ruger sbh cylinder pin problems

3

357shooter

New member
I have had my 45/8 ss sbh for about a year now,and ever since I touched off my first heavy load the base pin started to slide out.I would shoot one round and it would come out,and I'd have to push it back in every time.It was very frustrating so I ordered a belt mountain locking base pin.The pin fit like a glove and I thought all was well,but now the pin works it's way out after a couple off cylinders.If I try to tighten the set screw too much the cylinder starts to bind and I have to back it out.Not sure what to do about this,because at this point I'm seriously thinking of getting rid of it because it really is starting to tick me off.:mad: Anyone else have this kind of problems with their ruger single actions? If so any suggestions on what I could do to keep that pin from coming out.Just seems like ruger's tolerences are a little loose on this gun.I hate too get rid of it but I may have too if I can't keep this from happening.
 
A Belt Mountain base pin will fix you right up. Unfortunately their website is down right now...www.beltmountain.com. I have two Vaqueros with the #5 Keith style pins and they will not slip. Just for good measure I installed stronger base pin latch springs too.
 
You are correct, Ruger DID ship several out of spec/tolerances frames and other components out. This was a debacle with regards to their 44-40s. The Belt Mountain basepins are available oversized. A gunsmith will usually need to fit them in order for the cylinder arbour to function. Have you checked into the #5 Keith style? A few Rugers actually have had to have a gunsmith realign and rebore the center axis from the frame all the way through the cylinder and into the recoil shield as they were misaligned. It is not unusual. Colts have had the same problem as well. I do suggest a gunsmith check of other tolerances also. I had a SBH in 44 Magnum that was not allowed enough clearance for the hammer to fall. A bit was removed from the frame hammer channel and it functioned fine afterwards.
 
Yes I did exactly like the direction said,and dimpled the barrel but the pin still loosens up after a couple cylinders of the hotter loads.It stays in place with mild loads.I have a vaquero(old style)and that pin doesn't even move.The vaquero seems to be a better gun all around.I think I just have gotten a bit of a lemon.I'll either pursue fixing it the right way or get something else which wouldn't be a bad Idea since I love new stuff.
 
The problem may not be the base pin itself but the spring in the retainer.

Ruger will also repair the problem if major and you may want to call them.

Go over to the Ruger Forum and ask there. www.rugerforum.com

tipoc
 
This may seem oversimplified, stop shooting the hot stuff. If the revolver is kicking a properly dimpled and screwed down center pin out, I would say that there is excess pressures. Are these some megaubermaxihandloads?
 
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