It’s been a lot of years now since I did the final sequence of set off evaluations. These included evaluations on the Bix’n Andy TacSport line, TriggerTech two-stage 700 triggers and TriggerTech single-stage 700 triggers. I’ve been considering of visiting the topic once more for a bit, and constructing the rifle for the 350 Legend mission gave me the excuse. I thought-about fairly a couple of completely different prospects, and I could revisit a few of these sooner or later, however for this go round, the X-TREME Taking pictures Merchandise Mod 22 was the apparent alternative. I’ve had curiosity in XTSP triggers for fairly a while. They first got here to my consideration a lot of years in the past with their substitute set off for the Kimber 82g. I used to be spending a variety of time with my 82g capturing a 3-position league at the moment and was knocking across the thought of enhancing the set off. XTSP was alone in making an improved substitute set off for the 82g, and that set off gave the impression to be very well-liked. Later, XTSP was chosen to design and manufacture the Accuracy Worldwide competitors set off. After that labored out properly, AI changed the set off the AXSR was initially slated to have with one designed and manufactured by XTSP. XTSP had been additionally to be the maker of the set off for the Remington MSR rifle that initially gained the PSR contract and was designated the MK 21 precison sniper rifle earlier than Remington dropped the ball on that one. That set off, in addition to the MK 13 mannequin 22 set off used within the MK 13 Mod 5 sniper rifle and initially designed for the Mk 7 sniper rifle, are fairly just like the Mod 22 set off we can be on this evaluation.
Desk of Contents:– What’s a Two-Stage vs. a Single-Stage Set off– Evaluation of the XTSP Mod 22 Design– Fitment and What Being a 700 Semi-clone Means– Pull Weight and Drop Testing– Observations and Discipline Notes – Abstract and Conclusion
What’s a Two-Stage vs. a Single-Stage Set off
Earlier than I am going into the distinctive design components of the XTSP Mod 22 two-stage, I ought to most likely clarify the final distinction between two-stage and single-stage triggers, as many shooters shouldn’t have expertise with two-stages and subsequently don’t perceive the distinction.
We should always begin with how a single-stage set off is meant to really feel in a precision rifle. Ideally on a single-stage, you haven’t any perceptible motion earlier than the set off breaks. If the set off strikes some loosely earlier than you are feeling any spring power pulling towards you and earlier than you’ve gotten any sear motion, you name that ‘slack’. In case you really feel a gritty motion because the sear perceptibly strikes earlier than releasing, you name that ‘creep’. You don’t need both of those on a precision rifle. You simply need the set off to not transfer in any perceptible means till the break, and that’s precisely how the perfect single-stage triggers really feel.
After all, when you have a single-stage set off set actually mild, say 4oz, it may be fairly simple to unintentionally set it off as you progress your hand into place, because the act of merely discovering the set off along with your finger is more likely to bump it onerous sufficient to set it off. On the opposite finish of the pull weight spectrum, it may also be onerous to inform precisely when the set off is about to interrupt on a heavy pull, as every little thing between 3 and 4 lbs would possibly really feel kind of the identical to the shooter, making it onerous to time the shot launch and fairly tempting to yank as a substitute of compressing the set off. Utilizing a two-stage can considerably mitigate each of those points.
The best two-stage pull has a primary stage the place there’s easy set off motion and a constant quantity of spring power. Throughout this stage the sear is usually not shifting and the set off is normally simply pulling towards a spring not involved with the remainder of the mechanism, together with the sear, and so on. On the finish of the primary stage’s motion, the set off motion stops on the second stage, which is named ‘the wall’. Right here, as on a single-stage, there must be no extra perceptible motion till the set off breaks.
