22/45 MkIII Trigger Question

[Donaldjr1969]

Tonight I did the exercise in patience known as field-stripping a MkII/MkIII for the first time. My biggest issue was getting the receiver free of the grip frame. While I did not have the yellow plastic tipped hammer that the gentleman uses in the dis-assembly video, I did have a section of a 2x4 that did the job. If anything, it is even softer than those plastic tipped hammers. And believe me, the pistol needed it! Lots of gunk needed cleaning.

However, one thing I noticed, and probably noticed it after a good cleaning, was the trigger. Now I know that the 22/45, as well as most semi-auto pistol triggers, have a definite amount of pre-travel. Some call it, be it incorrect or not, a "two stage" trigger. As I am releasing the trigger to release the firing pin, it seems there is a slight click I hear when it reaches the end of the pre-travel, or that first stage of the trigger. When I pull the trigger past the first stage, the firing pin releases normally. There is no difference in the sound nor the feel when the firing pin releases. I do not have any fired 22lr brass to chamber and check for a good hard hit. But I doubt that there are any issues with the firing pin. It may be my unfamiliarity with the 22/45.

So...is that faint click I hear at the end of the pre-travel normal? Or do I have a potential problem with my pistol? I did nothing beyond a field strip per the manual. In other words, I did not remove any stake pins, etc. I just never paid attention before tonight. But then, the trigger is a lot smoother since the field strip and cleaning. I just am not sure if that faint click at the end of the pre-travel is normal or not.

 

[Baldy]

I would say it is normal as both of my MK-III's have that ever so slight click in them. I think it might be the disconnector resetting. When you take it out to fire it up, you will find out if you have a problem or not. Good luck.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

That figures. My unfamiliarity was the reason. Actually I still had my test casing that Ruger ships with new pistols so I chambered it and pulled the trigger. The firing pin indent was as nice as the first mark. And taking it to the range today, it was fine.

Field stripping today was much faster than yesterday! The mainspring housing, while still tight, will now pop out with a good wiggle rather than using the hammer and dowel method. I still need to tap the rear of the receiver firmly to separate it, but it was a lot easier. I merely hold the barrel with one hand, hold the grip frame with the other, and tap the rear of the receiver against a 2x4 laying on the basement floor. And while the pistol was field stripped, I saw the lever in the grip frame that made that click with which I was not familiar.

Thanks again, Baldy!

 

[Baldy]

If it run from the trigger back to the hammer it was the dis-connector. It runs down the right side of the frame. Just glad you didn't have any problems with it. Shoot it and enjoy it.