Trigger on the older RSI

[toddsmith8075]

I'd like to know how many of you still use the factory trigger, or if you dropped in an after market trigger like a Timney.

My trigger is fairly smooth but I can feel it moving, what seems too far, before it fires. It makes it much harder to not flinch!

I don't particularly want a really light trigger pull. This is a hunting gun. I may have thin gloves on sometimes. I have to be able to feel the trigger, but when you're slowly pressing it, I'd like a crisp, clean, release.

Any suggestions? todd

 

[gewehrfreund]

Since there is no adjustment for sear engagement on the newer triggers, the best you can do with what's on the rifle is to smooth up the surfaces. You COULD remove some metal from the back of the hammer to reduce sear engagement and I did this on one of my rifles years ago, but I don't recommend it to the inexperienced, or in general.
Find an older 3-screw Ruger trigger or a Moyers, Jard, etc. if it's really an issue. By the way, Timner has never made a trigger for the #1.

 

[toddsmith8075]

gewehrfreund,

This is an older RSI, it's the M77 tang safety version. It does have three screws.

 

[gewehrfreund]

Oops! I'm a #1 addict Todd, so I automatically assumed you meant a #1 RSI.
Disregard what I said before. I am almost totally ignorant about the 77s, BUT if it has three adjustment screws and it's an older M77, then there must be some adjustment for sear engagement and you should be able to get the creep out safely. Good luck.
LC

 

[toddsmith8075]

gewehrfreund,

Understood. Thanks!!

todd

 

[Silent Sam]

I don't have any tang safety Rugers, all MKIIs except one Hawkeye. I have never felt the need to replace any of the triggers. The rough ones all cleaned up into very nice hunting triggers and a few didn't need anything done to them. If yours is adjustable it still might benefit from some judicious polishing and squaring up. A good smith can do it in short order for less than the cost of a new trigger. Be safe.

 

[toddsmith8075]

Silent Sam, sounds good. I'll see if I can find someone who can perform a good trigger job. I don't trust myself. todd

 

[cellar701]

+1 On handing it over to a good gunsmith for the trigger work. In my experience a good 'smith can do wonders with these triggers (both with some stone work and adjustment). Also, if you go in stating what you said in your original post to the 'smith (it's a hunting gun - don't want a light pull so 3.5 to 4 lbs(you pick the numbers, or ask for advice) is great, but want the grittiness/creep out of it) you will go a long ways toward getting the trigger you want.

 

[toddsmith8075]

cellar 701,

That's very encouraging. Sounds perfect. Now to find that smith!

 

[scoutman]

Try this first: http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5565316/Ruger_MK_II_Trigger#Post5565316

 

[toddsmith8075]

Thanks scoutman, I take it this worked for you.

 

[scoutman]

Sure did. All I used was a spring from a ball point pen.

One heads up: Be sure to do a safety check. Do this with the safety off:
1-Cock and slam the bolt close hard several times.
2-Cock the bolt and drop the rifle on the floor from the butt end from a height of between 1 and 2 feet.

If the gun fires during any one of these safety checks, stop right there and put in a heavier spring. Othewise your "good to go."

 

[toddsmith8075]

Amazing! I'll give it a try. Thanks! todd

 

[cellar701]

Please realize that the trigger and adjustments on a tang safety M77 is very different compared to the Mk II provided in the previous posted links. The Mk II doesn't have the adjustment screws you have on the tang safety M77 shown in this parts diagram:

http://stevespages.com/ipb-ruger-77.html

Messing with the spring will help adjust pull weight - that's not your issue. Creep issues get into sear engagement, and yes, that is adjustable on your tang safety model. My advice is don't mess with the sear engagement unless you really know what you're doing, thus my suggestion for a gunsmith.

 

[scoutman]

I agree. Don't mess with the sear engagement.

Something else to try. Get a snap cap. Dry fire the rifle but put some thumb pressure on the cocker. Increasing the load on the sear/hammer surfaces shoud burnish them and smooth out the creep. If it doesn't work, then no big loss. About 50 to 100 dry fire repetions should show a mark improvement.

 

[208packinheat]

I have installed a Timney trigger in all of my tang safety M-77's that I hunt, 22-250, 243, 3006, 300 mag (only have tang safety versions). I like em a lot. Not difficult to install, but does require some whittling on the stock (internal surfaces).

I have several 77/22's, and had their triggers redone by a GS. Recognize (as has already been said) the tang safety trigger is quite different than all later models of the M-77.