NormBurns

You all don't have a Ruger shadetree mechanic forum, so I guess I will put this here. My SP101 is of the spurless variety, thus it is DA only. Can I swap out the hammer, and make is SA/DA? Could it be that easy? Probably not, but I thought I would ask.

I have a set of Hogue grips, and a Wolf spring kit on the way. I know I used to do a little polishing, to make them even smoother... hopefully I can remember.

For carry, it will be this, or the PA-63, or the Tarus PT-140. I like revolvers best, but it is also the heaviest I have, except for the Judge.

tglazie

Sorry to deviate from the intent of the thread, by if this is for carry, why would you want add a hammer spur? I have a DA/SA SP101 but never intend to carry it. If I did, I would want what you have.

NormBurns

Well, that is a valid question. I always carry in a holster, and I have always carried revolvers, and I have yet to snag a hammer while drawing. I just like the option of going SA mode.

Benemorte

We own 3 SP101's, but I have never had the opportunity to shoot the DAO model. From what I understand, the factory DAO (designated by the "L" in the catalog number) do not have the ability to be cocked. Since I have not torn down one of these models, I cannot say what internal parts have been changed/removed to make this so.

Is your gun a factory DAO model, or has it been "bobbed"? If the hammer was bobbed after purchase you should be able to see tell-tale signs of the process. If the gun was bobbed, you should be able to just order a new hammer, and be good to go.

You should be able to check this by pulling back the trigger enough (unloaded of course!) to the point where you can grab it with your offhand. Once you have the hammer back far enough to get a thumb or finger under the hammer, release the pressure on the trigger, and simply pull the hammer back and see if it engages a sear and stops in a normal fully cocked position. While I am not 100% positive of this, a true DAO gun will not have a typical sear/hammer notch configuration, and therefore will be impossible to shoot without full actuation by the trigger only.

If you wanted to change the gun to a non-DAO configuration, I imagine you could by changing parts such as the hammer, sear, and perhaps some others. It should be possible, but I personally would not recommend it, due to legal and safety reasons.

tglazie

I do believe you are correct benemorte. I wager Iowegan will venture in and confirm this for us but what you are saying is consistent with my recollection. For what that's worth anyway.

NormBurns

Mine is a factory DA. I had the, possibly mistaken, impression that I could change out the hammer, and achieve my goal, Maybe not. Oh well, once I get the spring kit and install it, that should improve things.

NormBurns

Well, I put in a couple of springs today, and everything inside was what I expected to see, which makes me suspect that replacing the hammer with a spurred one, would have work. I don't know that I need to now though.

I installed a 10# hammer spring, and an 8# trigger return spring, and it is Muuuuuuch better. I can actually get my sight picture, and squeeze it off without moving off target. I never cease to be amazed by the difference a couple of springs can make.

canoe

I would be happy to trade you hammers, pending confirmation that the hammers could be swapped.

Benemorte

Posting pics of the spurless hammer would be an awesome start.

NormBurns

See what I can do when my grip arrives. Only take a moment to pop the hammer out.

NormBurns

Okay, here is post 10, now I should get to see the fabled secret section, on trigger smoothing, right?

Xringshooter

Well, I can tell you (from experience) that Ruger WILL NOT sell you a hammer for the SP101. For liability reasons it has to be "fitted" at the factory. And, if your SP101 is a model that came from the factory as a DAO, they will not install a SA/DA hammer in it know matter what.

The only way would be to do it yourself either through buying a SA/DA hammer from someone or trading your DAO hammer to someone that has a SA/DA and wants to go DAO. And then if something bad happened because of the swap, Ruger would assume NO responsibility/liability.

NormBurns

Thanks Xring shooter. You cannot really them for trying to protect themselves from something they have no control over.

I do now have pics on my computer, of the hammer. How do I get them up? Typical route, upload to photobucket, then copy their html code?

Amishman44

The DAO (spurless) models are just that, DAO...no ability to 'cock' it before firing, unless the spur had simply been removed. Even then, decocking from SA mode is difficult, at best, and I would consider it to be 'dangerous.'

If it is a DAO model, in order to convert it to the SA/DA model, you would need to have someone work on your trigger system (without going into details.) If you believe the spur has simply been removed from the hammer, I can tell you that Ruger will not simply send you a new/replacement hammer...you would have to go through the cost of shipping it to Ruger for 'repairs' and for them to fit it to your revolver.

If there are no obvious marks on the hammer to show that a spur had been removed, I would suggest calling Ruger to have them check the gun's original designation and go from there.

Good Luck!

MetalMan2004

I believe I can shed a little light here. I have the double action only version as well. I emailed customer service because my barrel is not 100% straight. While inquiring about this, I asked what it would take to convert it to single action. I don't have the email anymore, but they told me that shipping would be free for the barrel fix. To get it switched to single action would cost around $100. I never did it because the barrel isn't that bad and I don't want to be without my gun for 6 weeks. Bottom line, they told me they could do it.