Author Topic: Attention Single-Six owners! This is worth your time... (Read 2756 times)

Jerry Lester · « **on:** February 27, 2004, 02:53:24 PM »

We've all had problems with ejecting spent 22 magnum cases when using the hotter loads like CCI Maxi-mag +V, or other hyper velocity stuff. The slower powder used in these loads doesn't burn up completely in a revolver, and gets blown in around the ejector rod, where it rides through the frame.

I've fought this aggravating problem for a lot of years. Some time back, I read a post on another board(not sure which), about a possible fix for this problem. It sounded too good to be true, so I put off trying it for a long time. It definately "does" work, and now I'm sorry I didn't do it a long time ago.

All you have to do is remove the ejector rod, and grind it flat on the tip end. You don't want to make it completely flat. Just make the end look like a round nose flat point bullet. Be careful to keep the flat you're creating squared with the rod. If you angle it, it'll still let the un-burnt powder bind it up.

Here's my theory on how it works. The pressure from the same gases that cause the powder to be forced up into the ejector hole hit the flat on the end of the rod, and are redirected back out of the hole. This stops the powder from ever making it into the hole to start with. What ever the reason, it definately puts a stop to a very aggravating problem.

I used to have the perfectly clean ejector rod bind up sometimes after only one cylinder full. I'd have to work it back, and forth to get it free, so I could eject the cases. This has been a problem on nearly every Single-Six I've owned. Since I've done this very minor alteration, I've shot hundreds of CCI TNTs(one of the worst offenders) in one setting, without having the ejector rod bind one time.

TC4ME · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2004, 09:17:06 AM »

I to am having this problem on my ss with the ejector rod binding when using the mag cylinder. How much off the end of the rod do you remove? What did you use to remove it, a grinder?

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2004, 05:30:36 PM »

I used a Dremel tool to take off the most of it, but then I squared it up, and finished it with a fine flat file. I don't think it's really critical, as far as exactly how much to take off. I'm sure there's an exact amount that would likely be the very best, but I don't think a little more, or less makes much difference. I wouldn't want to completely flatten the end, as it might cause the rod to start wearing the hole it rides through over time.

Here's a picture of mine, so you can see exactly what I did.

TC4ME · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2004, 11:39:43 PM »

Thanks for the reply Jerry. I am going to give it a try as soon as I get a chance. This problem is totally unacceptable and has been driving me insane. I will be sure to repost and let you know the results. It may take me a few days as I have a full schedule. Thanks again and especially for the picture.

TC4ME · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2004, 01:41:12 PM »

I made the modification to the ejector rod, just got back from firing the ss. Fired thirty rounds through the mag cylinder and not even so much as a hint of binding!!! This is something Ruger ought to look into. Thanks for the great tip Jerry it makes shooting the ss much more fun.

bgjohn · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2004, 01:58:48 PM »

It looks like you've ground off about 1/8".
JM

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:54:45 PM »

Quote from: bgjohn

It looks like you've ground off about 1/8".
JM

Yes. That's about right more or less a little. I left mine rounded some around the flat because I was worried about it wearing a place in the hole it rides through, and also that it was still long enough to eject cases reliably.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:59:21 PM »

Quote from: jetwrench767

I made the modification to the ejector rod, just got back from firing the ss. Fired thirty rounds through the mag cylinder and not even so much as a hint of binding!!! This is something Ruger ought to look into. Thanks for the great tip Jerry it makes shooting the ss much more fun.

I'm glad you tried it. I guess it'll be a standard alteration for me from now on. I sure wish I'd have done it to all the other Single Sixes I've had over the years! I've got so mad over that problem before that I felt like slinging the daggone pistol over a bank! LOL!

TC4ME · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2004, 11:50:09 PM »

My thoughts exactly. I am wondering if anybody else is experienceing this problem. If so I highly reccomend this alteration. What kind of groups do you get at 25 yds with your ss. Mine is fairly new and I am getting a little over 1" off from bags. I do not really care for the iron sights to much they are a little on the large side and I have trouble getting a good sight picture on smaller targets out past 25 yds. May scope?

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2004, 02:24:45 AM »

This one is giving me 1"-1.5" at 25 yards consistantly off sand bags(when I'm having a good day! LOL!) I have shot some really great groups at 25 yards with it in the 3/4" range before, but not regularly. Then(just to be honest!) I've had days where I just ain't shooting worth a hoot, and the groups have been as wide as 3".

This is with Federal bulk HPs from Wal-Mart. It shoots magnums fairly well too, and puts CCI TNT, Winchester Supremes, Federal 30g HPs, and CCI Maxi-Mag +Vs into about the same size groups as the long rifles.

