[c919]

Ok here's the deal: I just got a new SP101 last week (finally scratched the snubby itch :D), and the first time I shot it, I had no problems. The second time I shot it I had some trouble ejecting spend casings, so I took a look and saw that my ejector is off center from the cylinder. It's not so much that I can't push shells in, but some brands won't seat properly and the cylinder won't close. I love revolvers, but don't know as much about them as I know about autos, so I figured I'd consult the gurus.

So tell me what you think, should I send it back and be without it for a month or two? If so, how much would this cost to ship? Would it be cheaper to have them ship me the parts and just have it fixed by my smith? I think all I need is some new ejector chunks, would they even do that?

Here are the pics:

As you can see here, the hole in the ejector star is not centered on the arm, causing it to sit crooked.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4923/dsc01344f.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/dsc01344f.jpg/) http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/dsc01344f.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img30/dsc01344f.jpg/1/)

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6552/dsc01345aw.jpg (http://img193.imageshack.us/i/dsc01345aw.jpg/) http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/dsc01345aw.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img193/dsc01345aw.jpg/1/)

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/9763/dsc01353w.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/dsc01353w.jpg/) http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/dsc01353w.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img30/dsc01353w.jpg/1/)

Oh, and check out these sexy Appaloosa Corian grip inserts I got from .41magnum over at RF:

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/2987/dsc01350fp.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/i/dsc01350fp.jpg/) http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/dsc01350fp.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img30/dsc01350fp.jpg/1/)

[Vern Humphrey]

I would definitely contact Ruger and get a ticket number to send it back.

Look at it this way: The SP 101 is a revolver that will last virtually forever. You'll be able to pass it on to your kids and grandkids. Do you want to live with this problem for the rest of your life and bequeath it to your descendants?

Besides, every buyer who makes the manufacturer fix his problem is a man who helps the rest of us -- by making manufacturers pay for their mistakes.

[c919]

Yeah, I hear you Vern. I'm definitely getting it fixed one way or the other.

Has anybody dealt with returns to Ruger lately? How long did it take? How much was shipping?

[ronto]

Try returning it to the dealer you bought it from for a swap or your money back...With the factory inserts of course.

[Micro]

Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it.

I checked my GP-100 and SP-101 and both have some degree of what you are showing. I would have never checked unless I saw this thread. Neither gun has ever had any problems. I also notice that when I push the ejector rod, the ejector lines up a bit as it raises from the cylinder. The alignment pins on the cylinder are rounded so there is no issue with the ejector re-seating.

The very, very, very slightly offset ejector in your picture should not have anything to do with shells not seating properly. Shells should seat properly even if it weren't there. 2/3rds of the shell's rim sits on the cylinder, not the ejector. And your picture shows the ejector is sitting flush with the cylinder.

The ejector is not going to fail you. Your gun is not made to zero tolernances. If it were, it wouldn't work.

As far as ammo problems, use good quality ammo and try several brands. If brass is hard to eject, it's likely just a bit sticky in the chambers. I seriously doubt it has anything to do with that ejector. Clean the chambers, especially if you're shooting .357 loads after shooting .38 loads.

[Old Fuff]

Swing out the cylinder and spin it. Notice that the ejector rod doesn't turn. :eek:

The leg bone isn't connected to the anklebone in this case. Ruger's are different, and the extractor rod is supposed to be out of line. ;)

Don't worry about it, and don't try to take it apart unless you know what you're doing... :uhoh:

[Sport45]

I agree with Micro in that this is purely cosmetic and should not keep your revolver from functioning. You lose a little, but not much, rim engagement for extraction and that should be about it.

I sent my Redhawk back to Ruger for light firing pin strikes along with a laundry list of what I considered ill-fitting parts. They sent it back with a longer pin (or heavier spring?) and it works great now, but the fitting gaps are still there.

Check out the fit on this one with the cylinder closed....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/Sport45/Gun%20Pics/100_1017.jpg

[Micro]

I just put some .38 Super rounds in my GP-100. The .38 Super has a rim diameter some .04" smaller than the .357. And the extractor has no problem engaging the rim on these rounds.

[goon]

Apparently something is causing the problem. I'd send it back. My return of a GP-100 resulted in the problem being completely repaired and the revolver being professionally slicked up to the point where it feels like a custom gun. It was back in my hands in just about two weeks. I'd call them.

