sp101 trigger question

[cookzitall]

After firing 50 rounds through my sp101 the single action trigger pull became almost non existent. It felt like even the lightest touch would fire a round... it was a very noticeable difference in pressure. Any thoughts ?

 

[OldePhart]

Short answer...the gun may be unsafe and should be checked by a competent gunsmith or returned to Ruger.

Medium answer - is this your first gun with a single-action mode? If you're used to striker fired and DAO actions then a good single action can seem really, really, light. It's not unusual for actions to lighten up a little the first couple of hundred rounds as surfaces "wear in". Still, see the short answer above if there is any doubt at all.

Longer answer - I suppose it could be a bit of debris from manufacturing that is preventing the hammer/sear surfaces from mating properly - but most often that sort of thing causes a rougher/harder trigger rather than a very light trigger. If it were mine I'd disassemble it and check/clean the guts but if you don't find an obvious thing then see the short answer, again.

BTW, is the gun new, and did you or anybody else attempt to lighten the action? If it's used or somebody tried to lighten the action, then having the single-action pull change that rapidly makes me think that it's very likely that the hardening has been stoned off from the sear and or trigger and it's wearing very rapidly.

Good luck,
John

 

[cookzitall]

This is my only single action gun.. I bought it used and put probably 500 rounds through it... I just noticed how senative the single action is now....and it definitely became more senative after 50 rounds or so while at the range

 

[cookzitall]

Short answer...the gun may be unsafe and should be checked by a competent gunsmith or returned to Ruger.

Medium answer - is this your first gun with a single-action mode? If you're used to striker fired and DAO actions then a good single action can seem really, really, light. It's not unusual for actions to lighten up a little the first couple of hundred rounds as surfaces "wear in". Still, see the short answer above if there is any doubt at all.

Longer answer - I suppose it could be a bit of debris from manufacturing that is preventing the hammer/sear surfaces from mating properly - but most often that sort of thing causes a rougher/harder trigger rather than a very light trigger. If it were mine I'd disassemble it and check/clean the guts but if you don't find an obvious thing then see the short answer, again.

BTW, is the gun new, and did you or anybody else attempt to lighten the action? If it's used or somebody tried to lighten the action, then having the single-action pull change that rapidly makes me think that it's very likely that the hardening has been stoned off from the sear and or trigger and it's wearing very rapidly.

Good luck,
John

Based on the model # it was made in 93. I bought it used.... would you know of maybe a part needs to be replaced.. ? It's not like it went off by it self while cocked...but it did suprise me once or twice. Is this something that the trigger springs effect? I'm 29 and trying to learn as much as possible about the mechanics of this gun

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Let somebody else familiar with the sp-101 or double-action revolvers try the action, dry firing unloaded of course. The single-action trigger pull should be about 2-3 lbs. That is considerably lighter than the double-action trigger pull of around 12 lbs.

 

[OldePhart]

Based on the model # it was made in 93. I bought it used.... would you know of maybe a part needs to be replaced.. ? It's not like it went off by it self while cocked...but it did suprise me once or twice. Is this something that the trigger springs effect? I'm 29 and trying to learn as much as possible about the mechanics of this gun

Okay, based on the age and the number of rounds you shouldn't have noticed a significant change over the course of firing 50 rounds - the gun should have been broken in long ago.

It's possible that a spring broke or retaining pin broke but it could also be the angle on the sear and hammer engagement. In any case, anything that changes the behavior of a gun that noticeably in such a short period of a time bares a hard look. I would take the grips off and if you don't see something obvious, like a broken spring or pin, take it to a good smith or armorer. Even if there is nothing wrong with the gun they will be able to let you know.

I have one of my revolvers set up intentionally with an extremely light single action pull - but I also bobbed the hammer and only use it in single action - I left just enough engagement in single action to feel the stage in the trigger.

It's possible to get an SA trigger that is very light - 1/2 pound or less - that is "safe" in that the hammer won't fall accidentally - but that light of a trigger is not really safe for shooting because we human beings just aren't all that precise. 8)

 

[cookzitall]

Based on the model # it was made in 93. I bought it used.... would you know of maybe a part needs to be replaced.. ? It's not like it went off by it self while cocked...but it did suprise me once or twice. Is this something that the trigger springs effect? I'm 29 and trying to learn as much as possible about the mechanics of this gun

Okay, based on the age and the number of rounds you shouldn't have noticed a significant change over the course of firing 50 rounds - the gun should have been broken in long ago.

It's possible that a spring broke or retaining pin broke but it could also be the angle on the sear and hammer engagement. In any case, anything that changes the behavior of a gun that noticeably in such a short period of a time bares a hard look. I would take the grips off and if you don't see something obvious, like a broken spring or pin, take it to a good smith or armorer. Even if there is nothing wrong with the gun they will be able to let you know.

I have one of my revolvers set up intentionally with an extremely light single action pull - but I also bobbed the hammer and only use it in single action - I left just enough engagement in single action to feel the stage in the trigger.

It's possible to get an SA trigger that is very light - 1/2 pound or less - that is "safe" in that the hammer won't fall accidentally - but that light of a trigger is not really safe for shooting because we human beings just aren't all that precise. 8)

Thanks for the advice. I took the gun apart completely and do not see anything wrong with it . Springs are fine. I will shoot it again and see if I can reproduce the issue.

 

[ADP3]

You should check for "Push Off" before your next range trip. With an empty gun - cock the hammer (do not touch the trigger) and push forward firmly (but not with extreme force) on the hammer spur. If your hammer releases and moves forward you have a problem with the trigger/hammer engagement and your gun needs servicing from Ruger. If your hammer holds at fully cocked you are good to go. If you want a bit heavier trigger pull you can go to a heavier trigger spring and bring the trigger pull up a bit.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
A lot of good advice above. You seem to have an issue with just the SA pull. How is the double-action pull? Also, as noted, a SA pull on a gun is a lot different to many folks. Follow the advice of getting another person to try it. Also, trying the "push off" method mentioned above. Try these things before anything else.

 

[cookzitall]

Thank you all!

 

[cookzitall]

Last question! Does changing the spring effect just DA trigger pull or does it soften up the SA PULL as well

 

[cookzitall]

You should check for "Push Off" before your next range trip. With an empty gun - cock the hammer (do not touch the trigger) and push forward firmly (but not with extreme force) on the hammer spur. If your hammer releases and moves forward you have a problem with the trigger/hammer engagement and your gun needs servicing from Ruger. If your hammer holds at fully cocked you are good to go. If you want a bit heavier trigger pull you can go to a heavier trigger spring and bring the trigger pull up a bit.

Best Regards,
ADP3

Thanks for the tip.

There was no release of hammer when pushing off . Everything seems OK for now

 

[ADP3]

Looks like you are good to go. A spring change will affect both SA and DA pulls.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[OldePhart]

Also, if you decide to change the springs I would change the main spring, first. That will give harder strikes on the primers for more reliable function with all types of ammo. If the action is really, really light it is possible that somebody put light springs in it sometime in the past and you could run into a case where brands with harder primers than you've been using might not fire reliably. If you still want to stiffen it up more then you can change the trigger spring, too.