Ruger New Vaquero is sticking

[Will Lynchem]

Got a question for you who have one or more Ruger new vaqueros.  While shooting a Sass match two weeks ago, one of my new vaqueros jammed up in between shots. It acted like the loading gate was open and would only advance the cylinder half way and the hammer would only come back about halfway also. Right off the bat, everyone thought it was my ammo. (I reload my own and have done so for years). Everybody told me that I must have a problem with my primers not seating and are too high. But I checked them and ran them through my other new vaquero with no problem.  My Vaqueros are a matched set with consecutive serial numbers. Also while cleaning my guns after the last shoot, I noticed while dry firing that one pistol, it locked up twice out of maybe 25 or 30 times. I oiled it and it seemed to be fine but today while at the range checking some new loads on my chronograph,  it locked up again. Hummmmm... any ideas??? Thanks in advance. W. L.
PS. Did I mention that while pointing the suspect gun down range, it freed up and discharged?  It put the round right dead center of the LED screen of my new chronograph!  Blew the 9 volt battery right out the back I truly think I need to get this fixed.  

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Have you checked the plunger in the base of the cylinder pin for free movement in & out. It has to press against the transfer bar to allow the revolver to fire.

[Stu Kettle]

What Sir Charles said. Easy to check, if that is the problem, when it locks up look at the transfer bar, & see if it is catching on the firing pin.

[Will Lynchem]

Thanks guys, I will check that today. W. L.

[Charles B Gatewood]

WL,
You might also make sure the base pin is secure and not moving forward when you shoot.

CBG

[Will Lynchem]

Well, on closer inspection of my Vaquero today I discovered that you guys hit the nail on the head. It seems that the transfer bar was catching on the firing pin. It also turns out that one of the screws on either side of the trigger had started backing out. One was about 3/4 of a turn loose and the other had backed out until it was flush with the surface of the frame.  After a little interior oiling and tightening the screws back up, it seems to work just fine.  Thanks again all for the input. Sincerely,  Will.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Way to go, Will.  A suitable screwdriver should be part of your shooting kit.  Check screws occasionally.

As well, make sure the nut that holds the butt is properly tuned

[Will Lynchem]

Sir, Charles,  I'm assuming when you refer to "the nut that holds the butt" it is yours truly!    You couldn't be  more on target! I'll be sure to do that! Thanks again, W.L.   

[IRON JACK]

Will , My new Vaquero transfer bar was catching on my firing pin. Mine turned out to be a burr in in base pin latch hole stopping it from engaging the notch and allowing base pin to move forward. As you probably know the little plunger in the rear end of base pin is what pushes the transfer bar out and away from firing pin.

Check it out too be sure, would won't you to get into a shoot and have it hang up on you 

Jack

[HolliferADollar]

Get a set of the Belt Mountain base pins - they have set screws so they won't back out.  I have them in both my sets of Vaqueros.  www.beltmountain.com

Holler

[Will Lynchem]

I'll be sure to check into that.  I found that the base pin s were starting to back out of my other Vaquero as well.  Thanks for the info. W. L.

[Mustang Gregg]

Sending sympathies for your chronograph. 

[Will Lynchem]

Ya, poor thing has gone to the big shooting range in the sky.    
Now I have to find a suitable replacement before my DW finds out! It was a birthday present and the last thing she said as I was walking out the door was,  "don't you dare shoot that chronograph"!!!   . Opps!   .
I really hope she doesn't read this forum!