SP101 hammer swap
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I assume you mean Hammer Spur and not Strut. I have done several hammer swaps on the SP101 and they usually work without a problem, but there is no guarantee that the swap will work. In 3 instances in 10 swaps the exchange did not work out. Your next problem is finding a hammer. Ruger does not sell them, and when you find them online (which isn't common) they tend to be expensive, the $60 range for the last ones I've seen. A trip back to Ruger is the most expeditious route but because of shipping cost it is also the most expensive.
Best Regards,
ADP3
Best Regards,
ADP3
Have never swapped my SP101 hammer but it is very easy to remove and would be easy to swap, no you would not need to change out the trigger group, only difference in the hammers is the spur.
Finding a hammer to swap is the problem Ruger will not sell you one, I don't know of any after market hammers, Ruger will not change the gun from how it was made original so sending it back to them won't work, your best bet would be to find another SP101 owner that wants to trade hammers opposite of what you want to do.
Finding a hammer to swap is the problem Ruger will not sell you one, I don't know of any after market hammers, Ruger will not change the gun from how it was made original so sending it back to them won't work, your best bet would be to find another SP101 owner that wants to trade hammers opposite of what you want to do.
NewportNewsMike
Single-Sixer
Like ADP3, I have seen some swaps go nicely, and some not. My share of failures is small compared to my successes, but it does happen.
Ruger says the SP-101 hammer is a fitted part, and that appears to be why they do not sell them. In contrast, Ruger Single Action hammers are not a fitted part, and they are available from Ruger and other sources.
The "fitting" comes in adjusting the length of the "hammer dog" - the little, spring driven lever on the hammer itself - to fit the actual dimensions of YOUR trigger and hammer.
If you find a hammer, but it does not work in YOUR gun, it means the hammer dog is too long, or it is too short.
One possible fix for this is to take the hammer dog off of the hammer that does work in your gun and transfer it to the new hammer being installed. This may or may not fix your problem.
Ruger says the SP-101 hammer is a fitted part, and that appears to be why they do not sell them. In contrast, Ruger Single Action hammers are not a fitted part, and they are available from Ruger and other sources.
The "fitting" comes in adjusting the length of the "hammer dog" - the little, spring driven lever on the hammer itself - to fit the actual dimensions of YOUR trigger and hammer.
If you find a hammer, but it does not work in YOUR gun, it means the hammer dog is too long, or it is too short.
One possible fix for this is to take the hammer dog off of the hammer that does work in your gun and transfer it to the new hammer being installed. This may or may not fix your problem.
NewportNewsMike
Single-Sixer
Here is a discussion on another Ruger forum that touches on some of the comments made here. It is talking GP-100, but the SP-101 is similar.
http://rugerforum.net/gunsmithing/33595-gp100-hammer-dog-question.html
http://rugerforum.net/gunsmithing/33595-gp100-hammer-dog-question.html
I was talking spur, typing strut. I have the parts so that's not a problem. Just have not had an SP101 apart in 4 of 5 years and have never had a DAO and DA/SA apart at the same time to look for differences. Thanks for the answers, think I'll go with a matched hammer and trigger assembly that I know works.
I don't see any advantage in changing out the trigger assembly and you very well could run into some fit issue's there, since you have the parts just remove the hammer spring, then the hammer pin and slide the hammer out compare it with the one you have and try it for a fit.
I guess I got lucky. Have an SP-101 that I wanted to make spurless. It took me awhile to find a hammer for sale (found one here in the classifieds for $50) I took a chance that it would fit with no issues and swapped out the hammers. No problems with the swap.
I swapped mine with a forum member here years ago and everything went fine. One of my best friends was an excellent gunsmith before he passed away. He had told me that hammer swaps on the SP101s were practically always drop in without problem.
Mtnfolk75
Bearcat
6gun,
I bought a 4" Fixed Sighted GP-100 that was a Re-Import and Factory DAO in about 2004 or so. I called and talked to Customer Service about a spurred hammer. They said send it in. I did and it returned with a both hammers and a factory tune up & inspection. The only cost was shipping one way.
I bought a 4" Fixed Sighted GP-100 that was a Re-Import and Factory DAO in about 2004 or so. I called and talked to Customer Service about a spurred hammer. They said send it in. I did and it returned with a both hammers and a factory tune up & inspection. The only cost was shipping one way.
Mtnfolk75
Bearcat
No, the gun I have was exported as a Spurless DAO & re-imported, I believe from Canada. It has the CAI Georgia,VT, engraving on the left side of the frame below the cylinder window.
I told Ruger Customer Service exactly what I had and that I wanted a Spurred Hammer installed, and wanted the Spurless returned. I sent it UPS 2nd Day Air as per my local shipping agent, he said it couldn't be done Overnight due to the remoteness of his business. IIRC, it was no cost except shipping one way. FWIW, I did use that shipper for several years & it was always 2nd Day Air. He has since retired & closed up ....
I told Ruger Customer Service exactly what I had and that I wanted a Spurred Hammer installed, and wanted the Spurless returned. I sent it UPS 2nd Day Air as per my local shipping agent, he said it couldn't be done Overnight due to the remoteness of his business. IIRC, it was no cost except shipping one way. FWIW, I did use that shipper for several years & it was always 2nd Day Air. He has since retired & closed up ....
Every now and then I read or hear of Ruger modifying one different than their factory shipped it. Unfortunately, it appears to be hit and miss with Ruger; far more miss than hit. I've asked Ruger before and not gotten anywhere. The same is true for every person I've discussed it with IRL, too.
Mtnfolk75
Bearcat
Mine was done in 2005 or 2006 ..... 
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