of the OPAR Trigger. One with a Straight Face and the other with a Curved Face. They should be shipping by Q2 of 2022 with a MSRP of $265.00.

Dillon Rifle Company 'On Patrol' AR Trigger -- SHOT Show 2022
Dillon Rifle Company is also offering a heat resistant scabbard for suppressed guns. No more waiting for them to cool!

About the author: Ivan Loomis has spent a lot of time outdoors, backpacking and camping as well as extensive international travel. Eventually, he landed in the Marine Corps in the late 90’s. After a hiatus from the service to race the Baja 1000 a couple times, he reenlisted with the Air Force. Departing that he wound up in a large metropolitan Police Department for a spell before landing in the Security Contracting world. One constant through these experiences was gear and weapons. Having spent time in a lot of environments and with the opportunity to field a lot of equipment, he’s grown fond of well-made gear. He now shares those experiences, adventures, and knowledge through contributing articles and videos to various publications, including his own site: www.kitbadger.com

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  • Todd January 31, 2022, 1:45 pm

    NOPE.

    Hard no…. They lost me at the *glock-style* necessary safety.

  • Will January 31, 2022, 1:04 pm

    While I really like the idea of this trigger, and may even buy a few, Who the hell slings a rifle without applying the safety??? If a weapon isn’t in your hands & at the ready, it should always be on safe…

    I would love to see these type triggers available for all makes of firearms. Revolvers would definately benifit…

  • TERRY January 31, 2022, 9:57 am

    I spent 22 years in light infantry units and I saw no problem with accidental discharges. Proper training is the only answer in prevention of AD.

  • Jay Smith January 31, 2022, 8:02 am

    Well , in my opinion, if you don’t want the gun to go bang , don’t stick your finger in the trigger guard until you are ready for that to happen ? Tada ….

    • Kelly S. January 31, 2022, 10:10 am

      The author isn’t talking about a booger hook touching the bang switch. He’s talking about webbing and other gear getting inside the trigger guard while the weapon is slung.

      Read the article before commenting so you don’t make a fool of yourself.

      Having had the safety disengage on my own M4 while having it slung in the field, I fully recognize the value of this trigger.

  • Jerry January 31, 2022, 4:42 am

    For those who need/want the added, ah, “safe-ness”, this is great stuff. Now when they can match it up with match-spec capability, i’ll likely buy a couple. Will be keeping an eye on this. While I dont like the feel/hold of glocks, i managed to outscore the rest of the group the first/only time i qualified with one, and i want my rifle to exceed my personal accuracy capability. Heres hoping they CAN make a match-spec development of this.

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