Calvin Elite Review

[Prose]

Varmint Trip to North Dakota last weekend. Very Dry and extremely windy (35-40 mph). Lots of dust and debris in the air and the first real field test of my Calvin Elite trigger.

Other triggers on trip were a Remington, Giselle (sp?), and Timney 510. The calvin elite is the only one that didn't lock up due to conditions which I attribute mostly to luck as there was dirt everywhere. One trigger pull of 550 with the CE was off in any way and that was toward the end. When inspecting it was very dirty but still pulled good the rest of the time.

The CE breaks very crisply and exceeded any requirement a varminter might have. Am thinking about setting it to 12oz instead of 8 as I am a walking varminter and not a bench type.

 

[shoot4fun]

Good to know that it held up so well in harsh conditions. I have three CE triggers and all have performed well to this point (longest about 2 years). The ONLY issue has been with one of the two-stage models and that was quickly resolved with a call to Timney. Turns out one small adjustment corrected the issue and I was back running properly.

 

[msinc]

I have two of them in my rifles, one is a 223 and the other a 308. I like the trigger. It has worked flawless for me. One thing about it that Alex Wheeler pointed out, it does have a lot of pressure up on the back of the bolt. Not sure why, but both of mine do this. Seems like to me this could place undue wear on one of the bolt lugs, or at least cause them to wear unevenly.

 

[Prose]

I have two of them in my rifles, one is a 223 and the other a 308. I like the trigger. It has worked flawless for me. One thing about it that Alex Wheeler pointed out, it does have a lot of pressure up on the back of the bolt. Not sure why, but both of mine do this. Seems like to me this could place undue wear on one of the bolt lugs, or at least cause them to wear unevenly.

My CE has about 700 rounds through it now, and I did notice that there were some wear marks on it when it contacts the bolt. I did find this odd and was going to look at that further. What's the long term impact here?

 

[Shynloco]

Nice to see some have had a good result with the Calvin Elite. My results were horrible. I bought a Calvin Elite to have installed in a newly custom built Remington SA 30 BR. I bought the trigger due to all the hype about how great this trigger was supposed to be so I decided to try one out. BIG MISTAKE for my application - under 10 oz trigger pull. I had a professional Gunsmith (who built my rifle) install it. He set the trigger pull to 4 oz per my request. Almost from the git-go, the darn thing would Slam Fire. SO we adjusted it a tad heavier and it held fine for about 25 rds. Then the Slam Fire business started again. By then, I was pissed and said enough of this crap and my Gunsmith installed a Jewel and that has been the same 4ozs since day one which was 2 yrs ago. Gave that Calvin Elite to a good friend and he installed it in his Rem 40x. Different Gunsmith = same problem. The trigger was sent back with a note - recommend it not be used on a Benchrest configuration cause it don't hold worth a darn in light trigger pulls.

Alex

 

[dsinfour]

Had a calvin elite trigger on my Remington 700 rifle for about 20 minutes and took it off and put a Jewell on it and never looked back..Might get the calvin trigger to work if I take up fishing and use it on the end of the pole....happy shooting to all and keep them in the center..

 

[msinc]

My CE has about 700 rounds through it now, and I did notice that there were some wear marks on it when it contacts the bolt. I did find this odd and was going to look at that further. What's the long term impact here?

Sorry for the delay...was out shooting woodchucks this evening. Yeah, I agree, as far as long term goes I am not sure...I guess as long as things are properly lubed it seems like everything should be okay. I think ideally it would be better if the bolt was "fitted" tighter to the action so that upward force couldn't affect the locking lugs as much as it does in a stock build, kind of spreading the load, so to speak.
I wonder why there is so much upward tension...they did it for a reason, I also wonder if Timney would divulge any info if I were to call and make an inquiry???

 

[swd]

I played with them a little bit. I never could get what I'd call a really great feel out them. They break o/k but never like glass. I'd rather spend the extra $50 on a Jewell. If you don't need it really light a fair ammount of pre X Pro Remington triggers can be set up to break better than a Calvin Elite.

