Ruger American triggers

[Redmt]

I have been working on triggers for my Ruger American rifles. Adjusting and polishing got them to a repeatable 3-1/4#. Not good enough. The aftermarket springs for 12 bucks and freight was too much for a $1.50 spring. I started trimming the OEM spring 1/2 coil at a time until it got to .585 length and consistent 2-1/2 pound pull. I would guess you could continue to trim another 1/2 coil at a time but 2-1/2# is what I was after.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I have found that if you get the spring under 0.600 inches, and polish the parts with Flitz and your Dremel wheel you can get to 2#.

 

[Redmt]

I have found that if you get the spring under 0.600 inches, and polish the parts with Flitz and your Dremel wheel you can get to 2#.

The shorter you cut the spring, the lighter the trigger to a point. I stopped at .585 with the adjustment pressure screw lightly seated. I thought about taking another 1/2 coil or so and adjusting back up to my preferred 2-1/2# but decided not to.

 

[cahunter805]

Clipping coils isn’t the correct way to lower trigger pull weight but does decrease the weight. The spring is designed to be a certain length for a variety of reasons. A lighter spring of the same length is the correct way.
Did you stone the trigger at all or just polish?

 

[Redmt]

Agreed that clipping coils is the redneck engineering way to get it done. Installing a lighter spring would take the guesswork out but the guy selling the lighter spring sells them at 1500 times the cost. I found the spring from the manufacturer that he sell but you have to buy 50 of them, which is probably why he sets such a price.