AS Designs ARC-Fire Review (2026): Forced Reset Selector Tested
The AS Designs ARC-Fire is a forced reset selector that works with your existing trigger, not a replacement for it. We tested it on a SIG MCX Spear LT 11.5 with a Geissele SSA-E and HUXWRX Flow 556K suppressor over 400 rounds. The ARC mode is smooth and reliable after setup, but the safety selector needs work.
Update, May 2026: The second-generation Arc-Fire V2 is now shipping with a taller, more tactile fin lever (the V1 lever was long and skinny, low profile but harder to find under stress), M2 tool steel + DLC ARC components, and three throw configurations (0-45-90, 0-45-180, 0-90-180). The V2 fixes the selector ergonomics called out in this review. Read our Arc-Fire V2 hands-on review for the install, the 0-45-180 throw test, and V1 vs V2 photos.
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Key Takeaways
- →Keep Your Trigger: Works alongside existing Geissele, ALG, BCM, and mil-spec triggers with super safety cuts, so your semi-auto pull stays excellent
- →10+ Platform Support: AR-15, MCX, MP5, SCAR, JAKL, BRN-180, and more with platform-specific Slip Trip Kits
- →MCX Requires Modification: Must remove the firing pin safety latch for reliable function; expect trigger reset failures without it
- →Safety Selector Is the Weak Point: Binds during throw, not a true 45 degrees, lacks the positive detent feel of a Radian Talon
- →V2 Now Shipping: Adds true 45/90 throw options and reduced drag; the upgrade pick if the selector throw matters to you
Disclosure: We purchased this ARC-Fire with our own money at full retail. AS Designs has also sent a unit for testing and evaluation. This review contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission if you purchase through them. Our assessment is based on the unit we purchased.
Test Setup
The ARC-Fire was tested on a SIG MCX Spear LT 11.5" in 5.56 NATO with the AS Designs MCX Slip Trip Kit. The trigger is a Geissele SSA-E, a two-stage with a 3.5 lb total pull and crisp break. Suppressor is a HUXWRX Flow 556K, which stayed on for all 400 rounds of M193.
Test Configuration
- PlatformSIG MCX Spear LT 11.5"
- TriggerGeissele SSA-E (3.5 lb)
- SuppressorHUXWRX Flow 556K
- Trip KitAS Designs MCX Slip Trip Kit
- Ammunition~400 rds M193 (all suppressed)
- ARC-Fire Price$250
This is a piston-driven platform, not direct impingement. Most ARC-Fire reviews are on standard AR-15s, so the MCX compatibility data here fills a gap. For our full take on the Spear LT itself, see the SIG Spear LT 1,000-round review.
FRS vs. FRT: Why It Matters
The ARC-Fire is a forced reset selector (FRS), not a forced reset trigger (FRT). The distinction matters. An FRT like the Partisan Disruptor replaces your entire fire control group. Whatever trigger feel that unit ships with is what you get. The Disruptor's semi-auto break is gritty, worse than milspec. That is the trade-off.
An FRS replaces only your safety selector. Your hammer, trigger, disconnector, and springs stay in the gun. The ARC-Fire's cam and lever mechanism forces the trigger reset through the selector system rather than through the trigger itself. The result: you keep your Geissele SSA-E for semi-auto work and flip to ARC mode when you want forced reset. Best of both worlds.
AS Designs has since carried the same ARC-Fire mechanism to the HK roller-delayed world with the ARHK drop-in cassette, the first forced reset unit that runs in a stock MP5 or G3 housing without a lower swap.
For a full breakdown of how forced reset systems work, selector compatibility, and a rate-of-fire calculator, see our Super Safety and FRT Guide.
Forced Reset Triggers and Selectors
The ARC-Fire competes against FRT triggers and other FRS selectors. Compare options in our FRT Buyer's Guide.
AS Designs Arc-Fire V1 Kit
First-generation Arc-Fire forced reset selector kit with Active Reset Clutch internals
- +Smoothest forced reset selector with reduced drag vs competitors
- +Unprecedented platform compatibility (10+ systems)
- +Multiple throw options accommodate different shooting preferences
- −Premium price versus conventional safety selectors
- −Incompatible with LaRue MBT-2S, CMC, and Rise Armament triggers
- −Requires Mil-Spec trigger or compatible upgrade
AS Designs Arc-Fire V2 Ambi Kit (0-90-180)
Second-generation Arc-Fire FRS with reduced drag and traditional 0/90/180 ambidextrous throw
- +Keep your existing quality trigger for semi-auto work
- +V2 internals cycle smoother than V1 with reduced drag
- +Traditional 180-degree throw to ARC is deliberate and unambiguous
- −Premium pricing versus conventional safety selectors
- −180-degree throw is slower than 45/90 variants for shooters who want a shorter sweep
- −Non-AR platforms require the separately-sold Slip Trip Kit
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Installation on the MCX
Installation was not terrible, but it was not straightforward either. The ARC-Fire kit includes the ARC cam, lever, detent bar, primary selector, ambi selector, a pre-cut trigger, and a standard safety detent. For the MCX, you also need the MCX Slip Trip Kit.
