Check the ejector housing screw on your single action Ruger

[JJohnston015]

I spent the afternoon doing my CCW renewal qualifying (scored 100%, thankyouverymuch ), but while I was shooting my .44 Magnum Vaquero, the ejector housing, ejector and spring made an unscheduled departure and ended up about 5' directly behind me. I couldn't find the screw. I was using full power loads. The threads in the hole in the barrel look OK, so I'm assuming it just worked loose. I was able to continue shooting, just using the ejector manually (not much different than the usual way). I plan to send it back to Ruger, just to make sure that's all it was.

So before you take yours out again, check that screw; maybe put some Loc-Tite on it.

 

[Pork Fat]

I have had the screw itself shear off TWICE on my 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk. The first time I sent it to Ruger and they replaced the barrel I guess it was quicker for them than extracting the screw stub. The second time, I let it sit for a long time, but finally took it to a gunsmith in Easton who turned it around much more quickly for a nominal charge.

My gun is stainless, and I wondered if the screws were brittle or even too soft. I did have other frame screws need occasional tightening, but not that one as I recall. The parts more or less fell at my feet, and it seemed that the gun pulled away from the ejector assembly in recoil right at the beginning of the impulse. Weird.

DJJ- You CCW a .44 mag Vaquero? I'm guessing not in an ankle holster.

 

[Dienekes]

Not uncommon, unfortunately--have had it happen on a very old Colt SAA and Blackhawks. There is just not all that much thread to work with and it is at the wrong end of the gun when it comes to the physics involved. Loc-tite can't hurt but there is only so much holding it all together.

Probably one more reason--other than pain--to limit the use of dinosaur-killer loads in SAs.

 

[JJohnston015]

DJJ- You CCW a .44 mag Vaquero?

No, the way the law reads in NM, for purposes of qualifying, they consider semiauto and "non semiauto", which could mean revolver, derringer, rubber band with paper clip, etc. For each category, you can carry the caliber you qualified with, or anything smaller. The usual practice is to qualify with your biggest semi and biggest revolver. Of the .44s I have, the Vaquero is the one I'm most comfortable with, and hit best with.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Just call Ruger and they'll send you the attatchment screw free of charge. No need to send it in to them.