Ruger Alaskan cylinder bind

[anton]

I'm stumped trying to figure out what exactly is going on with my .44 Alaskan. So, before sending it to Ruger or a smith I'd like to ask around here. I've searched and haven't found anyone having the exact same problem.

To start, the endshake is about .002-.003" and the B/C gap is .005". Headspace is a bit tight at .006-.007". And the initial timing of the cylinder is a little early. Near as I can tell, that's all within Ruger's "tolerances."

So, here's the problem. Shooting 44spl I will get a bind in DA on 2 or 3 chambers to the point where I can't pull the trigger hard enough to fire. BUT... I can still manually cock the hammer and fire those chambers in SA. Once fired, I cannot immediately recreate the problem by dry-firing through the whole cylinder. Cleaning the cylinder face, forcing cone, and chambers at the range did not relieve the problem.

Shooting 44mag, I notice a slight increase in trigger pull on the same(I think) 2 or 3 chambers; but no binding of the cylinder.

At home, I'm also unable to recreate the problem with empty cases. I don't see any raised primers, either.

Could it be a headspace problem? Thoughts?

 

[Master Blaster]

AMERICAN ammunition AMERC on the headstamp??

You have tried different ammunition?

Call Ruger and send it back, ask for a pre paid shipping label.

 

[anton]

No A-merc yet. Just Winchester, Ultramax and PMC.

 

[rcmodel]

Cleaned the unburned powder flakes out from under the extractor star yet?


rcmodel

 

[anton]

Yes. I cleaned between cylinders of 44spl and the problem continued.

 

[Mainsail]

I had that problem with some cheap ammunition I bought at the shooting range. One round had a thick rim that was binding up the cylinder. It only happened with that one round. I don’t remember the brand though.

 

[Bob C]

Mine did exactly the same thing. I cleaned, polished,and measured everything anyone suggested, including trying some good tips from Iowegan over on the Ruger Forum, and nothing really helped. Different ammo made no difference.

I suspect the problem with mine was the length of the arm that pivots on the hammer, but I decided to leave the correction to Ruger and sent it back two weeks ago. Time will tell.

 

[anton]

Thanks Bob. It's going to Ruger.

Another trip to the range with different ammo had the same result.

 

[igorts]

never had a problem with mine. even when I used AMERC brass...