Great question! So to me I prefer a two-stage, now that I've had time to get good training and a better understanding of what makes a good trigger, good. Prior to that I liked the Geissele SD3G trigger, but while that rolling break lends itself beautifully to speed up close, at distance it suffers in terms of precision.
My favorites are the Geissele SSA-E-X for a combat and match-oriented AR, and the Geissele SSA-E for a DMR/SPR setup. The difference for me on those two is on how far they seat my trigger finger pad. The SSA-E goes back a bit further, so when I combine that with a Magpul K2+ grip, I have a perfect 90-degree finger placement right where the second stage breaks. The X is just a little farther forward but because of that I find it easier to fire quickly when I need to, while still being more than capable of lining up that second stage break for precision work. That being said, if you just can't justify the price of the X, I think the SSA-E is my second favorite behind the SSA-E-X, and I don't think you can go wrong with it if you choose to just focus on a single trigger for everything. IMO, the fact that the Geissele SSA-E trigger goes on sale so often for $140-160 online makes it a no-brainer. It's leagues better than anything it's competing against and does justify itself at the $140-160 price point, even for those who really try to pinch pennies whenever possible. Both break right at the 3lb pull weight on my trigger pull scale with awesome consistency. I just find I'm faster and more versatile with the X, so I choose the X as my favorite.
If you absolutely just cannot justify a three-figure trigger, my third favorite choice is the LaRue MBT-2S. Especially if you pick up a JP Enhanced Reliability spring kit to run with it. With my trigger pull gauge, without the kit it's a solid 4lb trigger. With the kit it's a solid 3.5lb trigger. Only slightly heavier than the Geissele with *almost* as good of a wall and break. I have a LaRue with the JP spring kit in my 15-22 trainer rifle because I wanted to see how it is, and that combo is fantastic for the money. Pick one up when someone is selling like 80 of them for $89 shipped on here (happens fairly often) and you'll be set.
I would be tempted to say I still *like* the Geissele SD3G trigger, because it is lightning fast. If I were setting up an AR that was solely for use in close-quarters at 100yds or less with absolutely no need for precision shots, I'd want the SD3G. I still have one in my 15-22p AR pistol because it's so light that I can hold it on targets at 50yds away and just blaze at them with that SD3G quickness. But the reality is even in CQB you still need to make those precision shots sometimes, and for those, the two-stage triggers shine.
I still haven't gotten to try out the KAC two-stage match trigger. I really want to. I have a feeling that's the one trigger I'll like more than a Geissele. Other than that, Big G is Good for Me.
