WARNING:Be careful installing Volquartzen hammer on Ruger PC-9

Apple a Day · February 4, 2018, 03:23 PM

WARNING: BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU INSTALL A VOLQUARTSEN TRIGGER ON A PC-9

Well, I can scratch "firing something full-auto" off my bucket list. And I need a new pair of underwear.
I put the new Volquartsen trigger in the PC-9 and it was very light. Unfortunately, when I took it to the range I was getting a lot of malfunctions, especially light primer strikes. At times it wouldn't seem to cycle far enough to pick up a new round. I was firing some Wolf 115 grain ammo and some Freedom Munitions 124 grain JHPs, both of which worked just fine the first time I took the rifle to the range. I found that if I pulled the trigger sharply to the rear and held it all the way back as the rifle cycled that it cut down on the number of malfunctions. I stripped the gun down and checked the new trigger but it seemed to be properly positioned. It's the third Volquartsen hammer I've installed and the other two have been beautiful, no problems at all through thousands of rounds.
In frustration I was about to pack the rifle up and take it home when I thought I would remove one last variable: I'd been shooting today with a bipod attached to the forward rail. Maybe that's causing some sort of flexing, I thought. I took off the bipod, set the forearm on a little rest to brace it and when I tried to fire it ripped off a 5 round burst. At that point I quit for the day.

I'm going to strip it down again, replace the original hammer parts, and check to make sure that the firing pin can move freely. I don't know what the problem is exactly but I could feel when the gun cycled completely, resetting the trigger and when it didn't.

I sent a letter to both Ruger and Volquartsen. Nobody got hurt, no damage was done to the range. I'll check the rifle. I got scared out of 19 years' growth though.

Maybe my gun just had a malfunction but if anyone else is thinking of installing a Volquartsen hammer on your PC-9 be careful. Be safe.

DT Guy · February 4, 2018, 03:54 PM

I'm curious if Volquartsen is recommending the use of their parts on the PC-9 yet; I haven't noticed anything.

Larry

amd6547 · February 4, 2018, 08:13 PM

Could it have been bump firing?

Apple a Day · February 4, 2018, 08:43 PM

I checked the firing pin when I cleaned it and put the original parts back. The return spring on the firing pin was strong and the pin was free to move. I don't think the firing pin got stuck.
Could I have accidentally bump fired? I was sitting at a bench and had the forearm on a rest with the stock tucked firmly into my shoulder. It's not impossible, though, I suppose. I've never bump fired anything so I have nothing to compare it to. It wasn't a bam-bam-bam-bam, more of a brrrrpt! Super quick. The guys down the row immediately knew I'd had a malf and prairie dogged at me while the RO came straight over.
I'm not saying for sure it was the new trigger but since that's what I'd switched from last session to this one it seems the most likely culprit. I'm not fond of all the light strikes, either.
Be safe, guys

9x19 · February 5, 2018, 08:49 AM

WARNING: BE VERY CAREFUL

Not to quibble, but that same caution applies when installing "drop-in" fire control parts into any weapon!

Glad it went the right way for you.

stagpanther · February 5, 2018, 09:10 AM

Generally ruger puts good triggers in their rifles--what in particular did you find lacking in the stock one?

Fishbed77 · February 5, 2018, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Generally ruger puts good triggers in their rifles--what in particular did you find lacking in the stock one?

Installing a Volquartsen hammer into a 10/22 trigger group is a common, easy, and inexpensive modification to lighten the trigger and make the pull a little smoother.

Since the PC Carbine claims to use the same trigger group as the 10/22, it was only a matter of time before someone tried this.

DT Guy · February 5, 2018, 02:18 PM

I realize it's the same trigger group, but the weapon weight, recoil and bolt configuration all differ from the 10-22; all those things could have an impact on whether a 10-22 part will work correctly in the PC-9, hence my question about whether Volquartsen has recommended their use in the PC.

Larry

Apple a Day · February 5, 2018, 05:25 PM

The stock trigger break wasn't as crisp as I'd like. I've put the same replacement hammer on a couple of 10/22s and it really improved the triggers.
The whole thing is so new no one has recommended for or against replacement parts. Well, except me, I suppose. Don't do it.
Scott Volquartsen returned my email within a few hours.

tangolima · February 6, 2018, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbed77

Since the PC Carbine claims to use the same trigger group as the 10/22, it was only a matter of time before someone tried this.

I'm afraid they are not the same.

-TL

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Big Shrek · February 6, 2018, 12:45 AM

I'd wanna know what the RO said, and if anyone may have reported the Malf to a Higher Power...

Prairie doggin?? Is that a buncha folks popping their heads up??

Model12Win · February 6, 2018, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Prairie doggin?? Is that a buncha folks popping their heads up??

Around here, that is not what that means. It means you have to go number 2!!

**JohnKSa** · February 6, 2018, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Since the PC Carbine claims to use the same trigger group as the 10/22...

Ruger says that the PC Carbine uses "proven 10/22® trigger components", but I don't believe that is quite the same thing as saying that the trigger group is the same as the 10/22. It certainly has similarities and uses some of the same parts, but it also appears that there are differences.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...rity-9-pistol/

This article states that "a few specific trigger group components" are shared with the 10/22, which implies that many are not.

At this time, I can't find anything on Volquartsen's website indicating that they recommend any of their 10/22 parts for the Ruger PC Carbine.