The advantages of this two-stage motion sample are a number of. First, an inadvertent bump on a light-weight set off is much less more likely to set it off because it takes substantial motion to succeed in the second stage, even when it’s a mild two-stage and that motion doesn’t take a lot power. This makes it simpler to marry as much as a light-weight set off with out setting it off. Second, you may make a heavier safer set off really feel lighter by going with a reasonably heavy first stage and a bit lighter second stage. It’s because you understand adjustments within the power you apply greater than absolutely the power. A 16oz first stage adopted by an 8oz second stage feels extra like an 8oz set off than a 1.5lb set off since you understand the distinction in pull power between the primary and second phases greater than the mixed weight of the phases. That may be a huge deal and, frankly, it feels a bit of like dishonest physics. A 1.5lb set off takes an excellent little bit of focus to interrupt properly in a single-stage, however is fairly low on the psychological overhead with regards to breaking it cleanly and on time when it feels extra like an 8oz on a two-stage. Lastly, two-stage designs, with their intrinsic motion, provide designers the chance to make the set off much more intrinsically protected by setting up passive inside safeties based mostly on that motion. Not all makers do that, however it’s attainable. In my opinion, within the couple of years that I’ve been enjoying round with two-stages, I’ve come to see the idea as a big benefit in set off management, and I fairly clearly favor them now.
Evaluation of the XTSP Mod 22 Design
XTSP manufactures the Mod 22 set off in a variety of completely different configurations. This consists of not simply completely different security configurations and completely different set off sneakers, but additionally the substantial distinction of a 3 lever tactical and 4 lever goal variance. Just about all of those options could be blended and matched. As an example, bolt stops could be added to both variant for these utilizing the Mod 22 on a manufacturing unit 700 that lacks the now ubiquitous facet bolt cease of the clones. Adjustable set off sneakers may also be added to both Mod 22 variant. The instance I’ve is the three lever tactical configuration however with the adjustable shoe extra generally discovered on the 4 lever goal variant. This adjustable shoe makes use of the identical dovetail because the Accuracy Worldwide triggers. XTSP switched to this configuration from the spherical Anschutz set off shoe attachment beforehand used after they began making the AXSR set off for AI, as they discovered the design extra sturdy.
Wanting extra intently on the 3 and 4 lever Mod 22 variants, the picture under consists of the printed diagram of the 4 lever variant under the three lever variant being examined right here with its facet panel off and security eliminated with the intention to see its inside workings. As the highest of lever three within the 3 lever variant is obscured each by the set off housing and the rifle motion, I’ve traced in white what that a part of the lever seems to be like. You’ll be able to subsequently see that within the 3 lever variant, that third lever incorporates the topsear half and that the topsear on this configuration falls ahead when firing. With the 4 lever variant, the topsear is on lever 4 and falls downward when firing. In follow, the distinction between the 2 designs is that the 4 lever variant may have a considerably lighter second stage set off minium pull weight as a result of a lot of the power of the cocking piece on the topsear is being born by the entrance pin on that fourth lever leading to a lot considerably much less power, and subsequently much less friction, on the sear level. This is not going to be an enormous distinction, nonetheless, because the pull weight springs don’t differ between the designs, and the overwhelming majority of the geometry can also be shared. The product literature lists the pull weight vary of each fashions as from 10oz to three.5lbs.