[C-grunt]

If somethings wrong send t in. I have heard on more than one occasion that Ruger will "slick up" the gun as goon puts it.

Its probably them going over the internals and polishing them up looking for anything wrong.

[gunnutery]

Whether you send it in or not, I've heard/read great things about Ruger's customer service. Were you using alluminum casings? They expand more and I've found they don't want to come out as easily.

I just put some .38 Super rounds in my GP-100
Can you actually fire .38 supers in .357 mag guns or did you just put them in the gun to see if they would fit?

[Micro]

I only did this to see if the ejector would engage the rim on the .38 Super since my ejector looks a bit like the OP's ejector. I wanted to see if there was any gap between the ejector edge and the rim, or if the .38 Super would "slip through" the ejector. There was no gap. The ejector lined up and there appeared to be contact all along the .38 Super's rim. It pushed the .38 Supers out quite solidily.

Whether it can be fired or not is purely an academic question to me. Interesting, but I have no plans to try it. I did come across this, though...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Can_you_use_a_38_Super_round_in_a_357_Magnum

I'd be afraid to try it, though. SAAMI lists the pressure of the .38 Super at 36,500 PSI and the .357 Magnum at 35,000 PSI.

[Vern Humphrey]

The very, very, very slightly offset ejector in your picture should not have anything to do with shells not seating properly. Shells should seat properly even if it weren't there. 2/3rds of the shell's rim sits on the cylinder, not the ejector. And your picture shows the ejector is sitting flush with the cylinder.
Take another look at the picture. The ejector star is offset clockwise with respect to the chambers. This means part of the ejector star intrudes into the cylinder (you can see it in the photos.) And that means the chamber diameter is effectively reduced.

It isn't a problem of not seating on the rims, it's a problem of the sides of the cases being rubbed by the ejector star. This is why ejection is difficult -- when the case expands on firing, it is somewhat out of round because of how it's held in the chamber. The case (especially the rear portion) is pushed to one side of the chamber and expands into the empty space to the other side on firing. That's why the OP says, "I had some trouble ejecting spend casings."

Similarly, some cases may not have enough clearance to pass the overhang and fully enter the chamber. That's why the OP says, "some brands won't seat properly and the cylinder won't close."

[rcmodel]

Yep!
If the ejector star is in fact hanging over into the chambers, it can & will cause all kinds of problems.

It is defective and it needs to be returned to Ruger and fixed.

It never should have got out of the factory like that!

rc

[Micro]

Take another look at the picture. The ejector star is offset clockwise with respect to the chambers. This means part of the ejector star intrudes into the cylinder (you can see it in the photos.) And that means the chamber diameter is effectively reduced.


That's not what is happening. Look again at each chamber. The ejector is perfectly aligned on one side of every chamber, and a little offset on the other. That means the ejector has slightly bigger diameter openings than the chamber. One side of the ejector is not intruding into the chamber on any of the chambers.

Also, if you have an SP101 or a GP100, check the ejector. There is a little clockwise/counter-clockwise play

There is nothing about that ejector that looks like it would prevent the proper seating of a round.

Looks, here's another SP101 with the same "problem." Look closely, especially at the chamber in the 8:00 position.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff111/BillCA/Hobby/other/SP101_1154.jpg

I don't think there is any problem with the ejector at all. I think the hole diameters are slightly bigger than the chamber diameters on purpose.

[Micro]

And another GP100 with the same issue.

http://jeffersonian.therealgunguys.com/oldjpg/DSCF3197a.jpg

[Vern Humphrey]

That's not what is happening. Look again at each chamber. The ejector is perfectly aligned on one side of every chamber, and a little offset on the other.

Bingo!

And that offset pushes the case to one side of the chamber, creating an out-of-round case on firing, which is difficult to extract. That same overhanging offset makes it difficult to load cases that are a bit on the large side of the tolerance allowances.

[Micro]

How do you figure that? There isn't any overhanging offset. Those little tabs are slightly narrower than the space between the chambers.

If the ejector never goes over the chamber hole it can't do what you are saying. When its down and locked into position by the pins, it doesn't go over the chamber hole. When it rises above the pins there is a little play in the ejector so it turns back the other way.

The only range of play is between the chambers, not over top of them. If you have a SP101 or GP100, go check it. You'll see what I am saying. The amount of play is miniscule.

But if it were doing what you are saying, how would it be better if it fitted precisely? If it was doing what you say, then it would then it could intrude on either side.

