Ruger Super Blackhawk ejector housing screw shearing off?

[WyoXJ]

My SBH ejector housing screw keeps shearing off, it just happened for the second time yesterday.  I am wondering if this is a common problem. Overall I really like this gun a lot but I do not want to keep having my ejector go flying down range or worse loose it while out hunting with it.  I really do not want to send it back to Ruger but I will if that is what it takes to get it fixed right.  Well if you all have heard of this or have any advice or ideas I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

[Lloyd Smale]

its a common occurance on hard kicking rugers. Most of the time it comes from the retaining screw loosening when shooting. A guy needs to check all the screws on a ruger sa about every 100 shots as the grip and frame screws will work loose too. A little non hardening loctite goes along way toward preventing it but eventually they will work loose anyway and need to be checked. I allways have a screwdriver i my range bag and check them often. Ive seen where only a dozen or so rounds in guns like the 500s and 475s will back screws off.

[Redhawk1]

I use blue locktite to hold mine in. It is the removable kind of locktite. Lloyd is right, when the screw backs out it allows the ejector housing to move back and forth and that is what causes the screw to sheer. Try the blue locktite.

[myronman3]

yes, it is.  your barrel is turning on you.  i am sure your point of impact is changing, too.  i had 3 sbh's, all did that.  send the gun back to ruger.  call them and talk with donna.  good news is they will fix it. 
   this is why i $#!!-canned my sbh's and got a freedom arms.  one gun i can count on is much better than 3 i cant.   hth.

[Redhawk1]

It is not 100% that the barrel is turning. If that were the case the screw would not align up to be reinstalled. A loose screw will sheer.  Getting a freedom arms is not the cure all to this problem.

[Lloyd Smale]

I have seen ruger barrels come loose. My buddy just bought a new aniversary super blackhawk and we were having problems one day with the groups moving. about the 10th set of groups we shot the ejector housing went flying it was then that i noticed the sight blade wasnt sitting right the barrel had loosened. But personaly ive had a couple of them come off and the first thing to look for is loose screws

[myronman3]

It is not 100% that the barrel is turning. If that were the case the screw would not align up to be reinstalled. A loose screw will sheer.

if the screw is sheering off, the barrel is turning.   do you have first-hand experience with this problem? i do; with three different guns.  or are you hauling the  percieved ruger company line?   i didnt say anything anti ruger, yet here ya are injecting your opinion when i am sharing my first hand actual experience with 3 sbh's. 

Getting a freedom arms is not the cure all to this problem.

really?  it worked perfectly for me.   tell you what....when you see someone with this problem with a f.a. revolver, you let me know.    this problem with rugers is more common than everyone thinks.  switching from ruger to f.a. resolved the problem flawlessly for me.

[Redhawk1]

I had a FA also, I was not all that wowed with it, that's why it's gone.

I have owned 2 of the super blackhawks and never had that problem with the barrel turning, but I did have a screw sheeing off because the screw came loose. So I don't have the experance you had.
Sorry, I will bough out of your expertise. The floor is all yours, bye. 

[WyoXJ]

I am nearly certain that the barrel is not turning.  I sighted it in when I first received it and its been hitting the bullseye ever since as a matter of fact I shot some of my best groups with it when the ejector......well ejected, all groups dead center.  Yesterday I managed to get the sheared off bit of screw out it looks like it must of backed out some, the bit that came out could not have been more than 1/2 way in. The screw was loose enough to be worked out with a small plastic pick. So I am going to get some new screws and make sure they are snug after each time out.  And if that does not do it I will send it back to Ruger.

[shermbob]

I usually avoid discussions like this but Redhawk is RIGHT!!  I had the same problem until I learned to tighten up the screws and locktite them. shermbob

[KN]

Definitely lock tite them!   KN

[targetshootr]

I had the same thing happen twice to an old model 44 flat top wearing a new model barrel. Before I noticed the screw was coming loose and the momentum of the recoil sheered it off as easily as a chisel.

[The Old Redneck]

I'll have to agree with Redhawk also, but will add a word of caution about Locktite, they make "Several" types, for several uses, and all do what they are suppose to do. In a hurry, and not having the removable type handy I used a drop of the red heavy duty type. Not a smart thing to do, yes it has never came loose, and I was able to get it back out. Just make sure to buy the right kind. It is great stuff, and I use several different types of it, but always match type to job.

[jpsmith1]

The most LIKELY and COMMON cause would be the screw woking loose.  As stated, once loose, the ejector housing moves under recoil and shears the screw.  MY screw is damaged, but not sheared, yet.  I will get around to calling Ruger one of these days.  Before I install, I'll loc-tite that booger in place.  I like to shoot the heavy loads and it works loose after a couple of cylinders.  I check when ejecting shells and tighten as needed.

As far as the barrel moving, it is no doubt possible, just not as likely a cause.

When placed under the stresses caused by firing a modern, high pressure cartridge, it's really a wonder that the guns last as long as they do.