Ruger SA problems....fixed w/pic

[zoner]

First i've owned Ruger SA's for years,done quite a bit of work on em. Converted two from standard to bisley configuration, replaced springs etc so am not new to disassembly and reassembly...but this one has me stumped. I have a NMBH 45 LC that i put a bisley hammer and trigger in but never got around to getting a grip frame but did try a bisley grip frame off another gun and everything worked perfect....so i bought a alloy grip frame(factory, standard config) figuring i'd fit the bisley hammer and grip frame to the alloy grip frame so i lengthened the slot for the hammer and trigger in the alloy grip frame to accomadate the bisley hammer and trigger. I chose to alter the grip frame in stead of the hammer and trigger cuz i might get a bisley grip frame someday. Got that done then realized it would never go together withoutgrinding down the "ears" where the grip frame mates to the reciever...got that done and reassembled. Got it back together and everything works...it cocks,the trigger releases the hammer, the pawl does what it's supposed to do to index the cylinder...but can't get the loading gate to open. Reassembled...same thing again. Got another gun out to check for proper gate detent spring placement, i know it can be hard to keep that "foot" of the spring from popping off the loading gate as you reassemble, but i swear everything is like it's supposed to be...but it still doesn't work. Like i said i'm stumped...any ideas?

[44 Man]

It seems to me the only thing it could be is the little tail on the loading gate spring.  I've gone nuts before trying to get those working.  You think it is all just right and somehow it slips forward just enough to not work after it's all together.  That's my only advice.  Good luck with it and let us know how you come out.  44 Man

[zoner]

thanks for the reply....and i agree with your diagnoses, it has to be the gate detent spring arm that bears on the loading gate. I'd bet also that ANYBODY that has disassembled and reassembled one of these guns has had to "dance" with that spring arm...it falls out of position easily when you are trying to do two or three things at the same time during final assembly...it has happened to me. It looks right....but it's not . I'll just have to take it apart and try again..........

[Bigeasy]

A drop of heavy grease helps hold the spring in place.

Larry

[44 Man]

Brownell's has a nifty little tool to hold that spring so you don't need three hands to put it together.  I usually just hold it in place by pressing a screw driver down with my teeth while manipulating the pin and parts with my hands.  What am I thinking!!!  Buy the tool.  44 Man

[zoner]

got home from work today.....took it apart and put it back together twice....same thing, it cocks,the hammer falls,everything works except the loading gate. But i think i know whats wrong now...i had to lengthen the trigger slot in the grip frame forward to accept the bisley trigger and i think i lengthened it enough to get the gun together but not enough to allow the trigger to go as far forward as it's supposed to when released....when i fit that slot forward so my trigger can fully release then my loading gate will work properly....more to come

[Hank08]

Re the spring in assembly/disassembly.  If you'll take a small rod 1/8" or so and about 3/4 to 1" long and with the grip off and your frame upside down lay the rod on top of the spring ,clamp it there with vice grips, it will hold it there while you push the pin over to release the trigger, etc.  don't take the pin all the way out just over enough to release the other parts.  Once the pin is past the spring cutout the vice grips can be removed.  It's very simple, no other tools other than the vice grips are necessary.
Re the Bisley hammer, so much easier to cut the hammer.
H08

[Steve P]

On some of the rugers, the loading gate spring rests in a "slot" in the pin.  If you have the pin in backwards, the spring is held too high and you cannot open the loading gate.  I have enclosed an old drawing I did for someone showing what this pin looks like.  I have put the pin in backwards many times and I know better.

Just another thought.

Steve

[zoner]

thanks for all the good input...today i took it apart and gave the trigger a little more room forward in the grip frame and it went together, loading gate opened...alls well. The thing that threw me was that the gate detent spring was positioned properly, but the loading gate wouldn't open. thanks again

[zoner]

here's a pic....i hope

[44 Man]

Glad you got her taken care of.  Nice gun!  44 Man