The ejector on the OP's gun looks fine to me, and consistent with my guns (though not quite to the same degree) and pics of other guns I've posted. It may or may not be intended to be that way. But that issue does not look to be the OP's problem.

I do agree he should send it in, if only for the peace-of-mind.

[Vern Humphrey]

How do you figure that? There isn't any overhanging offset. Those little tabs are slightly narrower than the space between the chambers.
Have you examined the revolver in question?

The OP says he has difficult extraction and cannot chamber some brands of ammo and close the cylinder. How do you explain that?

[Micro]

I examined the photos, just like you did. And examined my own guns. As far as cause of his problem, I've already offered some reasonable explanations. And as far as not being able to close the cylinder with certain brands, he should check to see that the front of the round isn't protruding past the front of the cylinder face as the bullet may be hitting the forcing cone preventing the cylinder from closing.

Anytime someone says somthing happens with certain brands but not others my first thought is an ammo issue. Since there appears to be nothing about that ejector that is causing the problem, then I think an ammo issue is a likely cause.

Edit: And BTW, if the ejector openings were too big, that ejector would slip past the rim leaving the cartridge in the chamber. On my guns, the area that the ejector engages the rim is small. The diameter of the openings is somewhere between the diameter of the chamber and the diameter of the rim. The contact area between the ejector and the rim is in the shape of a crescent. All the OP says if that he had trouble ejecting spent cartridges. If he means the ejector slipped past the rim leaving the cartridge in the chamber, yes he has a problem that should be fixed. If he means the round was tight but he was able to extract them using the ejector, then all that does is show the ejector is performing as it should. That little tiny exposed area of cylinder under the ejector where the tab is narrower than the area between the cylinder is just a fraction of the contact area between the ejector and the rim. So I seriously doubt the ejector is slipping past the rim. (NOTE: If you push the ejector all the way out with rounds hanging from it, you can play with it and get a round to slip past the ejector and back into the chamber. But that's not the scenerio I am talking about.)

[c919]

Ok folks, here's some more pics that might further clarify my problem. So far, great info.

This is what happens basically every time I drop rounds in it (for clarification, this is the chamber directly opposite the "s" roll mark):

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/9444/dsc01364jw.jpg (http://img11.imageshack.us/i/dsc01364jw.jpg/) http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/dsc01364jw.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img11/dsc01364jw.jpg/1/)

And this is what happens if I just tap the ejector and then drop it (notice now it's all the rounds):

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6954/dsc01372gm.jpg (http://img19.imageshack.us/i/dsc01372gm.jpg/) http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/dsc01372gm.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img19/dsc01372gm.jpg/1/)

[Micro]

In your first picture, your ejector is flush with the rear face of the cylinder. But your round is still out a bit. Can you still push it in with your finger? And once it is in, can you put your finger tip on the rear of the round and turn it with just pressure? Try that with all 5 chambers.

In the second picture, your ejector is still raised and it appears your round rims are sitting on it. It looks the way I'd expect it to look.

The .38/.357 is an untapered round. If it was your ejector that was keeping them from going in, it should be evident immediately, not just after the round is 90% in. That's why I don't think your ejector has anything to do with it.

I still think it is either an ammo problem, or possibly dirty chambers that are keeping you rounds from just dropping in. Either could account for the difficulty extracting rounds.

I can't tell from your first picture if your chambers are really that dirty. But it doesn't take much to tighten things up. And Ruger doesn't ship the cleanest of guns. I'd give those chambers a good scrubbing and try it again with several rounds.

BTW, the chamber you specified doesn't look at all impinged by the ejector.

One last thing, what are those rings around the brass right at the in the second picture?

[c919]

Micro,

I thought that dirty chambers might have been the problem, but even after a good stern cleaning the problem remains (and they are sparkling clean). If I saw this post, I would probably think that someone was shooting a bunch of .38's and then loaded some .357's and had seating and ejecting issues, but this is not the case.

The chamber in question doesn't appear to be impinged, but it does make some nasty metal-on-metal scraping noise when ejecting, as if the ejector was putting more pressure on it than the others.

As for the rings around the brass, I'm confused as to what you mean. I'm not sure what rings you are speaking of.

And one last thing, there is a bit of play on my cylinder. It jiggles a bit from front to back when it's out. Could this be a problem? I can move it about 1/8" from front to back......

