How do you adjust a pretravel screw

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:17 pm

Regarding pre-travel with a VQ trigger; is there a post that discribes how to properly adjust for pre-travel ?

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 11:53 pm

I'll print the adjustment procedure here to help.

The Allen (Pretravel) screw can be adjusted to take most of the slack out of the trigger before it engages the sear. This addition will shorten the travel of the Mark II/III's trigger pull considerably. You will need a little bit of slack (only a very little) to leave enough room for the pistol’s disconnector to reset on the sear during any sustained fire operations. The trigger will not operate repeatedly if this slight amount of slack is not there and the disconnector fails to reset.

To check and see if the trigger resets, ensure the pistol's chamber is empty, pull the trigger and hold it rearwards. Next, manually cycle the bolt while continuing to hold the trigger rearwards. Slowly release the trigger until you hear a "click" sound - the click is the disconnector resetting on the sear. Squeeze the trigger again and the hammer will fall.

Adjust the trigger's pretravel screw inward (CW) until the minimal amount of pretravel is present - just enough to allow for the trigger to reset on the sear using the reset test procedure above. The pretravel screw's movement is very sensitive - a fraction of a turn makes a huge difference. Careful not to set the screw's adjustment too close, or your Ruger will not operate consistently in sustained fire operation. Once you get the screw set in position wick in a little blue (medium strength #242) Locktite into the threads to keep the screw from backing out under the forces of recoil. Take care not to over do the application of Locktite and allow proper time for curing of the sealant.

If you find that you've set the pretravel screw too close and the hammer won't release, just back the screw out (CCW) a little and try readjusting it again.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:38 pm

Thanks Bullseye for the pre-travel insight. Also, another BIG thanks for your wonderful disassembly instructions and pictures that enabled me to install a VQ trigger and sear. I'm glad I found your site!

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:35 pm

Sounds like another successful installation.

R,
Bullseye

jjfunk · Post by **jjfunk** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:37 pm

You know, if I went back and counted the number of people that have posts up either showing their aftermarket triggers or talking about ordering/installing one, it must be in the hundreds, or maybe even thousands. Take also into consideration the untold thousands of shooters that use aftermarket parts, but aren't the least bit interested in the internet, and that sure is a bunch of factory triggers floating around. Shoot I've got five of my own. I wonder if there is a market for them?

tom234 · Post by **tom234** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:41 pm

jjfunk wrote:...... sure is a bunch of factory triggers floating around. Shoot I've got five of my own. I wonder if there is a market for them?

Is the major difference between the OEM and VQ trigger the set screws ? They look pretty much the same. Maybe you can modify the old OEM ones you have and sell them....

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 7:47 pm

tom234 wrote:
jjfunk wrote:...... sure is a bunch of factory triggers floating around. Shoot I've got five of my own. I wonder if there is a market for them?
Is the major difference between the OEM and VQ trigger the set screws ? They look pretty much the same. Maybe you can modify the old OEM ones you have and sell them....

J have modified all of my factory triggers and added a pre travel screw to them, of course you have to remove the trigger to adjust it but once adjusted there is no longer any reason the remove it for re adjustment..

jjfunk · Post by **jjfunk** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 11:18 pm

Actually, three of the five factory triggers that I have are drilled and tapped. I didn't really mind doing the pre-travel adjustment even if it took a little longer, I really like working on these almost more than shooting them. I bought the drills and taps right after I found instructions on how to do it, and have a small baggy of scres still.(like 80 of them) I chose the aftermarket triggers (the VQ's) for two of my MK's just because they are the old stainless wide style, and feel better on my finger. The third one is a Clark trigger, and is just too darned cool not to have it installed. I even had to fine fit it to the trigger pivot pin it was so finely milled, and feels unbelievable in the gun. It is so much better than factory it is unreal, zero creep is actually attainable now. As far as selling them, I don't know. I seem to collect stuff and then never let it go. If someone is hard pressed for one though just let me know, and we can talk.

Post by **Bullseye** » Wed Aug 29, 2007 11:31 pm

I've got a lot of these too. People usually don't want them after a trigger job and I throw them in the parts bin. Sometimes I tap them for a customer but mostly folks are desiring the new style VQ triggers.

R,
Bullseye