Ruger 10/22 Trigger Comparison - TEST RESULTS

Tom E Gun

Tom E Gun

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
309   0   0
Location
Okanagan Valley, BC
***See Post # 13 for Test Results***


Elimsprint and I are planning to collaborate on a comparison test of different 10/22 triggers. It will probably be several weeks before we are ready to post the full comparison, this is just to let you know it will be happening and appeal for some help:

***We are looking for some examples of trigger test protocols and guidelines. If you have a link or another good info source please share. I have ordered a Lyman electronic trigger scale for the test. We will be looking at ways to measure parameters such as pretravel, overtravel, reset, etc. We are also looking at ways to provide comparable subjective info on crispness, feel, etc.

***If anyone in the local area (BC: Okanagan Valley) has a 10/22 trigger not already on the list, that they would like us to include and would be willing to lend us for a week or 2, please pm me. I would be really interested in a Ruger BX, Tier 2 or 3 Brimstone, Volquartsen, Timney, etc.

Here is a list of the trigger assemblies on hand for testing so far:

Ruger - completely stock except for the Auto Bolt Release Mod (ABRM)
Ruger - all stock parts, polished by Dlask with ABRM
Ruger - Power Custom drop in parts (this is the older PC kit, so it required extra shims and a modification to the hammer) w/ ABRM
Ruger - Elimsprint modified (full description to follow, not in photo)
Ruger - Kidd Trigger Job drop in kit and ABRM
Ruger - Brimstone Tier 1 modification with wide red trigger and ABRM
Kidd - single stage (silver)
Kidd - 2 stage (black w/ silver trigger)

NEeEniRh.jpg


Cheers
TEG
 
Last edited:
here is what i did 3-4years ago for a comparison.
ive been wanting to do it again as ive increased my collection to add a few more triggers too it.
fun addiction, eh, haha!

 
im actually happy to see im not the only one who uses a paint pen to label my ruger triggers!!!!

i also put the year of the trigger on the opposite side as well.
not that it matters much but my OCD demands it!
 
Thanks for the link to your video wayupnorth. I remember watching that a year or 2 ago, although i didn't realize it was done by a fellow CGNut. I have only just started to label the triggers, all of a sudden I have more than I can easily keep track of. It is just bronze Sharpie, not a paint pen, so it will probably wear off fairly quickly but should last long enough for the testing.
 
wayupnorth said:
...for blazing gophers Timney or Brimstone because they are fast reset triggers.
Click to expand...

I really like the Kidd single stage for the incredible short/fast reset. When shooting steel challenge I have achieved .16 sec intervals, for multiple hits on a single target, that's 375 rounds per minute. I think we will have to use the shot timer to compare reset times on the single stage triggers.
 
Tom E Gun said:
I really like the Kidd single stage for the incredible short/fast reset. When shooting steel challenge I have achieved .16 sec intervals, for multiple hits on a single target, that's 375 rounds per minute. I think we will have to use the shot timer to compare reset times on the single stage triggers.
Click to expand...

As we both know, it all depends on how fast your trigger finger is, lol. I think we'll use yours:)
 
Test Results

I took the triggers and the newly arrived Lyman digital trigger pull gauge to Elimsprints workshop today for some testing. After a bit of experimentation we decided to provide a single trigger pull weight value for each trigger (it is an average of 5 trigger pull weight tests) and an approximate numerical rating in mm for take-up/creep/over-travel. For our test purposes, we are defining take-up as just taking up the slack until there is resistance, creep as the amount of travel at a noticeably higher weight, and over-travel as the distance the trigger travels after it breaks. All those triggers with an adjustable over-travel stop were adjusted to be at, or as close as possible to, zero prior to testing. These distances are difficult to measure given variations in trigger shape, etc, so although we were using calipers, you should factor in a +/- .25mm measurement error . These measurements are not meant to be exact, just a useful basis of comparison between the tested triggers. Here are the results:

A) Ruger - completely stock except for the Auto Bolt Release Mod (ABRM):
average pull weight: 5lb 7.0oz take-up/creep/over-travel: .5/1/1


B) Ruger - all stock parts, polished by Dlask with ABRM:
average pull weight: 2lb 3.8oz take-up/creep/over-travel: .5/.5/1