[Micro]

I took your photo and indicated the rings I'm talking about. It almost looks like they are scraping when going into the chamber. What brand ammo is that? Is it reloaded ammo? And what brand ammo works and what doesn't?

As far as the cylinder play. I had to go check my gun again. There is a little bit of back and forth play when the cylinder is open, but none when it is closed. I don't think it's an 1/8th of an inch, though. Maybe half that, or less.

On yours, is the cylinder-play so much that the cylinder is hitting the forcing cone when you close it? Check. Then close the cylinder (no ammo) and see if there is any play back and forth when it's is closed. I'm betting it will be fine.

I can't imagine that this issue would have anything to do with the rounds not chambering. If you took the whole cylinder/crane assembly off, you should still be able to duplicate the chambering issue.

If you are having problems with some brands and not others, I think it's an ammo issue.

Going to bed now. Will look again tomorrow and see how it's doing.

[RJM]

The play of the cylinder when it is out isn't a deal, every single one of my revolvers do it.

The rings in the second picture you posted in in post #21 around the two rounds that are not completely flush with the cylinder, they look like the brass was resized during reloading. Are these factory rounds or are they reloaded?

In that second picture, the rounds are sitting on the ejector which seems to be not fully in the down position, was this done on purpose or does the ejector hang up and not fully retract?

[Vern Humphrey]

Have you tried to chamber these rounds before? Those rings could be where the case is scraping on the overhanging portion of the ejector star.

[Big Bill]

That's exactly what my SP101 was doing. The chambers aren't bored out correctly. Check the entire cylinder to see if it's level. Then take it back to the store you bought it at and demand a new one or your money back.

The dealer sent mine back and it took two months to get it back.

[Confederate]

Ruger goofed by putting out the SP101. They should repace it with the older stainless Speed-Six, which was a much better gun (better action, one more shot).

[Micro]

I think you can rule out the ejector as the issue. There is no overhang when the ejector is seated as shown by your pictures. It's pinned in place when it is seated. And that's the position it is in when you chamber rounds.

The gun was proofed at the factory. So far I've owned 3 GP100s and 2 SP101s (and currently own 1 of each) and all clearly had rounds fired from every chamber on every gun at th factory. So if there was something out-of-spec, I really think it would have been caught at the factory.

And I think the fact that you are having problems with some rounds but not others is highly indicative of a ammo problem.

I think it is far more likely that some ammo maker let some rounds rounds slip out without properly sized brass than Ruger let out a gun with a cylinder out of spec.

[TwoNiner]

I had the same problem on my SP 101 (http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=465561). Federal casings were running interference with the ejector star, which was cocked a few degrees. This caused 3 of the 5 cylinders to not allow the bullets to seat 2mm above the cylinder, just like in your photo, unless you forced them down. It actually caused the gun to lock up during firing because either I forgot to fully seat the bullet (ie jam it in the cylinder) or it un-jammed during recoil. Then the casing would bind against the rear of the frame when the cylinder was rotated.

I just sent my SP 101 back a second time for Ruger to fix this issue, this time with a long letter describing the problem. Hopefully this time I will get a gun that actually works!

[TwoNiner]

Forgot to add, see my old thread for photos. Apparently this forum won't allow me to upload the same photos on this thread.

[Micro]

I'm not saying that you didn't have a problem with your own gun, but that does not appear to be what is happening with this gun. This poster's ejector is not twisted. There is no portion of the ejector overhanging the chambers. The ejector on this gun has been made with openings slightly bigger in diameter than the chambers themselves. This is apparent because the tabs are narrower than the spaces between the chambers. It may look twisted, but it is not. And it can't twist with the ejector down, because it is locked in place by the pins.

Look at this attached photo. Not in any of the chambers is the ejector overhanging. They are flush on one side. On the otherside, the ejector doesn't even come to the edge of the chamber.

[JMtoolman]

My pistol had the same problem. I found the cast bullets were impinging on the forcing cone in the front of the chamber. I just seated the bullets a bit deeper and no problems since. The toolman.

[rich636]

Is that Magtech ammo? Looks like I can see the A symbol of theirs on the primer. That stuff barely squeezes into my 642 and almost refuses to come out. I don't know if their cases are out of spec or not concentric.

[c919]

^^^ Yep sure is. It's definitely the worst when it comes to accentuating this little problem.

Never the less, the problem exists with other ammo as well....