Ruger DA Action Question

[LubeckTech]

I own both Ruger and S&W DA revolvers of which the S&Ws have the best actions. Is there any amount of gunsmithing that can be done to the Rugers (GP-100 and Security Six) to make them equal the S&Ws?? I've tried lighter springs which didn't make much difference and polishing which smoothed things out inproving the actions but they don't compare to the Smiths.

 

[Confederate]

Sorry, there's no way to make a Ruger action as smooth as a Smith action, but my Security-Six has a fabulous trigger pull. One of the best ways to improve the action is just dryfiring it. Take a good stone and remove the burrs and go over the parts judiciously, concentrating on smoothness. Use a polishing compound, too. There's a strut that the mainspring rides on. That should be stoned and polished. You can even take small amounts off the "shoulders" so there's less tension on the spring, but exercise caution.

 

[GrantCunningham]

In my experience, a Ruger trigger can be made to be exceptional. Like anything else, it's all in the details.

There are lots of non-obvious spots in the action that require proper polishing; the double action strut usually needs adjustment for optimum let-out; the hand (they call it a "pawl") should be adjusted and polished; and the trigger and hammer should be properly shimmed.

That really just scratches the surface, but the bottom line is that yes, a Ruger can have a superb trigger. There is nothing inherently bad with the action design, though their parts finishing leaves something to be desired - which is why there is quite a bit room for improvement.

 

[Striker]

Concur with Grant.

I have a Bowen tuned Redhawk with a suberb DA trigger, and a couple of SP 101s worked over by Sandy Garrett at Northern Virginia Gun Works which have to be experienced since I can't be adequately describe what Sandy has achieved.

But....the details are in the costs and you have to decide if the results are worth the money spent.

 

[461]

I've got three Rugers with better actions than any Smith I've ever had, one right from the box GP-100 and two SP-101's that were tuned by experts. It is indeed possible but rather rare from the factory and not cheap from outside sources.