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View Full Version : Vaquero loading gate/cylinder rotation prob


Searoy
07-31-2006, 10:57 PM
Hi,
I'm not a gunsmith, but I thought I was mechanical enough to do a simple thing like replace the springs in my Vaqueros.

I bought a pair of spring kits from Midway with 17oz hammer spring a 30oz trigger spring, and a stronger pin spring.

I followed the guide from the "Do-It-Yourself" link here on Beartooth, but I did not polish anything, just replaced springs. I figure I'll do it later, one thing at a time to see the changes and all.

Anyway, I did somethig wrong, since now the cylinder will not rotate with the gate open. I must move to half-cock, or at least a quarter-cock, to get the cylinder to rotate, quite a pain.

Where is a more comprehensive discussion of this work online, or simply, what do I do to return the proper functioning of the gate/cylinder. I have a pair, matching, though not a matched pair, of Vaqs a few years old.

Also, like i said, I didn't polish anything, though I would like too. Unfortunately, I could not easily get out the trigger pin. Perhaps I need to read more carefully, but I thought it just punched out. Anyway, I guess I'm lucky I didn't, or I might be in worse. I'd like to do my own work.

On another note, my throats are tight. Dropping a Speer 260jhp will get it stuck but good without any of the nose getting out, and that bullet is .451 consistently. I have to tap it out backwards with a plastic pen. I am strongly considering buying a real throat reamer, rather than the more touchy drill-and-emory method. I do have 2 of these, and a third would justify the purchase vs. paying for it over and over.

Anyway, thanks for any recommendations you can give of fixing my loading gate/cylinder function.

Carl Jenkins
Eugene, OR
KE7FCK
6m maniac
Ruger SRH 454 Casull 7.5"
pr Ruger Vaqueros 45LC, 5.5"

Alk8944
08-01-2006, 07:44 AM
My first bet is the gate doesn't snap open properly either. Most likely is the gate spring isn't installed properly, it's the most difficult part of re-assembling the new action Rugers. Take it apart & re-assemble being sure the spring is installed properly. and the problem will go away. The reason the cylinder won't turn when you open the gate is that the gate spring also depresses the bolt when the gate is opened. If not installed properly the gate doesn't depress the spring and the bolt remains locked.