What happens when Tandemkross and Brimstone Gunsmithing collaborate on a project? You get the Tandemkross Ultimate Trigger Kit for Ruger 10/22 rifles. This drop-in trigger upgrade kit features components from both companies. The kit was launched in October 2018 to coincide with Ruger 10/22 Day that is observed every year on October 22nd. The Ultimate Trigger kit has a retail price of $134.99 and can be purchased directly from Tandemkross through their webstore.
What do you get for $134.99? A new trigger, hammer, sear, and a trigger return spring system. You supply a factory Ruger 10/22 trigger for the upgrade. Converting a Ruger BX Trigger? No problem, but you need to make sure you let Tandemkross know that when you place your order. In my case, I also added a Volquartsen Custom Auto Bolt Release and Tandemkross Fireswitch magazine release. These optional items have no effect on the improved trigger pull delivered by the Ultimate kit, but they do make the trigger more competition-friendly. I plan to use the trigger for Steel and Rimfire Challenge competitions.
Factory Ruger 10/22 triggers are safe, reliable, and probably just fine for the vast majority of 10/22 owners. This kit is targeted for someone who wants a competition-grade trigger. Our factory trigger pull weighed in at about 3.75 to 4 pounds before we Ultimatized it. Actually, that's a really good factory 10/22 trigger. I've had some triggers measure in the 5 to 6 pounds range in the past.
Measuring trigger pull weight with a handheld scale is both an art and science. Having a digital scale helps in the accuracy/science area, but you can greatly influence the measurement by where the scale hook is placed on the trigger at time of measurement. I did my best to get the hook in the center of the trigger for both before and after measurements.
Installation of the kit was very easy. I followed the installation video on the Tandemkross website from start to finish. You can install the kit in 30 minutes, or less, if you follow the video. I have nothing to add about the installation that isn't covered in the video. Even if you really know your way around a 10/22 trigger, I'd still encourage you to watch the video before you do your upgrade.
You can't fool the scale. After completing the upgrade, I consistently recorded pull weights between 1 pound 15 ounces and 2 pounds 1 ounce. The kit definitely decreased the pull weight of the converted trigger by almost two pounds. That itself is good, but there is more to a good trigger than just pull weight.
I think what makes the TK/Brimstone trigger worthy of the Ultimate name is how the trigger feels in action. There is still a fraction of take up present and the same wall of weight as you pull the trigger. You won't need to apply as much pressure with the Ultimate trigger. Adjusting the included over-travel stop limits the trigger movement after the hammer is released. Trigger reset is roughly half the distance with the Ultimate trigger versus the factory trigger. It should be a great trigger for speed shooting as well as a much improved trigger for general target shooting.
One thing to be aware of that I feel needs to be called out. Take a look at the trigger shape and position in the before and after photos. The Ultimate trigger is a flat-faced design that sits forward of the factory Ruger trigger placement. The reach distance to the trigger will increase by just over 1/4 inch with the new trigger. This will be most noticeable with pistol-grip stocks, like the Ruger Charger featured in this review. It's something to consider before purchasing and will be highly dependent on your stock and hand size.
The bottom line for me is the Tandemkross/Brimstone Ultimate Trigger Kit significantly improved my factory Ruger 10/22 trigger. Not just by reducing the pull weight, but also in the quality of the trigger pull and reset. I'm really looking forward to using the trigger in one of my competition rifles next season.
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