SHOT Show: Blackwater’s Iron Horse Thumb-Triggered AR Pattern Rifles [VIDEO]

Yes, a thumb trigger. The Iron Horse’s designer, Ryan McDonald originally designed the trigger system for returning vets who have lost digits. But he soon found out that about 60,000 people lose one or both of their first two fingers every year in farming and industrial accidents. Then there are the people who have reduced hand strength.

They generally find it much easier — and more accurate — to fire a rifle with a pull of the thumb rather than using their index finger.

He tells me that beginning shooters print 20-25% smaller groups when shooting with a thumb trigger rather than a conventional one.

It also seems inherently safer, too. The thumb trigger won’t get snagged on anything and it isn’t as natural to idly rest the thumb on the Iron Horse’s trigger as it is for some people to instinctively put booger hook on bangswitch.

There are three Iron Horse rifle models right now ranging from about $850 to $2300. Mil-standard AR-uppers will mount on Iron Horse lowers, too, and you can buy a stripped lower only for $200 or a complete for $295.

They also have a discount program for disabled individuals who provide documentation of their impairment.

Ryan told me that Timney’s working on an upgraded trigger for the Iron Horse and they’re also talking to Franklin Armory about a binary version.

Note the non-standard safety position on the Iron Horse lower just behind the mag well. There’s room for a standard selector switch, too, which they may offer based on interest the military and law enforcement has shown in the rifle.

He’s now partnering with Blackwater Ammunition and the rifles are in the process of being re-branded under the Blackwater name.

TTAG has a T&E unit back in Austin and we’ll follow up with a full review soon.