Failed trigger job - Ruger Mk III

dbrigham

Took my Ruger Mark III Hunter to a gunsmith for a trigger job. Took the pistol to the range, and after one mag, it would not fire following rounds unless I applied forward pressure to the trigger, at which point I heard a subtle "click," and then was able to fire another round.

I will definitely return the pistol to the same gunsmith, but because of my experience with this smith(the pistol was not ready when promised and I had to come back three times, which doesn't give me a warm-and-fuzzy feeling), I'd like to come in with some sort of notion about what may be wrong.

Any comments/suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

ADDED from another post:

Re my earlier post, I failed to mention, the trigger job involved installing a complete Volquartsen drop-in hammer/trigger/sear kit. Many people do this successfully without the aid of a gunsmith, but they probably don't have as many thumbs as I -- at least 10! -- so I decided to pop for a professional job. The guy charged me $70 (SF Bay Area prices, I guess).

RCrosby

How heavy is the trigger pull? Sounds like maybe a combination of too much metal being removed from the hammer and possibly too light on the springs?
If it were mine I'd ask him to replace any and all parts he worked on, and then take it to someone with a proven track record to attempt the work you want done.
On all of my Rugers I've installed the steel Clark trigger with overtravel screw and a set of Wolff Springs. I've never felt the need for more than that. It makes a big difference. (But then I'm no longer shooting formal competition, so my needs are may be more modest than your own.)
Good luck.

tsr1965

If I am not mistaken, Volquartsen might make a drop in hammer/trigger/sear kit for it you can do yourself. I am not abreast of your situation with your SMITH, but don't throw him under the bus too early. Remember it was you who took it to him in the first place. Not every guy that runs a gun sales/repair shop is going to be nationally accredited, or have a specialty. That being said, I do personally test fire everything I work on, which be a mandatory step for testing function, reliability, and most of all safety.

EDIT:

Also thest MK III's are the newest version, and only have been out 2-3 years or so. Not everyone can keep abreast with what changed, and what might effect it, so as to modify their modification.

dfletcher

Just a SWAG, but it sounds like part of the "trigger job" entailed lightening a trigger reset or trigger return spring. In theory it should be an easy fix and one the gunsmith should do without question especially when you demonstrate the problem to him.

I wouldn't hold the "it's not ready" experience against him. Not because it's OK that he did that, but because it isn't going to get you anywhere and sorry to say, most gunsmiths aren't exactly the best when it comes to this aspect of the business. I think it's a combination of us wanting our guns "yesterday if not sooner" and maybe a little over optimism on the part of the gunsmith. I'd say go in there positive, explain the problem and let him know that since he had his hands on it you're hoping he'll put you at the head of the line.

brier-49

It sounds to me like he didn't get the return spring in.

MIKE WISKEY

"I wouldn't hold the "it's not ready" experience against him. Not because it's OK that he did that, but because it isn't going to get you anywhere and sorry to say, most gunsmiths aren't exactly the best when it comes to this aspect of the business. I think it's a combination of us wanting our guns "yesterday if not sooner" and maybe a little over optimism on the part of the gunsmith."... THAT IS THE 'BERGER KING' METALITY "I WANT IT MY WAY AND I WANT IT NOW. MOST 'SMITHS ARE OVER BURDONED AND UNDER PAID. YOU SHOULD HEAR SOME OF THE COMMENTS I GET WHEN I TELL A CUSTOMER HIS REBLUE WILL 'PROBABLY' TAKE 3/6 MONTHS. AS TO YOUR PROBLEM, YES THE SMITH SHOULD FIX IT, IT'S MOST LIKELY A TOO WEAK TRIGGER RETURN SPRING.

260

i have done my share of work on these,, mk 1-2. i feel that it could just be the sear spring. it can be testy if you have not worked on enough of them. just my 2 cents worth.

Maxx424

Just tried to send you an Email and it bounced. Would like to find a good gunsmith or one to avoid. Live in Alameda. Would you tell us whou you used or send me an Email?

Cary

perry shooter

The Ruger is not the easiest to work on and take down for cleaning in the first place and then they changed the way many of the parts interact when they went to the Mk III drop in is a play on words IMHO.