installing plunger / spring on '72 OT

[Redbank]

A while back there was a thread with pictures showing how / location for installing Ruger plunger on an Opentop. Anyone know where it is now? If not can someone post the info?

Redbank

[Pettifogger]

I'll describe it as I don't have a gun apart right now.  The precise location is not critical down to the last .001 of an inch and will vary from gun to gun depending on the particular gun's tolerances.  For the area between the left frame screw hole and the top of the frame, you basically want to more or less center the hole vertically.  For the distance from the hammer channel you want to measure the width of the hand and divide by two.  You want the plunger as close to the centerline of the hand as possible, BUT you don't want to drill so close to the hammer channel that the drill might penetrate.  If you are going to drill the hole slightly off the centerline of the hand, do it AWAY from the hammer channel.  You need to good vice and at a minimum a good drill press.  This is not a job for a hand drill.  Make sure the back surface of the frame is square to the vice jaws (in other words perfectly level horizontally) and make sure you center punch or better yet use a centering drill to start the hole.  Put in the right size drill and drill the hole.  One thing with 72's is that some of them have a wider hand channel than others and the plunger may fall inside the gun or jam after everything is together and you cock it a few times.  If this happens take your Dremel and cut off a piece of the drill you used to drill the hole a little longer than the Ruger plunger and use that for a plunger.  Round the end rubbing on the hand a little and don't worry that it doesn't have that fancy little stub like the Ruger plunger.  If will work just fine with a flat end.


Found an el cheapo Pietta brass frame in the closet.  See if this picture comes up.

http://s228.photobucket.com/albums/ee241/pettifogger1/?action=view&current=P1000267.jpg

[Flint]

My pictures of the installation.







The set screw is not necessary.  The hole diameter is .107 (#36) 0r a 7/64 (.109)

Not shown but the height to the hole center is 1.000 inch.

Pettifogger, the Photo Bucket[IMG] choice will bring the photo right in, like mine, on this CAS website.

I see you are signed up for the upcoming Tombstone shoot, hope to meet you in person there.

[Pettifogger]

Flint, me and computers don't get along all that good.  I'll try the IMG thingy next time.  I'm more excited about the Tombstone shoot than Bordertown.  It's shaping up into a just plain fun shoot.  I'll be coming down on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning.  What category you shootin?

[Flint]

I'm shooting Elder Statesman at the Tombstone shoot...