Ruger ejector rod housing.

[madcratebuilder]

Has anyone bought the aftermarket steel ejector rod housing? How is the fit and finish? I have a Vaquero that needs one, and I have thought about upgrading a few others. Is it a major change on weight and balance? Thanks.
MCB

 

[Coyote3855]

Try the SASS Wire

Those Cowboy Action Shooters have a ton of Vaqueros, I'll bet someone there has replaced the housing.

I don't have the link, google "SASS."

 

[Majic]

I don't know about the finish but the fit is what you make it.

 

[Bear41mag]

Yes, I have, fit and finish were both excellent and it added a nice balence to my 45 Colt 4 5/8 " barrel, mine is actually a Ruger made item, that I got from Gun Parts Corp.

 

[Jim March]

I can make one good case for sticking with an aluminum ejector housing. If you're going to run big power through your gun, a lighter housing will put less stress on the ejector end screw and/or stud. Rugers do sometimes spit their ejectors off under big recoil. Less weight means less stress on those parts.

The difference in reliability is minor but on a gun meant to save your life...I think it's something to consider. If the gun is purely a range or match critter, that's a different story.

 

[dogrunner]

Yeah. I stuck one of Story's versions on my old three screw .41.....It did add a bit of weight up front but not excessively so. Fit and finish on the one I got is outstanding.

The comment on stressing the lug or screw is valid tho. I had an original Blackhawk Flat top in 7.5 that popped its braised in lug. That might have been a factory glitch, but those early FT's did carry factory steel housings....really no big deal but I've gotta observe that if you're in some circumstance that requires more than six then you really need a shotgun anyway!

 

[Bear41mag]

So far mine has held up well to a steady diet of 250 gr Keith bullets under 18.5 of 2400 and 300 gr LBTs under 21.5 gr of H110.

But your logic is sound regarding the additional weight, and I have seen it happen a time or two with 44 mag Super Blackhawks.

I let you know if I throw the ejector housing off.

 

[Virginian]

Also, you may need to do a little filing, shaping, etc. to keep the ejector from hitting the barrel with some combos of housings and/or ejector rods.

 

[mec]

I've launched two steel housings with 300 grain bullet loads. I've seen both the brazed lug and straight screw in housings fly off. The custom smiths like to lug them in often with an expres sight type ring that the e-housing abuts against.

 

[Dienekes]

Yeah, those ejector lug housings will pull out sometimes. I had a flat top .44 that pulled that trick three times. Finally had the factory replace the barrel as nothing would keep it in. Sort of hated to do it but it had already been cut to 4 5/8" anyway. Replaced it with the same length. Don't shoot heavy loads in it anymore so haven't seen the housing et al go flying lately.

As to weight I have a NM 4 5/8" Convertible that is really light and handy for its size. Have thought about a steel housing but suspect it would change the balance just a bit. The aluminum housing looks a little cheesy once the finish wears, but that's life.

If I want elegant I can always pull out the 50th anniversary .357. They sure did a nice job on those, ejector rod housing and all...

 

[madcratebuilder]

Thanks for all the input. I've read about a few issues with housing lugs coming off, something to consider for sure. I'm going to start with replacing the one on my 45 Vaquero, it's a little dinged up. The heavy load and steel housing is a very valid concern, thanks again.