Ruger SR9 Trigger Pull

[rhino]

A certain pachyderm recently acquired a used Ruger SR9. When he was home doing a little dry firing, he noticed that the trigger pull weight is . . . excessive.

He hasn't used a scale to measure it, but it feels like it's at least 10 lbs. Another available sample has a much lighter trigger pull.

After a phone call to Ruger, the nominal trigger pull weight is supposed to be 5-7 lbs. Even if my guestimation is a little off, it's way over that range.

Anyone have experience with this? Does it sound like there is a problem?

Also, I've noticed that the trigger can actually be pressed without a magazine inserted. I thought the trigger was dead when the magazine is out. Could someone have removed the magazine disconnect and done something that adversely affected the trigger pull?

I have a return authorization number to send it to Ruger, but I'd prefer to not spend the money shipping it if I have a better option.

 

[dak109]

The magazine disconnect on the SR9c is easy to remove, I guess the full sI've would be the same. I removed mine and noticed no difference in the trigger pull. As to somebody mucking it up, there is a good chance, but they would have to done more than remove the magazine disconnect.

 

[pudly]

Does your SR9 have the original single piece trigger or the upgrade 2-part trigger (like a Glock)? The latter is much better.

 

[rhino]

Does your SR9 have the original single piece trigger or the upgrade 2-part trigger (like a Glock)? The latter is much better.

The newer, Glock-like trigger. It's 2009 vintage and post-dates the recall and trigger replacements.

 

[Hopper]

Hmm. Might not hurt to pop off the back cover, remove the striker, and really clean that channel out. IIRC, the earlier models didn't really like a dirty firing pin channel. Though I don't think that's your problem, it almost sounds like something might be binding a little. The SR9C that I had was a 2013 model, and the trigger on it was just insanely light and crisp, with a really nice short reset. One of the first things I did was remove the magazine disconnect, which as someone else stated above, didn't seem to affect the trigger pull one way or the other. Some have commented that it lightens it up a little, but if it does, it was negligible.

 

[addictedhealer]

My sr9c feels like it's 4.5-5.5lbs. Light and short. Feels just like a Glock but shorter with a tad bit longer reset.

 

[rhino]

Hmm. Might not hurt to pop off the back cover, remove the striker, and really clean that channel out. IIRC, the earlier models didn't really like a dirty firing pin channel. Though I don't think that's your problem, it almost sounds like something might be binding a little. The SR9C that I had was a 2013 model, and the trigger on it was just insanely light and crisp, with a really nice short reset. One of the first things I did was remove the magazine disconnect, which as someone else stated above, didn't seem to affect the trigger pull one way or the other. Some have commented that it lightens it up a little, but if it does, it was negligible.

Okay ... took out the striker. It was cruddy with old, gooey lube and some miscellaneous crud and debris. I cleaned that and put it back together. The trigger pull is a little better now, but still too heavy as compared to other SR9s.

Am I correct in assuming the striker and channel should be dry and clean, like the Glock and XD, not lubed? The owner's manual does not address this, of course!

I think that I'm going continue to dry fire and shoot a few hundred rounds through it before I send it back to Ruger. If it gets better, I win. If not, I haven't lost anything.

 

[Magneto]

I am on my 2nd SR9 and have never had any problem with trigger pull. Not the greatest trigger but I have never seen a reason to complain much.

 

[Hopper]

Am I correct in assuming the striker and channel should be dry and clean, like the Glock and XD, not lubed? The owner's manual does not address this, of course!

You are correct - the channel should be dry, exactly like a Glock or Springer.

My only other thought is to give the frame (not the slide) a good coating from the top down with something like Hornady One Shot Cleaner/Dry Lube, and go at it with some patches and Q-tips. If you found gunk in the firing pin channel (which really isn't unusual), maybe there is some carbon build-up and gunk in the frame that isn't allowing parts of the trigger bar to move freely when squeezed. I bet you're almost there!

 

[jrose361]

Dose Ruger make a "state complaint" model that changes the pull???

 

[Hopper]

Dose Ruger make a "state complaint" model that changes the pull???

