~Ruger Hang Up~

[Sgt. Eli]

I have a pard whose is having a problem with some old model Vaqueros in .357. Every so often they will bind just a little. I dpn't shoot or tinker with Rugers so I had no info for him. It's an inconsisitant problem, he uses the same manufacture brass, and I believe he said he was running a 125 gr. bullet at 700 fps and is pretty sure it's not a primer issue. He bought the guns new and has just now begun to shoot them so they haven't had many rounds thru them.

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

The most common problem with Rugers that won't cock properly is the Transfer Bar getting jammed under the Firing Pin as the Hammer is cocked. Next time this happens to your friend, tell him to check if the Cylinder Base Pin (the pin the cylinder rotates around) is fully seated all the way back. If he checks the Pin, and is able to pop it back into the proper position, what has happened is the Pin jumped forward under recoil (actually the Pin stood still and the whole gun jumped backwards). When this happens the Spring Plunger loacated at the rear of the Cylinder Base Pin has lost contact with the Transfer Bar, and is no longer pushing the Transfer Bar backwards as it rises. Without the Spring Plunger pushing it backwards, the Transfer Bar is likely to jam under the Firing Pin.

This is usually recoil related, with heavy loads, but it can happen with any load. If the Cylinder Base Pin has jumped forward under recoil, the Pin and the Latch that secures it need some attention.

He can simulate this for himself by unlatching the Cylinder Base Pin and pulling the pin forward about 1/4" or so. Then as the Hammer is cocked, the Transfer Bar is likely to jam under the Firing Pin. Slow cocking will reveal this.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Howdy!

As usual, Driftwood has answered with great suggestions.

I can think of one other possible explanation for the dragging.  It's POSSIBLE that he has some loads that may be soft enough (low powered) that the primers aren't getting reseated by the pressure from firing.  As you may know, right after the primer fires off and the powder starts to ignite, the gas formed by the burning powder is beginning to expand.  The FIRST part that moves under recoil is the primer.  Then, the pressure builds up more and the bullet starts its trip down the barrel.  At this second phase of the recoil cycle, the entire case slams backward onto the breechface which re-seats the primer.  If the loads are too light, the case doesn't slam back hard enough to re-seat the primer.

Personally, I'd guess that Driftwood's theory # 2 (re: cylinder pin unlatching and moving slightly) is the most probable reason.  If that is the problem, then you or your friend can slightly enlarge the groove on the pin, which will allow the spring-loaded ball detent to seat more firmly.  Rugers are well-known for this.  If you DO the grinding thing, you need to enlarge the width  of the groove, not the depth.  There are also replacement cylinder pins available from Brownell's, Midway, and other places that will also fix the problem ... for about $30+.   Personally, I can do a LOT of careful grinding for 30+ smackeroos!