Rare Breed Triggers FRT-15 Trigger
About this product
The FRT-15 is a drop-in AR-15 trigger from Rare Breed Triggers that mechanically resets forward after every shot, so each trigger pull still fires exactly one round — it's built to shorten the distance your finger travels between reset and the next pull, not to change how many rounds come out per pull. It replaces your standard AR-15 fire control group as a self-contained module. Its legal status has been in active federal litigation since 2022, which matters more to most buyers than the parts list.
What is it used for?
Competitive and practical shooters use it to chase faster splits between aimed shots within fully semi-automatic function — every pull still fires one round, no more. It's marketed as a way to shorten trigger reset distance rather than change the fundamental one-shot-per-pull mechanism of the rifle. Some buyers also install one simply because they prefer the feel of a shorter reset over a standard AR trigger, independent of any speed benefit.
How does it compare to a standard AR trigger?
A standard AR trigger resets when you let off the trigger a short distance under spring tension after firing. The FRT design instead uses the bolt carrier's rearward travel to mechanically push the trigger forward, shortening the reset distance you have to travel before the next pull — but a full pull is still required for every single shot, exactly like a standard trigger.
What's the current legal status?
ATF issued a determination in 2022 that the FRT-15 met the legal definition of a machine gun and ordered a recall; Rare Breed Triggers has litigated against that determination since, and the outcome has shifted through multiple court rulings. Anyone considering one should check current federal guidance and their own state law directly rather than rely on a shop's product page, since this status can change faster than any listing gets updated. Court rulings so far have moved in different directions at different points in the case, so treat any single news article or forum post about its status as outdated the moment a new ruling comes down.
Does it work in California?
No. California passed legislation explicitly banning trigger activator and forced-reset-trigger devices statewide, effective 2024, on top of the separate federal dispute over its classification. See our California gun laws page — do not attempt to possess one of these in California under any circumstance.
What fits it?
It's built as a drop-in replacement for the fire control pocket on a standard mil-spec AR-15 lower receiver, with no receiver modification claimed by the manufacturer. Installation follows the same general process as other aftermarket AR trigger modules.
Is it worth $359?
The price sits in line with premium drop-in AR trigger modules generally. But for this specific product, the ongoing legal uncertainty is a bigger factor in the buying decision than price — read the current regulatory status carefully before deciding this is the right purchase for you, wherever you live. A trigger module you can't legally keep is worth nothing, no matter how good it feels on the range, so verify your own state's current position before you spend the money.
Not available in California
California classifies forced-reset triggers as multiburst trigger activators under Penal Code sections 16930 and 32900. They cannot be sold, shipped or possessed in California, and this remains the case regardless of the current federal position. We cannot ship this item to a California address. Buyers in other states are responsible for confirming their own state and local law before ordering.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Drop-in install with no receiver modification claimed
- Shortens trigger reset distance for faster aimed follow-up shots
- Well-known name within the forced-reset trigger category
Trade-offs
- Explicitly illegal to possess in California
- Active, unresolved federal litigation over its legal classification
- ATF issued a recall determination on it in 2022
- Not a buy-and-forget purchase — legal status carries ongoing risk
Key attributes
| Platform | AR-15 drop-in |
| Fire mode | Semi-automatic, one round per pull |
| Manufacturer | Rare Breed Triggers |
| SKU | FRT-15-5 |
| CA legal status | Prohibited |
Frequently asked questions
- Is the FRT-15 legal to own?
- It depends entirely on where you live and the current state of federal litigation over its classification; it is explicitly illegal to possess in California.
- Does it make my rifle fully automatic?
- No — the design fires exactly one round per trigger pull; it changes how the trigger resets, not how many rounds fire per pull.
- Was there really a recall?
- Yes, ATF issued a recall determination in 2022; check Rare Breed Triggers' official channels for the current compliance guidance before purchasing.
- Does installing it require gunsmithing?
- It's designed as a drop-in module similar to other aftermarket AR trigger groups, with no receiver machining claimed by the manufacturer.
- Can I return it if the legal status changes after I buy?
- Check the seller's return policy directly — regulatory items like this often carry different return terms than standard firearm parts.