Question for SP101 owners...

[unclenunzie]

I have an SP101 .357 2.25", and have not been able to get a final answer or consensus on transfer bar fit. Specifically, after the trigger is pulled, my hammer falls on the transfer bar as it should, but does not reach the frame until after the trigger is released. While the trigger is held to the rear, with the hammer forward against the transfer bar, there is perhaps a 1/16" gap between top of hammer and frame.

I did ask in a Ruger specific forum but never felt sure of some conflicting opinions, so I ask here because of the wider membership. What drives my question is some Internet-posted concerns regarding possible premature transfer bar breakage with this "transfer bar pinch". I myself have not had a transfer bar break.

So SP101 owners, do you have the pinch or does your hammer fall flush on the frame?

 

[Rexster]

I just checked one SP101, and the top portion of the hammer does fit flush against the frame when the trigger is pulled. I will check my others later.

 

[Lucky Derby]

I just checked my SP101. When I pull the trigger, the hammer falls all the way to the frame. It does not move after releasing the trigger.
Why not call/email ruger customer service and ask them about it? Ruger has some of the best CS around.

 

[Drail]

I'm not certain I understand what you're describing, but if you're getting 100% positive firing and the hammer does not move any when slowly releasing the trigger then you're good. The transfer bar should be lightly pinched between the frame and the hammer but the transfer bar should slide out easily from under the hammer while the hammer remains forward. If the hammer is moving forward AFTER the trigger fully resets and the tranfer bar has retracted then I would say Ruger needs to see it on their bench.

 

[unclenunzie]

The hammer does move forward as I release the trigger, as the transfer bar moves down. Once the trigger is fully reset and forward, the hammer top is against the frame. The firing pin is not touched by the hammer unless the transfer bar is up.

I actually had Ruger install a spurless hammer so I would have both, and this is how it was shipped back to me. It does fire 100% and the transfer bar drops away as it should. I think they didn't do a proper fitting, judging by responses so far. :banghead: I did call and ask them about it at first, they said as long as it fires and the safety function is working it should be no issue. I'm not thrilled but I can either live with it, file the hammer face to fit it myself, or call them for a return.

 

[unclenunzie]

Success!

Decided to fit both hammers myself (original spur and new spurless), rather than have Ruger do it. I filed each hammer's face by hand until the top met the frame when the trigger was pulled fully to the rear. No more transfer bar pinch. Dry fire function is perfect, and I cannot perceive forward hammer movement whatsoever when the trigger is released. I believe this is how it should have been done at the factory.

I plan to range test next weekend but I am confident in my SP101 again

Thanks to the posters who checked their SP101 for me.

 

[Mick_W]

Yeah, my hammer hits flush upon pulling the trigger, no movement after releasing.

 

[JellyJar]

Is it possible that after cocking and pulling the trigger that the hammer does indeed hit the frame for an instant but after that the firing ping spring is strong enough to cause the hammer to "rebound" a little like the old rebounding hammers of Smith and Wesson?

 

[unclenunzie]

No, while holding the trigger to the rear I'd press against the hammer forward by hand and it would not budge, the gap between hammer and frame did not close. After the work there is no gap.

Wish I could go to the range today to function test... I will have to wait and think "no light strikes.... no light strikes..."

 

[unclenunzie]

Couldn't wait for the weekend...

Ran a half box each of .357 blazers and rem UMC, also a few cylinders of my .38 special reloads. All fired 100%, with primer strikes looking good. I also ran the same through my 686, just for comparison. I plan to eyeball the primers sp101 versus 686, though I do expect they'll look about the same. Really glad the blazers worked, as I understand they have harder or less sensitive primers compared to other big brands.

Have to test the DAO hammer next. Today's testing was of the original spur hammer.