Understanding the Trigger Mechanism
Key Components and Their Functions
The Ruger GP100 is a legendary revolver, lauded for its robust construction, unwavering reliability, and straightforward design. For generations, shooters have trusted the GP100 in various roles, from target practice and plinking to personal defense and even hunting. But there’s one area where this otherwise exceptional firearm often falls short: the factory trigger. Many GP100 owners find the original trigger pull to be heavy, stiff, and sometimes gritty. This can negatively impact accuracy, slow down follow-up shots, and detract from the overall shooting experience. Fortunately, there’s a solution – a **Ruger GP100 trigger job**.
This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of how to enhance the trigger pull of your GP100 revolver. We’ll delve into the inner workings of the trigger mechanism, detail the necessary tools and materials, and walk you through the process step-by-step. Whether you’re a seasoned gun enthusiast or a newcomer to firearm maintenance, this guide aims to help you achieve a significantly smoother and more enjoyable trigger pull. The ultimate goal is to improve your shooting performance and elevate your overall enjoyment of this classic revolver.
Before you begin any work on your firearm, a fundamental understanding of its internal mechanisms is crucial. The GP100 operates on a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) system. This means you can either pull the trigger for both cocking and firing (double-action) or manually cock the hammer and then pull the trigger for a lighter, single-action pull. This versatility is a major selling point of the GP100.
Several key components work together to create the trigger pull. Understanding their functions and interactions is the first step in improving them.
The trigger itself, the part you directly interact with, is the primary mechanism that initiates the firing sequence.
The hammer, the part that strikes the firing pin to ignite the primer.
The sear, a small but crucial component that holds the hammer in place when cocked and releases it when the trigger is pulled.
The trigger bar, which connects the trigger to the sear, transferring the trigger’s movement.
The mainspring, a powerful spring that provides the energy to drive the hammer forward when released by the sear.
The hammer spring, which also contributes to hammer function.
During a double-action pull, as the trigger is pulled, the trigger bar moves backward, pushing on the sear. This releases the hammer, which then swings forward, striking the firing pin and igniting the cartridge. In single-action mode, manually cocking the hammer also cocks the hammer spring. This cocking action cocks the hammer spring, which then is released by the sear when the trigger is pulled.
A heavy or gritty trigger pull is often caused by friction between these components. Imperfections on the surfaces of the sear, hammer, trigger bar, and other contact points create resistance as the trigger is pulled. Additionally, the factory springs may be relatively strong, contributing to the overall weight of the pull. A **Ruger GP100 trigger job** aims to reduce this friction and optimize the spring weights, resulting in a smoother and lighter trigger pull.
Safety First: Your Most Important Consideration
Essential Precautions and Safe Practices
Firearm safety is paramount throughout this entire process. Before you even think about touching your GP100, make sure you have a safe and appropriate workspace.
First and foremost, ensure the firearm is unloaded. This means:
Open the cylinder and visually inspect each chamber to verify that there are no cartridges present.
Ensure that the cylinder can be easily moved from the firearm.
Remove any ammunition from your workspace.
Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
Work in a well-lit environment, ideally with plenty of natural light. A clean and organized workspace is also essential. This helps prevent you from misplacing small parts and allows you to see any imperfections clearly.
Wear appropriate eye protection at all times. Small parts can become airborne during disassembly and reassembly.
Work on a non-scratching surface, such as a gun mat or a clean workbench. This will protect your firearm’s finish.
If you are uncomfortable or uncertain about any step of the process, consult a qualified gunsmith. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
Gathering the Right Equipment for the Job
Having the right tools and materials will make the **Ruger GP100 trigger job** process much easier and safer. Here’s a list of essential items:
You’ll need a set of quality gunsmithing screwdrivers. The screws on the GP100 can be prone to stripping if you use the wrong size or poorly-fitted screwdrivers.
A good set of punches. You’ll use these to drive out the pins that hold the various parts together.
A soft-faced hammer or a brass hammer is critical to driving the punches.
High-quality assembly grease or gun oil is also crucial to reduce friction, promote smooth operation, and protect the components.
Fine grit sandpaper or honing stones in a range of grits. These will be used to polish the contact surfaces. Consider grits like 400, 600, 800, and 1000 or higher, depending on the desired finish.
A magnifying glass or a loupe can be helpful for inspecting small parts and identifying imperfections.
A vice or clamping device can make it easier to hold the firearm or individual parts steady.
Cleaning solvent and rags are necessary to clean the parts and remove any debris or old lubricants.
A parts cleaning brush, such as a nylon or brass brush, is helpful for cleaning components.
You may want to consider replacing the hammer spring or mainspring as well. Lighter springs can reduce trigger pull weight.
