Just put new transfer bar in Vaquero

A few weeks ago, my transfer bar just up and broke in two in the gun while firing. I understand it can occasionally happen. I called Ruger and they gladly sent me a new one for free. I just took the gun apart, inserted it and the action seems to work...but the hammer does not seem to quite go down all the way...unless you push it.
When I hold the cocked hammer back and squeeze the trigger, the bar will rise and I will see the firing pin start to emerge a little and then will let the hammer go and it will strike...but just short and...it looks like the top of the bar is making slight contact with the edge of the first step on the back of the hammer.
Seems to me there needs to be some fitting involved. What do I need to do exactly? Or can I do this? (Does this mean I need to send it off to Ruger to do?)

Thank you

Have you tried to actually shoot it yet?

contender said:

Have you tried to actually shoot it yet?

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No. Not to big on the idea of shooting a gun that does not appear to be in time proper or functioning properly

The way the Ruger action is designed,, the hammer will be back,, but the transfer bar will rise a slight amount as trigger is pulled. Normal.

Did you compare it closely with the pieces of the old one? Did the old one show signs of being fitted?

Maybe there is something wrong that broke the first one. Sending it back is the safest thing to do.

The New Vaquero and original Vaquero require different transfer bars. Perhaps you have the incorrect one. For that reason, comparing the original transfer bar to the replacement as suggested above is a good idea.

Of course, sending it to Ruger as suggested is a good option as well.

Doug.38PR said:

When I hold the cocked hammer back and squeeze the trigger, the bar will rise and I will see the firing pin start to emerge a little and then will let the hammer go and it will strike...but just short and...it looks like the top of the bar is making slight contact with the edge of the first step on the back of the hammer.

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What do you mean by "it will strike...but just short"?

Cock the hammer. Pull the trigger. Hold the trigger back while pressing the hammer toward the front of the gun. With pressure on the hammer, release the trigger. If the trigger does not return to its normal position, until pressure is removed from the hammer, the transfer bar needs fitting. If the trigger returns to normal position the gun is fine.
To fit the transfer bar, take a little off the length at the top and repeat the process. When the trigger is no longer held back with pressure on the hammer it is fit. Good luck.

Also compare the thickness at the top of the new transfer bar to the old transfer bar. Measure with a micrometer or caliper. If too thick it can get trapped by the hammer and prevent the trigger from returning.