Lead build up around ejector rod on Single Six

[357mag]

I have a Super Single Six that I have been having some minor trouble wih. It gets lead built up around the ejector rod opening. I have trouble moving the rod for the first casing or two and then it moves okay. The next time I run a cylinder full same thing happens. If it is freshly cleaned I get about 40 rounds or so through it before this happens. If I take the cylinder out and clean off the lead I only get about 10-15 rounds before it builds up enough again to cause a problem. This is with 22lr bullets not the 22 mag. Any suggestions?

[pastorp]

357mag. I would guess your 22lr cylinder is either chambered off center with the bore or is not locking up properly. Sounds to me like a trip to ruger is in order. Regards, Byron

[Greeenriver]

What you are describing is a very common problem with the Super Single Six's, more noticable in the .32H&R mag versions, and a VERY simple fix.

Remove the cylender and ejactor rod and housing and run a small drill into the hole opening it up just a size or so bigger. End of problem. Nearly everyone I know that uses the SSS for Cowboy Action Shooting has done the same fix and they will shoot all day with out any problems, even with Black Powder loads.

I use a drill bit the next size bigger than the one that will fit in the undrilled hole.

Hope this helps.

Greeenriver(Before drilling, I could only get 10 or so rounds before the rod started binding up, even with smokeless loads in the .32)

[Jerry Lester]

What Greeenriver describes is definately a way to fix your problem. Another way is to take the ejector rod, and grind the bullet shaped end off flat. I've done this to quite a few Single Sixes, and it's fixed the problem on every one of them. The flat end causes the pressure to be directed back out of the ejector rod hole, and keeps it cleaner.

This is the first I've heard of a "lead" build up in that area of a Single Six. In all of them I've had, as well as quite a few other peoples, the problem you're describing comes from un-burned powder residue getting in between the rod, and the hole. In most cases this was caused with 22 magnum ammo, or CCI Stingers. The slower burning powders left some un-burned, and it'd jam up the rod in usually only a few shots.

[44 Man]

I too have filed a flat on the end of the rod and that has cured the problem for me on three guns.  Less drastic than drilling the frame and seems to work fine.  44 Man