22/45 trigger pull after VQ upgrades ?

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:45 pm

I installed a VQ match trigger, sear, and MKII hammer bushing in hopes of greatly reducing the trigger pull like I did on a MKIII678. I’m miffed that the pull only decreased from avg. 4# 9.2 oz to avg. 3#14.2 oz. When I installed the same VQ parts on my MKIII678 the trigger pull changed to avg. 1# 13 oz.
Is the 3#14.2 oz trigger pull representative for the 22/45 after VQ mods ? What could be the problem ? Everything appears "smooth" and I'm at a loss what more I can do. BTW, I previously removed the mag disconnect spring so that isn't an issue.

Post by **Bullseye** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:22 pm

Generally the new parts result in a two pound average pull. When you say you installed the same parts in a MKIII678, did you mean the exact same parts or similar ones from another VQ kit?

R,
Bullseye

greener · Post by **greener** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:32 pm

Hammer bushing the cause if you are using the correct parts?

I've done the VQ trigger and sear in a MKIII Hunter, MKIII 22/45, MKII GC, MKII 22/45 and a '73 Ruger standard. the II's and III's felt the same. I then did a Sam Lam bushing the MKIII's. It might have slightly increased the pull (no gauge) but I think it just smoothed the feel a bit. The Standard is the lightest trigger pull, but that may have something to do with the wear on the hammer.

You might want to replace the bushing with the mag disconnect pieces to check the trigger pull or get a Clark or Lam bushing.

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:13 am

Bullseye wrote:Generally the new parts result in a two pound average pull. When you say you installed the same parts in a MKIII678, did you mean the exact same parts or similar ones from another VQ kit?

R,
Bullseye

I installed new parts from another VQ kit....

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 7:02 am

There may be an engagement incompatibility between the sear and the factory hammer. The good news is that the newer sear may operate fine in your other Mark III (the 678). Mark the sear with a permanent marker and see how both guns measure up with their sears swapped. If the sear in the MKIII678 has the same issues when installed in the 22/45 then your factory hammer is not matching up with the engagement angle of the VQ sear. This is especially true if the marked sear gives you good pull weight in your MKIII678.

R,
Bullseye

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:01 am

Has VQ changed their sear design ? My MKIII VQ parts were bought and installed in 8/2007. I bought the 22/45 VQ parts October 2012.

Would I just be better off just buying a new VQ Target Hammer for the 22/45 that would hopefully be match with the VQ sear ? I didn't think to buy a VQ hammer in October since the MKIII678 mods went OK and I've read the lighter VQ hammer might results in misfires.

I'm hesitant to tear back into the MKIII678.

ruger22 · Post by **ruger22** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:53 am

I did my Mark III with the VQ Mark II kit and a VQ bushing. The pull was so light I just had to stare at the trigger to get a Bang. Changed back to all the springs being stock, and would guess my pull is three pounds, I have no gauge. I didn't want a light trigger, just smooth and less sloppy than factory.

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 1:24 am

I ended up making new [better] washers to put in place of the Mag disconnect lever and that dropped the trigger pull from 3# 14 oz to 3# 4 oz. Next I lightly flat stoned the sear and trigger then polished all trigger componets with JB paste. Trigger pull then dropped to avg. 2# 3.5 oz.
I think I'm good to go now.

greener · Post by **greener** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 6:51 am

Good work. I'm still surprised that the VQ components didn't drop you into the 2-lb range unless it was the MKII bushing.

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:26 pm

The 1st washer I made for the MKII hammer bushing to take up the slop from the removed mag disconnect was a quick fix and it really didn't fit right. The washer was only ~.038" and the cut out in the hammer for the mag disconnect was about ~.043". I replaced the single washer with 2 smaller diameter washers with more thickness. I have since learned there are new hammer bushings available that are made for the MKIII that take up the disconnect slop without a washer. I may buy one.
I think lightly stoning the VQ sear and hammer made the most difference. The VQ sear I put in just didn't look polished enough.

blue68f100 · Post by **blue68f100** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:52 am

If your using the factory bushing that was design for the disconnect there is a lot not to like. I went with the Clark MKII bushing in my MKIII. These are over sized to fit the hammer tight eliminating 1 of the rotating points. It also comes with a ground new pin so you have a precision fit with the very minimal creep in the trigger. With the original design you have hammer/bushing/pin all moving. With the Clark bushing you only have the bushing/pin so you eliminate about 0.005" of creep from the group.

I have also used a std MKII bushing but used loctite to a fix it to the hammer. So far this has held up good.