When did Ruger start pinning the Blackhawk?
- Thread starter tipoc
- Start date
FrankenMauser
New member
They're captured pins.
They're just as reliable as the screws. ....Possibly more-so, since they can't get stripped by a brutish oaf with a beat up screwdriver.
They're just as reliable as the screws. ....Possibly more-so, since they can't get stripped by a brutish oaf with a beat up screwdriver.
madmo44mag
New member
The pins were a great innovation for Ruger.
The old 3 screw design was infamous for backing out.
I own and have owned many 3 screw models and they all have issues with the screws backing off. Even when “loc-Tighted”
If a smith ever has to go into the gun they drill the pins out and replace them with screws or this is what I have seen done. Send it back to Ruger and it comes back with pins.
I have never seen a pinned gun ever has issues with the pins.
The old 3 screw design was infamous for backing out.
I own and have owned many 3 screw models and they all have issues with the screws backing off. Even when “loc-Tighted”
If a smith ever has to go into the gun they drill the pins out and replace them with screws or this is what I have seen done. Send it back to Ruger and it comes back with pins.
I have never seen a pinned gun ever has issues with the pins.
The Ruger New Model lockwork was introduced in 1973. According to what I have heard, it was the result of Ruger losing a lawsuit. The new model lockwork, AND refitting every old model that they got their hands on, were part of the settlement.
I can't give you chapter and verse on the details, likely someone here can. I can give you the "urban legend" version, which says, some idiot was loading/unloading his Ruger .44Mag (in the cab of a pickup truck, while moving, he apparently was not the driver) and shot himself in the leg. He sued Ruger.
The jury decided (wrongly in my opinion) that Ruger was at fault. As part of the settlement, the new model lockwork was produced.
This is also why, if you send an old model to Ruger, for any reason, Ruger will convert it to the new model style, whether you want them to, or not. They don't have a choice. Last I knew, Ruger does give you back the original parts, so if YOU want, you can return the gun to original configuration.
I can't give you chapter and verse on the details, likely someone here can. I can give you the "urban legend" version, which says, some idiot was loading/unloading his Ruger .44Mag (in the cab of a pickup truck, while moving, he apparently was not the driver) and shot himself in the leg. He sued Ruger.
The jury decided (wrongly in my opinion) that Ruger was at fault. As part of the settlement, the new model lockwork was produced.
This is also why, if you send an old model to Ruger, for any reason, Ruger will convert it to the new model style, whether you want them to, or not. They don't have a choice. Last I knew, Ruger does give you back the original parts, so if YOU want, you can return the gun to original configuration.
Bob Wright
New member
As to the action pins, some gunsmiths have added a tapped blind hole for the third screw and inserted a plug screw, while at the same time the pins have had slots cut in them to resemble screws. this for appearance only.
You might also notice that in addition to pins, a transfer bar has been added.
As to the retrofit transfer bar installation, the screws are retained.
Bob Wright
You might also notice that in addition to pins, a transfer bar has been added.
As to the retrofit transfer bar installation, the screws are retained.
Bob Wright
You sure they didn't have two screws for awhile?
Yeah, yeah I'm familiar with the transfer bar and etc. I've paid no attention to anything but three screw unaltered Ruger's for so long that I completely lost the memory of there being 2 pins rather than screws. Just left my head.
I was looking at a New Model Blackhawk with a 4 5/8 barrel in 45 Colt with a 45 acp cylinder and thinking about it and regretting I sold an old model 3 screw in the same barrel length many years ago. When it hit me it had no screws but pins. I also noted they have moved the warning to the bottom of the barrel.
You don't pay attention and things you "know" drip away. John Dougan and I passed letters back and forth and if I don't keep it in my head it's gone.
tipoc
Yeah, yeah I'm familiar with the transfer bar and etc. I've paid no attention to anything but three screw unaltered Ruger's for so long that I completely lost the memory of there being 2 pins rather than screws. Just left my head.
I was looking at a New Model Blackhawk with a 4 5/8 barrel in 45 Colt with a 45 acp cylinder and thinking about it and regretting I sold an old model 3 screw in the same barrel length many years ago. When it hit me it had no screws but pins. I also noted they have moved the warning to the bottom of the barrel.
You don't pay attention and things you "know" drip away. John Dougan and I passed letters back and forth and if I don't keep it in my head it's gone.
tipoc
Last edited:
"If a smith ever has to go into the gun they drill the pins out and replace them with screws ..."
Any gunsmith who would do that is a idiot. The pins (Ruger calls them the hammer pivot and trigger pivot) are retained by the gate detent spring and the trigger spring. and once the grip is off are actually easier to remove than the screws.
Jim
Any gunsmith who would do that is a idiot. The pins (Ruger calls them the hammer pivot and trigger pivot) are retained by the gate detent spring and the trigger spring. and once the grip is off are actually easier to remove than the screws.
Jim
Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy
It's been a while since I took a Ruger apart, but I seem to remember that the groove in the Hammer Pivot Pin is secured by the extended length of one of the grip frame screws. XR01901 in this case.
It's been a while since I took a Ruger apart, but I seem to remember that the groove in the Hammer Pivot Pin is secured by the extended length of one of the grip frame screws. XR01901 in this case.