Trigger Systems

[Butch Butler]

I have been a reader of Shotgun News for years and they always have ads for something called HellFire Trigger System.
They are supposed to make a weapon fire like a full auto.The way way I understand it is they use a spring behind the trigger and the trigger is actuated over and over.
Do they work?
Are they legal or borderline trouble?
Butch

[johnharris]

Looking forward to this. I think its one of those areas, like with the Streetsweepers from years ago, where ATF said they were ok and then over time changed their mind. Not a change in the law, just how ATF reviewed it. I have not, however, been looking at this recently, I just suspect ATF would take the position its an NFA device now.

[TacticaLogic]

The "Hell Fire" trigger system, as well as several other brands of trigger systems (Hellstorm 2000, GAT, Tac-Trigger, Auto-Burst, just to name a view) that operate in a very similar way, all work on the principle of manipulating the trigger as fast a possible in order to simulate full auto fire. They usually clamp on to the trigger guard and require adjustment (sometimes quite extensive adjustment) in order to function "properly." (If the term "properly" can really be used. I've not seen one installed that stays in "adjustment" for very long.) Most of these trigger systems require some special firing technique (you have to hold the weapon just right or the system won't function) such as shooting from the hip with the weapon supported by the off-hand and the strong hand held next to the weapon with only the trigger finger manipulating the high-speed firing gadget. Is is something akin to the old "bump fire" routine, only slightly faster because of the attachment. Some will (usually... hopefully...) function from a prone position (re: bipod) and allow for some aimed fire from the shoulder - but only for the first round or so. (Same is true for almost all true full-auto fire weapons unless they are extremely heavy or tri-pod/pintel mounted.)

They are an attempt to circumvent the requirements of the NFA by making sure that the trigger is pulled one time for each round fired, therefore the weapon can not technically be classified as a "machine gun"... The only problem is that BATFE gets to make the decision as to what classifies a weapon as a machine gun, and no one really seems to be able to hold them to anything specific regarding definitions and interpretations. Can you say ROGUE AGENCY? I knew that you could...

Honestly, the "Hell Fire" and similar items are (IMO) a money grabbing gimmick that gives you a thrill for a little while, and then you would probably grow tired of it. You would be better off spending your money on something for your weapon that is more practical such as a good quality optic, more ammo, etc. If you want full-auto, save up and purchase the real deal. (We have members in TFA that are Class III Licensed dealers - they can walk you through the process.) If you are truly in need of full-auto suppressive fire and haven't been able to afford a Class III weapon, the social situation has probably deteriorated to the point that we are already fighting on the streets and no one is going to question where you got your full-auto weapon anyway. (Perhaps it was a battlefield pick-up after a precisely place semi-auto shot, using that new optic you bought?)

Just my 2 cents...

Mike

[johnharris]

Mike,

Good points.

Yes, I can say both ROGUE AGENCY as well as ROGUE GOVERNMENT.

[tnxdshooter]

Personally,

I would not waste my money on one of those hell fire deals. There was a thread started about that over on TGO and nearly everyone chimed in that had bought one saying that they had nothing but problems with it and it was a waste of money.

[Underground]

Yeah, don't bother with that. If you just really feel like you need to blow off a bunch of ammo real fast and heat your barrel up, do a search on 'bump fire'. No modifications or gimmicks needed.