Ruger 10/22 Trigger Options

When it comes to choosing a 10/22 trigger, there are upgrade options from under $30 to over $400. While this can make the decision a bit overwhelming, I put together a little guide which should make it easier. Starting with your budget and application can quickly narrow down choices. Hunting and competition are examples where options differ. For hunting, you may want a light, but not too light trigger, to help with accuracy. Shooting off a bench, the lightest possible trigger might be the goal. Ringing steel quickly requires a fast trigger with a short reset.

Think about what you’re using your trigger for. And also set a budget, keeping in mind that both can change. In most cases, a trigger doesn’t limit you to just one type of shooting or discipline. Before we get into the actual triggers, I’ve included some common terms related to triggers. Understanding them can help you get a better idea of how one performs. There are also a lot of retailer links below. Companies like Optics Planet and Brownells frequently offer discounts and/or free shipping, so it pays to check them out.

Trigger terms

Pull weight: This is one of the main ways we determine a trigger’s application. Pulling on the trigger itself, we can measure how much weight it takes before the trigger “breaks”, or releases. This is mostly a function of hammer and sear engagement, their geometry, and associated spring weights. Lighter is generally better, to a point. Benchrest rifles, which are stationary, can have trigger weights measured in ounces. A “field rifle” used for hunting might have one measuring a few pounds, for safety reasons. And somewhere in between, there are competitions that may require a minimum weight for dynamic “run and gun” shooting.

Pre-travel:

This is the distance your trigger travels before it encounters resistance. It’s basically the free play of the trigger prior to mechanical engagement. Eliminating it can be difficult, as some triggers may have trouble resetting due to tolerances.

Creep:

After your pre-travel, there can be trigger movement prior to the rifle firing. This is where we use words like “mushy” or “gritty” to describe that last bit of travel before the break. Paying attention to the interface between the sear and hammer will result in less creep.

Over-travel:

Once the trigger breaks, it doesn’t need to continue traveling rearward. Doing so can allow you to pull your rifle off target. Where follow-up shots are important, you want to minimize overtravel so the trigger can reset faster.

Reset:

How far the trigger travels forward, and how quickly, are the main characteristics of the trigger’s reset. A good trigger will have a tactile reset that can be felt and possibly heard. Important for follow-up shots.

Trigger Upgrades and Complete Trigger Units

Laying out the list below required some compromises. First is the Ruger BX, because plenty of shooters find that to be enough of an upgrade. After that, I tried to sort by price. Complicating this was the fact that some companies offer a single component of a trigger group, as well as complete triggers. So they’re not in the absolute lowest to highest price order. Rather, they are mostly in order of the least expensive single component for each brand. You could swap your OEM shoe for a flat one from Velocity in a color that matches your Boyds stock or Summit Precision barrel, and call it good.

I own, or have owned, most of the triggers listed below. Where possible, I’ve included a link to my review. I’ll be adding to this list, and adding links to future reviews, as they get published. If you feel that a trigger or component is missing, comment below, or send me an email. My goal is to make this as comprehensive as possible.

Ruger’s own BX 10/22 Trigger Upgrade

Poking fun at the Ruger BX trigger is easy for a couple of reasons. On their site, Ruger really leans into it being drop-safe. That’s important to me, but not the most important factor. And then they go into detail on the “light, crisp 2.5-3 pound pull weight with minimal overtravel and a positive reset”. I’m not saying that they’re misleading anyone. It’s just that they’re really describing all the things their current OEM trigger isn’t.

When I bought my BX, it was $50 delivered, and seemed like a fair deal. Currently, Ruger lists them for $96.95, so it definitely pays to shop around. My suggestion is to try to buy one in person. Packaging for it is designed to allow you to test the trigger pull. This is critical, as one online retailer offered three tiers of the BX (all with the same SKU). They did this because the pull was so inconsistent that they were sorted into three distinct weight groups. If you can’t find one locally, here are some links: BX Trigger at Optics Planet. BX Trigger at Brownells.

Velocity Precision Engineering 10/22 Trigger Options

Velocity Precision Engineering has a long history of producing excellent triggers. Their range starts with a $29.95 flat or curved shoe. Stepping up to the Velocity Ruger 10/22 Trigger Kit gets you a shoe, hammer, sear, disconnect, and plunger spring. Throwing down $149.95 rounds out that kit with a matching extended magazine release. In addition to the flat or curved trigger shoes, they have 10 different color options.

Velocity Precision Engineering 10/22 Trigger.
Velocity Precision Engineering 10/22 Trigger.

 

Parts are precision machined from tool steel (except the aluminum shoe). Combining Armor Lube’s DLC coating (Diamond-like coating) with NP3 coatings improves hardness, reduces wear, and increases lubricity for a lifetime of high performance. Weight is set at either 2 or 3 pounds, depending on which spring you install. And it’s easy to install. Find my Velocity Ruger 10/22 Trigger Kit review here.

Volquartsen 10/22 Trigger Upgrades and Options

Offering a mix of trigger upgrades from $33 to $339, Volquartsen is another brand well-known for quality competition parts. The Volquartsen Internal Parts for 10/22 page has a variety of options. You can get a Target Trigger for $33, a Target Hammer kit for $48, or a complete HP Action kit with trigger, hammer, sear, disconnect and other bits for $142. These are all easily installed in your OEM housing. Best price I have found for these parts is at Brownells.