In my testing, I used to be capable of get the three lever variant as little as 1.76oz on the primary stage (with the sunshine spring) and 6.17oz on the second stage for a complete minimal pull weight of ~8 oz. Most pull weight exceeds my gauges and is listed as ~3.5lbs within the literature. As you get low in weights although, you have to be cautious. It’s attainable to screw out the load adjustment screws too far, such that they’re now not below any compression and the set off now not capabilities correctly. It may be unsafe and erratic on this state. As an example, within the case of the second stage weight adjustment screw being set too unfastened, the set off is not going to reliably reset to full sear engagement after firing and will have both partial sear engagement or not reset in any respect. For these seeking to alter for the lightest pull, the XTSP set off is exclusive in that its facet panel could be eliminated with the set off put in permitting you to see the springs immediately. If you’re going to do that, take away the bolt from the rifle first, as you do not need power from the firing pin spring on the set off elements with the facet of the case off, as it’s possible you’ll bend pivot pins when you achieve this. On one other observe, you do not want to take away the protection once you take the case facet off with a view to see the adjustment weight springs. The case facet and security mechanism take away fully independently of one another. Every are connected with a single fastener and there’s little purpose to take away the protection at any level as you possibly can visually alter the set off or completely clear it with simply the case facet eliminated. With the case facet off, you possibly can see the stage weight springs as you alter them, permitting you to regulate them the minimal quantity vital for contact with the corresponding inside components they need to keep in touch with for correct perform. Make sure you check the perform completely after changing the case facet as these pins shift a bit of when the facet is placed on and the springs want full engagement for protected perform. I’ll add right here that with the ability to take away the facet of the set off case with the set off nonetheless put in within the rifle is a wonderful function I’ve not encountered in rivals’ designs, because it permits for cleansing with out the onerous process of pounding out the pins attaching the set off to the motion. By the way, on set up or removing, solely the entrance set off pin is pounded out or in on the XTSP set off. The rear pin is left within the rifle and the set off merely hooks round that pin and rotates into place.
As I experimented with completely different weights, I discovered the XTSP Mod 22 offers you a variety of pull weight adjustment in each the primary and second stage. This isn’t an enormous spring, little spring sort association the place you actually solely get substantial pull weight adjustment on one of many two phases. On this set off, you’ve gotten comparable adjustability on each of the phases.
Concerning the XTSP set off’s security. It seems distinctive in that your complete security mechanism removes with the lever. It capabilities by basically hooking the underside arm of lever 3 when engaged and pulling ahead in order that the sear is now not engaged. As with different 700 safeties, it can’t be engaged with the rifle not cocked.
I’ll point out right here that the XTSP set off comes with a second spring possibility for the primary stage pull weight. Within the case of my instance, the set off got here with the sunshine spring put in and the heavier one within the Ziploc bag. There’s some overlap in ranges between the 2, nevertheless it seems to be like you’ll most likely go together with the sunshine one as much as about 10z and the heavier for something above that. Prior to now, the XTSP set off had a hidden compartment for storing the spare spring below the case cowl, however that seems to have been dropped in some unspecified time in the future. Along with that second spring, the XTSP Mod 22 set off comes with the very informative three-panel instruction card containing the labeled diagram of the set off internals I pictured, in addition to two hex wrenches for changes.
Fitment and What Being a 700 Semi-clone Means
After I give it some thought, it’s fairly shocking that as many 700 semi-clone platform merchandise work collectively as really do. Non-critical and even crucial dimensions range from producer to producer on just about the entire components concerned within the platform. Triggers are not any exception to this and you’ll have some modification vital to suit the XTSP Mod 22 into your rifle.
The almost definitely fitment level you can find with the XTSP set off is that, like many aftermarket triggers, it’s barely longer and barely wider than a inventory 700 set off. You’ll seemingly must take away some materials out of your backside metallic and maybe open up your inventory inlet a bit of to accommodate the bigger measurement. Within the under picture you will notice I needed to take away a bit of materials in two locations from the Hawkins Hunter backside metallic for the set off to suit. I did this with a Dremel excessive velocity cutter bit. I used to be cautious and so the ensuing alteration shouldn’t be seen on the assembled rifle. Some fitment on this regard could be very seemingly vital for these utilizing a inventory and backside metallic, as the entire completely different backside metallic I had available from a wide range of completely different makers requires such modification to suit. I consider modification might be much less seemingly for match on a chassis system, because the one I had available had room to spare.