 

[Prose]

Sorry for the delay...was out shooting woodchucks this evening. Yeah, I agree, as far as long term goes I am not sure...I guess as long as things are properly lubed it seems like everything should be okay. I think ideally it would be better if the bolt was "fitted" tighter to the action so that upward force couldn't affect the locking lugs as much as it does in a stock build, kind of spreading the load, so to speak.
I wonder why there is so much upward tension...they did it for a reason, I also wonder if Timney would divulge any info if I were to call and make an inquiry???

Action is a Stiller. On a factory gun I'd agree with you, but this thing is really tight. Bolt shows no wear, so I wonder if it's a metallurgy issue on the trigger?

 

[scubohuntr]

Nice to see some have had a good result with the Calvin Elite. My results were horrible. I bought a Calvin Elite to have installed in a newly custom built Remington SA 30 BR. I bought the trigger due to all the hype about how great this trigger was supposed to be so I decided to try one out. BIG MISTAKE for my application - under 10 oz trigger pull. I had a professional Gunsmith (who built my rifle) install it. He set the trigger pull to 4 oz per my request. Almost from the git-go, the darn thing would Slam Fire. SO we adjusted it a tad heavier and it held fine for about 25 rds. Then the Slam Fire business started again. By then, I was pissed and said enough of this crap and my Gunsmith installed a Jewel and that has been the same 4ozs since day one which was 2 yrs ago. Gave that Calvin Elite to a good friend and he installed it in his Rem 40x. Different Gunsmith = same problem. The trigger was sent back with a note - recommend it not be used on a Benchrest configuration cause it don't hold worth a darn in light trigger pulls.

Alex

Maybe I'm reading something wrong... How do you get a slamfire problem in a benchrest gun? Serious question, not flaming or anything. Is it firing on bolt closing? I think of slam firing as a semi-auto (e.g. service rifle) issue, dropping a bolt on a single-loaded round. Different terminology, I guess. I'm curious 'cause I'm starting to look at triggers for a varmint AR-15 build, I don't need a really light trigger, but I REALLY don't need a slamfire issue.

 

[swd]

Maybe I'm reading something wrong... How do you get a slamfire problem in a benchrest gun? Serious question, not flaming or anything. Is it firing on bolt closing? I think of slam firing as a semi-auto (e.g. service rifle) issue, dropping a bolt on a single-loaded round. Different terminology, I guess. I'm curious 'cause I'm starting to look at triggers for a varmint AR-15 build, I don't need a really light trigger, but I REALLY don't need a slamfire issue.

Either not enough sear engagement, too little tension on the weight spring, or both.

 

[Liven The Dream]

I have CE in a FT/R Rem. I do have a HV spring in the Bolt. I do do a little adjusting .

Bottom Line a great trigger for the Money...........
Don

 

[Shynloco]

Maybe I'm reading something wrong... How do you get a slamfire problem in a benchrest gun? Serious question, not flaming or anything. Is it firing on bolt closing? I think of slam firing as a semi-auto (e.g. service rifle) issue, dropping a bolt on a single-loaded round. Different terminology, I guess. I'm curious 'cause I'm starting to look at triggers for a varmint AR-15 build, I don't need a really light trigger, but I REALLY don't need a slamfire issue.

SERIOUSLY???????? You question a SLAMFIRE in a Benchrest Bolt Gun??? You have got to be joking or have little experience in Benchrest and light triggered rifles. And yes it did fire when closing the bolt because the sear did not hold properly.

 

[Jarhead6870]

...BIG MISTAKE for my application - under 10 oz trigger pull. I had a professional Gunsmith (who built my rifle) install it. He set the trigger pull to 4 oz per my request. Almost from the git-go, the darn thing would Slam Fire. SO we adjusted it a tad heavier and it held fine for about 25 rds. Then the Slam Fire business started again. By then, I was pissed and said enough of this crap and my Gunsmith installed a Jewel and that has been the same 4ozs since day one which was 2 yrs ago. Gave that Calvin Elite to a good friend and he installed it in his Rem 40x. Different Gunsmith = same problem. The trigger was sent back with a note - recommend it not be used on a Benchrest configuration cause it don't hold worth a darn in light trigger pulls.

