4 Best 10/22 Trigger Upgrades [Video & Split Times]
Want to bring out the best in your Ruger 10/22? We tested the most popular triggers for pull weight, split times, and travel.
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A trigger swap is one of the biggest upgrades you can make to a Ruger 10/22.
We tested the most popular 10/22 trigger upgrades for pull weight, reset, and split times so you know exactly what you're buying.
By the end you'll know which 10/22 trigger upgrade is the best for you and your budget.
The Quick List
- Best Bang for the Buck: Ruger BX-TriggerJump to Details ↓
- Best Trigger Kit: Tandemkross Ultimate 10/22 Trigger KitJump to Details ↓
- Most Adjustable: Timney 10/22 Calvin Elite TriggerJump to Details ↓
- Editor's Pick: Volquartsen Ruger 10/22 TG2000Jump to Details ↓
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Best 10/22 Triggers
1. Ruger BX 10/22 Trigger - Best Bang for the Buck
The most affordable and very popular option is Ruger's BX Trigger.
I have Tandemkross' extended mag release on it...but the trigger mechanics are untouched.
And they bring my old 10/22's trigger from a gritty 6 lb 9 oz pull down to a consistent 2 lb 4 oz measured on my old Wheeler trigger pull gauge.
The pull is still little spongy but so much better than stock...which for some reason never became better for me even after several thousand rounds.
There wasn't a lot of pre-travel (amount of movement before the trigger fires/breaks). But there was more post-travel (movement after the trigger breaks) than I would have wanted.
Reset has some movement but ends with a nice click.
The trigger and the housing is plastic and there's some side to side movement...but everything is reliable and great value for under $100.
I shot this trigger the fastest out of all the tested ones with a split time average of .136 seconds.
For comparison...I shoot a stock AR-15 trigger with .22 second splits and .136 is in the range of a nice upgraded AR trigger.
My most worth-it pick especially when you're looking for something easy to drop-in and doesn't break the bank...especially when a 10/22 itself only costs around $250.
2. Tandemkross Ultimate 10/22 Trigger Kit - Best Trigger Kit
Looking for something a tier above Ruger's option?
Tandemkross has a trigger kit they made in conjunction with Brimstone Gunsmithing that comes with an upgraded trigger shoe, sear, pin, and hardware.
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You need to almost completely take apart the stock trigger housing, but Tandemkross has a nice tutorial video.
If you aren't mechanically inclined...I'd check it out first before deciding to go this kit route.
I set it up in about 30 minutes and tweaked the post-travel to be as minimal as possible and ended up with a 2 lb 14 oz trigger pull.
There's slight pre-travel that reaches a nice wall before a clean break.
And you get a crisp reset...but somehow I couldn't shoot it as fast as the other triggers with a .185 second split time.
If you're looking for something crisper than the BX that will aid in precision applications...you can't go wrong with Tandemkross' kit.
Just keep in mind you'll have to do some minor gunsmithing.
3. Timney Calvin Elite 10/22 Trigger - Most Adjustable
Timney's Calvin Elite is the brainchild of their head trigger designer who was given free reign to create the best trigger possible.
The Calvin Elite is my favorite AR-15 trigger and it continues Timney's tradition of awesome triggers with their 10/22 version.
There's almost no pre-travel and very little post-travel.
Combined with a glass-rod break and the strongest reset out of all the triggers tested.
Mine also had a super consistent 2 lb 6 oz pull and a split time of .155 seconds.
How about adjustability?
You can change the horizontal and vertical aspects of the trigger to your heart's content. I like mine to the back and up so that I get a near perpendicular trigger pull to minimize extra movement.
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Plus there's 3 extra different types of trigger shoes to suit your pull style.
But because there's two Torx screws holding the adjustments together...you'll want to properly torque them and use blue Loctite so they don't loosen.
And although I really like the mag release...it doesn't work well with pistol grip stocks.
My pick if you value trigger placement/choice over post-travel adjustment...and love a strong clean break coupled with a strong reset.
4. Volquartsen TG2000 - Editor's Pick
We're in the big leagues now...and Volquartsen is the reigning champ of everything 10/22 upgrade.
The Volquartsen TG2000 is made out of aluminum so has some heft and just feels quality.
Trigger pull?
A hair-trigger weight of 1 lb 13 oz which was the same every time I measured it.
Plus there's adjustable post-travel (easy to access) and pre-travel (you have to take everything apart).
After adjustment and about 45 minutes to take it apart and back together...I ended up with no discernible pre and post travel.
Reset is a little weak, but it works reliably. And I ended up with a .163 second split time.
Oh...and it gives your 10/22 auto-bolt release too.
My choice if you want the best feeling adjustable trigger...but it's going to cost you about a new Ruger 10/22 and some elbow grease to adjust the pre-travel.
Final Thoughts
We've gone through four of the most popular 10/22 triggers and kits out there.
What 10/22 trigger do you plan on getting? If you want to mod your Ruger some more, check out our guide to the Best 10/22 Upgrades!