Ruger Vaquero broken transfer bar

[MUSICALGUNNUT45]

The transfer bar just broke on my Ruger New Vaquero and I heard it was a common problem, I was just wondering if it happened to anybody else.

 

[MikieD.]

I have had two break on me. I don't know what happened, I could not see any visible problem, but the bar would fall against the face of the frame. Then when I cocked the gun, the bar would slide up and hit the bottom of the firing pin. I sent both (happened at different times) to Ruger and they were fixed. However, this makes me wonder when it comes to a self defense situation!

 

[MUSICALGUNNUT45]

ruger broken transfer bar

thats exactly what happened to mine. I'm starting to think I should have saved 250 bucks and bought that saa clone I wanted before that guy at the gun store talked me into the vaquero.

 

[MikieD.]

Well, even with that trouble, I still love Ruger single actions. Any gun can break, and they did fix it quickly and well. I still have a couple of Rugers, and I have had troubles with the Italian ones, too. Broken Rugers are rare.

 

[highlander 5]

In 40 years of Rugers I've had 1transfer bar break and if I recall I replaced myself.

 

[Drail]

If the transfer bar is catching on the edge up the firing pin as it cycles up over it your base pin is not fully inserted or has a damaged tip. The tip of the base pin should hold it off of the frame slightly so that it rides over the firing pin. Usually when a t bar "breaks" it is from incorrect fitting at the factory. The two steps in the hammer that strike the t bar and the frame have to be exactly fitted to that specific gun. About half of the strike energy from the hammer has to be transmitted to the frame. If all of the force is applied to the t bar it will fail.

 

[contender]

are we talking the "new" vaquero here?

the old style vaqueros made up until a few years back were all aces. ruger did some changes and from some CAS circles, the "new" vaqueros while smaller and more handy are not near the build of the old ones........

the change happened in 2005?????

 

[murf]

the ruger single actions all have a base pin with a spring-loaded tip on the end that fits through the cylinder and through the frame. the tip keeps the transfer bar back so it won't hit the firing pin on the upstroke. if the base pin has moved forward for any reason, like the pin's latch not fully engaged, or heavy loads being fired, the bar can hit the pin.

murf

 

[Jeff H]

the ruger single actions all have a base pin with a spring-loaded tip on the end that fits through the cylinder and through the frame. the tip keeps the transfer bar back so it won't hit the firing pin on the upstroke. if the base pin has moved forward for any reason, like the pin's latch not fully engaged, or heavy loads being fired, the bar can hit the pin.

+1
This doesn't happen on my New Blackhawk for the reason mentioned above, but I have had the base pin slide forward if it isn't locked in correctly and I am shooting hot loads, but this is user error, not a problem with the gun.

 

[murf]

not so. if there is a burr on the hole drilled into the frame for the base pin latch, the latch will not fully engage the base pin and will allow the pin to slide forward upon firing. had to file off the burr to get things right again.

murf

 

[Drail]

The best fix for a Ruger base pin that doesn't want to stay in place is to install a Belt Mountain base pin. They come slightly oversize to remove any slop in cylinder alignment and some models have a set screw that locks into the barrel (a small detent can be cut in the barrel) and will absolutely tighten your Ruger SA up and keep the base pin in place with heavy loads.

 

[murf]

didn't see your other post there drail. maybe if said twice it must be true. that said, all my blackhawks, single six and bearcat have belt mountain base pins. first thing i do with a new sa. have the pin with set screw in my 45lc, but took it out cause i don't want to carry an allen wrench with me while hunting. the screw would back out with use anyway.

again, if any of you have a problem with the base pin coming out, make sure the latch is fully seated in the frame. even a belt mountain pin will come out if the latch is not all the way in.


murf

 

[halfmoonclip]

Bill Ruger's aversion to lawsuits produced some odd mods to his products. The simplicity of a single action or a PC9 is hugely compromised by efforts to make them lawyer proof and stupid proof. I broke the t-bar on an early Ruger, and may God have mercy on your soul if you have to work on the carbine.
Moon