When I first got my Ruger P-97 I really liked it. Accurate and easy to shoot well,what wasn`t to like? Then for some reason the hammer started hitting the web of my hand just enough to sting it a little every few rounds. After a few mags. I`d develop a big red welt on my hand and it goes without saying that my accuracy with it really dropped off. I`d just changed from a Hogue grip sleeve to skateboard tape, I thought somehow that might be the prob. I switched back and it persisted. I changed my grip to a very low strong hand thumb and it got better but still did it from time to time. Then it occured to me that it started happening soon after I installed a Wolff reduced power hammer spring to lighten the trigger pull a bit. If I recall it was only 2lbs. lighter but is it possible that the difference let the hammer fly back a little bit farther, just enough to nip my hand? When I fully cock the hammer it`s a good distance from my hand but it`ll come farther back if pulled until it just barely touches. If I can`t solve the problem I`m gonna have to trade this thing in. I hate like heck to do it though,just last weekend I fired a rested 5 shot group measuring under 2" at 25yds with 230gr.Hydrashoks. Then I tried it offhand and got a 3" group,then it started biting me and they were all over the place after that. FWIW I changed the spring back tonight but it may be a week or more before I get the chance to try it again. Marcus