DIY Trigger work Ruger 77/22

[Coach W]

Well I spent a few hours last night polishing an extra sear and a trigger for a 77/22. With a make shift spring and polishing I got it from 4 lbs 13 oz with tons of creep. To 2 lbs 13 oz with zero creep.

The trigger could still use some work, but is safe and doable. Id like to take out just a bit more off the poundage. The spring is so light now that it would not be safe to go lighter because the sear wouldn't catch the firing pin in the bolt. (bump test are vital)

I think the problem lies in the angle the trigger contacts the sear. It actually has to push the sear up as the trigger is pulled. I'm thinking of taking it down to a 90 degree angle, and then instead of the harsh angle where the sear contacts to cut it back some... Hopefully dropping the poundage down below 2lbs...

Anyways, has any one ever done a trigger job on a Ruger 77/22. This is an extra trigger and sear, so if I mess it up to bad I can just put in another one.

Btw I also installed the JARD 77/22 trigger in a 77/17hmr last night and its the bees knees, so far.... Will have to get it out on some paper soon, but right now Im setting pretty at 1 lbs 4oz with it.

[bearintex]

Take too much metal off changing that angle and you will likely break through the heat treat. It will work fine for a while, but will wear out and get real bad.

[Coach W]

Take too much metal off changing that angle and you will likely break through the heat treat. It will work fine for a while, but will wear out and get real bad.

Thats a good point... Looking at it... looks like I'd be taking off .01 -.02 from it.

You think that would be too much?

[Coach W]

ttt

[Matteo]

You can use oxyacetelyne to heat treat with kasenit. You first heat the part until it is red in color approx. a few minutes. then cover it with kasenit. Re heat the part again then quench in clean water. YOU will get from .020 to .o30 depth of hardeness depending on how hot you get it. With a torch it would only be a guess at the hardness. It is the cheapest way to get parts harder. Hope this helps

[Matteo]

this product should work too.

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/119479/cherry-red-surface-hardening-compound-1-lb

[Matteo]

Or this one that is cheaper.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/metal-prep-coloring/color-case-hardening/surface-hardening-compound-prod27119.aspx

[Coach W]

hmm kinda lost track of this one.

Gotta check those out tonight... behind the dreaded firewall.

I ordered 2 springs so far... maybe they will help... Got the threaded barrels back from the smith! ready to go to the range!

any body else have any suggestions?

[Coach W]

Installed the spring, didnt change the pull weight from the make shift spring I was using.

So I took the top down to a 90 and added a beveled edge. (took very little off)

Reinstalled and checked, sear fell as the bolt closed... Installed the original trigger spring, that solved that problem.

After bump test, and slamming the bolt enough to ensure safety I wound up at 2lbs 4oz, with zero creep. Trigger breaks like glass. Gonna shoot it soon and see how she does. Will come back and heat treat after I'm sure it's perfect.

Also installed a jard trigger in a ruger no 1 last night. Set at 1lb 11 oz, no creep. It's freaking sweet. That original ruger no 1 has to be the the craziest trigger I've ever seen. linkage and pins... Definitely different. The jard trigger simplifies all that with one piece. I like.

Gotta run to the range soon with a ruger no 1, ruger 77/17, and ruger 77/22. Gonna be fun.

[JMenendez]

The angle is cut that way for a reason!!!!! 90 degrees or less is unsafe!!!!!

[Coach W]

The angle is cut that way for a reason!!!!! 90 degrees or less is unsafe!!!!!

Bump test prove other wise. I guess we shall find out...

Im betting that angle is cut like that so if by chance any body ever tries to sue Ruger (like people have sued Remington over the 700) Ruger can say no way our trigger is set up where you have to actually raise the sear to fire it.

Timney sets the trigger up at a 90 as well (smaller pic on left no sear)

Rugers "lawyer CYA" trigger is in the larger pic on right with sear

3rd pic is what Im referring too.

No nice trigger manufacturers that im aware of would ever think of putting an angle on a trigger that make for more friction, raising sears, and adding poundage to a trigger..

But we shall find out.

If you have any documentation to back that claim up I'd definitely be into reading and researching it.

[MikeW]

I had a local gunsmith do one and he messed it up I bought a new sear and did it myself.

I found the instructions at a gun sight. Google it, tons of info on it.

[JMenendez]

When the trigger is pulled there should be a slight REARWARD movement of the hammer before it is released forward, not saying it can't be done at home, just saying going too far is dangerous. The angle is only one part of the complete function.

[Winman]

Thats a good point... Looking at it... looks like I'd be taking off .01 -.02 from it.

You think that would be too much?

You could always get a can of CASENIT and case harden after you do your work...

[segbert]

Last night I replaced the spring in my pre accutrigger savage model 93 17hmr with the sprind out of a "clicky" pen. It cut the trigger pull in about half. I also shimmed the trigger group off of the action with a piece of .025 feeler gauge and it took out all of the creep.