How to tune a Ruger

Pettifogger · January 05, 2011, 12:16:56 PM

First thing is to completely disassemble it.

Dirty Brass · January 05, 2011, 05:35:22 PM

lol! That's a good start there!

Hoof Hearted · January 05, 2011, 10:49:15 PM

Looks like ya got fed up and threw the tools in there with it!

Pettifogger · January 05, 2011, 11:23:11 PM

The only tool is the little aluminum spring compressor. Figured I'd take a few photos as I put it back together. Started off as a standard blue .45 New Vaquero with a 5 1/2" barrel. Will look a little different when its done.

Rube Burrows · January 09, 2011, 12:24:09 PM

Im watching this. Looks like it will be a fun thread.

Pettifogger · January 15, 2011, 05:24:27 PM

Barrel cut to 4 inches and re-installed in frame.

rep1954 · January 15, 2011, 08:01:45 PM

Pettifogger, Looks like your off to a great start. I cant wait to see the finished product.

Pettifogger · January 16, 2011, 01:35:49 PM

Front sight added. Head of base pin shortened. Ejector housing, rod and spring shortened and a new hole drilled and tapped in the barrel. The front sight is brass so I can see the color, can't really see sights all that well. It looks funny because it is .100 closer to the muzzle and .140 shorter than the stock sight. This results in a sight radius that's almost the same as a standard 4 5/8" Ruger.

Rube Burrows · January 16, 2011, 08:03:38 PM

Whats that say on the top strap?

Pettifogger · January 17, 2011, 08:57:24 AM

It says 1T 2009 CAT.16884

Mossyrock · January 17, 2011, 09:01:45 AM

Quote from: Pettifogger on January 17, 2011, 08:57:24 AM
It says 1T 2009 CAT.16884

Why?

Rube Burrows · January 17, 2011, 05:13:29 PM

Quote from: Pettifogger on January 17, 2011, 08:57:24 AM
It says 1T 2009 CAT.16884

Never seen that.

Pettifogger · January 17, 2011, 05:14:20 PM

Quote from: Mossyrock on January 17, 2011, 09:01:45 AM
Why?

You would have to ask Ruger.

Pettifogger · January 18, 2011, 12:25:05 AM

Done. Super Blackhawk hammer, birdshead gripframe, Eagle Gunfighter grips, opened cylinder gap to .006". Now I need to take it out and fire a couple of hundred rounds of BP to break it in.

Rube Burrows · January 18, 2011, 06:06:56 PM

Looks like it came out pretty nice.

Fox Creek Kid · January 18, 2011, 06:20:58 PM

The brass sight is a superb idea. Did you make it?

Pettifogger · January 18, 2011, 09:37:02 PM

Yep, cut it out of an old brass data plate that was .130" thick. Thinned it a bit and stuck it in a .125" slot and then milled it to .100 thick. Shows up good in the .140 rear sight notch. The mate to this one (you need pairs of everything for CAS) had the .140 notch as Ruger now makes that standard. This one was a little older and had to be opened to .140.

Pettifogger · January 23, 2011, 09:59:39 PM

Quote from: Nueces Grandes on January 20, 2011, 05:03:20 PM
Cool. Looks good. Does the Super Blackhawk hammer just drop in?

Most of the time.

Fox Creek Kid · January 24, 2011, 12:58:41 AM

Quote from: Pettifogger on January 23, 2011, 09:59:39 PM
Most of the time.

Hahahahaha!! I love that seasoned gunsmith answer!!

Pettifogger · January 25, 2011, 09:11:46 PM

Quote from: Nueces Grandes on January 25, 2011, 12:13:03 PM
I thought they were different enough they wouldn't fit.

Nope, only thing different is the hammer spur. The Bisley is different and requires work to drop in a standard frame. However, that's not SASS legal so few even try it.