Volquartsen 10/22 Trigger.
Volquartsen 10/22 Trigger.

 

Complete units comprised of wire-EDM cut parts in an aftermarket aluminum housing start at $296 for the Volquartsen TG2000. (Brownells has it for less!) Fixing the weight at 2.25 may be a disappointment for some, but the pre-travel and over-travel are adjustable. Of course, you get an auto bolt release and extended magazine release as well. Stepping up to the $339 Volquartsen TG2000 with Rapid Release gets you the same features plus their Rapid Release, paddle-style magazine release. Four color options are available too.

TandemKross 10/22 Trigger Options

Starting at $49.99 and going up to $499.99, TandemKross offers one of the widest range of trigger options. Swapping your OEM trigger shoe for their Victory Trigger will give you a wide, flat trigger, adjustable for post-travel. And it cuts about a 1/2 pound of pull weight. The next step up is their Ultimate Trigger Kit, which includes the Victory trigger, a hammer, sear, and extra spring. That spring applies a small amount of tension to completely remove pre-travel. You can expect it to improve your pull weight by about two pounds.

TandemKross Manticore X 10/22 lower.
TandemKross Manticore X 10/22 lower.

 

Moving to complete trigger units, we have their Manticore series. Up first is the Manticore LITE, which is a complete aftermarket trigger unit. Aluminum housing, adjustable travel, and a user-settable range from around 2 pounds to 5+ make this a versatile option. Includes their Guardian auto bolt release, and a skeletonized magazine release. Step up to the Manticore, and you get the same features, plus an ambi rotary safety, and dual-direction Fireswitch magazine release. Topping off the Manticore line is the Manticore X lower, which is a trigger and 10/22 “lower”. It replaces the stock or chassis, and your receiver attaches directly to it.

Helpful links: TandemKross Ultimate Trigger Kit article. Review of the TandemKross Manticore Trigger. Full review of the TandemKross Manticore X.

 

KIDD 10/22 Trigger Options

Considered by many to be one of the best trigger options, KIDD triggers are available as an upgrade to the OEM unit, as well as complete single-stage and dual-stage triggers. Their $127.00 “Trigger Job” Kit comes with the trigger, hammer, sear, and disconnect. Taking about 20 minutes to install in your OEM housing, the result is a trigger that breaks cleanly at 2.25 pounds. It’s a popular option for performance on a budget.

KIDD 10/22 Trigger (two stage).
KIDD 10/22 Trigger (two stage).

 

Spending $285 gets you a single-stage trigger with color options and magazine release options, fully proprietary internals with upgrades, and an adjustable pull weight from 1.5 to 5 pounds. My personal favorite for my bench rifle is the $370.50 KIDD Two-Stage Trigger. All the same features as their Single-Stage plus some extra trigger blade options. First and second stages are adjustable from 2.5 pounds down to just 6 ounces (3 ounces per stage). At that price it also includes a lifetime warranty. Optics Planet carries KIDD triggers.

Hornet Custom Triggers

For a company that’s been in business since 2001, they’re not widely known, which is a shame. Hornet has so many trigger options, I’m not even going to try to list them all. They seem to be based around the OEM housing, with different pull weights and some varied color options. Prices start at $119.95 and go up to $274.95, so they probably have something for everyone in there. You can find Hornet Custom Triggers at their ruger1022trigger.com website.

Hornet Custom Triggers for the Ruger 10/22.
Hornet Custom Triggers for the Ruger 10/22.

 

JARD 10/22 Trigger

JARD offers a pair of drop-in 10/22 triggers for $234.95 and $254.95. Both are complete units available in black, with a black trigger. Magazine release options include standard and extended (+$4.95). Pull weights vary from 1.5 to 3 pounds for the less expensive one, and 1 to 3 for the Ultra Match. I don’t have any experience with them, but JARD has a good reputation. I’m sure the drop-in installation holds some appeal too.

JARD 10/22 Trigger.
JARD 10/22 Trigger.

 

Timney Triggers for the Ruger 10/22

Since the 1940s, Timney has been producing some of the best triggers in the world. Currently, they have three models for the 10/22. First is the $298.99 Timney Replacement Trigger for the Ruger 10/22. This is a drop-in unit with six trigger colors, two housing colors (silver or black), and a pull weight set by the factory at 2-3/4 pounds. Next is the $327.99 Calvin Elite Single Stage. Weight is set at 1.5-2 pounds from the factory, with the same two housing options. A two-stage Calvin Elite is available at the same price, with the same color options. Weight is set at 8 ounces for the first stage, 16 for the second.

Timney Calvin Elite Two Stage Ruger 10/22 trigger.
Timney Calvin Elite Two Stage Ruger 10/22 trigger.

 

What sets the Calvin Elite apart from other triggers is the shoe(s). There are several color and shape options available separately. And each shoe is adjustable for height, length of pull, and cast (left or right bias). If you want the most ergonomic trigger, this is probably it. You can find my Calvin Elite Two Stage Trigger for the 10/22 review here. Brownells Timney 10/22 triggers. Optics Planet Timney 10/22 triggers.

Submit your Favorite Trigger, if it’s not Already Listed

This list covers the most popular brands, and I am sure there are more out there. If you have a favorite that’s not listed, comment below, or send me an email. I’ll do my best to get it included.

Questions? Comments? Drop a message below.

 

 

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