Ruger factory Seconds?

[lonegunman]

I was reading my handy dandy Blue Book and it has a bit of information on Ruger Blackhawks marked with a "S" stamp. Well I actually own one of them, I think. It has a big "S" stamped on the cylinder and a couple of little spots that look like they have been scuffed up with an electro-pencil on the front of the cylinder.

Does anyone know anything intersting about these?

 

[Dan-O]

My Sp101 also has an "S" on the cylinder face. Will have to look at my 2 GP's as well. Sure it isn't "S" for stainless?

 

[Dan-O]

Just checked the GP's and my Redhawk. They are all stainless. And they'll are stamped the same way.

 

[Powerglide]

Well, they are not for you guys.Send them to me.Checks in the mail!

 

[Zebraranger]

The S is on all Ruger cylinders, it means it was factory proof tested.

 

[lonegunman]

This is an old model Blackhawk, not stainless. The "S" is one thing, the weird electro pencil on the front of the cylinder looks like an S,V and a D. I'm not sure where my Dad got the gun but he had it for at least fifteen years.

It is very low miles and in nice shape. I've never owned any centerfire Ruger handguns so I am at a loss as to their markings. There are no similar markings on 22's.

 

[Souris]

My Blackhawk convertible cylinders are Electro penned with the last three of the serial number. I assume this is because they are fitted to the frame.

 

[loadedround]

I couldn't imagine Ruger selling "factory seconds", not with their excellent reputation.

 

[squarles67]

The electro pencil on the front of the cylinder should be the last three digits of the serial number, if it isn't someone has switched the cylinder with another pistol

 

[gdesloge]

From the on-line Ruger Blackhawk Owner's Manual:

"Do not accept delivery of a New Model Blackhawk
Convertible (a model with two cylinders) unless
the numbers on the front face of both cylinders
match the last three digits of the serial number on
the frame. Use of the wrong cylinder can cause
improper alignment or timing and may result in
personal injury.
A Blackhawk revolver (including the Super
Blackhawk & Bisley) manufactured with a single
cylinder does not have the last three digits of the
serial number marked on the cylinder."

gd

 

[CraigC]

Ruger uses an electric pencil to etch the last three digits of the serial number on the cylinders of convertible models.

The only factory seconds Ruger sells are to grip and holster makers. They have their serial numbers removed, bores plugged, the cylinder welded and grip frame welded into place.

 

[steveno]

The "S" is so steel and sst parts can be kept track of in the machining process. the parts look the same otherwise until they get finished and installed in the gun

 

[lonegunman]

Ok, here is another question. If the gun has three numbers electro-penciled on the cylinder and it is an OLD model Blackhawk in .357 mag, what does that mean?

Did the old model have a convertable cylinder?

 

[CraigC]

They did produce Old Model convertibles with auxillary 9mm cylinders as well as .45 convertible models.

 

[Drail]

Any "seconds" at Ruger get thrown back into the crucible.

 

[lonegunman]

I thought that to, but there is a listing for marked "seconds" in one of those gun value books I was reading. I got to look at one other Blackhawk and it does not have an "S" stamped on the cylinder and the guys at one local shop say they have never seen one with anything stamped on it.

A second or blem gun is not unsafe to shoot, the defect is cosmetic. I have a couple of 1911's on Caspian blem frames. They are sold under the name Foster and the defect was a spot under the grip panel.

This gun was part of an estate. No box, no papers, no extras, just a gun. If it had an extra cylinder it is long gone.