Alex

With all due respect, I'm curious why you you would purchase a trigger with factory adjustment specs of between 8 ounces - 2.5 pounds and yet ask a gunsmith to take it down to 4 oz. In all fairness, trying to take a trigger down below its minimum pull weight capabilities is not the trigger's fault. I've got 5 Calvin Elites and all have performed as I expected.

 

[Shynloco]

With all due respect, I'm curious why you you would purchase a trigger with factory adjustment specs of between 8 ounces - 2.5 pounds and yet ask a gunsmith to take it down to 4 oz. In all fairness, trying to take a trigger down below its minimum pull weight capabilities is not the trigger's fault. I've got 5 Calvin Elites and all have performed as I expected.

If you'll read the first few words of my post, that'll give you a clue. Also if you want to run with the BIG BOYS, better be up to snuff. IMHO. that trigger IS NOT for Benchrest shooting - period - and was a new item on the market at the time. That trigger would not hold even at 10 ozs, let alone 4 ozs which was below specs. Hope that answers your question. Glad you are happy with your 5 Calvins Elites. I'll stick with Jewels thank you.

Alex

 

[Jarhead6870]

If you'll read the first few words of my post, that'll give you a clue. Also if you want to run with the BIG BOYS, better be up to snuff. IMHO. that trigger IS NOT for Benchrest shooting - period - and was a new item on the market at the time. That trigger would not hold even at 10 ozs, let alone 4 ozs which was below specs. Hope that answers your question. Glad you are happy with your 5 Calvins Elites. I'll stick with Jewels thank you.

Alex

Jewells are a great trigger. My application is different than yours and the Jewells have posed problems for me with dirt and stuff from being used in the field. The CEs have held up well for me but my pull weights are set around 1-1/4 lbs. Like most shooters, I'm always on the hunt for the better mousetrap and have got a couple of Bix'n Andy Tac/Sports at the ready for my next rifle.

BTW, have you tried the Bix'n Andy Benchrest trigger? While a little spendy it's suppose to be "all that and a bag of chips".

 

[Shynloco]

Actually, I've chosen to stick with Jewells because of the application I use.....Benchrest Rifles. I also monitor the set-up used by the SERIOUS Benchrest and Long Distance shooters, almost all who use strictly Jewell triggers. I didn't mean to infer that The Calvin Elite is pure junk. In humble opinion, it is suited for FTR or even Hunting, neither of which I do anymore. Anything over 12 oz doesn't work for me, but sure as heck is not a setting for other applications or uses. I like to try some equipment out whenever something new hits the market. That includes "pushing" the outer limits which admittedly, we did with the Calvin Elite in the new 30BR built. But a friend also had a similar problem (same trigger I had in the 30BR) in a new 40X Rem 6mm build when he tried to set it at 10oz and at first it held, but then after about 10 shots Slam Fires. Hence I said I was pleased to see others having success with the Calvin Elite. But I still would not use one in Benchrest application.

Happy shootin!

Alex

 

[scubohuntr]

SERIOUSLY???????? You question a SLAMFIRE in a Benchrest Bolt Gun??? You have got to be joking or have little experience in Benchrest and light triggered rifles. And yes it did fire when closing the bolt because the sear did not hold properly.

You're right, I don't have any experience in benchrest guns. I shoot service rifle and silhouette mostly. What little I do know of benchrest is pretty much incompatible with any kind of slamming. That's why I asked the question. Sorry, I'll try not to ask any more. Sheesh.

 

[JRS]

The CE is not a BR trigger, nor is it advertised to be a BR trigger.

 

[Shynloco]

The CE is not a BR trigger, nor is it advertised to be a BR trigger.

Thx for that! But I quickly learned that early on (if you read what I wrote) but bought it when they first came out and wanted to see how they performed. Great info in hind sight and love wisdom comments after the fact.