Hoffman Tactical TK-15 "Trigger Kicker" Experiment

We wanted to see how the Hoffman Tactical TK-15 Trigger Kicker performed. At the time of writing, it retailed for just $43.00, making it an affordable upgrade for anyone interested in experimenting with their AR-15 trigger system.

Installation is straightforward if you're familiar with a standard AR-15 mil-spec fire control group. The TK-15 simply replaces the factory disconnector and disconnector spring. It is designed to work with mil-spec hammers, triggers, and two-position safety selectors.

Our test rifle required a minor modification because we were using an AT3 Tactical flat trigger. The rear portion of the Trigger Kicker's channel was slightly tighter than a standard mil-spec curved trigger, so we lightly filed and polished the contact area until it moved freely. We also chose to install a mil-spec ambidextrous safety selector instead of our Radian Talon 45/90 ambidextrous selector for compatibility during testing.

Hammer Cocked – Selector on SAFE

The image above shows the TK-15 installed with the hammer cocked and the safety selector engaged.

Hammer Forward – Selector on FIRE

This image shows the TK-15 with the hammer in the forward position and the selector set to FIRE, illustrating its position during normal operation.

Safety Notice: The Hoffman Tactical TK-15 is not a fully automatic fire control system. For normal semiautomatic operation, the shooter must fully release the trigger to allow it to reset before intentionally pressing it again for each subsequent shot. Always maintain proper trigger discipline and follow all applicable laws and safe firearm handling practices.

M1 Garand upgrades

Another piece of history came through the shop: the semiautomatic rifle that won the war for US Gi’s during WWII. The Famous Springfield M1 Garand, which saw service from 1936 to 1957, was replaced by its big brother, the M14 (M1A). The M1 Garand is a .30 Cal (.30-06 Springfield, gas-operated, eight-round “clip” feed rifle, where the shooter places the clip into the internal “magazine”. Yes, it used a clip. Today, we have the luxury of using box feed magazines, which were one of the differences between its big brother, the M14(M1A) rifle. They changed the furniture, re-chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, and added a 20-round box feed magazine. Interesting fact, the M1 Garand was also re-chambered to 7.62x51 and saw action early in the Korean conflict before being retired from service. A common injury from the M1 Garand is called “Garand-thumb”. This is where the shooter’s thumb gets smashed by the bolt slamming home during the loading process. Thumb trapped by bolt. The painful ...

FAL-15 7.62x39, right-side charging, piston driven rifle.

This is truly a one-of-a-kind build. Featuring the Bear Creak Arsenal’s patented right-side charging upper, Adams Arms carbine piston kit, and Frog Arms custom lower. This build required carbide bits to drill and tap the holes in the side of the Adams Arms bolt carrier using a template based on the Bear Creek direct-impingement bolt carrier. This transformed the Adams Arms bolt carrier into a right-side charging bolt carrier for this custom upper. Adams Arms piston is installed with their 15-inch M-Lok rail and barrel nut (the Adams Arms piston does not work with the Bear Creek barrel nut). In defense of Adams Arms, their piston kits were originally designed for mil-spec barrel nuts. Adams Arms are great pistons and I have a couple in my personal collection. Compatibility with more manufacturers’ barrel nuts is one of the reasons Frog Arms is now using Superlative Arms piston Kits.

Bench Notes: Tackling a .277 SIG Fury AR-10 Build

We recently took on a unique project here at the shop: a custom build chambered in .277 SIG Fury. If you aren't familiar, this is the civilian commercial variant of the US Army’s new 6.8x51mm cartridge. It’s an incredibly capable round, but building for it comes with a specific set of rules and mechanical constraints that deviate from your standard black rifle build. Here is a breakdown of how we approached this build and why we made certain component choices. The Pressure and Platform Reality First, let’s talk logistics. The .277 Fury requires an AR-10 (SR-25/Large Frame) platform, not your standard AR-15. Because of this, we couldn't use our own Frog Arm LLC FAL-15 lower receivers, which are strictly mil-spec AR-15 dimensions. Instead, we sourced a high-quality AR-10 lower from another manufacturer to lay the groundwork. Second, a massive caveat on pressure: the military's 6.8x51mm round utilizes a hybrid stainless steel/brass case to handle a staggering 80,000 psi of c...

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