Taurus Raging Bull - HELP

[Werewolf]

I've got a Taurus Raging Bull in .44 Mag.

It is a very good shooter and I'm happy with it except for one thing.

Occassionally after shooting 12 to 18 full power loads this is what happens.

1. Open cylinder and remove brass
2. Load in new cartridges
3. Push cylinder back into frame
4. Rear cylinder lock stays in unlocked position

This has happened twice in about 200 rounds fired.

The fix is easy - unload cylinder and push empty cylinder back into frame. Manually hold rear cylinder lock switch to the rear and then pull DA trigger. Cylinder lock switch will stay in locked position. I can then reopen cylinder, load it and the thing will lock when pushed back into the frame.

What the heck is going on here. I'm sure there is a more permanent fix but have no idea what it is. I'm betting that the spring attached to the rear cylinder lock switch is weak and needs to be replaced with one a bit stronger but that's just my semi-educated guess.

Anyone have any ideas what the deal is here?

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

Ye ol' dumb question here, but... have you cleaned the gun lately? Sounds to me like it's just sticking in the unlocked position, but I can't see what you're seeing.

 

[Werewolf]

Well - I guess since you don't know me that's a reasonable question. So I'll be reasonable and just say yes. I clean my weapons after firing - always - without fail for the past 33 years.

If the cylinder lock switch was just sticking in the unlocked position then just pushing it back would allow the cylinder to lock. BUT not only do I have to push the switch back and hold it I have to actuate the action by cocking the hammer and pulling the trigger.

The failure is mechanical - what part is failing is the question.

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

Well, I really didn't figure that was the problem. No offense intended.

I'm still trying to picture exactly what's happenin' - I'll take a peek at my RB454 tonight & see if it makes more sense.

 

[BluesBear]

I believe P95Carry is our resident Raging Bull expert.

Perhaps he will be along soon with a solution.





and to Quickdraw Limpsalot... Welcome Aboardâ„¢
How are things in my old Hometown?

 

[S.B.]

Hope you don't carry this gun for protection! Especially in dangerous game country. Could slow things down a bit, if the wolf is at the door. Have you tried getting in touch with the manufacturer? Taurus seems to be having their share of quality problems lately.

 

[Werewolf]

Nah...

It's just a big honkin' gun for punchin' holes in paper. I can't imagine carrying the thing for SD though I could imagine hunting with it - if I hunted - which I don't.

The problem's only occured twice in 200 rounds and the fix takes about 2 seconds which is about 30 seconds less than it takes to unload the empties and reload since I don't have a speed loader.

It is just annoying when it happens to have to manually push the rear cylinder lock switch back and cock and release the hammer.

I may contact Taurus but I won't go to the trouble to send it back if that's what they say. Shipping handguns is a pain in the arse I refuse to deal with.

 

[S.B.]

Well, I guess the answer to your problem is obvious: Leave it just as is, continue to use it with it's problems, and be happy

 

[P95Carry]

Sorry I didn't call by before ... Bear mentioned this thread to me.

I fear tho I can offer little in the way of help really. My Bull (.454) locks up fine but - I'd guess with yours there is perhaps a tolerance prob with rear latch-up. If mine I'd dissassemble and inspect the engagement surfaces ... in case a small relief (fractions of thou perhaps) could alleviate things.

I also hate sending anything back - but might suggest a look-at from a competant smith if one is handy... might just be a very small tweak needed.

Another thought - tho perhaps insignificant. I just wonder if - from time to time .. there is enough powder flake under the ejector star to make that a smidgeon proud and so - contribute to difficulty in fully getting the cylinder ''home'', that last bit - and so render that rear lock-up tricky.

Sorry not more help - Bear flatters when he calls me anything like an expert ... NOT the case really - wish it were.

I would also mention that my fave gun for .44 has become my SRH ... my Bull is in .454 and also with that - an SRH has gained favor for use.

If you find a fix or a smith can help - do write a post to report back.

 

[pinched_L0af]

Taurus is good... until you start shooting it. Then you realize they don't know what quality nor customer service is. They're 0 for 2 with me and I'll never buy another Taurus again.

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

That's great, but it doesn't really HELP anybody, does it?

 

[Highland Ranger]

Its the whole gun - replace it with a Smith and Wesson!

 

[sctman800]

Sounds like the problem I had with my Taurus 415 stainless .41mag. You don't say if this is a stainless model or blued. Mine did pretty much the same thing untill it got worse to the point it was unshootable. If I understand you correctly, the center pin that locks the cylinder into the back of the frame is sticking. When you dry fire it that is enough of a jolt to make it return to its proper position. I called Taurus and they sent me a new pin and spring. The origional pin was stainless the new pin was hardened carbon steel. A local gunsmith checked it out and found a burr on the base of the pin, smoothed it up and reinstalled it. This worked for a few hundred rounds then the same thing happened. This is when I got the new part from Taurus, no more problems, and when I talked to Taurus they seemed to know just what the problem was, like this was a common problem. HTH Jim.

 

[Werewolf]

Thanks sctman800 - that sounds reasonable. I may call Taurus and see if they'll send me the parts.