3D Printed Forced Reset Trigger Shows That Gun Control Is Obsolete

2nd UPDATE 2/17/2022, Links were added to the patent for the trigger in question at the request of Rare Breed Triggers mfg.
UPDATE: On the same date that this article first ran on AmmoLand News, Tim Hoffman, of Hoffman Tactical received a Cease & Desist court order from Rare Breed Triggers claiming all rights to trigger designs related to ‘forced reset’.

Also, see Current Assignee.

“Last week, I received a cease and desist letter from a law firm representing Rare Breed Triggers. [Rare Breed’s Lawyer is also the owner of Rare Breed Triggers] At their request, I did remove the files for my “forced reset” trigger design from my website until further notice. I have retained an attorney who will prepare a substantive response to Rare Breed Triggers. I am placing my “forced reset” designs on hold pending further developments” stated Tim Hoffman.

U.S.A.-(Ammoland.com)- Lately, forced reset triggers have been a topic on everyone’s mind in the gun-rights world since Gun Owners of America (GOA) leaked a letter from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) showing that the agency is about to crack down on the controversial trigger type. But there is a saying in the 3D printing world. “You can’t stop the signal.

One firearms enthusiast took this saying to heart and released a 3D-printed Forced Reset Trigger.

3d Printed Forced Reset Trigger

Hoffman Tactical 3d Printed FRT Trigger Installed
3d Printed Forced Reset Trigger Installed

Tim Hoffman of Hoffman Tactical is a 3D printing enthusiast and a gun-rights activist looking to make gun control obsolete using commonly available and inexpensive technology. His platform of choice is computer-aided design (CAD) and a 3D printer. The most common printer in use in the maker community is the Ender 3 3D Printer. The Ender3 goes on sale from time to time for as low as $99, making the barrier to entry very low for the gun enthusiast. There are also many free tools on the net to learn CAD and 3D printing.

Almost all prints can be accomplished with these inexpensive machines. Most of those in the 3D-printed gun world use PLA+ filament for printing medium. The material can be as cheap as $20 for a 1kg spool. One spool can allow the user to print a massive number of items, including Hoffman Tactical’s forced reset trigger. The 3D-printed parts of the forced reset trigger only cost a few pennies to print, although a spring and roll pin is needed to complete the trigger.

Inside your rifle, a 3D printed disconnector replaces the metal disconnector, and another 3D printed part sits on top of the fire control unit. That part contains a spring and a roll pin allowing the trigger to be force reset.



Hoffman’s goal is to make sure the information gets out to the public and hopefully get more gun owners involved in the 3D-printed firearms world. This trigger release is a game-changer in the world of guns as the 3D source files are now released on the web, and the genie cannot be put back into the bottle.

“I believe that ‘Forced Reset’ style triggers are a powerful tool against ATF encroachment, and that the more people who are using and showing support for them, the more effective it will be,” Hoffman told AmmoLand News. “It is my hope that a “Forced Reset” style trigger will find its way into every home.”

The 3d Printed Forced Reset Trigger is an incredibly simple and fast print that anyone with a 3D printer can print in under an hour.

Hoffman Tactical 3d Printed FRT Trigger Parts
Hoffman Tactical 3d Printed Forced Reset Trigger Parts

As of right now, it is designed to work with the Hoffman Tactical AR-15 Super Lower, which can also be downloaded for free. The user will have a homemade firearm with a forced reset trigger when combined. This combination gives the Biden administration and the out-of-control ATF nightmares. With some work, the forced reset trigger should work with other off-the-shelf lower receivers.

Mr. Hoffman doesn’t intend to take business away from other sellers of forced reset triggers like Rare Breed. Hoffman has said:

“It is not my intention to take business away from Rare Breed Triggers,” Hoffman said. “I believe that they are doing excellent work in their fight against the ATF. We need to continue to support them. Now is not the time to hide your “Forced Reset” trigger. We need to show as much public support for them as possible.”

Much like the original Liberator Pistol, this shows how a few enthusiasts with 3D printers can make the government’s plan for gun control obsolete.

You can download the files for the 3D Forced Reset Trigger here.


About John Crump

John is an NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.

John Crump