Lead build-up inside frame of revolver

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IrvJr

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Hi All,

I have a Ruger Bearcat .22 that I bought brand new. I've put maybe 350 to 500 rounds through it. I've shot mostly copper coated (Remington cheap bulk pack, CCI stingers, etc.) rounds, but I've also shot some Winchester Target and CCI lead rounds through it.

I cleaned the gun this evening and noticed a significant lead build up on the frame. If I look from the rear of the gun to the front, on the inside of the frame, to the right of the forcing cone/barrel and above and to the left of the ejector rod, there's a lot of lead build up there.

I haven't experienced this with any of my other Ruger revolvers, including my Single Six (also a .22).

Is this type of lead build up normal, or is my little revolver shaving lead off of the bullets and spitting it into the frame?

What is the best way to remove this lead? I tried soaking the area with Hoppes #9, but it didn't budge.

Is this problem something that Ruger could/should fix? I hate sending my guns back to Ruger since it takes so long to get it serviced, but eventually the lead build up will probably affect the function of the gun.

Thanks in advance.
 
If you clean it with a bronze brush and Hoppe's you can get it all off but you need to be patient. Better get a lead removing polishing cloth and it all comes off after a short rub.

You would need a lot of buildup to affect gun functioning. Maybe you should clean it every few hundred rounds or so.
 
DO NOT use a lead removal cloth on a blued gun, it will take the bluing off.

Yes it will if you sit and rub hard. I remove most of the lead on the front of cylinders with a brush and solvent and then use the lead removal cloth to get the deposits off and have no problems.
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the posts (and keep 'em coming!).

My gun is stainless, so I'll try some of those lead away wipes. Also, I think I'll pick up a bronze brush and give that a try as well.

I have a follow up question. Is it normal for the lead to build up only on one side of the barrel/frame?

On my Bearcat, I have a substantial amount of lead only to the right of the forcing cone. There isn't any lead build up above, below or to the left of the forcing cone.

I'm concerned because after only shooting maybe 100 rounds, the build up seems to affect my ability to use the ejector rod. It becomes very difficult to eject the spent casings, and I think it's because of the lead and crud build up near the ejector rod hole on the frame.

Thanks again for your replies.
 
Pic added...

Hi All,

I snapped some pics of my revolver this AM. This is a picture of the lead build up, after I spent some time last night trying to remove it with Hoppes 9.

lead2.jpg


Is this type of lead build up normal for a revolver after only shooting a few hundred rounds?

I only notice a build up on the right side of the frame. The lead and tends to deposit on the tip of the ejector rod and it makes it difficult to eject the rounds after shooting a box or two of rimfire ammo.

Would shooting copper coated only .22LR rounds help with minimize lead build up?
 
You should just scrape the worst of that off. Hoppe's and a brush will take forever.

I use a brass pick/scrapper from Pro Shot, but you can make a pretty effective vesrion by flattening the mouth of a bottle neck rifle case.

That build up is pretty bad. You may want to have your timing checked. Appears your cylinder may not be carrying up far enough.

Good Luck...

Joe
 
I agree with the above poster - that looks excessive. Have someone check the alignment/lock up, barrel - cyclinder gap, or send that photo along with the revolver back to Ruger.
 
Thanks for the replies folks. I thought something was wrong. I have a Single Six revolver, also in .22LR and never had any lead build up like I get with the Bearcat.

Sigh, I guess I'll have to send the little gun back to Ruger. of 5 Ruger revolvers that I bought brand new (SP101, Super Blackhawk, Blackhawk, Single Six, and Bearcat), this is the 3rd that has to go back to Ruger for service! It's interesting to note that my Blackhawk and Single Six, both of which were made several years ago, have been trouble free. However, the SP101, Super Blackhawk, and now my Bearcat all need some kind of service and all were recently made by Ruger. My SP101 had one really tight chamber that wouldn't accept factory rounds in it unless you pushed really hard. My Super Blackhawk had a poorly fitted loading gate spring that popped off and jammed the gun the first time I shot it and it also suffered from really bad accuracy! Ruger customer service fixed these problems with my revolvers and did a nice job, but I had to wait for months to get my guns back!

I think something is amiss with their quality control...

Thanks again for the replies! Aside from the leading, the Bearcat is a fun little gun. Perhaps getting the timing checked might help improve its accuracy too.
 
Something that severe would make me think you must be getting splattered with lead shrapnel every shot!
(and probably very unsafe for anyone standing next to it!)

Definately a timing, forcing cone, or cylinder gap problem of some kind.

I would shoot it enough to regain whatever crud you scraped / cleaned off, and send it back to Ruger that way so they can see it!

1224.jpg
rcmodel
 
Very clear picture of the problem - send it back to Ruger along with the picture - they need to fix it.
 
I agree with the last poster ! Send it back to Ruger.
DO NOT attempt to have anyone else fix the problem
as Ruger will honor repairs as long as they do it.
 
That's not lead. It's carbonized lube and powder residue. Scrapes off with a bore brush, a wee screwdriver or hard plastic scraper. Nothing to worry about. You'll see it on any revolver shooting cast bullets.
 
Hi All,

Thanks for the posts. I am going to send my little revolver back to Ruger. I took a little flashlight the other day and shined it down the barrel of the revolver (after checking 2 times to make sure each chamber was unloaded) and I could see that the chambers of the cylinder were not lined up precisely with the barrel. A little bit of each chamber overlaps the bore when the gun is cocked and the cylinder is locked up. You can see the crescent shape of the edge of the chamber overlapping the bore. I compared this with my other .22 ruger revolvers and the difference is noticeable. I think this is why I had such rapid build up.
 
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