One other potential space the place the XTSP set off could have bother becoming with some actions is the cocking piece. This can be true just for the three lever variant of the Mod 22 set off. I don’t anticipate the 4 lever variant to have any uncommon cocking piece interface points. The three lever variant has a reasonably brief topsear although, so whether it is participating with an motion that has a cocking piece that’s shorter than regular or has an angled backside floor, the set off will lock the firing pin ahead after the preliminary firing, and in so doing, lock the bolt closed as properly. Making an attempt to power the bolt open in such scenario would seemingly break the set off. To treatment, the entrance set off pin must be eliminated to resolve the scenario in a non-destructive method. I encountered this example when making an attempt to check the Mod 22 set off in my Gen 2 Vudoo V-22 motion. That motion has a cocking piece with an angled backside floor. The three lever variant of the XTSP set off could be made appropriate with this motion and with different actions having an angled or very brief cocking piece backside floor, however you will want to say this when ordering because it requires a barely completely different geometry lever 3 to be put in when manufacturing the set off. Or you would simply go together with the 4 lever variant.
Pull Weight and Drop Testing
A number of set off evaluations in the past, I picked up a used Halda power gauge for testing consistency in pull weights. You wouldn’t consider how cheap you will get a extremely good used power gauge. I’d advocate this to my fellow shooters over one of many low high quality gun model choices – if I believed there was actually any purpose for many shooters to have a set off pull gauge. I definitely by no means did till I wanted quantitative information for doing evaluations. The vary on my Halda is ~3.5oz to ~35oz with a bit of leeway to estimate on both finish of the vary as it’s analog. To check consistency, every set off was subsequently set at ~16oz and ~32oz when attainable. For the two-stages, pull weights between the phases are set as near equal as attainable at every check weight. The XTSP Mod 22 tactical, and TriggerTechs had been able to being set equal at each pull weights, however the Bix solely goes as much as about 8oz on the second stage, in order that was the setting for each its checks. Twenty pulls are achieved with every set off at every weight and excessive unfold and normal deviation are calculated from the ensuing information. Consistency testing is at all times achieved within the Kelbly Atlas motion for consistency and since that motion has a set off hanger permitting for simple set off swaps with out violent pounding. All of those triggers had been run with out lubrication.
The break weight consistency of the XTSP Mod 22 Tactical was the place I’d count on it to be, in shut firm with its high-end aftermarket rivals and way more constant that the professionally tuned Remington walker set off. The XTSP didn’t have the bottom variance amongst the premium aftermarket triggers, nor did it have probably the most. In follow, all of those aftermarket choices are constant sufficient that the person is not going to observe variations in break weight from shot to shot.
One necessary observe on the XTSP following testing is that, within the technique of testing, I moved the adjustment screws out and in sufficient to strip the polymer anti-vibration element from them. The end result was that the adjustment screws, significantly the one on the second stage pull weight, grew to become unfastened sufficient to again out over time. The repair for that is to re-apply a polymer anti-vibration product to the threads of these screws. Vibra-tite VC-3 is the suitable product for this. Don’t use an anaerobic thread locker similar to Loctite for this, as these merchandise type a tough and non-adjustable bond. You might be in search of an elastic adjustable bond. In case you usually readjust your set off pull weight for various conditions similar to searching vs. competitors, count on to periodically reapply an anti-vibration product when these adjustment screws begin to really feel unfastened as you alter them.
This brings us to security testing. I examined the XTSP Mod 22 Tactical for slam fires in addition to drop security in a wide range of states in a number of completely different actions. I used to be not capable of induce a slam hearth with the protection on or off. I used to be additionally not capable of induce a discharge by dropping the rifle on its butt with the protection on. Nonetheless, it’s simple to induce a discharge by dropping the rifle on its butt with the protection off. This isn’t simply true at minimal pull weights however even with considerably extra pull weight. Being not drop protected with the protection off shouldn’t be unusual for triggers generally, and is particularly frequent for goal triggers. Nonetheless, the XTSP is simpler to set off than others I’ve examined and I’ve encountered triggers that didn’t go off even at minimal pull weight.
