Ruger MK2 trigger

[daddywpb]

I finally got a Ruger 77 MK2 in 30/06. The trigger is fairly crisp, but heavy. Is there anything that I can do to it myself that would lighten the pull a little bit? I don't have money for a new trigger right now, so any help would be appreciated. What is the differance between the MK1 and the MK2? Thank you.

[ScoutMan]

Daddy,

Live with your present situation until you can afford the Timney replacement (under $100).

The Mark I has a tang safety. The Mark II, the safety is on the receiver. Timney's instructions for installation are clear depending upon the model that you have.


For what it's worth. I have the Timney installed in a Mark II compact 308. On the trigger scale, it breaks at 2 lbs 3 oz. with no creep or backlash.  Wonderful!!

[VFR]

I agree.  I had a stainless Ruger MkII in 7.62x39 rebarrelled to 6mmPPC using a stainless Krieger bbl.  Installed a Timney also.  You can do the trigger yourself.  Just take your time in adjusting the safety.  Shouldn't take over an hour.

[dave375hh]

Rifle Basix is comming out with a new trigger for the MkII soon. They make a superior product at a lower price. All the ones I've done(4) were drop in easy and less money than Timney. The only adjustments I had to make on two of them was to make the pull heavier, both were varmint model Rem 700's and 8oz was too light for me.

[gunnut69]

It is possible to alter the MKII triggers and instructions are available on the web...but it is a difficult proposition and dangerous if you fail..  Get a good aftermarket trigger..

[jgrass5]

I did the trigger mod to my MK II last winter. I found the instructions on the web. They are very explicit and easy to follow with great drawings. My trigger wt. went down by half. 8#'s to 4#'s. with no creep. It also breaks like glass. I can't believe its the same rifle. The only thing that could be intimidating is the fact that if you try and rush the job you'll screw up big time. You'll end up with a useless hair trigger for hunting or it won't be of any use at all.  You will have to buy a new trigger and sear.If you decide to just polish the sear it will probably knock a couple #'s off of the trigger weight.
The job is not for everybody but you have to have patience weather your mechanically inclined or not. You also need a selection of hard sharpening or polishing stones.
Very rewarding job and it didn't cost anything but time. Not much else to do during a two foot snow storm.
I suggest you try it and if it doesn't work out for you, than buy the drop in trigger assy.

Good Luck
JGrass5

[jgrass5]

I found the info and drawings for the trigger modification. Go to this sight

http://www.centerfirecentral.com/77trigger.html

God Luck, Jerry

[bchannell]

The MkII trigger is very servicable if you know what you're doing and are careful. One of the tricks is to go slowly and take only a tiny bit off the trigger/sear engagement angle, as is depicted in the drawings and information you found on the net. A change of trigger weight spring is also in order. You can get spring stock from Brownells that is perfect for making your own trigger srping. It basically only needs to be cut to the correct length.
The steel of the receiver, where the trigger pivot is, is easy to drill. I drilled a couple of mine and threaded them with a 6X32 or 4X48 screw for an overtravel stop. I'm sure that Ruger would frown on this practice, but it's in a non-critical area and works just fine.
The main concern is the safety. Don't take enough off the trigger surface to affect the safety's ability to work properly.

[gunnut69]

Be very cautious when alter the trigger sear angle to 90..  If the angle is less by almost any amount the resulting trigger will produce very uneven pulls and is very dangerous.  This type trigger adjustment can be done and is quite useable.  If it is not correctly done it is dangerous and a lawsuit waiting to happen.  Doing one or two such triggers does not make it a good idea or the smith an expert.  I reinterate,,  This is a dangerous procedure and should be done with extreme care and the result tested rigorously!!!

[bchannell]

gunnut69 is quite correct. Just so you won't think I'm some gun crank, I've probably done close to 60 Ruger MKII's in the last 25 years. I've also worked on twice that number of other rifles. The angle is not always in need of ANY alteration. In the guns I've seen that did need work, the change was so slight as to be hardly noticable to the naked eye. Proper tools and a knowledge of trigger systems is a must. I do however think the Ruger is one of the simpler to work on. I would not recommend anyone attempt trigger work on any gun as a first project without supervision of a qualified gunsmith.

[gunnut69]

The Rugers trigger design is quite good, but the last few I've seen were so loose that adjustment was problematical.  The quality wasn't there.  Looks to me as if the trigger were ariginally designed to accomdate some adjustment screws(the castings had bosses in the right places) but that feature was omitted..  A shame as the MKII is a good design..