One thing worth noting: AS Designs support was responsive and helpful throughout the install process, and this was before they knew we were reviewers. We reached out as a regular customer and got prompt, knowledgeable answers. That matters when you are dealing with a product that may require troubleshooting on non-standard platforms.
The first install resulted in the safety getting stuck in whatever position it was set to. The selector would not rotate. Removing the entire assembly and reinstalling it from scratch fixed the issue. The binding appears to come from how the cam and lever seat in the lower, and it needs to be aligned precisely on the first try.
MCX-Specific: Remove the Firing Pin Safety Latch
After the reinstall, the ARC-Fire would intermittently fail to reset the trigger. Multiple trigger reset failures across several magazines. The fix: remove the MCX firing pin safety latch. This internal component interferes with the ARC cam rotation on the MCX platform. Once removed, the trigger reset issues stopped completely and have not returned through 400 rounds.
This is not documented in the AS Designs installation guide as of this writing. If you are running an ARC-Fire on any MCX variant and experiencing intermittent reset failures, this is your likely fix.
Beyond the MCX-specific issue, the general installation considerations match what AS Designs documents:
- →Anti-walk pins: AS Designs recommends them, but we ran 400 rounds without anti-walk pins and had no pin migration. Add them if you notice pins walking during use.
- →Expect to reinstall at least once. The cam alignment is finicky. If the safety binds or the selector will not rotate, pull it and start over rather than forcing it.
- →Compared to the Partisan Disruptor: The Disruptor is a cassette drop-in that takes five minutes with a torx wrench. The ARC-Fire requires more mechanical sympathy. If you want the easiest possible install, the Partisan is the better choice.
The Safety Selector Problem
The ARC-Fire's biggest weakness is the safety selector itself. It binds during rotation. It does not have a true 45-degree throw. It does not have the positive, tactile detent that shooters expect from quality selectors like the Radian Talon.
The throw from Safe to Semi feels acceptable. The throw from Semi to ARC is where the problems show up. There is noticeable resistance and a gritty, imprecise feel as the selector moves through the full 180-degree arc to reach ARC mode. After a Radian Talon, which snaps into position with zero ambiguity, the ARC-Fire selector feels like a parts-bin solution.
This is functional, not broken. You can manipulate it under stress and it does land in the right position. But for a $250 product on a $2,500+ rifle, the selector feel is below expectations. AS Designs clearly prioritized the ARC mechanism itself over selector ergonomics, and it shows.
ARC-Fire Specifications
- Selector TypeAmbidextrous, 3-position
- PositionsSafe / Semi / ARC
- Throw to ARC180 degrees (V1)
- ARC ComponentsM2 Tool Steel (DLC coated)
- Selector Material4140 Steel (Black Oxide)
- Weight0.6 oz
- MSRP$250
Reliability: 400 Rounds Suppressed
After removing the MCX firing pin safety latch, the ARC-Fire has been flawless in ARC mode through 400 rounds of M193, all suppressed with the HUXWRX Flow 556K. Zero failures to reset, zero light primer strikes, zero cycling issues.
One hammer follow occurred in semi-auto mode. The hammer dropped without a trigger press during normal semi-auto firing. This appears to be a Geissele-in-MCX issue rather than an ARC-Fire problem. The Spear LT's piston system cycles with different timing than a DI gun, and the SSA-E's lighter engagement surfaces may be marginal in this configuration under certain conditions. It has not recurred.
Reliability Log
- ARC Mode (post-latch removal)400/400 reliable
- ARC Mode (before latch removal)Multiple reset failures
- Semi-Auto Mode1 hammer follow (Geissele/MCX)
- Safety Stuck on First InstallReinstall resolved
The ARC mode itself feels good. The reset is positive without the grinding sensation that some users report with first-generation forced reset systems. The patent-pending Active Reset Clutch mechanism delivers a noticeably smoother forced reset cycle than older designs.
