I purchased a new 10/22 last month, and in the course of installing a new Volquartsen target hammer, I see that Ruger has incorporated the hammer bushings into the casting of the hammer. I'm not sure when they started doing this, but it looks like those people changing out the stock hammer on new(er) guns will need to buy some hammer bushings.
My new VQ hammer came with new bushings.....
Maybe the hammer set I got from MidwayUSA was old stock. I'm not certain the hammer does all that much, as the hammer spring seems to affect the trigger pull more the hammer itself.
Just the spring will give a marked improvement in weight of pull. How clean the pull and break is will improve significantly with the hammer change.
When I first put mine together (Bass Pro $179.00 special apparently same as Wallyworld model) I had the same problem. Put it together with the Vol spring & sear but used the Ruger hammer. It made a little difference over stock. Got the bushings from Midway (about $2 ea I understand they're now on back order). with these & the Vol hammer, BIG difference. Some of the new Vol kits are being advertised with the bushings included.
Guy