I think I screwed up here (SP101 disassembly/reassembly)

[Airman193SOS]

I wanted to thoroughly clean my SP101, so I took it apart following the step-by-step instructions in the manual. Taking it apart was not a big deal. It's what happened when I had it apart that I think is going to cause me a problem.

While I was cleaning it I noticed a pin protruding from the rear of the trigger group. It was obscured by the pawl (I believe), but when I was positioning everything for reassembly the pawl and the trigger bar fell out (I had the trigger back a hair to relieve the tension). When I went to put them back in the proper place I couldn't find the pin, and I still can't.

I think that little spring-loaded bugger flew away on me somewhere and is gone forever. It really is a good thing that Ruger troubled themselves to note that in the disassembly guide (note the sarcasm). So now I have a non-functional weapon that I have to get checked out.

This brings me to the questions.

1) How much is this going to cost me? It appears to be Part No. KH5100. EDIT: I'm certain, upon further review, that I lost the pawl plunger and spring.

2) Was this user error inasmuch as I screwed up, or is this a common occurrence?

3) Can somebody with more knowledge than I tell me where I went wrong?

It's off to the gunsmith tomorrow. Maybe next time I'll be more careful now that I know.

 

[9x19sig]

This brings me to the questions.

1) How much is this going to cost me? It appears to be Part No. KH5100. EDIT: I'm certain, upon further review, that I lost the pawl plunger and spring.

2) Was this user error inasmuch as I screwed up, or is this a common occurrence?

3) Can somebody with more knowledge than I tell me where I went wrong?

1) From Brownells, it will cost you $4.34 plus shipping (it won't be much) for the plunger and spring.

2) It is a common occurence, but it could also be classified as user error. Don't worry though, you will master the art of disassembling the SP101 in just a few more tries.

3) When re-assembling the trigger group, insert the pawl spring and plunger, then the pawl, then finally the transfer bar. Remember when replacing the transfer bar only to pull the trigger back no more than is needed to get the transfer bar into its hole in the side of the trigger. If you pull the trigger too much the pawl moves allowing the spring and plunger to fly away.

 

[PzGren]

I would call this a typical user error, this will be eventually avoided with experience. Until then you can disassemble guns inside a nice see-through plastic bag, it's gonna be easier to find the parts inside the bag than in the corner behind the TV.

Why don't you call Ruger customer service and maybe they will be lenient enough to send you the parts for free?

 

[Airman193SOS]

Why don't you call Ruger customer service and maybe they will be lenient enough to send you the parts for free?

Hey, there's an idea.

Really, though, I don't make people pay for my mistakes. I'll be glad to pay. At less than $5, it's a cheap lesson.

 

[DWARREN123]

It is kind of a trick to put back together but gets much easier the more you do it. Brownell's does indeed carry the parts, do not ask how I know!

 

[Stainz]

Go to the Ruger forums and check out the SP101 trigger tune-up info in the gunsmith section. One trick - use a ziploc bag to put the trigger group back together in - it'll contain those easily launched parts. While you are ordering the spring/pawl from Brownell's, get a Wolff SP101 spring kit and change out the springs. The lighter trigger spring will both improve trigger pull and make the future trigger group removal easier. I went through this in January with my LNIB 4" .32M SP101 - what a difference afterwards. I also got the Hoque rubber monogrip for mine from Brownell's, but it is definitely a plinker, not a pocket piece. Fune shooter - now!

Stainz

 

[Master Blaster]

doble post

 

[Master Blaster]

I did the same thing when I detail stripped my SP101 a couple years ago. I pulled the trigger when the trigger group was out of the gun, and the spring and plunger, which are very tiny, jumped out of their track, I reassembled the gun and it wouldnt work!! So I took it apart and saw the spring and plunger had jumped out of their groove, I pushed it back in and reassembled, and the gun was fine.

Some folks will tell you Rugers dont have any small parts, just big beefy ones, but we both know they have never really had a ruger apart.