In my quest to try every accessory for America’s favorite rimfire rifle platform, I recently got my hands on the Timney Calvin Elite Two Stage Trigger for the 10/22. This trigger is a complete drop-in replacement unit. No need to mess with small parts, no gunsmith skills required. If you can remove your rifle (or 22 Charger) from its stock/chassis and push out the trigger pins, you can install this. At 8 ounces for the first stage, and 16 for the second, it’s not the lightest trigger out there. But it has different trigger shoes available, and is highly adjustable for height, cast, and even length of pull.
Timney Calvin Elite Two Stage Details
Starting with their own aluminum housing, Timney redid everything about this $327.99 trigger. Peeking inside, the internals of the trigger look functionally similar to the original, but definitely updated. It certainly makes sense, since the original design is 60 years old. While I don’t have all the specifics, I do know that the tolerances are tighter. Most aftermarket trigger manufacturers also make changes to the sear/trigger interface, allowing for a lighter, crisper pull without compromising safety. Speaking of safety, this unit includes a familiar push-button safety, which most 10/22 owners are accustomed to.
Externally, the extended magazine release is one of my favorite designs. Longer than the OEM one, but not so oversized that it’s likely to be hit by accident. I can drop a magazine with a push from my fingertip. Tucked up next to it is the bolt release. And the star of the show is the trigger shoe itself. It rides on a vertical post attached to a short horizontal post. Those two posts are what allow so much adjustability. Timney offers this trigger in black or silver with a red shoe. Other color shoes can be purchased separately.
Swappable shoes? Count me in!
While I generally prefer a flat trigger, the curved shoe of the Timney Calvin Elite Two-Stage is my go-to. There’s a flat trigger, and a flat trigger with a heel available, but the curved shoe just feels right. And that probably comes down to the adjustments, which is one of the best features of this trigger.
Each shoe is smaller than a standard trigger blade, with good reason. Loosening the mounting screw allows the trigger to be set at the perfect height. And doing the same for the screw on the post that the shoe attaches to provides some fore/aft movement, for the ideal length of pull. With that set, the shoe can be rotated right or left, for the precise amount of cast. The result is the perfect finger position, every time.
Installation of the Timney Calvin Elite Two Stage for the 10/22
Having messed around with aftermarket hammer and sear kits, I appreciate how easy it is to install the Timney Calvin Elite in a 10/22. After checking to make sure it’s unloaded, remove your rifle from the stock or chassis. With any luck, the trigger’s cross pins will pop out without too much effort. Make sure the hammer is back, and the ejector is in its slot before sliding the trigger into the receiver. Verify the holes are lined up, and push the pins back in place. It’s that easy. Install back in chassis or stock, and dry fire a few times to check the function of the trigger as well as the safety.
Trigger shoe adjustment
Adjusting the trigger shoe is not necessary, but it is one of the key benefits of the Timney Calvin Elite trigger unit. Using a Victor Titan stock for this rifle, my thumb rides high on the right side of the stock. So I find that I like the trigger set high, back, and canted a bit to the right. The adjustment ranges aren’t huge, but even a little amount makes a noticeable difference. Instead of feeling for the right spot on the trigger, my finger falls naturally into the perfect position every time.
Range time with the Timney Calvin Elite Two Stage Trigger
Two stage triggers are popular as they allow the weight to be set low, while still being safe and predictable. In this Timney Calvin Elite, the first stage is 8 ounces, the second is 16 ounces. This is a good range for target shooting, hunting, or dynamic competition shooting. Pulling the trigger through the first stage, that 8 ounces is hardly noticeable. Hitting the second stage, there is a distinct wall, then a crisp and light break, with a short reset. Whether you pull right through both, or go slow and intentional, the trigger has a nice feel to it.
Before this review, that second stage seemed like it was going to be heavy. After all, it’s double the weight of the first stage. But the reality is that a one pound is still a very light trigger. And it really is the sweet spot for multiple disciplines. Between the different shoe options, and the adjustability, it drives home just how important the shape and position of the shoe is.
About the rifle shown
For this review, I built a custom rifle using all aftermarket parts. Starting with the new Summit Precision SP-22 receiver, I added a Summit Precision carbon fiber barrel. In addition to the Timney trigger, I used a Tactical Innovations bolt and charging handle. After dropping it all in a Victor Titan stock, I topped it with a Vortex Venom 5-25×56 scope in Athlon precision rings. It’s a solid target rifle that’s right at the limit of what I would want to carry in the field.
Wrapping it all up
There has been plenty of online discussion about triggers, and I’ve got my own strong opinions. Testing a trigger at home on your workbench is not the same as shooting at the range or in the field. Sure, you can feel the difference a few ounces might make when comparing side by side at home. In the real world, small differences in pull weight are less noticeable. What I look for is a well-defined wall, that clean, light break, and then a positive reset. Shooting this trigger reveals all that, and the pull itself is very consistent.
Shooting from my portable bench, I really enjoyed this trigger. While not as light as some other triggers I have, it’s more ergonomic, and very consistent. Being able to make small adjustments at the bench is nice too, so it’s totally dialed in for me. Although I’m still testing ammo to find out what my rifle likes, I’m confident the trigger is not holding me back. Dropping magazines is easy with the well-designed and close-fitting release lever. My only complaint is the tiny bolt release is tucked up a bit, which takes some getting used to.
As always, I appreciate the opportunity to test and evaluate the excellent Timney Calvin Elite Two Stage trigger for the 10/22. For more information, or to get your own, you’ll find them on the timneytriggers.com website.