jranis

I'm new here so please forgive me if you have already discussed this. I am lookling at a 'Competition Spring Set" on Evil Roy's website for a Vaquero. The advertising says

'...Kits slightly change the timing of your revolver and it may require minor adjustments to the timing'.

How does one adjust the timing a revolver?

Is this a gunsmith job or can anyone do it?

Thanks for your support.

PS: - I read elsewhere in this forum a question about 44 Mag. Stainless Vaquero
with a 4 5/8 inch barrel. Some said Ruger never made them. Some said
they were a limited run.

I'm proud to tell you that I own 2 of them. I dodn't know they were a rare
configuration.

James6591

Welcome from Australia. Great place to be, you will like it here.
I can't answer your question, but this is the place to get an answer, whole lot of knowledge here.

donkengine

I'd say it's a definite gun smith job.

JimH

jranis - here's a link to an article written by a master gunsmith that also happens to contribute to this forum. Inspection Guide For Smith and Wesson Revolvers. This article specifically addresses S&W revolvers but the SA timing sequence is similar to Ruger SAs. By reading this you will see that adjusting revolver timing involves manipulating the interaction of multiple parts and is best left to a qualified gunsmith. That said, Ruger SAs are fairly tolerant of things like spring changes and if you don't like your Vaquero's reaction to the spring change, simply change the springs back to what you started with.

Iowegan

jranis, I think you got some bad info from Evil Roy ... changing springs has no effect on timing, however it will affect trigger pull and lock time. Installing a lighter hammer spring is counterproductive .... it does lighten trigger pull but because it increases the already long lock time, accuracy will usually be worse instead of better. Changing or modifying the trigger spring can reduce trigger pull by half and should not affect the function of the gun. What does affect timing is like JimH stated ... the interaction of the parts, which loosely translated means wear or misuse. I wrote three books on Ruger handguns and for your Vaquero, the SA Gun Guide details the timing sequence from the time you start cocking the hammer until you release the trigger after firing. I am currently sold out but plan to have more printed in a couple weeks.

JimH, What a surprise! I am no longer affiliated with Cactus Tactical, however I wrote that article as a "handout" for customers back in the early 90's. I had no idea it was posted on their web site. I did all the gunsmith work for CT until 1999. At that time, CT was about the only Tactical outfit that still supported tactical revolvers (only S&Ws). We also did quite a lot of custom business with 1911s, 870s, AR-15s and Class III stuff.

JimH

Iowegan - I've stumbled upon many good writings when searching for some particular thing or another. A while back I was looking for info on a S&W revolver and came upon your Cactus Tactical paper. I kept it, have referred to it often, and only recently connected the author's name to Iowegan! I've learned so much from you and your writings and very much appreciate the effort and hours you've contributed so freely. Thank you, once again! Wishing you the best on returning to full and operational battery upon your recovery.

Iowegan

JimH, It's people like you that make writing articles worth while. Thanks, I'm getting stronger every day and don't have to go back to the doctor for two weeks.

Gray wolf

I have recently changed the trigger spring and hammer spring on my Blackhawks with Wolff spring kits. Trigger pull is now 30 ounces! I have not noticed a problem, and my accuracy has improved with the lighter trigger pull!