I mainly practice shooting offhand from 20 yards to as far as 75 yards. If I shoot off the bench too much, my offhand shooting goes to pot, and since I hunt a lot with mine, I like to stay sharp on my offhand, and using field type rests.

This Single-Six is 5.5", and feels, and handles a lot better than any I've had before. I used to only buy 6.5" ones, but since I bought this 5.5", I'll never go back to the longer ones again. As a matter of fact, I'm planning on having my 6.5" 357 Blackhawk cut back to either 5.5" or 5.25".

TC4ME · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2004, 12:37:48 PM »

Since I bought my single six it has become my favorite firearm to shoot, cheap and a whole lot of fun. I am trying to justify the purchase of another 22 sidearm. I really enjoy shooting handguns and my only other is my super redhawk 44 and that gets a little pricey to take to the range so its primarily delegated to deer season. It is the only firearm I use for deer hunting.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2004, 03:17:54 PM »

You ought to consider a 357 or 38 special. My favorite 357 handloads cost me less than $4.00 a box of 50, and this is with jacketed bullets. You can shoot 357s cheaper than 22 magnums, and get a whole lot more bang for your buck.

If you don't handload, it's not too hard to start, or all that expensive either. You can get all the equipment you need in a good starter kit like the RCBS Partner kit, for around $120 or so.

Huk · « **Reply #12 on:** April 05, 2004, 03:42:41 PM »

Hey Jerry Lester,
Thanks a lot for the information. I did it to my single-six and it works great.

Oh, by the way, my single-six has a 5.5 barrel too, but watch where you hunt with it, your neighboring state of NC won't allow handgun hunting with less than a 6" barrel. They'll take it away from ya.

Huk

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #13 on:** April 05, 2004, 04:22:53 PM »

Quote from: Huk

Hey Jerry Lester,
Thanks a lot for the information. I did it to my single-six and it works great.

Oh, by the way, my single-six has a 5.5 barrel too, but watch where you hunt with it, your neighboring state of NC won't allow handgun hunting with less than a 6" barrel. They'll take it away from ya.

Huk

Glad to help HuK.

Thank's for the heads up on NC. You know, that just don't make no sense to me at all! If a man can hit what he's aiming at with a 6" barrel, chances are he can do it pretty well with anything from a 4" or so on up. They may consider the balistics into their thinking on the law, but in a revolver, a couple inches one way or the other really doesn't add up to much, as far as performance on game.

I guess it's like anything else. If they're gonna let you use one, they gotta figure out some kind of law to regulate it. Makes'em feel like they're actually doing something! LOL!

Jim101 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2004, 02:54:03 AM »

I'm gettting ready to do this to my mew single-six. Which dremel stone,cutter did you use and how/what did you do so the area on top of the rod was "flat"? Last thing, did you use blue locktight when you put it back together??

Thanks,
Jim

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2004, 03:05:30 AM »

I answered your PM Jim.

Yes, I've got into the habit of using loctite on revolvers when re-assembling them. I got tired of the ejector housing coming loose on my Blackhawk.

Jim101 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2004, 01:56:20 PM »

Jerry,

Well, went to the gunsmith that I have been dealing with and showed him your idea. He said it sounded good and ground and polished the ejector rod for free. But, he took it down flat, polished the top and edge....I guess we see what happens......Not quite what I wanted. If it doesn't work right I'll order a new ejector rod......

Jim

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #17 on:** May 09, 2004, 05:23:38 AM »

As long as it rides freely through the hole in the frame, it'll work just fine I'd say. Be sure and let us know the results.

Greeenriver · « **Reply #18 on:** July 06, 2004, 10:49:35 AM »

Now this is just an idea, but ya might want to consider the cure that myself and most Cowboy Action Shooters are using on the Single Six's in .32H&R. They have the same problem of the ejactor rod binding after as few as 5 or 10 rds.

A pard told me about this and I did it to both my Single Six's and it fixed the problem so now I can shoot an entire match with BLACK POWDER loads with no binding at all.

I removed the rod and shroud and them drilled the hole in the frame out to the next size drill bit bigger than the rod. I have done this to several pistols now and everyone is happy with the modification. I take no credet for figgering this out, it was told to me by another Single Six shooter. He told me he had called Ruger and they said drilling the hjole slightly larger wouldn't affect the frame strength at all and they had no problem about him doing it.

Greeenriver(I didn't know this problem was affecting the 22's also.)

unspellable · « **Reply #19 on:** July 07, 2004, 02:18:15 AM »

Any one experience this problem in other calibers or other SA's?

BTW: Here in Iowa the minimum barrel length for hunting deer is 4 inches. It's fairly recently that we can hunt deer with a handgun at all.