MKII Trigger Resetting on Double Pull

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:34 pm

Noticed during a range session that after I loaded up a fresh mag, I had to double pull on the trigger to make it to fire. On the first pull I've noticed/heared/felt a small click, then I release the trigger and pull again to fire. It seems after that will operate fine for the balance of the mag, and only on insertion of a fresh mag, and after sling shotting the bolt, I would have to per sa double pull to start the firing sequence.

Without a mag in and manual cocking and then dry firing it seems to happen every time.

Now the funny part, disassemble again, then reassemble with only the springhousing and without the bolt or upper. I wanted to see what the disconnect lever was do ect.. Well it seems to operate fine without the upper or the bolt installed. I couldn't get it to malfunction.

Reassemble with all parts and back to square one, pull bolt back and release, pull trigger back about half way and a small click is heard and then release trigger and pull again and bang, that is bang if it were loaded.

I'm not a rocket scientist,

but I know how to work with tools, what do you think.

New find, after cocking the pistol and then pulling on the trigger for the per sa first pull, if I then pull the bolt back again I have to perform the first pull again, and then on the second pull she will fire.

ETA: This is a continuation of a previous post of a trigger failing to reset.

jjfunk · Post by **jjfunk** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:12 pm

Sounds like the disconnector isn't fully resetting. Try backing off your pre-travel adjustment a 16th of a turn.

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:46 pm

I concur with the disconnector being the root of the problem now we have to isolate the source.

If you have a pretravel screw in your trigger, then JJ's response is a good one to try first. It may have backed out slightly under recoil, a fraction of a turn can make a great difference.

My next instinct is to say remove the disconnector lever and thoroughly clean behind it, there may be some grit/dirt build up causing drag on the lever. The same goes for the disconnector return spring and plunger located in the top of the trigger block. If that doesn't solve it then I'd go back and remove the sear and sear spring and do a complete cleaning on the frame and internal components. Next I'd inspect the breech face for any lead build up which might keep the bolt from fully closing. Any slight gap between the bolt face and the chamber mouth could prevent the disconnector from resetting - this could be the reason why it resets without the receiver and bolt in place.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:07 pm

Stock trigger, so pre-travel adjustment is out. Breech face, now that's something I need to look at closely, which should be easy enough to cure. And it looks like I need to total clean this thing, possible some grime and grits got in behind the disconnector. The disconnector doesn't seem to be as smooth or fluid as it should be.

Thanks gentlemen, I think I'll tackle this one in the am. I'll chime back in tomorrow.

TB

Post by **Bullseye** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 10:15 pm

If there's drag on the disconnector lever that's all it takes to delay the timing of the trigger. The disconnector resets by the relatively small spring tension of the reset spring and plunger, any drag here can easily defeat or delay the disconnector and prevent it from resetting on the sear. A lot of dirt and grit is blown down into the plunger hole from the chamber and that can bind up the plunger and prevent proper tension on the disconnector lever. I usually open up the plunger hole with the next size up drill bit. Opening the plunger hole gives it more tolerance for dirt. The plunger hole just has to keep the plunger captive and doesn't have to be a tight fit.

Also make sure that the disconnector pivot pin (the part that goes through the trigger) is clean and not binding. This can be a source of drag too.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

jjfunk · Post by **jjfunk** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:38 pm

I just remembered something about the trigger plunger. My dad never modded his trigger for pre-travel, and still won't. Instead, he uses a 30 cal. gas check turned upside down in between his disconnector and the plunger. It takes out some pre-travel, but more importantly it keeps anything from blowing into the plunger recess. I'll get a picture of what I am talking about if anybody is interested.

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 6:43 pm

Ok, stripped it down to the point of dropping the hammer out and lifting the disconnector up to get at the plunger and spring. I was expecting to find some gunk in that hole, but it was actually pretty clean, cleaned it out good anyways and did the 600 grit sandpaper to it for a little polish action. Cleaned up the backside of the disconnector which was fairly clean also, and I know it just takes one grain of sand ect.. to start an issue and God knows that I live in Florida. And slapped it back together.

