How to Adjust Your Ruger American Trigger

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

How to Adjust Your Ruger American Trigger

The Ruger American is a popular rifle for hunting, target shooting, and self-defense. It’s known for its accuracy and reliability, but one area where it can be improved is the trigger. The factory trigger is a bit heavy and gritty, and it can make it difficult to shoot accurately. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to adjust the trigger on a Ruger American. With a few simple tools and a little bit of time, you can have a trigger that’s smooth, light, and crisp.

In this article, we’ll show you how to adjust the trigger on a Ruger American. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from the tools you’ll need to the steps involved in the adjustment process. By the end of this article, you’ll have a trigger that’s perfect for your shooting needs.

Step Instructions Image
1 Remove the grip panel from the Ruger American rifle.
2 Locate the two set screws that hold the trigger in place.
3 Use a small screwdriver to turn the set screws counterclockwise to loosen them.
4 Adjust the trigger pull weight by turning the set screws in or out.
5 Reinstall the grip panel and test the trigger pull weight.

How to Adjust Ruger American Trigger?

Safety Precautions

Before you begin adjusting your Ruger American trigger, it is important to take some safety precautions.

  • Always make sure the gun is unloaded and the safety is engaged. This is the most important safety precaution you can take when working on any firearm.
  • Wear eye protection. There is always a risk of debris flying out of the gun when you are working on it, so it is important to wear eye protection to protect your eyes.
  • Work in a well-ventilated area. Gunpowder residue can be harmful if inhaled, so it is important to work in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing in any fumes.

Tools and Materials Needed

To adjust your Ruger American trigger, you will need the following tools and materials:

  • A Ruger American trigger adjustment tool
  • A small flathead screwdriver
  • A small Phillips head screwdriver
  • A small amount of gun oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Unload the gun and engage the safety.
2. Remove the action from the stock.
3. Locate the trigger adjustment screw. It is located on the bottom of the trigger housing, just behind the trigger.
4. Use the small flathead screwdriver to loosen the trigger adjustment screw.
5. Use the small Phillips head screwdriver to turn the trigger adjustment screw clockwise to increase the trigger pull weight or counterclockwise to decrease the trigger pull weight.
6. Retest the trigger pull weight and adjust the screw as needed.
7. Reassemble the gun.
8. Test the gun to make sure the trigger is working properly.

Adjusting the trigger on your Ruger American is a relatively simple process, but it is important to take the necessary safety precautions. By following the steps in this guide, you can safely and easily adjust the trigger pull weight to your desired setting.

3. Steps to Adjust the Trigger

To adjust the trigger on your Ruger American Rifle, follow these steps:

1. Remove the bolt from the rifle.
2. Rotate the safety lever to the “safe” position.
3. Remove the trigger guard screw.
4. Remove the trigger guard.
5. Remove the trigger spring.
6. Use a small screwdriver to adjust the trigger pull weight.
7. Reinstall the trigger spring, trigger guard, and trigger guard screw.
8. Reinstall the bolt.

4. Testing the Trigger Adjustment

Once you have adjusted the trigger, test it to make sure that it is functioning properly. Here are a few things to check:

  • The trigger should have a smooth, consistent pull.
  • The trigger should break cleanly without any creep or overtravel.
  • The trigger should reset quickly and easily.

If you are not satisfied with the trigger adjustment, you can repeat the steps above until you achieve the desired results.

Adjusting the trigger on your Ruger American Rifle is a relatively simple task that can be completed in a few minutes. By following these steps, you can ensure that your rifle has a trigger that is comfortable and accurate for your shooting style.

How do I adjust the trigger pull weight on my Ruger American rifle?

1. Remove the bolt from the rifle.
2. Rotate the two set screws on the trigger assembly until the desired trigger pull weight is achieved.
3. Reinstall the bolt.

How do I adjust the trigger sear engagement on my Ruger American rifle?

1. Remove the bolt from the rifle.
2. Use a small screwdriver to pry the sear engagement spring up slightly.
3. Turn the sear engagement screw clockwise to increase the sear engagement, or counterclockwise to decrease it.
4. Reinstall the bolt.

How do I adjust the trigger overtravel on my Ruger American rifle?

1. Remove the bolt from the rifle.
2. Use a small screwdriver to pry the overtravel stop up slightly.
3. Turn the overtravel screw clockwise to decrease the overtravel, or counterclockwise to increase it.
4. Reinstall the bolt.

What are the different types of trigger adjustments that can be made on a Ruger American rifle?

There are three main types of trigger adjustments that can be made on a Ruger American rifle:

  • Trigger pull weight
  • Trigger sear engagement
  • Trigger overtravel

What is the difference between a light trigger pull and a heavy trigger pull?

A light trigger pull is easier to pull, while a heavy trigger pull is more difficult to pull. A light trigger pull is often preferred for target shooting, while a heavy trigger pull is often preferred for hunting.

What is the difference between a short trigger pull and a long trigger pull?

A short trigger pull is shorter in distance, while a long trigger pull is longer in distance. A short trigger pull is often preferred for target shooting, while a long trigger pull is often preferred for hunting.

What is the difference between a crisp trigger pull and a mushy trigger pull?

A crisp trigger pull is clean and sharp, while a mushy trigger pull is soft and spongy. A crisp trigger pull is often preferred for target shooting, while a mushy trigger pull is often preferred for hunting.

How can I tell if my Ruger American rifle’s trigger is adjusted correctly?

There are a few things you can check to make sure your Ruger American rifle’s trigger is adjusted correctly:

  • The trigger pull weight should be between 3 and 5 pounds.
  • The trigger sear engagement should be between 0.005 and 0.010 inches.
  • The trigger overtravel should be between 0.010 and 0.020 inches.

If any of these measurements are outside of the recommended range, you may need to adjust the trigger.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to adjust the trigger on a Ruger American rifle. We have covered the different parts of the trigger assembly, how to identify which parts need to be adjusted, and the steps involved in making the adjustments. We hope that this information has been helpful and that you are now able to properly adjust your Ruger American trigger.

Here are some key takeaways from this blog post:

  • The Ruger American rifle has a two-stage trigger. The first stage is the take-up, and the second stage is the trigger pull.
  • The trigger pull weight can be adjusted by changing the sear spring tension.
  • The overtravel can be adjusted by changing the overtravel screw.
  • The trigger can be made more crisp by polishing the sear engagement surfaces.

By following these steps, you can adjust the trigger on your Ruger American rifle to your personal preference.

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