What's with the triggers on Ruger SP101's?

[Haywood]

I dry fired mine a lot. It's smoother than snot on a door knob now.

 

[Drail]

That's mostly because you have built up the muscles in your hand. Lifting free weights doesn't get easier over time because the weights get lighter. You get stronger.

 

[JohnKSa]

That was actually part of the reason I bought mine. After a good bit of practice and dryfire shooting my SP101 DA, the rest of the triggers in my safe feel really light in comparison.

And it's a blast to shoot.

 

[Old Sims]

I had considered getting an LCR until I read this about the 101.

Edit: Isn't the LCR's trigger different?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I had considered getting an LCR until I read this about the 101.

Edit: Isn't the LCR's trigger different?

The center fire LCR trigger is very smooth and fairly light for a carry gun.

The 22lr LCR trigger...... not so much.

 

[Old Sims]

The center fire LCR trigger is very smooth and fairly light for a carry gun.

The 22lr LCR trigger...... not so much.

Thanks, 460Kodiak.

 

[dickydalton]

On my SP 101 I did some stoning, springs and shims because the hammer actually went side to side when cocking. It's darn sweet now.

 

[JohnKSa]

The 22lr LCR trigger...... not so much.

Takes more energy to fire a rimfire than to pop a centerfire primer. All else being equal, a rimfire revolver will have a stiffer DA pull than a centerfire revolver.

The SP101 loses out that way compared to a GP100. It's rimfire while the GP100 has traditionally been a centerfire design.

It also loses out two more ways. First of all, it's a smaller design which means that you have smaller parts and that means less leverage to get the job done. Second, where the GP100 cylinder spins on ball bearings, the SP101 cylinder turns on a friction bearing. I'd like my .22LR SP101 trigger to be as good as the DA trigger on my GP100, but it's just not going to happen.

 

[sgt127]

I own a couple SP 101's. a .357 and a .38 (actually its a SPNY).
The triggers were...ok. At best.

I tinkered and swapped springs but decided I wanted the full power springs (particularly the trigger return spring) for the reliability.

Honestly, once you get all the burrs knocked off the edges, either through stoning or dry firing and then giving it a good clean and lube, they are generally usable.

Not K frame Smith good, but decent. I would not hesitate to pick up another.

 

[silicosys4]

My SP101 has a trigger that is lighter and smoother than some pre 70's S&W's model 10's I own.
Granted, I've dry fired it quiet a bit, but even when new it wasn't noticeably worse than any other DA revolver I've tried.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

Where did you find a gunsmith that will do a decent action job for that price? I can expect to pay well over double that price locally.

Yes, I pay $60.00 for a good trigger job, including the $12.00 spring kit. That's why I don't hesitate to send in new revolvers for work to him. When I get them back they feel like the trigger assys have ball bearings installed in them. He does an excellent job for what he asks and I wouldn't hesitate to send him my most valuable gun to work on.
He does a lot of work on target pistols for the bullseye shooters that compete there.

I could barely keep all six shots on a C2 target at 7yds with it before the trigger job. I shoot 25yds with it now and keep 30 rounds+ on it now. Makes a big difference.
This included him test firing them to make sure he has no light strikes.

 

[Catpop]

I only own 5 ruger wheelguns, but I was well pleased with everyone of them straight out of the box. I did stone up the 1973 Blackhawk back in the 80s. It made it better, but it was acceptable as it was. I have smiths, but the Ruger's are my down and dirty every day tools, work and range play
I think, as with any tool, practice makes it (and you) better. The more practice, the better. I run at least 50 rounds a week through my three 357s. That's a bare minimum of 2600 rounds a year.
As Forrest Gump said, "and that all I have to say about that"

 

[webrx]

I like the trigger on my LCRx much better than I ever liked the trigger on my DAO SP101, even when shooting it double action. No contest in single action mode on the LCRX.

I ended up trading the SP101 off for a old boat a couple years ago.

d

 

[TruthTellers]

I like the trigger on my LCRx much better than I ever liked the trigger on my DAO SP101, even when shooting it double action. No contest in single action mode on the LCRX.

I ended up trading the SP101 off for a old boat a couple years ago.

d

Thanks for the input.

 

[dragon813gt]

I have a SP101 in 327 Federal. It is by far the absolute worse trigger on any of my revolvers. If I said it's horrendous it would be an understatement. The revolver itself had all types of exterior burrs, sharp edges and machine marks all over. I won't ever buy a Ruger revolver sight unseen again. It's a shame because I bought three Single 7s this way and I love all of them.

The SP101 trigger pull is long and very heavy. In my hand the geometry is off and the pull is not straight back. This doesn't help the heavy pull. I would ditch this revolver in a heartbeat if S&W had a current comparable model.

I know the trigger will get better w/ use. But I can't believe they find it acceptable to leave the factory the way it is. You shouldn't have to put springs in it to make it acceptable. Replacing springs to make it a superb trigger is one thing. But having to do it so it is at a bare minimum of acceptability is a bit much.

My fault for buying it sight unseen on Gunbroker. It's what I get for wanting to be at the front of the line. It's really soured me on their DA revolvers in general