Ruger Alaskan trigger random lockup

[Shak3s1977]

I'm pretty sure I am going to have to send this one back to Ruger but I'd thought I would ask here, in case I am missing anything easy.

My Alaskan in 44 magnum will randomly lock up. It won't fire in double action, nor can I cock the hammer back and fire it in single action. It acts like there is something stuck in the action. I can usually swing the cylinder out and back in, and it will then fire.I took it apart as far as I felt comfortable and cleaned it out and blew it out, but the problem remains. ( I was hoping to find a metal burr like I found in my wife's GP100, which caused similar random lockups).

Anything I might have missed? I took a crappy video to show what I am talking about. Hard to take a video with one hand and a loaded 44 in the other lol.Hopefully posting the YouTube link here is ok. If not, mods please delete my post.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Check barrel/cylinder clearance as well as rear clearance between cylinder and recoil plate(inside frame).
The State of Alabama Marine Police got some of the first GP100’s. During qualifying, they had a number of the guns exhibiting this trait. The Department armorer (friend of mine) was able to resolve issue on a few but was unable to deal with the volume, so most were sent back to Ruger for resolution.
The guns heat up, and clearances tighten up.
Recutting the barrel face and forcing cone from .003” to .005” and shortening the gas ring (tube cylinder rides on .003” resolved the heat expansion issue.

Guns were just fitted TOO tightly. But some before modifying, would shoot 1-hole groups at 25yds with duty ammo (Winchester 125gr JHP, or Zero 148gr wadcutters. (Ransom rest). I saw it with my own eyes, helping him one day...
unworked triggers/actions were a different issue, though...

Send it back! Ruger has some of the best CS in the business!

 

[Obturation]

I agree, ruger cs is good to go. I never worry about what might happen to my rugers because any issue I've ever had they've resolved fast and easy.
Only question I've got is- does this only happen if the cylinder is loaded?
If so, check the ammo.

 

[Shak3s1977]

I agree, ruger cs is good to go. I never worry about what might happen to my rugers because any issue I've ever had they've resolved fast and easy.
Only question I've got is- does this only happen if the cylinder is loaded?
If so, check the ammo.

Nope. It does it when unloaded also. It's so random is the problem. I might fire 2 cylinders with no problems, then bam, frozen. Or like in this case, I fired my first round for the day and it locked up. I thought maybe I was shortstroking the trigger, but it does it to everyone. Sometimes I can power thru it and the trigger pull is extremely hard and sometimes I can't. Sometimes I can cock the hammer, again extremely hard and other times I can't.
It's almost like the trigger isn't fully resetting? I'm no gunsmith though, so hopefully Ruger can figure it out. I sent a email off to them on Friday evening so hopefully by the end of the week they get ahold of me.

I'm already missing my little handcannon. This is the gun, I have been working on different reloads for lately. I don't have a real reason for having a gun like this, except that I LIKE it lol.

 

[Obturation]

I'm already missing my little handcannon. This is the gun, I have been working on different reloads for lately. I don't have a real reason for having a gun like this, except that I LIKE it lol.

Super redhawks are awesome, I'd never be without one

 

[Shak3s1977]

Well it's off to the motherland tomorrow. Cost me $30 for a shipping label, but I know Ruger will fix it. Gives me some time to load up a few test rounds for when it gets back.

 

[WrongHanded]

I had a GP100 that was doing this not long after I bought it. Turned out the B/C gap was so tight that once I got some carbon build up on the cylinder face, there was no clearance left. It was also partially because the cylinder face was not cut quite flat, so it happen more on one side of the cylinder than the other. Simple fix was file down the forcing cone slightly. Not the best fix, but the easiest one.

I'd definitely check the B/C gap for all chambers. Preferably with empty brass in the chambers.

 

[GerryER]

I'd be curious to know if Ruger finds that is a hand /timing issue. I worked on a S&W for a customer, which had the same problem, and ended up replacing the hand to cure the problem; other clearances were fine.

 

[BBBBill]

I'd be curious to know if Ruger finds that is a hand /timing issue...

Good luck getting Ruger or any other manufacturer to really tell you what they did to repair a gun. At best it is a minimal comment saying that they cleaned, inspected, and perhaps replaced a part. Specifics will always be lacking.

 

[.455_Hunter]

My 657 S&W would jam the cylinder if the action was turned with the barrel pointed up, as might be done while re-cocking during recoil recovery. Turned out there was a sharp edge on the recoil shield that was snagging case rims as they went by. It was easily fixed with a small file.

 

[Shak3s1977]

Well just over 2 weeks and I got it back. Here is a update on what they did for those interested. I'll won't get a chance to try it out till this weekend.

 

[David Hoback]

Was it covered under warranty? Hope so.

You’ve at least tried it without ammo, like in the video, right? I’m assuming it’s not exhibiting that problem any longer.

 

[Shak3s1977]

Was it covered under warranty? Hope so.

You’ve at least tried it without ammo, like in the video, right? I’m assuming it’s not exhibiting that problem any longer.

Yeah it was covered under warranty. I won't know till this weekend if its fixed for sure, but I do plan on trying it out.

 

[whatnickname]

Well just over 2 weeks and I got it back. Here is a update on what they did for those interested. I'll won't get a chance to try it out till this weekend.View attachment 1077768

You’re lucky you got the explanation you did. About all I’ve ever seen any manufacturer do is say they inspected, repaired and test fired the gun. Ruger has always been good to turn repairs around quickly and most of the time for free. I bought a used No. 1 in 270 last year that had a headspace problem. Rifle was 20+ years old but, by all indications, had a low round count. Ruger replaced the breach block free of charge and returned it to me in two weeks. I didn’t really expect them to repair the rifle for free and would have been glad to pay them for their work. Now if I can just get them to build GP100s in 41 Magnum (5 Shot cylinder) I will think I’ve died and gone to heaven!

 

[Frulk]

I’ve ‘repalced’ a number of trigger plungers myself.

But, all seriousness aside, Rugers customer service is stellar and in my estimation is second to no other gun manufacturer.

Let us know how it shoots.

 

[Shak3s1977]

I’ve ‘repalced’ a number of trigger plungers myself.

But, all seriousness aside, Rugers customer service is stellar and in my estimation is second to no other gun manufacturer.

Let us know how it shoots.

I put 150 rounds thru it last weekend. Shoots as good as it did when it left, except the trigger works again lol. Not one jam, or even a hint of a problem. I am very pleased with it. After 150 heavy magnums thru that gun, I finished the day shooting a 1911 chambered in 9mm. It sure made that 9mm feel like a bb gun.