Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Trigger work on Ruger Redhawk

Your local competent gunsmith, however, can make significant improvements in the Redhawk's single-action trigger. I start by cleaning up the sear for minimum movement, with absolute certainty that it will not "push off" from full cock. Don't mess with the angle. This involves considerable assembly-disassembly to get it just right, and it is easy to go too far. Your gunsmith will earn his money on a Redhawk.

Over-travel stop- I use the locking-latch orifice, in the rear of the trigger-guard, as the starting point. I drilled through from the rear and tapped the hole for opposing set-screws; seems like I used 8-32's because drills and taps were handy. The finished product protrudes into the rear of the trigger-guard, limiting the trigger's rearward movement. Since the sear engagement was already sorted out, it was possible to set up my trigger for almost zero over-travel. Fine adjustments here also involved considerable assembly-disassembly of the trigger module. Loctite Red has held it solid through several hundred rounds of .44 loads that you'd only shoot in a Redhawk. Be advised that Ruger's carbon steel is much easier to drill/tap than their stainless steel- and I would not have attempted this work on a stainless gun. The eventual result was a safe, reliable 3-3.5 pound trigger that is eminently more shootable than the factory offering- either offhand or from a rest. I just wish Mr. Keith were still with us and shooting today, because I would sure like for him to bust a few rounds with a tuned Redhawk. I think he'd notice the difference, and be pleased with the results.

It is worth mentioning that the example gun, which was made in '79, is still tight as a drum, with no end-shake, etc. In fact it is the tightest-fitted Ruger DA I have ever run across, and this may have something to do with the success of the trigger work. If the hammer pin and its corresponding hole in the hammer aren't a tight fit, you'll run yourself nuts trying to get a crisp trigger that won't push off.

I can find no fault with the factory double-action trigger of the Redhawk. They smooth considerably with use. The pull itself is light enough, and the cylinder locks "early" in the DA stroke, allowing the shooter a final opportunity to correct the sight alignment, prior to the shot. Dedicated PPC shooters used to spend big money getting their S&W's tuned to offer just this characteristic- and the Redhawk gives to you for free!

SargeMo, if I understand the gist of your article the single action benefits most from the work you describe. What about installing an over-travel stop if my only concern is with double action trigger feel? To my non-expert feel the DA trigger pull isn't nearly as crisp as it should be (or not nearly as crisp as other revolvers I own). Or does the work you describe for helping SA trigger pulls solve the mushy DA trigger pull also?

Thanks for the help.