38 Caliber K frames

[ArchAngelCD]

Sistema

My RUGER Service Six was bought used, but in like new condition. The cylinder rod keeps coming loose. I took it to a gunsmith who is familiar and he said that the only solution that would not hurt the gun it just to keep screwing it back between groups. I really like the gun, but this is a problem that can lock up the action and it has. So even though the Six series is stronger than the K-frame in my opinion, it is still not strong enough for steady .357 shooting. As recently as 20 years ago, my agency was still handing out boxes of wad-cutters to use for practice and had gone over to RUGER'S by then.

Jim

So much for the Six Series being stronger than K frames.

Why not just use a little lock-tite and be done with it?

 

[Kendal Black]

Goldilocks would understand-but then there's those nagging adages, "Neither fish nor fowl" and "Jack of all trades; master of none..."

For what the type was initially designed to do, which is launch cartridges of modest size and pressure, it works very well. When Bill Jordan lobbied S&W successfully for a .357 Magnum K frame things turned out a little dicey. The gun had great handling and ample power, just what Jordan was after, but sometimes problems arose due to the hot cartridge. I have not yet checked out the redesigned and reissued models 66 and 19, but in any case, a heavier gun is more pleasant for shooting .357's.

Long years ago, people found they had problems when they used .32-20 K frame revolvers to fire loadings labeled and intended for rifles only. I am not sure what they expected...

 

[Sistema1927]

Sistema

My RUGER Service Six was bought used, but in like new condition. The cylinder rod keeps coming loose. I took it to a gunsmith who is familiar and he said that the only solution that would not hurt the gun it just to keep screwing it back between groups. I really like the gun, but this is a problem that can lock up the action and it has. So even though the Six series is stronger than the K-frame in my opinion, it is still not strong enough for steady .357 shooting. As recently as 20 years ago, my agency was still handing out boxes of wad-cutters to use for practice and had gone over to RUGER'S by then.

Jim

I would say that your opinion is based upon a sample size of exactly...one. My experience, with my sample size of one, is the exact opposite. I guess that we are all entitled to our opinions, but I have a feeling that there are more who share mine than yours.

Could it be that they were handing our wadcutters because they were cheaper?

This thread was about K-frames, so to get back to that, they are great to carry, feel right in the hand, and are perfectly sized for .38 Special. The .357 Magnum K-frames will last longer if using .38 for practice and .357 for carry.

 

[golden]

Sistema,

Clearly you have had very little experience working for a Federal agency. When I switched over to a GLOCK 19 and SIG 226, I was issued +P 124 grain Hydra Shok ammo for carry and NON +P Hydra Shok 124 grain ammo for practice, not exactly a CHEAPER SOLUTION!

The problem is that some people, like me want to qualify with the same ammo as they carry and so they want to practice with that ammo as well. As the problem with K-frame only became worse when the model 66 was introduced and the stainless steel gun proved even less capable of handling a steady diet of .357 ammo.

Oh, I asked the gunsmith about using locktite and he recommended against it as it might make ejection impossible. I will take his word for it.

I will keep shooting the Service Six as I really like the way the gun handles, like I like my S&W model 15, but will only use .38 Specials in it.

JIm

 

[Venom007]

Many nice guns here! First post.

 

[straightshooterjake]

Oh, I asked the gunsmith about using locktite and he recommended against it as it might make ejection impossible. I will take his word for it.

Ask another gunsmith. A loose ejector rod is not an acceptable problem. Some people are strongly opposed to using locktite on revolvers, and there may be other complications involved, but a loose ejector rod is not a common or chronic problem with six series revolvers. It should be fixable.

I personally only use locktite on revolvers where truly necessary, and then very sparingly, but sometimes it is the right solution. An experienced gunsmith may also have other techniques to keep threads from unscrewing.

If the ejector rod really cannot be held tight on your revolver, then that would be unusual. The Ruger Six Series revolvers have a hard earned reputation for being robust and reliable.

 

[WestKentucky]

Many nice guns here! First post.

Welcome to the site, don’t be a stranger and post plenty of pictures.

 

[golden]

Straight,

I will probably look into it as a long term project, right now, I picked up a 6 inch Security Six and want to try it first.

Jim

 

[ThomasT]

Oh, I asked the gunsmith about using locktite and he recommended against it as it might make ejection impossible. I will take his word for it.

Use the locktite. It won't hurt a thing. Then find a new gunsmith. I have two security six guns, a first year 150 series and another made in 1986 151 series. Nether rod unscrews after firing.

The early 150 series gun is lighter built and has a skinnier barrel and is just about a perfect match for the model 15 that has been my house gun for the last 25 years. The later built 151 series has a heavier barrel and is closer to a model 19 in size and feel. I would love to have a model 19 but the price on them is just more than I care to spend. I used to buy them for $175~$250 back in the 1990s and sure wish I had everyone of them back.