Fishbed77 · February 6, 2018, 08:42 AM

Quote:

It certainly has similarities and uses some of the same parts, but it also appears that there are differences.

https://www.americanrifleman.org/art...rity-9-pistol/

This article states that "a few specific trigger group components" are shared with the 10/22, which implies that many are not.

This is what I suspected.

johnwilliamson062 · February 7, 2018, 05:44 PM

The lesson here, and one I learned the hard way, is if you are having any sort of fire control issue load one until you get one to fire correctly, then load two. Don't load a full mag.

Apple a Day · February 18, 2018, 06:55 PM

It worked just fine today with original equipment reinstalled

February 4, 2018, 03:23 PM	#1
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,524	WARNING:Be careful installing Volquartzen hammer on Ruger PC-9 WARNING: BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU INSTALL A VOLQUARTSEN TRIGGER ON A PC-9 Well, I can scratch "firing something full-auto" off my bucket list. And I need a new pair of underwear. I put the new Volquartsen trigger in the PC-9 and it was very light. Unfortunately, when I took it to the range I was getting a lot of malfunctions, especially light primer strikes. At times it wouldn't seem to cycle far enough to pick up a new round. I was firing some Wolf 115 grain ammo and some Freedom Munitions 124 grain JHPs, both of which worked just fine the first time I took the rifle to the range. I found that if I pulled the trigger sharply to the rear and held it all the way back as the rifle cycled that it cut down on the number of malfunctions. I stripped the gun down and checked the new trigger but it seemed to be properly positioned. It's the third Volquartsen hammer I've installed and the other two have been beautiful, no problems at all through thousands of rounds. In frustration I was about to pack the rifle up and take it home when I thought I would remove one last variable: I'd been shooting today with a bipod attached to the forward rail. Maybe that's causing some sort of flexing, I thought. I took off the bipod, set the forearm on a little rest to brace it and when I tried to fire it ripped off a 5 round burst. At that point I quit for the day. I'm going to strip it down again, replace the original hammer parts, and check to make sure that the firing pin can move freely. I don't know what the problem is exactly but I could feel when the gun cycled completely, resetting the trigger and when it didn't. I sent a letter to both Ruger and Volquartsen. Nobody got hurt, no damage was done to the range. I'll check the rifle. I got scared out of 19 years' growth though. Maybe my gun just had a malfunction but if anyone else is thinking of installing a Volquartsen hammer on your PC-9 be careful. Be safe. __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

February 4, 2018, 03:54 PM	#2
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 959	I'm curious if Volquartsen is recommending the use of their parts on the PC-9 yet; I haven't noticed anything. Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

February 4, 2018, 08:13 PM	#3
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	Could it have been bump firing? __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

February 4, 2018, 08:43 PM	#4
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,524	I checked the firing pin when I cleaned it and put the original parts back. The return spring on the firing pin was strong and the pin was free to move. I don't think the firing pin got stuck. Could I have accidentally bump fired? I was sitting at a bench and had the forearm on a rest with the stock tucked firmly into my shoulder. It's not impossible, though, I suppose. I've never bump fired anything so I have nothing to compare it to. It wasn't a bam-bam-bam-bam, more of a brrrrpt! Super quick. The guys down the row immediately knew I'd had a malf and prairie dogged at me while the RO came straight over. I'm not saying for sure it was the new trigger but since that's what I'd switched from last session to this one it seems the most likely culprit. I'm not fond of all the light strikes, either. Be safe, guys __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

February 5, 2018, 08:49 AM	#5
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	WARNING: BE VERY CAREFUL Not to quibble, but that same caution applies when installing "drop-in" fire control parts into any weapon! Glad it went the right way for you. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

February 5, 2018, 09:10 AM	#6
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,790	Generally ruger puts good triggers in their rifles--what in particular did you find lacking in the stock one? __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

February 5, 2018, 02:18 PM	#8
DT Guy Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2001 Posts: 959	I realize it's the same trigger group, but the weapon weight, recoil and bolt configuration all differ from the 10-22; all those things could have an impact on whether a 10-22 part will work correctly in the PC-9, hence my question about whether Volquartsen has recommended their use in the PC. Larry __________________ He who fights and runs away had better run pretty damn fast. Government, Anarchy and Chaos

February 5, 2018, 05:25 PM	#9
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,524	The stock trigger break wasn't as crisp as I'd like. I've put the same replacement hammer on a couple of 10/22s and it really improved the triggers. The whole thing is so new no one has recommended for or against replacement parts. Well, except me, I suppose. Don't do it. Scott Volquartsen returned my email within a few hours. __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War

February 6, 2018, 12:45 AM	#11
Big Shrek Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: NorthWest Florida Posts: 1,358	I'd wanna know what the RO said, and if anyone may have reported the Malf to a Higher Power... Prairie doggin?? Is that a buncha folks popping their heads up?? __________________ Marlin Specialist Calico Specialist A gun should be a tool in the hands of a deadly weapon, not a deadly weapon in the hands of a tool.

February 7, 2018, 05:44 PM	#15
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	The lesson here, and one I learned the hard way, is if you are having any sort of fire control issue load one until you get one to fire correctly, then load two. Don't load a full mag.

February 18, 2018, 06:55 PM	#16
Apple a Day Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2000 Location: Poquoson,Virginia Posts: 1,524	It worked just fine today with original equipment reinstalled __________________ THose who use arms well cultivate the Way and keep the rules. Thus they can govern in such a way as to prevail over the corrupt. - Sun Tzu, The Art of War