C) Ruger - Power Custom drop in parts (this is the older PC kit, so it required extra shims and a modification to the hammer) w/ ABRM:
average pull weight: 2lb 8.4oz take-up/creep/over-travel: .5/.5/1


D) Ruger - Elimsprint modified (basically a home grown version of the Brimstone modification using a Rimfire Technologies trigger, modified hammer and sear, overtravel stop and custom spring -not in photo):
average pull weight: 2lb 10oz take-up/creep/over-travel: .5/.5/0


E) Ruger - Kidd Trigger Job drop in kit and ABRM:
average pull weight: 2lb 4.0oz take-up/creep/over-travel: .5/0/0


F) Ruger - Brimstone Tier 1 modification with wide red trigger and ABRM:
average pull weight: 2lb 5.1oz take-up/creep/over-travel: 0/0/0


G) Kidd - single stage (silver):
average pull weight: 1lb 9.9oz take-up/creep/over-travel: 0/0/0


H) Kidd - 2 stage (black w/ silver trigger):
average pull weight: 1lb 7.3oz total (14.0oz first stage/9.3oz second stage) take-up/creep/over-travel: 4/0/.5


My main purpose for starting this thread was to help people (like myself) who would like a Kidd single stage trigger (about $370 total - $50 Ruger trigger resale value = $320 net cost) but are looking for a less expensive option. My main contenders were either a Brimstone Tier 1 (about $180 total) or Kidd drop in kit (about $200 incl tax and shipping). Unfortunately the differences between these 3 triggers are so slim that numerical values do not help significantly. The Kidd single stage has the best subjective trigger feel and a beautiful, high quality alloy housing. If price were no object, every 10/22 I own (except my benchrest rifle) would have this trigger. However given how good the Brimstone and Kidd drop in kits are they are certainly better value for money than the KSS. Choosing between the Brimstone and Kidd drop in kit is even harder. I think I would tend to favour the Kidd just because of convenience and not having to ship your trigger to the US and back. However, I think the Brimstone Tier 1 is technically better, due mainly to the zero take-up. The wide flat trigger on the tested Brimstone has a different "feel" to me, than the more "normal" narrow curved Kidd trigger, that I do not like. If I were to order a Brimstone it would definitely have the narrow trigger.

I purchased the Kidd Single Stage trigger, in lightly used condition, on the EE for $150 a couple of years ago. It has easily seen 10,000 rounds (in various rifles) since then and appears to be in near perfect condition. The only visible wear is the top edge of the hammer, which started out quite sharp, but has become slightly rounded over time. This brings up my one complaint about all Kidd triggers - that sharp top edge of the hammer tends to make it harder for the bolt to cycle. This is why all my 10/22s with a Kidd trigger either run a Kidd bolt or a radiused Ruger bolt.

Many thanks to Elimsprint who, as usual, provided the tools, bench, did all the technical stuff (ie: overtravel adjustment) and provided much needed help and advise.
 
Last edited:
id like to muddy the waters for you.
for the triggers 'sweet spot' where you are looking (brimstone T1 - KSS - Kidd drop in) you should look at the Timney Trigger.
its kind of a mix of all those triggers for the same price ($279CAN)
i went that route for my blaster 10/22 and its a great trigger.
its probably one of the widest distributed trigger groups for the 10/22 platform.
 
I think that is great information for others who are trying to decide between these various triggers wayupnorth (re: Timney). However I now have a different problem....even after I sell my 2 stock Ruger triggers (currently in the EE) I still have one more than I need. The original plan was to sell either the Kidd drop in or the Brimstone after the testing, after all - if I keep them both it would have been cheaper to buy another KSS. Actually that makes me think... I could sell them both and get another KSS. Damn, I am not sure what to do....No, after more thought, I think I will shoot the Brimstone and Kidd drop in and then decide which to keep and which to sell.
 
Last edited:
elimsprint said:
Sell the Kidd drop in and buy a narrower RT trigger from Brimstone to replace the fat one you don't like in the Brimstone you have, problem solved:)
Click to expand...

You may be on to something there. The bonus is that I was not too keen on the red colour of the trigger either, so a narrower trigger in satin aluminum would solve 2 issues:
Trigger_Colors_copy_87dc60e5-6840-4164-b76f-938b0bc3e305_large.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom