Recent mods now won't fire

[alphaSR9]

I just installed a Ghost Ulitmate and a David Bedair guiderod and removed the mag disconnect from my SR9.

The Ghost install went as seen on YouTube and instructions on this forum, appears to be no issues with this. I'm assuming this because with the slide off I can reset the trigger and click away..so to speak.

The next mod I did at the same time was removing the mag disconnect. Also went well but the striker shows some wear, see pic.

I also installed a new guiderod from David.

After reassembly of the slide it will not "click" or rather dry fire.

Has anyone got a clue of what I done wrong or what I am missing.

I feel like the issue is in the slide and the only thing that doesn't look normal is the wear on the firing pin.

 

[alphaSR9]

Those of you that have a SR9.... prior to a dry fire do you have to pull the trigger forward?

I can pull the slide back as if I chamber one but the trigger doesn't reset forward unless I manually push it forward. Only then with the gun dry fire.
Maybe this is normal and I've never noticed it?

 

[dacaur]

no thats not normal...

I would suspect the mag disconnect as the problem... definitely go over that again and make sure its all good...

 

[alphaSR9]

Well, I took it apart three times now and re-installed the mag-disconnect once without a difference.
Looks like I'm overlooking something but I can't figure it out.
Ready to see a gunsmith, sadly.

Thanks

 

[Sal1950]

You didn't also try cutting the striker spring down to lower trigger pull did you? That will cause the trigger not to reset.
If not, I would reinstall the stock connector and see if the issue disappears. If all is OK then, give a call to Ghost and tell them your having an issue with the Ultimate.
Sal

 

[alphaSR9]

The trigger will manually reset without the slide in place. Doesn't that eliminate the trigger assy. as the problem?
(edit - apparently not after the slide is installed)
The second time I took it down I compared the Ghost and the stock trigger, both have the same angles.
I'll swap them out and try again.
Thanks

 

[alphaSR9]

Well, that was it. Stock trigger bar reset put things back to normal.

The Ultimate must need some fine tuning like the Rocket? Even though it's advertised as a drop in.

 

[Sal1950]

Well, that was it. Stock trigger bar reset put things back to normal.

The Ultimate must need some fine tuning like the Rocket? Even though it's advertised as a drop in.

Yes that wasn't the first time I've heard of a issue like that with the Ghost. I don't blame Ghost as there seems to be some variability between guns that causes problems with a few but not all.
I've been looking into it myself as my SR9c is right on the edge of the problem with a Ghost Rocket, just barely OK if I keep the stock striker spring in it but immediately has issues if I try and lighten the striker spring at all.
There's no tuning that can be done to the Ultimate of which I'm aware but a really good polish job might help?
Talk to the folks at Ghost, or talk to Eric at Galloway Precision
http://www.gallowayprecision.com/
to get his take on things.
Good luck,
Sal

PS, If you want to take it apart again you might want to check the angle of the lower leg on the stocker against the ultimate. If they're much different you could try bending the ultimate to match the stocker. IIRC there is some reference to this in the instructions. I did it on mine but it made on real difference it the issue.
OPPS, see you already tried the angle compare.

 

[alphaSR9]

Thanks Sal,

Process of elimination (bang head) my frustration clouded my thinking. Plus I did the other mods and should have done one at a time.


I've read about cutting springs and didn't want to go that route.

I'm going to take it apart again and polish like you mentioned and inspect closer. Heck, I'm more comfortable with it now I probably could do the Rocket.
If the above doesn't work, a call or email to Ghost will be in order.

Thanks again for everyones comments.

 

[Sal1950]

Be sure to polish the heck out of your Ultimate, and take the striker out and polish it on the bearing surfaces till they look like chrome. Clean inside of striker channel well.
Lots of good info on the complete polish job here,
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=52057
if you haven't seen it yet. Now that you've got the disassembly down the rest will be a cakewalk.
Sal

 

[alphaSR9]

Refitted the Ultimate with success!

Polished all touching surfaces including the inside of the safety bar on the trigger side. Didn't see that mentioned in your link unless it's deeper into the thread.

At first the t-pull seemed about the same then I put the stock one back in, yep, the Ghost makes a difference, Wish I had a pull gauge.

Range time here I come!

 

[Pinecone]

alphaSR9, As a gunsmith, I have had to "modify/trim/tune" countless numbers of after market parts that were "advertised" as drop-in! As Sal1950 mentioned, there is a lot of variation from one gun to another and I have very seldom had a part that was actually "drop-in"! Take those advertisements with a "grain-of-salt".....................Dick :wink:

 

[alphaSR9]

alphaSR9, As a gunsmith, I have had to "modify/trim/tune" countless numbers of after market parts that were "advertised" as drop-in! As Sal1950 mentioned, there is a lot of variation from one gun to another and I have very seldom had a part that was actually "drop-in"! Take those advertisements with a "grain-of-salt".....................Dick :wink:

Yeah, I guess that's true for a lot of things.

I'm not that impressed after being at the range. The trigger is crisper but the pull is not that lighten.

From my observations it looks like the spring tension of the trigger bar could be what reduces the pull....?
I'm going to work on this some more and see what happens.

 

[Sal1950]

From my observations it looks like the spring tension of the trigger bar could be what reduces the pull....?
I'm going to work on this some more and see what happens.

Let me know if you have any success. There was an experienced tuner here (can't remember his name) that experimented with some heavier trigger bar springs to reduce trigger break weight. In the end he ran into the same problem I did with the lighter striker spring, he had trigger return (reset) issues and gave up.
I've found that about 5 pounds or just under is about the best that can be gotten before you run into a road block due to the internal friction of the design.
Eric over at Galloway Precision has some spring options you can play with to see what you can get out of your SR9.
But I'd love for someone to uncover some secret or trick to prove me wrong. :)
Sal

 

[alphaSR9]

I really didn't want to tamper with springs and was expecting better results with the Ghost.

I got a trigger pull gauge on it today, 8lbs.

Before I call Ghost I'm going to work on it again, compare angles with the stock and re-polish touching surfaces.

I got a .44 Super Blackhawk and was hoping I could get a pull similar to this revolver.

 

[Sal1950]

I really didn't want to tamper with springs and was expecting better results with the Ghost.

I got a trigger pull gauge on it today, 8lbs.

Before I call Ghost I'm going to work on it again, compare angles with the stock and re-polish touching surfaces.

I got a .44 Super Blackhawk and was hoping I could get a pull similar to this revolver.

Don't expect to ever get a striker fired gun to break like a SA, totally different beasts.
8lbs is excessive but we have to make sure we do an apples to apples comparison. Watch Josh's video on how he did it. You need to do the measuring from the very tip of the trigger cause of the way the SR9 series guns pivot the trigger. I use a wire tie (zip tie) around the trigger sized so the gage pulls the trigger from the very tip and the wire tie keeps it from sliding up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoQQhHlkDBs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
If you measure from the middle of the trigger the pull weight readings will climb drastically.
Sal

 

[alphaSR9]

I had a "real" gunsmith do the testing. We got 9lbs and he said it's because of the high pull on the trigger, he estimated an actual 8lbs. Still too high.
After several tries of polishing and positioning and with it once going back together and didn't pull at all, like above, I'm taking a breather.
I put the stock one back in and feels about the same.

 

[alphaSR9]

I'm clueless.
Ghost swapped me out for another part, Ultimate 3.5. I installed it and it wouldn't fire, re-installed the stock one and it did fire. I did this 5 times with the same result.

The Ghost won't work on my gun. It will fire without the slide in place, install the slide and the trigger is blocked.

I've had my eye on a Beretta PX4, bout time for a switch I guess. The SR9 may stay in the vault as favorite with a heavy trigger or someone's else's pride and joy.

 

[alphaSR9]

Putting a dial caliper on both parts and it appears the Ultimate is longer than the stock trigger bar.
The reason it doesn't work makes sense because it's not clearing the striker blocker when the slide is installed.
It's also visibly longer when comparing photos.

A revelation, excited and discouraged at the same time.

 

[alphaSR9]

I'm sure everyone has been on pins and needles waiting to hear the continuing saga of my problems.

Arthur Viani of Ghost Inc. has been a tremendous help and very generous in helping me solve my issue with the Ultimate in my pistol. I sent him the photos above and once again my explanation of my problems.
He determined that the "Tactical" would work and sent me one to try. This one does require fitting and for anyone considering buying a Ghost, don't be afraid, the SR9 is easy to disassemble, I was unsure at first but I'm a master now. (Two springs to watch out for)

Anyway, the Tactical works and my pull is lighter but have yet had it measured. Much smoother too and the Tactical takes away the over travel.

Ghost Inc. has excellent costumer service, very descriptive instructions on their site and I highly recommend them.
Cheers,
the end.