Ruger GP-100 functional problems

[izmarkie]

I recently disassembled my GP-100 to polish some internal surfaces, and while it smoothed the trigger feel a little, my gun does not function properly anymore.

Most times, when I attempt to pull the trigger or cock the hammer, it locks at the point it would if the cylinder were open. If I hold the gun with the crane latch facing up, pull the cylinder out, put it back in, and dry fire it while still holding it sideways, it cycles every time. When I turn the gun upright, it locks up upon cocking or pulling the trigger again.

I've taken it apart and examined every little part, and I can't determine where I've gone wrong. Nothing is missing and everything appears to be where it should be. I even took apart my brother's SP-101 to compare, and everything seems fine.

What part keeps the action from moving when the cylinder is open? Which other parts should I check or replace? Dare I send it back to Ruger?

I only used a polishing wheel, so I doubt I took too much material off any parts, if any.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

The cylinder latch, I believe, blocks the hand aka pawl from moving up when the cylinder is open. Why it is doing so now I don't know. You could remove the pawl and assemble the gun and see if it cycles. Sometimes, on reassembly the transfer bar will hang up. I always check before reinserting the hammer to see that the trigger assembly will cycle the cylinder. You could try removing this and see if everything works.

 

[izmarkie]

That's something I forgot to post. I've taken it apart and reassembled several times just to see if I hadn't gotten the trigger group in right (which I've done many times before, and never had this problem). With the hammer out, everything cycles fine, no matter the orientation of the gun.

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

If it cycles fine without the hammer then the cylinder latch and hand do not sound like they are the problem. What happens if you try to cycle the action with the barrel aimed 90 degrees or straight up in the air?

 

[JERRY]

bet that average trigger pull on a non-disassmbled gun would feel pretty damn nice about now........

 

[fallingblock]

Hi Izmarkie..

Did you polish or slightly change the angle of the "hammer dog"?

That's the part pinned to the front of the hammer that provides
the double action function.

The GP 100 is a great strong revolver - but just a slight change in
the angle of the hammer dog/trigger interface can result in the
problem you describe.

Since Ruger is so wary of selling replacement parts they think may
be misfitted, see if your local gunsmith has or will order one for you.
The price is minimal and they are easy to replace.

 

[Kor]

I did the same thing to my Ruger Speed-Six:

I removed the trigger completely from the trigger-guard housing, and polished the "hump" at the rear of the trigger body mirror-bright with fine/extra-fine stones from my knife sharpening kit. My gun locked up in similar fashion to what you describe, although I never tried to cycle it on its side. That hump engages the spring-loaded DA sear lever on the hammer, and pushes it up/back during the DA pull. I had polished away "just barely too much" metal at the crest of the DA hump and changed the parts geometry to the point it no longer worked, and the trigger was ruined. I ordered a new trigger from www.e-gunparts.com, GENTLY polished the surface WITHOUT rounding off the crest of the DA hump, and installed it - and the gun was restored to normal function.

IMO if you send it to Ruger, they will fix it by installing/fitting a new trigger - but, they will notice the polishing marks you've made, and therefore will know that you futzed around with your gun, and they will charge you for parts/labor instead of fixing it for free under warranty. No idea what said parts/labor charge would be, though...you could, of course, call/e-mail Ruger customer service and find out.

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

I think Falling Block and Kor hit the nail on the head. I had a glitch in double action on my SP-101 caused by a void on the contact surface of the hammer dog. I ordered a couple extra hammer dogs as I recall from Numrich at:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=508930A&MC=

Unfortunately, they currently are sold out. I would look at the GP manual and see if it is a "controlled part" or whether it can be ordered from Ruger. Also, check Numrich from time to time as things change and also Ebay and I believe there are some other sources for Ruger parts but do not have them in front of me. By trying several hammer dogs I found one that smoothed out the double action glitch. Also, I polished mine on crocus cloth backed by a smooth surface. I had a hammer dog ruined once by a "gunsmith". I don't know how he polished the contact surface but it was wavy under a magnifying glass and the action was less than great.

 

[GP100man]

if removing the hammer results in good function then make sure main spring guide isnt inverted.
itll only work one way .

GP100man