Well, it's working better, and I thank you very much, and then comes the but, not quite 100%. Now 50% of the time on the pull of the trigger I still feel/hear a click about on the first 1/16th of the pull and I continue the pull to the regular click that would lead to discharging of the pistol.

I don't think its the trigger not resetting, I've tried lightly pulling on the trigger forward as in helping it to reset, but it feels as if it is solidly in its uttmost forward position.

I'm starting to think that the sear may just be binding just a bit at this point, but I would hope you all may chime in and give me your thoughts before I do a complete strip job. And if I go that far I'm ordering a new VQ Sear and Trigger like tonight.

I really wanted to work this over yesterday when I had plenty of time, but the dog had to try to eat a African Buffo Toad and off to the Vet we went. She was foaming at the mouth so bad I first thought she had rabbies.

Post by **Bullseye** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:48 pm

How does the disconnector feel? Does it spring right up or does it move sluggishly?

R,
Bullseye

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:19 am

Bullseye wrote:How does the disconnector feel? Does it spring right up or does it move sluggishly?

The plunger & spring seem responsive enough, if anything felt like a binding action it would be the disconnect lever itself, potentially binding or hanging up a little right next to hammer.

So I take the pistol apart again this morning to check on your comment, reassemble it and what do I have, the same function as before. Needing to pull the trigger back alittle, then release, pull again to fire. Just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water.

Off to work, I'll attack this one tonight.

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 6:59 am

Check the hammer bushing, if it is rough it can cause the disconnector to hang up, or be sluggish. The hammer bushing guides the disconnector through the squared off hole. You may have to polish or deburr that wide headed side of the hammer bushing, where it touches the disconnector lever.

R,
Bullseye

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:36 am

Bulleye, I was thinking of polishing/deburring that piece. After taking the pistol apart, first time I might add and great help from your site, I noticed how the hammer bushing rode in the knotched out area of the D.lever. I had cleaned the bushing, but it's worth the try to buff and polish it. In fact if time permits, I just may polish everything.

I need to add, the captured spring and plunger while it feels smooth enough to me, the spring itself may need replacing due to some corrosion that is on the coils. This may not be helping the situation.

Thanks

jjfunk · Post by **jjfunk** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:49 am

Going back over the post I had a question. Is this a MKII or MKIII, 22/45? Just wondering.

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 4:11 pm

JJ it's a MKII, stainless. And even though I'm having a problem pinning it down, I or we will figure this out. I will be breaking her down again tonight this time completely. I'm going to clean everything, polish everything, reclean and lightly lube and put it back together again. Maybe this time it wil work itself out.

You know I've taken this thing apart so many times in the last several days that for the life of me I don't understand why other people complain about Rugers being so difficult to break down. I don't get it, I guess there are many mechinically challenged shooters out there.

Meanwhile, I've ordered a VQ trigger and sear from Rimfire Sports

Post by **Bullseye** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 5:40 pm

Tbag,

Corrosion on the trigger return plunger spring could cause similar symptoms to those you've experienced. The disconnector is totally dependent on that spring to lift it after the hammer is cocked and the trigger is in the full forward postition. Any drag on that spring could cause poor operation. I usually open up that trigger plunger hole with the next size up drill bit. If you choose to do this, take care to only open the plunger hole a little and not deepen it.

If you're planning on polishing the hammer bushing and the disconnector lever, just deburr the edges so they don't grab or drag on any other internal components. Do not touch the little tab on the bottom of the disconnector lever, you could mess up your pistol's timing.

R,
Bullseye

Tbag · Post by **Tbag** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 7:11 pm

Bullseye,
Thanks for the timing tip, to avoid the tab. I will go slowly on this one and while I'm at it, I am going to take another look at the spring.

I'll report back shortly.

Thanks
Tom