After spending years working with my M4 in the army and my transition into the civilian market for AR15s and AR10s we always see that they have Milspec triggers. For those who are not sure what that means or what a mil-spec trigger is when compared to a non-mil-spec trigger; a mil-spec is the most basic trigger, with an average trigger pull around 7lbs to 8lbs. They are also gritty and the reset is absolutely terrible. That is why many manufacturers have taken to creating workarounds such as polished triggers, enhanced springs, and even different trigger shoes to give the mil-spec trigger a better pull with lower weight, better resets and a better all-around trigger. While these upgrades are ok, they don’t stand up to the drop-in trigger designs. While there are countless out there ranging in prices from $100 to $300 or more. I personally own four drop-in triggers, the JMT Saber, Rise Armament 434, CMC NRA Blue special edition and now the Timney Calvin Elite AR drop in trigger.
I contacted Timney and they agreed to send me one of their Calvin Elite Triggers. After having worked with my other triggers I was excited by this prospect of this trigger. It was originally going to be used my 6.5 Creedmoor but after spending some serious contemplation I decided to take the mil-spec trigger from my AR9 and replace it with the Calvin Elite, one of the great things about the Calvin Elite is that it can be used in any AR platform, there are certain drop in triggers that specifically say not to use them in the AR9 or pistol carbines because of the blowback system that operates them.
After installing the Calvin Elite, I started messing with it. The Calvin Elite is special, adjustable down to 1.5lbs from 3.5lbs which gives it a wide use of applications, long range with the 1.5lb trigger pull, three gun or speed shooting with the 3.5lb down to the 1.5lb depending on your preference. The reset is nearly non-existent allowing for faster follow up shots even with the 3.5lb pull. But Timney also provides a very distinct difference when compared to the other drop-ins I own, but that is the ability to change the trigger shoe. There are four variants, a curved shoe, a flat without the base, a flat with base and rough texture bar. I personally changed my shoe out to the flat with the base. It provides an easily found placement for my finger during follow up shots.
I got to the range and the first thing I did when I got there was load up the AR9 and start shooting. I went right to magazine dumping I couldn’t resist. I was making sure it would operate effectively and correctly in the blow back system of the AR9. Once I finished dumping two thirty-one round mags, I started taking slower shots. When combined with my Holosun 503c I was hitting dead center faster and more accurately than ever before. Roger frame who didn’t want to shoot my AR9 finally folded. He got to work the trigger as fast as he could. He dumped a seventeen-round magazine in roughly two to three seconds. While the targets look all over the place we were testing differences in range and how fast we could get back on target. The slower shots were close together and I could feel the difference from any of the triggers that I own. The difference in a mil-spec trigger to a Calvin Elite is incomparable. We shot over five-hundred rounds with this trigger. I would say half were accurate shots testing the reset and pull of the trigger, and the other half was laughing like madmen while we dumped mag after mag into the targets or as near as we could.
My final thoughts, the Timney Calvin Elite is by far one of the greatest triggers I have used or ever had the pleasure of working with. It will be hard to move it from my AR9 to my 6.5 Creedmoor as I have found it to be fun and the easiest way and most entertaining were to drop over one-hundred bucks in ammo.
From Tinmey website
The Calvin Elite Custom replacement trigger for the AR platform features a brand new internal design that rests in the proven and industry-defining Timney AR housing. It maintains an ultra-reliable 5-pound hammer spring coupled with a crisp and zero creep 1.5-pound pull. The reset is remarkable and notably one of the quickest and most tactile in the AR platform – allowing for rapid and precise follow up shots.
The trigger comes with a total of four different shoes that include curved, flat, heeled, and knurled. All necessary tools for fitting and adjusting shoes are included as well. One key feature of the Calive Elite AR trigger is the fully-adjustable shoes for a custom fit for every user and application. The shoes are adjustable for length of pull, cast, and height for the ultimate in custom comfort and positive contact. Additional shoes are available in a variety of color options as well. Triggers ship standard with red shoes.
