RugerForum.com

[gunboat57]

Greetings all...
I recently bought a Redhawk and have been doing some research on the various forums to see what can be done about the weight of the SA trigger pull. I have already stoned the sear engagement surfaces to remove the burrs that were there. The SA pull is better now but still exceeds my 5 pound force gage. I can live with that but I'm thinking about how to reduce it.

I know the Redhawk uses one coil spring that powers the hammer and returns the trigger to its forward position. Reducing the force of that coil spring can reduce the trigger pull but can also cause misfires due to a light hammer strike.

But what if I replace the coil mainspring with a lighter one that will give an acceptable trigger pull force. Then add another spring tending to pull the mainspring lever toward the rear to provide additional force to power the hammer.

I think there's room to do this. I'm going to try to make a spring out of music wire that is roughly the shape of a flattened V. This spring will be to the rear of the mainspring lever. One end of this spring will hook on the mainspring lever at its top end. The vertex of the V will rest against the mainspring lever where it pivots on the frame. The other end of the spring will brace against the inside of the backstrap of the grip frame, down where that plastic piece is. Roughly, for each pound of force this new spring adds, I can remove a pound of force from the force of the coil mainspring acting on the trigger. The limitations would be having a safe trigger engagement and enough force on the trigger to get it to return properly.

Anyone ever tried something like this?

[flatgate]

I'd suggest you call Hamilton Bowen and inquire about his opinions and experiences with the Redhawk prior to doing much modification. He does discuss the Redhawk in his amazing book, The Custom Revolver.

flatgate

[Pinecone]

gunboat 57, Welcome to the forum. When guns are engineered, a lot of "factors" are taken into consideration not the least of which is "safety". Any time you "re-engineer" a gun always consider the ramifications of "someone else" one day owning that gun and not aware of these modifications! Also consider "your" own safety! I have modified gun spring applications in the past on obsolete guns that the original springs were no longer available for. In the process, I did "NOT" alter the original engineering but simply utilized tortion or coil springs to do the job of a "V" or "flat" spring in the process where room allowed. Your best "solution" since you have already smoothed the inner parts is to purchase a Redhawk Pro-Spring kit from Brownell's, # 080-665-102AC (kit RRH-102) for $10.40. Remember "safety first" always!............................Dick

[gunboat57]

Your comments about safety are well taken. I never tinker with a gun in a way that can't be put back to "original" again.

But I thought I'd show a quick pic of what I meant. Of course the wire diameter shown is too small to do much good but a spring could be made to fit in that space which would allow some significant force to be taken off the trigger.


Mr Bowen is mentioned a lot in these forums. Sounds like he'd be a good person to consult.

Thanks for the welcome!

[Sonnytoo]

The above posts on Hamilton Bowen are true. He is a master...and his book is great. I even talked him into autographing mine. Been to his shop a few times...back in the days. Enjoyable fellow.
Sonnytoo

[Boxhead]

gunboat,

Clearly you are a thinker and tinkering with guns is what many of us do here. I like what you are thinking here and suggest you give it a go in such a manner that does not negatively alter the gun permanently. As above keep safety in mind but I would throw reliability at the top of the list too. Be sure the spring is "captured" in some manner such that it cannot tie the gun up. This would be a fun one to follow. My $.02.