ARC-Fire vs. Partisan Disruptor vs. Rare Breed
Having run all three systems, here is how they compare. Each makes different trade-offs, and the right choice depends on what you prioritize.
| Feature | ARC-Fire | Partisan | Rare Breed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | FRS (selector) | FRT (trigger) | FRT (trigger) |
| MSRP | $250 | $299 | $380+ |
| Semi-Auto Quality | Your existing trigger | Gritty, below milspec | Acceptable |
| Installation | Moderate (tinkering) | Easy (5 min drop-in) | Easy (drop-in) |
| Safety Selector | Ambi, binds | Oversized, non-ambi | Standard |
| Platform Support | 10+ (AR, MCX, MP5...) | AR-15 only | AR-15 only |
| Buffer Tuning | H2/H3 required | H2/H3 required | H2/H3 required |
The ARC-Fire's biggest advantage is clear: you keep your existing trigger for semi-auto work. If you have a Geissele SSA-E, you get a crisp 3.5 lb two-stage break in semi and ARC mode when you want rapid fire. The Partisan Disruptor forces you into its included trigger, which is noticeably worse than milspec for precision shooting.
The Partisan wins on installation simplicity. Five minutes, one torx wrench, no fitting required. The ARC-Fire demands more patience and mechanical aptitude, especially on non-AR platforms.
Platform support is where the ARC-Fire has no competition. If you run an MCX, MP5, SCAR, or any other supported platform, the ARC-Fire is your only option for forced reset functionality. The Partisan and Rare Breed are AR-15 only.
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Browse our catalog of forced reset triggers and selectors. Configure a compatible build in our rifle builder to see how these triggers fit your platform.
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ARC-Fire V2: Should You Upgrade?
AS Designs unveiled the ARC-Fire V2 at SHOT Show 2026 and the V2 is now shipping. It addresses the two biggest complaints about the V1: selector throw and drag.
- →Selector throw options: 45-to-90, B&T 180-degree, and HK-style three-position configurations
- →Reduced system drag: Smoother ARC cycling with less of the grinding feel some users report
- →Expanded platform support: Additional HK and B&T compatibility
Our Recommendation
If the 45-degree safety throw matters to you, go straight to the now-shipping V2. The V1's 180-degree throw to ARC mode is functional but clumsy compared to a standard selector. The V2's 45/90 option solves the biggest ergonomic complaint in this review.
If you are fine with the full 180-degree throw, the V1 is perfectly capable. The ARC mechanism itself works well and reliability has been solid. You are not getting a defective product; you are getting a product whose selector hardware has room for improvement.
Our wish list for the V2: clone the Radian Talon's selector paddle shape and size. The Talon's profile is the industry standard for a reason. That said, the binding and imprecise detent feel are separate problems, internal to the ARC cam mechanism rather than the paddle itself. A Talon-shaped lever would improve ergonomics, but the gritty rotation needs engineering work on the internals.
Legal Status (2026)
Eligible forced reset devices covered by the May 2025 DOJ settlement are not being treated federally as machine guns, but state restrictions and retailer shipping blocks still apply.
State Restrictions: AS Designs blocks shipping into restricted jurisdictions, and state definitions can vary between FRT triggers, FRS selectors, binary triggers, and other rate-increasing devices. Check your state and local laws before purchasing.
Stay Updated on FRT and FRS News
Get notified when the ARC-Fire V2 drops. We cover FRT/FRS releases, legal changes, platform compatibility updates, and hands-on reviews.
The Verdict
The AS Designs ARC-Fire is the best-of-both-worlds forced reset system. It delivers reliable forced reset without sacrificing your semi-auto trigger quality, which is something no FRT can match. Pairing it with a Geissele SSA-E means you get a crisp 3.5 lb two-stage break for precision work and ARC mode for rapid fire, all in the same rifle.
The trade-offs are real. Installation requires tinkering, especially on non-AR platforms like the MCX where undocumented modifications may be needed. The safety selector binds, lacks a positive detent, and the 180-degree throw to ARC mode is clumsy. These are ergonomic annoyances, not reliability problems.
Buy it if: You want forced reset on a non-AR platform (MCX, MP5, SCAR) where alternatives do not exist, or you refuse to give up your quality trigger for forced reset capability. You are comfortable with some installation troubleshooting.
Get the V2 instead if: The safety throw bothers you. The 45/90 option in the now-shipping V2 fixes the biggest complaint in this review.
Get the Partisan instead if: You run a standard AR-15 and want the easiest possible install. Accept that the semi-auto trigger will be worse, but you will be up and running in five minutes with zero fitting.
Bottom line: The ARC-Fire is the premium super safety at $250, tied with the Atrius ambi ($250) at the top of the category (Atrius standard is $200, Mars is $139). What you get for that price is a standard 3-position ambi selector with Safe, Semi, and ARC modes, closer to the functionality of a full FRT trigger than other super safeties that rely on push-button safety mechanisms. It works across 10+ platforms, lets you keep a quality trigger, and the ARC mechanism itself is smooth. The safety selector is the weakest link, and the V2 should fix that. For MCX owners specifically, this is the only game in town.
Browse forced reset options in our Trigger Catalog, or build a complete setup in the Interactive Builder. For the full forced reset landscape, see our Super Safety and FRT Guide.