Observations and Discipline Notes
When utilizing the XTSP Mod 22 set off, what struck me most was how good it was to have the adjustable set off shoe. I’ve smaller than common arms and with the ability to slide the pad all the best way to the again made for a lot better hand place than I normally have once I’m utilizing a rifle I haven’t added a home made grip to. I didn’t assume this was going to be one thing I observed, nevertheless it was – and I feel it’s a promoting level.
The opposite factor I observed when capturing the XTSP Mod 22 was how lengthy a primary stage you possibly can have. Whilst you may alter this to be shorter, you’ve gotten the choice on the XTSP Mod 22 to even have a really lengthy first stage, which isn’t an possibility you’ve gotten with some rivals. If you’re in search of that, the Mod 22 can ship it. I don’t have a particular opinion on whether or not I feel a protracted first stage is a fascinating function, nevertheless it’s at all times a fascinating function to have alternative, and the Mod 22 offers you that right here.
Apart from these two observations, the XTSP Mod 22 felt simply as I anticipated within the subject, a pleasant easy first stage with a strong wall and a clear break with out creep on the second stage.
Abstract and Conclusion
I went into this evaluation curious as to why I haven’t seen a considerable quantity of Web discuss concerning the XTSP Mod 22 set off. Variants of it have secured prestigious U.S. and western overseas Navy contracts. XTSP was additionally chosen to provide AI’s AXSR and competitors triggers. Doing this evaluation has not supplied me any insights in that course. The XTSP Mod 22 is an efficient set off and it’s not like they simply got here out with it yesterday. XTSP has been making the set off far longer than many of the triggers it competes with. I additionally get a kick out of placing one within the PurePrecision 350 Legend straight-walled precision rifle construct, as that rifle is a Midwestern deer rifle and XTSP triggers are manufactured within the Midwest, simply down the street in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In follow, I discovered the XTSP Mod 22 set off to have nice really feel. It has a pleasant, easy, first stage that may be for much longer than you will get on most two-stage triggers adopted by a strong wall and creep-free constant second stage break. I discovered the choice of an adjustable shoe a welcome one, as I used to be capable of get a noticeable enchancment in set off attain by its use.
The function set on the XTSP Mod 22 is in depth. It provides a considerable pull weight vary adjustment on each phases, a big whole adjustment vary from about 10oz to three.5lbs, and a considerable variety of configurations, most of which could be blended and matched. You’ll be able to configure with or with no security, bolt cease, or adjustable set off shoe. If something, there would possibly really be extra choices than vital, as the three and 4 lever variants of the Mod 22 have comparatively minor variations in pull weight vary. Maybe, it could make extra sense so as to add a left-handed variant than to provide each a 3 and 4 lever mannequin.
The XTSP Mod 22 is kind of distinctive in its design, in that the facet case cowl could be simply eliminated by a single screw with out eradicating the set off from the motion to permit for simple cleansing or visible inspection whereas shifting changes. This can be a very good function to have and I’m unaware of any rivals with the same design. XTSP additionally doesn’t void your guarantee for opening up the set off to wash it, as some makers do. That guarantee is a lifetime guarantee below regular use circumstances to the unique proprietor.
Throughout my testing of the XTSP Mod 22, I encountered a couple of fitment issues in keeping with what’s frequent within the 700 semi-clone ecosystem. The Mod 22 is barely longer and wider than inventory 700 triggers, so most backside metallic and a few shares could have to have areas opened up some to accommodate the scale. The three lever Mod 22 set off with the inventory topsear can also be incompatible with some actions whose cocking items deviate from the usual 700 dimensions. Customers with these can be higher off with the 4 lever Mod 22, although you would additionally request a special topsear for the three lever variant.
The downsides I see to the XTSP Mod 22 are that, with the protection off, it is among the best triggers I’ve encountered to set off if dropped. It is usually simpler to regulate out of correct perform than many different triggers I’ve encountered. The guide does an excellent job of informing the person about this, nevertheless it must be a consideration for the mechanically disinclined. Lastly, at ~$350 relying on configuration, the Mod 22 is among the most costly set off selections.