This is a GREAT question. I don't think so, I think their state compliancy answer is handled by limiting mag capacity. I know others do adjust the trigger pull to be further state compliant in areas that call for it, but I don't recall ever seeing a NJ or CA state-compliant part number on a Ruger. Perhaps someone else can shed some light on this??

 

[rhino]

You are correct - the channel should be dry, exactly like a Glock or Springer.

My only other thought is to give the frame (not the slide) a good coating from the top down with something like Hornady One Shot Cleaner/Dry Lube, and go at it with some patches and Q-tips. If you found gunk in the firing pin channel (which really isn't unusual), maybe there is some carbon build-up and gunk in the frame that isn't allowing parts of the trigger bar to move freely when squeezed. I bet you're almost there!

Now it's sounding like work! HAHAHA!

I'll give it a try even though cleaning guns goes against my principles.

 

[rhino]

Update:

Cleaning the striker and its channel made a significant difference. A few hundred more dry fires has also helped. Either I'm smoothing over a rough spot in a contact surface in there, or whatever crud is obstructing the trigger mechanism is wearing away (or got dislodged). I still intend to tear it apart to clean the trigger mechanism, but the trigger pull is "acceptable" now, maybe 6-7 lbs.

Whew!

 

[chipbennett]

Update:

Cleaning the striker and its channel made a significant difference. A few hundred more dry fires has also helped. Either I'm smoothing over a rough spot in a contact surface in there, or whatever crud is obstructing the trigger mechanism is wearing away (or got dislodged). I still intend to tear it apart to clean the trigger mechanism, but the trigger pull is "acceptable" now, maybe 6-7 lbs.

Whew!

And all for the cost of putting a couple hundred rounds downrange. What a chore!

 

[pudly]

And all for the cost of putting a couple hundred rounds downrange. What a chore!

Actually, it was much cheaper than that, as in free. Dry fire is a form of practice that involves no live ammunition. It is actually a very valuable practice technique. You should do some searches on INGO about it and add it to your repertoire.

 

[rhino]

And all for the cost of putting a couple hundred rounds downrange. What a chore!

Actually, it was much cheaper than that, as in free. Dry fire is a form of practice that involves no live ammunition. It is actually a very valuable practice technique. You should do some searches on INGO about it and add it to your repertoire.

I feel compelled to launch some bullets downrange with it too, so I suppose I'll have to suffer through that brutal torture.

I killed two birds with one stone ... practiced completing the trigger press as I reached full extension and my eyes saw the front sight at the same time as working the trigger mechanism on the gun.

I will say this: there are other polymer guns with better triggers, probably more durable, probably more reliable, obviously with more aftermarket and holster options than the SR9, BUT . . . it's the smallest grip and easiest trigger to reach of any of them.

 

[chipbennett]

Actually, it was much cheaper than that, as in free. Dry fire is a form of practice that involves no live ammunition. It is actually a very valuable practice technique. You should do some searches on INGO about it and add it to your repertoire.

I completely skimmed past the "dry fire" part.

Either I Derped, or I was projecting my own desire to put a couple hundred rounds downrange.

 

[cbseniour]

I have and SR9C and the trigger is very good and very smooth. As to your concern about sending it to Ruger, that is exactly what I would do. I've sent a couple of guns to Ruger and they have been fixed promptly returned and always function right. Your other option is to talk with a Ruger pistol specialist (customer Service rep) and see if they can help you diagnose the problem the buy the parts and fix it yourself.

 

[rhino]

I have and SR9C and the trigger is very good and very smooth. As to your concern about sending it to Ruger, that is exactly what I would do. I've sent a couple of guns to Ruger and they have been fixed promptly returned and always function right. Your other option is to talk with a Ruger pistol specialist (customer Service rep) and see if they can help you diagnose the problem the buy the parts and fix it yourself.

You are correct and I've already spoken with them and I have the RA number and shipping label.

I'm just not sure I want to spend the money to ship it to them, given that I've made some significant improvement already and the cost of shipping is substantial based on what I have invested in the gun itself.

 

[looney2ns]

A Dremel with a wool polish wheel and some flitz metal polish and 10 minutes can do wonders to improve.