Strange Forcing Cone Erosion on almost new Ruger KLCR (Erosion on top half only)

[Macchina]

I have a Ruger KLCR (357) with less than 100 rounds through it. Cleaning it today I noticed a significant amount of forcing cone erosion on the top of the cone only. The bottom of the cone was completely perfect.

I have shot mostly mid-range SWC lead loads from this gun with the exception of 10 H110 loads to get some chronograph readings. All bullets have been 158 grains. I have shot hundreds of each of these rounds through my SP101 with zero damage to its forcing cone. As you can see below the damage is only to the top 40% of the cone, absolutely no abrasion has occurred to the bottom 60%. NOTE: I know this is not lead buildup. I have scratched at it with hardened tools and did not remove any lead. Also, it appears to clearly be a concave depression where the chamfer used to be.

This is really frustrating. What would cause damage just to the top of the cone? Misaligned cylinders?

 

[Macchina]

This is really hard to photograph. Here's a few more, sorry for the blurriness:

 

[skidder]

Great pictures BTW. Looks to be defectively misaligned, or a bad cut on the cone?.
It appears to me there has been a new angle cut by the misalignment of the barrel and cylinder. The top is taking a beating because the cylinder is seated too high above the cone. Did you notice any lead flying?

Try looking down the barrel with the cylinder closed (borelight) and see if the cylinder is off-set. You can also use a feeler of some sort (cleaning rod) and see if it catches the cylinder on the top inside of the barrel.

I'm done with the LCRs. I've had two go back and they were both scrapped by Ruger. Both were 22 versions with different problems than yours.

I would give Ruger a call no matter what you find. This looks to be a serious issue.

 

[buck460XVR]

Seems pretty excessive for 100 rounds, especially as shown in the next to last and last pic. I too would contact Ruger.

 

[Old Fuff]

I too would also recommend that you send the gun back to the manufacturer.

As for a cause. The LCR series feature a new trend in snubby revolvers. The frame extends to the end of the muzzle, that becomes a sleeve, and the barrel is a tube installed inside of it. If the hole in the frame isn't concentrict with the chamber(s) the tube won't be either. I don't think that this is likely to be a common problem, but if/when it occurs a new frame or gun will be required.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Yeah that isn't right. Better send her in.

 

[Macchina]

An update on this:
I sent the gun in and they replaced the barrel. I have shot a box of 38 Specials through it without issue. I am a bit hesitant to fire full-power loads through this gun now...

Any further insight on what could have caused extreme erosion? The cylinder to barrel alignment seemed good (viewed only, not gauged). Any other reports on erosion with KLCRs?

 

[Drail]

That does not look at all like gas cutting to me (and I've seen some) That looks like a barrel machined by the new guy on his first day on the CMC. Poor QC work. Your ammo did not do that to the cone. You did mention H 110. How hot were those loads? For gas to cut at that angle there would have to be a severe misalignment issue and very hot loads. It looks like it could be a little gas cutting on an already miscut entry. Just keep looking for stuff like this, most people don't.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

It is not and never was erosion.

It was a plain & simple bad barrel forcing cone ream job, right out of the Ruger factory.

Erosion doesn't look anything at all like that.

rc

 

[Waveski]

Good of the OP to follow up on the forum.

 

[Macchina]

Well, a third update:

I've had my repaired KLCR for less than a year and the problem may be back... I have put a few boxes of 38 Special through the gun and Remington Golden Sabers (125g) and there is a very slight similar pattern forming on the top of the forcing cone again...!

I'm bumping this back up to see if anyone had experienced the same problems.

 

[Macchina]

The pictures disappeared from the original post. Here are a couple of them from the last time (it's not near this bad again).

 

[gonoles_1980]

I'm noticing some what I believe is copper fouling at the forcing cone at the top in my LCR 357. It looks a little rough there. Just noticed it today. I assume it's the plated copper from my reloads. I had a small piece of copper come out while cleaning, but it looks a lot like what you have. I guess I'm a little nervous now.

 

[gonoles_1980]

Macchina this is what I'm seeing in mine, there is copper fouling, but some of this looks like what you're seeing. Before shooting Friday, I did notice some leading, at the bottom, which is gone, but I didn't have this issue. I fired 50 lead bullets followed by 50 copper plated bullets on Friday through the gun. This is after cleaned the gun.

 

[dfariswheel]

I'd call Ruger and ask for a shipping label so you can ship it back on their dime.
Explain about the first repair and quote the invoice number and date if you still have the paper work.

Write a SHORT letter explaining the problem and the invoice info from the first repair.
Whatever it is, Ruger will make it right.
Even Ruger drops the ball from time to time.