Ruger old army - revisited

[Pappy Myles]

Howdy all

I've receintly came into possession of a pair of fixed sight SS ruger old army's 71/2" barrel.   I've read Capt Baylors section on frontier.  They came with a pair of Kirst conversion units.

I have a bunch of pryodex RS left over from a scout shool, about 8 lps.   I know not everyone is in favor of the stuff but it was a donation.  I'm using about 32 grains of the stuff with DD ROA 210 grain Big Lube Mold and SPG.  I also have one of his Tower of Power loaders.   Seams to work real nice.  And I do have a ball making them go BOOM!

Only Issue I got is its seams to be a real challenge of taking the cylenders out to load and getting them back in.  Seams like the cylender rod wants to jam the cylenders in the frame.......I got to wiggle them in and out to get it back together.

Any hints?

[Dick Dastardly]

Howdy Pappy,

I'm wondering if them cylinder base pins might not be slightly bent.  They get bent if you, or someone else, tries to load the chambers with the cylinder on the gun but the cylinder base pin not locked in place with the slotted locking stud set to lock.  You should be able to determine if they are bent by rolling them on a flat surface with the enlarged end beyond the surface.

If your base pins are straight, try polishing them and the holes they go into.  Then, use a good gun oil on them.  I like Ballistol, but any good gun lube will do.  Gun butter is a real good lube for this.  FWIW, the cylinders on my brace of ROAs go in and out quite easily and the pins slide in slick.

Hope that helps.

DD-DLoS

[Pappy Myles]

Thanks DD, I'll check those out.    I have noticed a "sharp sholder" in the pin near the tip, I've taken some 600 grit sand paper and tried to round it off.  But trying to sand Stainless Steel is like taking an ice pick to a glacer.  That and I dont want to take too much off with a dremil tool.