Optionally, you may want to have some additional items as well.
A trigger pull gauge will allow you to measure the before-and-after trigger pull weight. This will provide a tangible measure of your progress.
A pin pusher tool may also make the pin removal and installation process easier.
A deburring tool can be useful to remove any sharp edges or burrs on the parts.
Disassembly: Taking Your GP100 Apart
Step-by-Step Instructions for Disassembly
Now comes the exciting part: taking your GP100 apart. This step-by-step guide will take you through the process safely and efficiently. It is critical to maintain a clean and organized workspace. Also, it’s a good idea to take pictures of each step as you go to help you during reassembly.
Carefully remove the side plate screws. Make sure the screwdriver fits snugly to avoid stripping the screws.
Gently remove the side plate. Sometimes it may require a slight tap with a soft hammer to loosen it.
Carefully remove the trigger and hammer assembly.
Now it’s time to detail strip the trigger mechanism. Remove the springs, and trigger bar. Be mindful of the orientation of each component. Some small parts will require the use of a punch to remove retaining pins.
At this point, the disassembly of your firearm is complete. Take your time, be patient, and keep track of all the parts.
Trigger Job Techniques: Smoothing and Polishing
Polishing and Refining the Trigger Components
The heart of the **Ruger GP100 trigger job** lies in smoothing and polishing the critical components. The goal is to reduce friction and eliminate any imperfections that cause a heavy or gritty feel.
Let’s focus on the sear, which holds the hammer and dictates when it’s released.
Examine the sear closely. Look for any rough spots, burrs, or other imperfections that might cause friction against the hammer.
Start with the finest grit sandpaper or honing stone. Lightly and carefully polish the sear’s mating surface, maintaining the original angle as much as possible. It’s easy to remove too much material or change the angle. This could make the firearm unsafe.
After polishing, inspect the sear again to ensure a smooth surface.
Next, focus on the trigger bar. This component connects the trigger to the sear.
Identify areas where the trigger bar makes contact with other components.
Use fine grit sandpaper or a honing stone to smooth these contact points.
Be careful not to remove too much material or alter the dimensions of the trigger bar.
Now, let’s turn our attention to the hammer.
Carefully examine the hammer, especially the surface that interacts with the sear.
Use fine grit sandpaper or a honing stone to smooth any imperfections on the hammer.
Polishing the trigger and other contact points will help enhance the smoothness.
If you have one, use a deburring tool to remove any sharp edges or burrs on the parts.
Once all the components have been smoothed and polished, apply a small amount of high-quality assembly grease to the critical contact surfaces. This will further reduce friction and promote a smoother trigger pull.
Spring Replacement: Optimizing Trigger Pull
The Impact of Springs on Trigger Feel
While polishing the components significantly improves the trigger pull, you might further refine the feel by replacing the factory springs with lighter ones. This is often considered an optional step, as lighter springs can potentially affect reliability if the primer is not struck with sufficient force.
The availability of aftermarket springs is fairly common. Be aware of what the spring does, and how much of the change you want.
Carefully replace the mainspring and hammer spring. Be sure that you are performing the change in a safe manner.
Testing and Troubleshooting
Ensuring Proper Function and Addressing Issues
After reassembly, thoroughly test the trigger pull. Dry-fire the gun several times to ensure the trigger functions smoothly. Measure the trigger pull weight before and after the trigger job using a trigger pull gauge.
If you encounter any issues, such as:
A heavy trigger pull: Check for any remaining friction points and revisit the polishing process.
A gritty trigger pull: Disassemble the mechanism and re-examine the contact surfaces for imperfections. Reapply grease.
Light primer strikes: Ensure that you are using appropriate ammunition. Also, consider switching to a slightly heavier hammer spring if necessary.
Cylinder issues: Ensure that you have completely and properly assembled the firearm.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Performing a **Ruger GP100 trigger job** is a rewarding project that can dramatically improve your shooting experience. By reducing friction, eliminating imperfections, and optionally optimizing the spring weights, you can achieve a significantly smoother, lighter, and more accurate trigger pull. Remember that patience, attention to detail, and safety are the most critical ingredients for success. It’s always better to take your time and double-check your work. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or uncertain, seek professional assistance from a qualified gunsmith.
Remember, the goal is to improve the function and feel of your beloved GP100, not to damage it. Approach the job with confidence, a methodical approach, and a commitment to safety, and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying a vastly improved shooting experience.
Disclaimer
Important Safety Information
Modifying firearms can be dangerous. Improper modifications can lead to malfunctions, injuries, or even death. This guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional gunsmithing services. Any modifications to your firearm are undertaken at your own risk. The legality of modifying firearms varies by jurisdiction. Ensure that you comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
