A problem with my new Ruger.

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SunnySlopes

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It's a Ruger SP101 DA only (i.e., spurless hammer).

I bought if for my wife. The original grips were much too small so I put some Hogue fingergrooved grips on it.

But when I took her to the range today, she literally could not pull the trigger back. And I'll admit, it wasn't all that easy for me. And I'm 6'6" tall and 227 pounds. I'm pretty strong.

What are the options for lightening the trigger pull without the risk of light primer stikes?

I'm not familiar with the innards of the double action Rugers. I took one apart once (my GP 100) and I remember that it took me a month to get it back together. (Not really, but it was difficult.)

A Wolff replacement? What poundage?

Remove some coils from the spring?

I know it hasn't been broken in yet, but as stiff as it is, that could take a really long time for not very good results.

Any advice is appreciated.
 
I changed out the main spring for a 10 or 9lb Wolff spring. I bought the pack that contains four? different springs, including the trigger return spring. Never had a problem with light strikes or misfires. I didn't change out the trigger return spring, and my wife has an easier time pulling the trigger now.

The spring kit is inexpensive, and easy to change between different main spring spring weights. I highly recommend you try it out.

On the other hand, if even you have a hard time pulling the trigger, I'd get it looked at to make sure nothing was wrong with it.
 
Question - did you try firing the weapon before you changed the grips?

Try putting the original grips back on and see if you get the same trigger pull. I think the possibility of the grips changing the trigger pull is rather slim, but I wouldn't rule it out entirely (especially if something got over-tightened) and it's easy enough to find out.


Another question - is the gun brand-new? You didn't really say in the OP. I'm sure a decent smith can break it down and see if there is anything obvious; parts rubbing that shouldn't, etc. Might even be able to get it done "while you wait" if you're lucky and they aren't too busy. I think I would try that before I started swapping springs or cutting coils. You might just be addressing the symptoms of a deeper problem. Good luck.
 
The trigger shouldn't be difficult to pull. Factory pull should be 12 - 15 lbs. If there is noticeable drag or resistance to the pull or if you have to force it then let Ruger fix it for you. They have great customer service in my experience. Also, switch the grips back just to make sure there is no obstruction to the spring from the hogue saddle.
 
SP101 trigger

I never had any problem pulling the trigger on my SP101 but my wife did as well as my nephew's girlfriend. I put in a Wolf 9 lb. spring and it's easier, though my wife still struggles with it.
 
My sp101 was stiff and difficult to fire. I took it to a smith and had him put a $12.00 Wolf spring kit in it and work over the trigger. When he was done with it I could shoot the pistol as good double action as I could single action. I looked for the package the springs came in but can't find it.

He dropped my trigger down to about 3-4 lb , I think the hammer spring was a 9lb. you should be able to pull the trigger back to just before the trigger breaks and the cylinder should be locked in place on all six cylinders before the hammer drops if everything is right when it's done.
 
"Some folks have had failure to fire events after reducing the spring weight in the Sp101"

I have about 150 rounds through mine since replacing springs and smoothing trigger assembly friction points. No problems so far.
 
Mine felt gritty from the get go. I took it to my smith, he said the molding surfaces inside were rough as a cob. He smoothed those areas down, polished the hammer, trigger, put in a 12# spring, smoothest revolver I own. Maybe your's has rough insides too, possibly grit from the casting procedure?
 
I put the originals back on. She still doesn't like it.

Guess I have another carry piece.

The search for hers goes on.

Ironic that she has no problem with the GP100.

And she was firing a S&W model 17-6 today that she really likes.
 
I had a similar situation with my mom. She has really weak hands and couldn't squeeze off most triggers more than twice. Ended up sizing her up with a 38 LCR. She absolutely loves the thing. Worked up some mouse fart loads for her to practice with and she able to do fairly decent with it. She's good for about fifty rounds with it before she's done. Might give it a look over.
 
Never had a problem with mine. If you're that big of a guy and are having troubles pulling it too, I think there may be some metal binding somewhere in the innards. Wouldn't venture a guess where though.
 
and are having troubles pulling it too
Click to expand...

I worded it poorly. I don't have trouble pulling the trigger. It's just that it's a really stiff trigger pull.

It's my wife's gun. Well, it used to be her gun. She gave it to me yesterday. But she has trouble pulling the trigger.
 
SunnySlopes said:
I worded it poorly. I don't have trouble pulling the trigger. It's just that it's a really stiff trigger pull.

It's my wife's gun. Well, it used to be her gun. She gave it to me yesterday. But she has trouble pulling the trigger.
Click to expand...
hmmmm, I think I need to go buy some stiff springs for my wife's Sig and her Blackhawk ;)
 
Thanx for all the replies.

She's just going to go back to using the GP100. She only needs something for in the car when she's traveling to her dad's house or her sister's house. Then she'll take it in the house.

Where she works is strictly no weapons. Their sign even has a picture of a knife. So they really mean, no weapons. So she doesn't need a daily carry weapon. And of course, she's not going to leave it in the car when she's working.

Actually, after I bought it, I wanted it for myself anyway. ;)

But as far as trigger pull, I would liken it to the DA trigger pull on my DA/SA Sig 226, only stiffer.

Not stiff enough to indicate something wrong with the gun. But stiff enough that an average petite 125 pound woman would find uncomfortable to shoot. I mean, she's wrestling with the trigger and the front sight is all over the place.

Hence, my request for your experiences.

thanks again
 
Put in a lighter trigger return/ latch spring (which is the rebound spring of a Ruger compared to a SW)

Changing the mainspring or hammer spring may result in failure to detonate the primer.

The light trigger spring makes a world of difference, very easy to replace.

Takes it from 10lbs to 8 lbs and does not interfere with firing the primer.

http://www.gunsprings.com/Revolvers/RUGER/SP-101/cID3/mID52/dID234#439
 
I put a 10# wolff spring set in my GP100 and it made a world of difference in trigger pull and it only took 15 min to change them.
 
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