Machine Cylinder to fit Ruger Blackhawk?

[Cathammer]

Son bought an older Ruger Blackhawk from a friend who said it had originally come with two cylinders, but he had misplaced one over the years, leaving only the 9mm with the revolver. Son bought a .357/.38 cylinder online that seems to match, dimensionally, except for being just a bit too long to fit in the frame because of a slightly longer "snout" (the projection at the center front axis of the cylinder that controls the spacing from the inside front of the frame).

If everything else matches, is there any reason the cylinder can't be fitted by carefully milling the forward edge of that section until it fits in the frame like the 9mm cylinder?

Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

 

[StrawHat]

Have you ever fitted a cylinder to a handgun? If no, get in touch with a good revolversmith. They know how to fit the cylinder and adjust headspace, barrel/cylinder gap, and timing. If you know how to do those things, have at it.

Kevin

 

[swoter]

The Blackhawk originally came with a 357 cylinder also. Just call Ruger and they will probably fit another one for you.

 

[Cathammer]

Have you ever fitted a cylinder to a handgun? If no, get in touch with a good revolversmith. They know how to fit the cylinder and adjust headspace, barrel/cylinder gap, and timing. If you know how to do those things, have at it.

Kevin

Never fitted a cylinder. I have a small metal lathe & micrometers, etc., and a son-in-law who builds AKs has a small milling machine, so shaving down the hub projection (or whatever that part is called), and matching the length to the other cylinder could be accomplished easily enough, but maybe not the process past that point, if it didn't happen to just naturally sync up without further tinkering.

Do have a decent small gunsmith / gun shop nearby that has a good reputation, so I'll probably get the revolver from son & take it by them to see what they think about it before I do anything.

thanks

 

[Cathammer]

The Blackhawk originally came with a 357 cylinder also. Just call Ruger and they will probably fit another one for you.

Yeah, the .357 is the cylinder that was missing and that he's wanting add back to the set. Sending it to Ruger requires letting them convert the old model to the new model safety, and for whatever reason, son doesn't want to do that (various discussions about that elsewhere).

thanks,
Bill

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I am guessing he has a new model cylinder which he is trying to fit into an old model Blackhawk. I would look more before you mill on that one as I don't think it will work even if shortened IF my guess is correct. See if you can find an old model to try it against, or a known new/old model cylinder to fit into the Blackhawk you have to narrow the issue down.

Where are you located? Another member may be close with one your could try. I'm in md if you're close.

 

[ThomasT]

I would have at it. But i worked all my young life in my dads machine shop so it sounds like an easy fix to me. And if its an after market cylinder I bet they sent it long on the base pin support just so it could be fitted.

Set both cylinders on a flat plate and use a metal straight edge to see how much difference in length there is on the bushing. Then also compare the length of the actual chamber area so you can determine if the front of the cylinder will clear the forcing cone. If that looks the same you should be able to fit the new cylinder. If not you are wasting your time. Get a refund on the cylinder you bought and try to find an old model cylinder. If you send it back to Ruger they WILL convert your gun no matter if you want them to or not.

But you need to determine if the bushing at the front is too long or if the ratchet is too long. This is really better left to a gunsmith.

 

[Cathammer]

I am guessing he has a new model cylinder which he is trying to fit into an old model Blackhawk. I would look more before you mill on that one as I don't think it will work even if shortened IF my guess is correct. See if you can find an old model to try it against, or a known new/old model cylinder to fit into the Blackhawk you have to narrow the issue down.

Where are you located? Another member may be close with one your could try. I'm in md if you're close.

Hi,
Thanks for the offer. I'm in suburbs northwest of Atlanta. It's be a few days at least before I have the items from my son. According to THIS SITE, the .357 cylinders won't exchange. "The cylinders between the .357 old and New Model will probably not interchange (different size frames). The om .357 cylinder measures approx. 1.672" in diameter while the NM cylinder measures approx. 1.73". I can at least check that when I get the things. Maybe the repair shop can help after that, when we see what we actually have.

 

[Cathammer]

I would have at it. But i worked all my young life in my dads machine shop so it sounds like an easy fix to me. And if its an after market cylinder I bet they sent it long on the base pin support just so it could be fitted.

Set both cylinders on a flat plate and use a metal straight edge to see how much difference in length there is on the bushing. Then also compare the length of the actual chamber area so you can determine if the front of the cylinder will clear the forcing cone. If that looks the same you should be able to fit the new cylinder. If not you are wasting your time. Get a refund on the cylinder you bought and try to find an old model cylinder. If you send it back to Ruger they WILL convert your gun no matter if you want then to or not.

But you need to determine if the bushing at the front is too long or if the ratchet is too long. This is really better left to a gunsmith.

See my other reply just above. Looks like we'll have to see if the diameters match also, before knowing how to proceed, but will check the things you suggest if it looks doable. Son got the cylinder on ebay (I think) a while back, so no returning it. May just have to sell it there or on Gunbroker if it's not useable, and try to find the right one.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[StrawHat]

I am not sure but there may be a Ruger forum on the web. They might be able to help. Or trade for your cylinder.

Kevin

 

[Cathammer]

I am not sure but there may be a Ruger forum on the web. They might be able to help. Or trade for your cylinder.

Kevin

Thanks, looks like there are a few. Might be good places to unload this one if it can't be used.

 

[jeepnik]

I am not sure but there may be a Ruger forum on the web. They might be able to help. Or trade for your cylinder.

Kevin

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/index.php?sid=5bb202cad0d9c847a6e009a58baced58

 

[robhof]

See my other reply just above. Looks like we'll have to see if the diameters match also, before knowing how to proceed, but will check the things you suggest if it looks doable. Son got the cylinder on ebay (I think) a while back, so no returning it. May just have to sell it there or on Gunbroker if it's not useable, and try to find the right one.

Thanks,
Bill

I've got both a 22mag cylinder and a 45 Acp cylinder for my Ruger Revolvers; I also had to do some milling to get the Acp cylinder to fit into my Blackhawk frame, I did measure diameter and notch placement before doing any milling, after fitting I bore checked by using a near bore dowel to check bore alignment, I also did the bore alignment with the 22mag. cylinder, both were perfect and have since had many hundreds of rounds through with NO problem.

 

[bannockburn]

Bill

This place (rugercyl.com), came up on another thread about Single Sixes and extra cylinders. They have a website but you have to phone them to place on order or ask a question about their cylinders. Might be worth a try just to see what they say about fitting a new .357 cylinder to an older model Blackhawk.