New Vaquero problems

[JCP]

I picked up a new New Vaquero in 45 LC yesterday. Love it 

I functions perfectly when playing but when shooting the cylinder will not rotate on 5 out of 6 tries.
After firing the hammer will move about half way back then stop dead solid.
While it is stopped I can slide a feeler gage behind every case head with no problem.
After ejecting the empties it will still act up a little trying to lock up and sometimes does but eventully starts to work perfect again while just playing with it.
Shoot it again and it starts all over again.
Seems like something loose must be floating around inside

Any Ideas.

Thanks

Jack

[ole 5 hole group]

I know I'm no help but it may be a timing issue with the hand.  I have an X-frame that acted the very same way and I took everything apart, cleaned it well and inspected inside the frame & parts for nicks, burrs etc but all was for not.  I sent it back to Smith this week (they are paying postage both ways).  The rep thought it was a problem with the hand, which looked good to me when I looked everything over but as long as they work a little FM on it - I'll be happy. 

[JCP]

Thanks 5 hole, I think I've got it figured out. It's the plunger that protrudes from the breech and catches the pawl knotches to time cylinder for loading. as best I can tell, part of the time it is sticking.

Thanks again for the reply

Jack

[BlkHawk73]

  Make sure the cylinder pin in fully seated.  Not having it all the way in doesn't allow the transfer bar to be posistioned out of the way and upon pulling the hammer back, the transfer bars rises and hits the firing pin plunger stopping any more rearward hammer movement.  Holding the gun pointed straight upward allows the transfer bar to fall back and the hammer to be fully cocked. 

[kid_couteau]

I had a vaquero that the cylinder pin would jump forward and lock her up tight
Just a thought
Kid

[Sweetwater]

  Make sure the cylinder pin in fully seated.  Not having it all the way in doesn't allow the transfer bar to be posistioned out of the way and upon pulling the hammer back, the transfer bars rises and hits the firing pin plunger stopping any more rearward hammer movement.  Holding the gun pointed straight upward allows the transfer bar to fall back and the hammer to be fully cocked. 

That would be my guess. My Blackhawk would do that with HOT loads and I'm sure a Mtn Bell cylinder pin would cure it, but it also helps me stay out of excessive pressure land. Possible that previous owner ran some hot stuff and found the New Vaquero not up to a Blackhawk and got rid of it, having created a bit of wear on the cylinder pin and now it might not hold even with standard loads. Just a thought.

[mrussel]

Is it new as in never been owned by anyone but you or new as in new to you? I would call Ruger and see what they say.

[Ken ONeill]

The cylinder axis pin jumping forward in recoil is my guess also.

[tacklebury]

Could invest in a nice upgraded LOCKing base pin.    I've been considering one of these.

http://www.beltmountain.com/ruger.htm

[Bart Solo]

Call Ruger.  If you want to take it apart, Ruger has a nice video showing you how.  

The classic problem with a new Ruger New Vaquero centers on the base pin.  (That is the pin that runs through the cylinder.)  If it comes unlocked (or more precisely doesn't lock properly in the first place) and jumps forward during shooting your cylinder will not function properly.  If  you play around with cylinder and push the pin back in it will seem to be working properly. If that is the case contact the folks a BeltMountain.com.  They will be a wealth of information and new base pins.  Ruger will want to try to fix the problem with new springs.  That will work but most of us use the BeltMountain replacement base pins.  I bought pins with locking screws but you don't need the locking screws.  The new BeltMountain pins have deeper grooves than the Ruger factory pins and will probably lock without the screws.  You never know when you want to take the cylinder out and when you do in the field you will probably find the allen wrench is on your workbench at home.  If you tighten the screw too tight it can create real problems.   

[flatgate]

I think I've got it figured out. It's the plunger that protrudes from the breech and catches the pawl knotches to time cylinder for loading. as best I can tell, part of the time it is sticking.

That's called the Reverse Indexing Pawl.  It's appearance in 2005 on the New Vaquero was in response to Cowboy Action Shooters wanting the chambers to line up "on the click" of the ratchet.   On a Ruger New Model that's impossible since the timing is such that the chamber only lines up with the loading recess when the hammer is approximately half way back.  The Ruger design did not permit the hammer to move when the loading gate was open.  The solution was to install a "free spin" design pawl then add the Reverse Indexing Pawl so the cylinder would "click" when the chamber lined up with the loading recess in the cylinder frame.

I would guess a drop or two of bore cleaner followed by a shot of "non-chlorinated" Brake Clean would stop the sticking.....

JMHO,

flatgate

[mrussel]

I think I've got it figured out. It's the plunger that protrudes from the breech and catches the pawl knotches to time cylinder for loading. as best I can tell, part of the time it is sticking.

That's called the Reverse Indexing Pawl.  It's appearance in 2005 on the New Vaquero was in response to Cowboy Action Shooters wanting the chambers to line up "on the click" of the ratchet.   On a Ruger New Model that's impossible since the timing is such that the chamber only lines up with the loading recess when the hammer is approximately half way back.  The Ruger design did not permit the hammer to move when the loading gate was open.  The solution was to install a "free spin" design pawl then add the Reverse Indexing Pawl so the cylinder would "click" when the chamber lined up with the loading recess in the cylinder frame.

I would guess a drop or two of bore cleaner followed by a shot of "non-chlorinated" Brake Clean would stop the sticking.....

JMHO,

flatgate

 WHy non chlorinated?

[sureshot2040]

check your cross latch screw/spring make sure it is screwed together tight
if its loose it will let your cylinder pin jump forward under the slightest recoil
and bind the gun
you'll need two screw drivers to check it

[JCP]

Sorry ,I been away for a while.

It was the base pin jumping forward. there was a bur keeping the cross pin from going in far enough.

Man, this thing is accurate and the balance with the 4 5/8 barrel is wonderful.

Thanks to everyone of you for your reply

Jack