[GDW]

Hi,

I picked up an old 3 screw Ruger Single Six. Looks great; however, it often fails to fire. I have tried multiple ammo. In addition, the .22 rounds will fire in another firearm. Finally, if I hold the trigger down and let the hammer fall all the rounds will fire. It looks like the firing pin barely makes an indentation. I was thinking the problem is a weak firing pin spring. Any suggestions on what the problem could be?

Thanks,

Greg

[rcmodel]

All the firing pin rebound spring does is retract the firing pin after the hammer hits it and you recock it.

The hammer Mainspring is what fires the round.

It is possible the firing pin channel is full of dirt & dried oil.
Blast it out with WD-40 or something and see if that does anything.

It could also be the firing pin rebound spring is stacked up or broken and interfering with full firing pin travel.
Take a small punch and push in the firing pin and see if it is still spring loaded to pop back out when you release it.

On the otherhand, since it works if you hold the trigger back and fire it slip-hammer, it may be an internal problem with the full cock notch on the hammer.

In that case, when the sear notch releases the hammer, it starts to fall, and then hits the loading notch or safety notch, slowing it down.

If that is the case, you need a new hammer, or skilled work on the present one.

Old style hammers like yours are no longer available from Ruger, as they will only replace it with the "Safety System conversion" they now install in three-screw guns.

rc

[GDW]

Thanks for the reply. I believe this pistol has had the safety conversion. I have a bag of spare parts. I wonder if the problem started after the conversion?

Should I just send it in to Ruger with an explanation of what's going on?

[rcmodel]

O.K., thats different.

You have a transfer bar that slips up between the hammer & firing pin only when the trigger is pulled.
If it isn't going up soon enough, the hammer can't hit the firing pin.

Or the transfer bar may be damaged.

I think sending it to Ruger is a good idea!

BTW: If I had the original parts, they would already be in the gun, but that's just me!

It would make the gun a five-shooter to safely carry it, but that's O.K.!

rc

[GDW]

I like your idea of sticking the original parts back in the pistol! Funny.

My son (11-year old) will sometimes use it so I may just send it back to the factory.

Thanks for your help.