[Baron58]

I bought a spring kit for my SP101. The springs went in fine, however I am having a very difficult time getting the trigger group to go back into the gun.

The only mods I made to the trigger group itself is the installation of a lighter trigger return spring and a 10 lb hammer spring, which isn't effecting the installation of the trigger group.

I did not make the mistake of pulling the trigger all the way back and letting the trigger return plunger escape accross the room.

Upon installation of the trigger group, the cylinder pawl arm does not want to go into the proper position for some reason. The transfer bar goes back in fine, but the cylinder pawl will not stay engaged in the vertical slot in the frame. I can install the hammer and strut / spring, cock the hammer but the cylinder will not rotate.

I have followed the Ruger SP101 owner's manual instructions and I still can't seem to figure this one out.

Can anybody help me figure out what I am doing wrong.

I consider myself quite mechanuically competant, but this one is kicking my butt.

Thanks

[G21.45]

Is the spring that controls the pawl properly installed and in the right position? I know there's a slot that the pawl has to ride in inside the frame; and, the transfer bar has to be properly aligned, too, before the pawl will slide into its recess.

Here's what my expanded Ruger Manual says:

"Hook the front of the trigger guard into the frame recess. Align the pawl in its recess inside the frame, and be sure transfer bar is in the correct position inside the frame. Then allow the latch to re-engage. If solid resistance is felt when swinging trigger guard into frame, or if trigger guard will not lock into position, then recheck the position between the pawl and transfer bar."

I think this is where you're having a problem. One last thing: Try lightly pushing on the side of the pawl. Sometimes it isn't properly seated on its pivot pin. Sometimes the spring is off, too. Check everything carefully, and make sure the alignment between the pawl and transfer bar is correct.

If the parts are properly assembled then the pawl should go into its frame recess without a problem. If, however, you're missing a spring or plunger underneath the pawl, then, it's not going to function correctly.

Ruger SP-101 Schematic

Double click on this schematic and it will open up to reveal the correct relationship between the parts.



PS: I've had this problem, too. I solved it by carefully reassembling the pawl components and making sure that everything lined up before I reinserted the trigger assembly back into the frame. It can be tricky.

You haven't lost anything like parts #49, or #50 - Have you?

[Baron58]

G21.45,

Hey thanks for the reply. Yes, I am am a dummy and lost the pawl spring and plunger. I didn't even know I had lost them until I took my GP 100 apart to see why I couldn't get the SP101 to work.

Those little parts are important.....for the pawl to work properly.

I also learned that a SP101 hammer absolutely will not fit into a GP100.

FYI to the rest of the world....don't have disassembled GP100 and SP101 parts on the same table.

Ruger sells both parts for $2.50 a piece.... and they confided in me that they sell a lot of them. I ordered an extra set.

They are p/n KH05000 pawl plunger spring and KH 05100 pawl plunger for the those of you who might also make the same mistake.

[G21.45]

OK, Baron, that's what I thought!

Don't feel bad; those parts are well hidden and very small. You, also, need to have the relationship between these parts exactly correct before you reinstall the trigger group back into the frame.

This is the only thing I don't like about what is, otherwise, an exceptionally well-made and rugged little 357 magnum revolver. I had my action polished and custom-tuned, too! It's a smooth shooting little popgun. It'll easily print double-action groups at 12 yards onto an 8" pie plate.

Good luck to you!

[Cajun]

Just one question. Why would you want to mess with the trigger on an SP101? Mine was perfect out of the box.

[G21.45]

Originally Posted by Cajun

Just one question. Why would you want to mess with the trigger on an SP101? Mine was perfect out of the box.

If you don't already know, then, don't expect me to explain.