I was fortunate enough to start 2022 off by testing a brand-new product from a brand-new company. Dillon Rifle Company (DRC) is the sister company of Dillon Aero and Dillon Precision. DRC’s goal is to create a new generation of semiautomatic rifles. In the meantime, the team has released a pre-stage, drop-in trigger system: the On-Patrol AR (OPAR) Operator.

About the On-Patrol AR Trigger

OPAR is not the standard drop-in aftermarket AR trigger designed to impart a “target trigger” quality to the average AR-15. This trigger is designed to enhance operational safety for users of M4 carbines. It is a single-stage trigger set up for a 5- to 5.5-pound pull weight and equipped with an inset secondary trigger that must be engaged first as part of trigger stroke. With the hammer cocked, that secondary trigger works similar to Glock’s Safe Action® triggers. It should be instantly familiar to most shooters.

I requested the OPAR Operator-Curved trigger for testing. Though there is also an Operator-Flat available, I prefer curved triggers. I can more consistently locate the proper point of contact on curved triggers. Also, the secondary trigger on the curved OPAR is colored bright red, making it more obvious than the silver secondary trigger of the flat OPAR.

OPAR Installation

Since Dillon Rifle Company’s primary mission with the OPAR is to enhance safety, I chose to install the trigger in a Century Arms AR-15A1 rifle that I used as a duty rifle for several years. It is precisely the type of AR-15 DRC had in mind — one that is used for serious purposes in high-stress situations.

Once I had the trigger installed, I checked it for function and feel with vigorous dry-firing. One of the first things I noticed was how comfortable the AR Operator trigger was against my finger. The red secondary trigger has a cushioned feel to it. In past prolonged shooting tests, some handguns that used a version of the trigger safety lever would start to sting my trigger finger and reduce the joy of shooting. But the Operator-Curved trigger promises to be fun to use in extended shooting sessions.

From an instructor/SWAT team leader standpoint, I also noticed that when the OPAR hammer was cocked, the bright red secondary trigger protrudes out farther. This makes it very obvious the weapon is cocked. This, in and of itself, is a major safety enhancement.

The OPAR worked exactly as advertised. The trigger curve is so slight it makes it hard to accidentally catch the AR trigger on clothing or gear. The pull was remarkably crisp and short. It was like a target trigger but heavier enough for patrol operations.

Note: However, just as the DRC website stresses, the OPAR triggers are never to be used as an AR-15’s primary safety system. They are an automatically functioning backup to the AR-15 selector switch.

Range Time

Range time was limited simply because we were on the third day of cold, heavy Ohio rainfall. But from that limited time, it’s clear the OPAR curved trigger is so much easier to manage than a standard GI. And I estimate the pull weight was in the advertised 5-pound range. (I couldn’t weigh it exactly because the shape of my trigger pull gauge wouldn’t disengage the secondary trigger.) We fired about 20 rounds. The trigger function was seamless. I didn’t notice the operation of the secondary trigger at all, which is the way things should be.

Note: The above photo was taken with the hammer cocked to make the secondary trigger more visible.

I wish the DRC OPAR triggers had been available while I was still working the streets or on SWAT. I would recommend them for every patrol and defensive AR-15 out there and am glad to have it on my Century AR-15A1. The Dillon Rifle Company OPAR triggers can help save people from negligent discharges or serious injury while enhancing accuracy. MSRP is $265.

Sources:

Dillon Rifle Company: ffdrc.com