Put JUST the OEM hammer spring back in the rifle. This should not substantially change the trigger pull but should improve the hammer strike.

In my experiences with some 10-15 hammer kits, the complete kit will drop the 10/22 trigger from it's standard 6+ pound weight down to around 2 to 2.5 pounds. Going back to the OEM hammer spring will often increase the pull some 5-8 oz, up into the 3 lb range. If additional tuning is needed then the Kidd trigger-return spring assortment might be your next option.

10/22® Pull Weight Tuning Spring Kit aftermarket upgrades by KIDD

 

I always liked the Power Custom trigger kit, it is easy to install and you can adjust the pull. This was my go to before Kidd triggers found me. lol

https://powercustom.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1360

 

Many years ago i installed a volquartsen hammer kit in my 10/22T. It reduced the heavy pull to a tolerable lever, though far from a match trigger it did function ok.
Fast forward to the present, i had two kits and finally got around to installing the other kit in my late fathers old 10/22 sporter. The factory trigger was super heavy, about 6.5lbs and the kit dropped the pull weight to about 3lbs. The downside is that it now sufferes from ftf's due to light hammer strikes.
Was going to put the stock parts back in, at least the factory spring. While this would restore function, it will again relegate this rifle to dust collector status, afterall who wants a rifle with a 6-7 lb trigger.
So i am now thinking about just buying a drop in, if i can locate one with a metal housing, or buy a different kit.
So, what are the best options out there. And i am familiar with the ruger bx trigger, but do not want the plastic housing on this 50+ year old rifle.

Spend 15 and buy the wolfe spring kit. #18075 as to lite strikes the heavy hammer soring should fix this.

 

I’m afraid I’m going to have to be that guy - yes, I’m aware you very clearly stated plastic trigger housings are no bueno 😎, and I get that - I also don‘t like the by now well entrenched trend of substituting plastic for metal wherever even remotely possible, but imo there are exceptions, the list starts with Glocks of course 😎 but also includes 10-22 trigger housings😎 - there really are no structural integrity issues with them, and if - and it is admittedly a big IF - you make this mental shift the BX becomes the most cost-effective solution, you get a consistent ~3 lb subtly mushy trigger, that with some imagination you can pretend is a 2-stage trigger, so by no means a match or even high end target trigger, but still a trigger good enough that with a fair amount of skill it can lead to near “match“ results.
Then of course at the other end of the spectrum you got Kidd triggers… for 5x the cost, so there’s always that😎 as far as the PnP units go.
As far as other kits Kidd trigger job is the most highly regarded and most expensive at ~$140, the one I installed first a good while back underwhelmed so I gave up and went with Kidd drop-ins, but many more people are happy with them than unhappy.
I got 2 more Kidd “trigger jobs” sitting, waiting for their chance that may come one day…

 

I just ordered the Volquartzen hammer kit and it doesn't include a bolt lock spring.

 

The downside is that it now sufferes from ftf's due to light hammer strikes.

As previously stated, put just the OEM hammer spring back in. Swapping that spring for a lighter spring not only risks this problem but the returns probably aren't much anyway, especially for the risk.

 

Install factory hammer strut spring and radius and polish the trigger return plunger face. My guess this should get you to under 3.5 lbs.

 

Has anyone run this kit with all thr parts installed including the trigger reset and hammer springs and got it to work reliably? I am wondering if I should just get the parts separately if the consensus is to not use the hammer spring?

 

I've installed multiple VQ hammer kits with the VQ hammer spring and the factory Ruger bolt. They run reliably will CCI. Maybe some brands of brass are harder than others.

 

I’ve been using the Volquartsen hammer kits along with their auto release plate on my last several builds instead of BX triggers. They’ve been reliable and as good as long as I used the factory trigger return spring. The Volquartsen spring is too light causing the trigger shoe from resetting.

 

I have the VQ kit that includes a hammer, sear and mag release and I fully recommend it.