Convertable Rugers

D

David Bachelder

New member
I just bought my first Ruger revolver. It is the .357/9mm convertible. As many owners and others know Ruger is well known as a fine firearm, possibly one of the best.

I have shot the pistol in all three configurations and I must say it is indeed a fine weapon. Now for the question. I was a little taken back by the fact that the extra cylinder is made specifically for the hand gun it accompanies. Evidently the cylinders are not interchangeable with other Rugers. I really don't have an issue with this, I never would sell the extra cylinder or attempt to use it in another Ruger anyway. I'm just surprised that with todays technology and advancements in machining tools that the extra cylinder will only fit one pistol. I would have guessed it would fit any Ruger Blackhawk, chambered in .357.

There is a three digit number engraved at the top of the cylinders. These three digits match the last three digits of the matching revolvers serial number. Seems odd to me.

This is not a slam on Ruger, I liked the first Ruger so much I bought a second one, chambered in 45 Colt.

Love them both and I have a great respect for the quality of the Ruger revolvers.
 
It's all about the cylinder timing for that gun.It will be in time with that revolver. It may or may not be in time with another revolver.
 
I believe bossman is correct. I have seen the same explanation attached to other revolvers, including the NAA minis.
 
"In my experience they will (usually) work in another gun."

I link this statement to the thoughts of the first guy to eat an oyster.

"Do I really want to do this?"
 
Like many other features (the transfer bar) this is sort of a disclaimer. If they did not state this, and someone switched cylinders and by chance they did not mate up, bad particle spitting could injure a bystander, hence the warning.

Cylinders are bought and/or traded nearly everyday, without apparent mishap. Its a quick check for your gunsmith to perform if you have a maverick cylinder.

Bob Wright
 
Like a lot of things, the devil is in the details. And for revolver cylinders, a couple of thousanths of an inch can be critical. The difference between something that fits, and something that fits and works right.

Lots of gun parts will work fine as "plug and play", but others need hand fitting to function properly and safely. That cylinder will fit into all the other Rugers of matching dimensions, but its fitted to only one, yours. It might rotate and lock up fine in another gun, but be slightly out of line with the bore, creating a dangerous (or at least less than optimal) situation.
 
I have two Blackhawks in 38/40-10mm. I used to be a fanatic about matching cylinders until I inadvertently switched them one day. They were completely interchangeable. Since then, I stopped worrying about it!
 
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