Sticky Redhawk cylinder

[larryw]

I have a fairly new Redhawk in 44 Mag. Today I ran into a problem where I couldn't cock the gun without a great deal of effort. I found that if I assisted the cylinder rotation, it would cock just fine. When opened, the cylinder wouldn't spin as freely as expected.

To date, I've been soaking the cylinder in Ed's Red every couple hundred rounds (when I detail clean). Right now am bathing it in #9 (which is floating up lots of crud out).

How do I tear that assembly down? I've removed the ejector rod, but can't figure out how to seperate the crane and cylinder.

thanks,
Larry

 

[Steve in PA]

I have a Super Redhawk.......I don't know if it has the same type cylinder configuration as your Redhawk (I'm implying that you have just a RH and not a SRH)

Anyway, you may have crud build up inside the cylinder where it spins. You need a special tool (available from Brownells) which allows you to take the whole cylinder apart.

In the SRH there are two tiny steel ball bearings.......which you can loose very easily.......plus a few other minor parts....so be careful.

I take my SRH apart totally after I shoot it......and while I haven't had the cylinder bind......some crud does get in there......especailly after shooting a couple hundred rounds of .44mag!!!!!!

Hope this helps.

 

[Jim K]

It sounds like you are doing a lot of shooting. If the gun binds when hot, check the barrel-cylinder gap. Most folks think of that only in terms of being too large, but it can be too small also and bind up a cylinder when it expands lengthwise from heat. It should be about .006 at all chambers. If less, talk to a gunsmith or Ruger.

Jim

 

[larryw]

Steve, comparing the RH and SRH parts drawings, I don't see the bearings in the RH. Thanks for the tip on the tool from Brownells; I like being able to strip all my guns down to the springs and pins.

Edit: I can't find the tool on the Brownells web site, do you have a manufacturer or part number?

Jim, that was my first thought as well, until I discovered the cylinder doesn't spin properly when opened. Spending a couple hours soaking it with #9 and blasting it with brake cleaner has cleared up the problem for now, but I can just "feel" that gunk lurking, waiting to trip me up when I least expect it (this is a pig hunting sidearm)...

 

[Steve in PA]

Brownells part # 080-432-001

Ruger Ejector Retainer Tool..........looks like a screw driver, however the "tip" is hollow, with two "blades" inside. The hollow center allows the tip to slide over the ejector rod......the two blades will then engage the slots on the screw holding everything together.

 

[larryw]

Thanks!