Just thought I'd post up a comparison on these. I havent been able to find one and I've finally got to run both in a stag 10
UPDATE. I've measured creep in both triggers. My method is to record calipers in slow motion and find the moment the trigger breaks.
The Calvin elite measures out to .012"- .014" of creep before the trigger breaks.
The Triggertech diamond measure out to .002" - .004" of creep before the trigger breaks.
I've decided that I needed to test 2 of the lightest AR platform triggers available.
Timney Calvin Elite.
I've had my Calvin Elite for almost a year now and I've shot 1000s of rounds with it between 2 rifles. I must say it is a great trigger but it has a few quirks and complaints from me.
It's a single stage 1.5 pound pull trigger. It has no problem igniting CCI BR2, CCI small rifle magnum, CCI large rifle primers and a whole host of factory primers in factory ammunition.
It has a short positive reset, minimal over travel and a light 1.5 pound pull. There is some creep in the trigger and it's noticeable when squeezing the trigger.
It also has a tendency to not properly reset if you aren't holding the rifle properly while shooting. It will not catch on the disconnecter once in a while causing you to either have a 2 round burst or needing to charge the rifle again. This is a known problem on timneys website.
The different trigger shoes and adjustability of the trigger shoes are a nice touch that is carried over from their bolt gun line of triggers. It's nice if you have fingers shorter or longer than average or limited mobility in your finger.
All in all it's hard to beat and even the problems with it are easily overcome and not an issue.
Pros
• 1.5 pound pull
• reliable ignition
• drop in cartridge style trigger
• adjustable, interchangeable trigger shoes
Cons
• expensive
• known problem with disconnecter
• creep
• need to remove trigger shoe when installing or removing
• non adjustable pull weight
Triggertech AR Diamond
I just received my diamond trigger today. I put 50 rounds through my rifle with it installed.
It is a very nice trigger I must say and I'm very impressed with it so far. It has a 1.5 - 4 pound pull. The adjustability is a big plus with me. It feels lighter than advertised as do all triggertech triggers due to their frictionless release technology.
It came in better packaging than the timney and came with a sticker and 2 Allen keys. 1 for adjusting the pull weight and 1 for tightening the set screws to lock the trigger pins in.
I tried to make it malfunction but havent been able to yet.
It has zero creep as advertised and if there is any creep I cant feel it.
It has a short, positive and audible reset. Very minimal over travel.
It is a 2 stage trigger (which I am not a fan of) but I must say the first stage is light but still noticeable. At the end of the first stage there is a very distinct "wall" before the trigger breaks. It may just make me come around to a 2 stage trigger.
Installation was very easy. Easier than the timney as I didn't have to move the hammer springs out of the way to get my Allen key in to tighten the set screws to lock the trigger pins in place.
Everything is polished and has a nice bright red housing. Definitely more refined than the Timney.
All in all it is an amazing trigger with a very light pull and crisp break like the pane of glass that people talk about.
Pros
• light, crisp 1.5 pound pull
• easy install
• drop in cartridge style trigger
• less expensive than the Calvin Elite
• adjustable pull weight
• 3 different factory trigger shoe options
Cons
• 2 stage trigger
• non adjustable or interchangeable trigger shoe
• needs more testing to find any more cons
I hope this helps people when they are looking for a light drop in trigger for their AR platform or style rifles. If you have any other questions feel free to ask me and I will help you the best I can. These triggers arent the end all be all and some people dont like cartridge style triggers which I can do nothing about. They are great target triggers and may not be suitable for life or death situations or the utmost in reliability. These are not milspec triggers and should never be expected to.
UPDATE. I've measured creep in both triggers. My method is to record calipers in slow motion and find the moment the trigger breaks.
The Calvin elite measures out to .012"- .014" of creep before the trigger breaks.
The Triggertech diamond measure out to .002" - .004" of creep before the trigger breaks.
I've decided that I needed to test 2 of the lightest AR platform triggers available.
Timney Calvin Elite.
I've had my Calvin Elite for almost a year now and I've shot 1000s of rounds with it between 2 rifles. I must say it is a great trigger but it has a few quirks and complaints from me.
It's a single stage 1.5 pound pull trigger. It has no problem igniting CCI BR2, CCI small rifle magnum, CCI large rifle primers and a whole host of factory primers in factory ammunition.
It has a short positive reset, minimal over travel and a light 1.5 pound pull. There is some creep in the trigger and it's noticeable when squeezing the trigger.
It also has a tendency to not properly reset if you aren't holding the rifle properly while shooting. It will not catch on the disconnecter once in a while causing you to either have a 2 round burst or needing to charge the rifle again. This is a known problem on timneys website.
The different trigger shoes and adjustability of the trigger shoes are a nice touch that is carried over from their bolt gun line of triggers. It's nice if you have fingers shorter or longer than average or limited mobility in your finger.
All in all it's hard to beat and even the problems with it are easily overcome and not an issue.
Pros
• 1.5 pound pull
• reliable ignition
• drop in cartridge style trigger
• adjustable, interchangeable trigger shoes
Cons
• expensive
• known problem with disconnecter
• creep
• need to remove trigger shoe when installing or removing
• non adjustable pull weight
Triggertech AR Diamond
I just received my diamond trigger today. I put 50 rounds through my rifle with it installed.
It is a very nice trigger I must say and I'm very impressed with it so far. It has a 1.5 - 4 pound pull. The adjustability is a big plus with me. It feels lighter than advertised as do all triggertech triggers due to their frictionless release technology.
It came in better packaging than the timney and came with a sticker and 2 Allen keys. 1 for adjusting the pull weight and 1 for tightening the set screws to lock the trigger pins in.
I tried to make it malfunction but havent been able to yet.
It has zero creep as advertised and if there is any creep I cant feel it.
It has a short, positive and audible reset. Very minimal over travel.
It is a 2 stage trigger (which I am not a fan of) but I must say the first stage is light but still noticeable. At the end of the first stage there is a very distinct "wall" before the trigger breaks. It may just make me come around to a 2 stage trigger.
Installation was very easy. Easier than the timney as I didn't have to move the hammer springs out of the way to get my Allen key in to tighten the set screws to lock the trigger pins in place.
Everything is polished and has a nice bright red housing. Definitely more refined than the Timney.
All in all it is an amazing trigger with a very light pull and crisp break like the pane of glass that people talk about.
Pros
• light, crisp 1.5 pound pull
• easy install
• drop in cartridge style trigger
• less expensive than the Calvin Elite
• adjustable pull weight
• 3 different factory trigger shoe options
Cons
• 2 stage trigger
• non adjustable or interchangeable trigger shoe
• needs more testing to find any more cons
I hope this helps people when they are looking for a light drop in trigger for their AR platform or style rifles. If you have any other questions feel free to ask me and I will help you the best I can. These triggers arent the end all be all and some people dont like cartridge style triggers which I can do nothing about. They are great target triggers and may not be suitable for life or death situations or the utmost in reliability. These are not milspec triggers and should never be expected to.
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