Ruger Tolerances

[greenrivers]

I called customer service to find out what the spec. tolerances were for the .44 mag. barrels and was told that I needed to send in the gun. I explained that all I wanted were the tolerances at the moment as sending a firearm back only to find out that it was in spec. seemed expensive. I was then told to go to another site and email engineering for the spec.. I did and explained the conversation with customer service. I just got an email back telling me to send in the gun for evaluation. Does anyone no how much above .429 Ruger allows. Mine is slugging out at .433. Thanks for any help.

[SHOOTALL]

I don't know . I would guess that they must vary and if they printed them they could open themselves up to replacing alot of bbls . just saying..........

[anachronism]

A especially serious part of the problem is that very few people own measuring devices (calipers are crap) capable of precisely measuring anything, much less the training to use them correctly & consistently. Five groove barrel slugs have to be measured on vee blocks with special equipment. Other issues include using lead alloy slugs for the task. Antimonial alloys "spring back" a bit after being compressed. This causes issues with consistency. Cerrosafe shrinks, then expands, so you have to know exactly when the casting was done. If dimensions were posted, all the company would do is measure guns for various reasons. I once spent a couple of days trying to gently explain to a guy that Ruger & S&W cut their forcing cones to different angles. The silly boy was upset because he could stick a bullet nose further into his new Rugers forcing cone than he could with his S&W. This meant the Ruger was defective because he already knew the S&W shot fine. He was threatening to sue Ruger because he felt the gun was defective! Ruger checked the gun out and sent it back to him with a clean bill of health. I'm not even suggesting this has any bearing on your situation, but if I made guns, I wouldn't give information out either.

[greenrivers]

Both good comments. Worth thinking about and I did. I own verniers, micrometers an a complete set of pin gauges. But as a check I brought it to my gunsmith who verified the measurements. I have no issue with Ruger as they must protect themselves from overburden by the public. I am simply trying to find out if sending the thing back would be a futile and costly venture if it is withing their tolerance specs. It is a piece that I intend to keep as it is an excellant and older specimen. Opening the throats and buying and oversize mold may well be the cure. Or simply replacing the barrel. But before opening up other problems I would like to find out. I have five Rugers now and am considering a sixth. I think that qualifies me as being pro-Ruger. Information is what I am looking for not a free fix, and with the knowledge here, where better to look? Thank you for your responces.

[Graybeard]

Ruger specs should be same as SAAMI specs. I suspect you can find the SAAMI specs for .44 magnum barrels on the SAAMI site.

[Bigeasy]

I guess I would have to ask, how does it shoot?  Have you tried a variety of cast and jacketed loads thru it to see what kind of accuracy you are getting, especially compared to your other four rugers?  Jacketed bullets tend to shoot better in an slightly oversized bore, compared to cast.  If accuracy is good, then it is really a non issue.  If accuracy is substandard, and If the bore is .433, and the throats are significantly smaller, then having a local machine shop open them up might be the cheapest, easiest route.  Another thing to consider is I believe when Ruger receives an older 3 screw gun in for repair, they automatically perform the updated lock work conversion on it.
 
Larry

[greenrivers]

Thanks for the lead Graybeard. I will look it up. The .44 has always been eratic, never grouping the way it should with jacketed bullets. With cast bullets it is very eratic. I have an older SRH in .454 that does well, since the upgrades were done on the Vaquero, it does very well, and the Montado did well out of the box. The forth is a rifle. It is my understanding that Ruger returns the old parts making it possible to return it to original. But that seems a non issue now. Opening up the throats will likely be the repair. Three inches off the barrel would be a good thing too. Has this been a common issue for Ruger? I have heard of that happening with rifle barrels here on the forums.

[flatgate]

I guess I would have to ask, how does it shoot? ................................................ Another thing to consider is I believe when Ruger receives an older 3 screw gun in for repair, they automatically perform the updated lock work conversion on it.
 
Larry

I wholeheartedly agree How does it shoot?   As far as the "lock work" update, well, I automatically REMOVE the lockwork prior to sending a gun to Ruger.  If it's a New Model with my "homeboy" action job then I'll remove the lockwork and replace it with "other parts".


JMHO,


flatgate

[The Old Redneck]

Sir if I was content with the cylinder alignment and throats I would have a quality barrel made for it. You can open cylinder throats up but can't close them back. I am not knocking Ruger service. I do like quality gun work that the custom handgun smiths provide. Having a barrel replaced and keeping your old one does not hurt anything. Where it gets in your pocket really deep is when you say "While your changing the barrel can you----//"I just can't help but add other things to the job. When you catch yourself calling back to add more extra goodies to your want list may as well break the piggy bank.

[greenrivers]

Old Redneck, I agree completely with your statement. The throats on the cylinder are perfect and although I was considering opening them up have decided against it. I sent an email out to Bowan this morning and intend to get a 4 1/2 inch barrel on it. That makes the thing right and if someone else someday ends up with it for some unknown reason, they will have a revolver that is correct and will shoot off the shelf ammo.
I have to admit that the color case hardening by Turnbull is very tempting though. A Ruger with an octagon 4 1/2 inch barrel and color case hardened frame to match the perfect timing and smooth action of this revolver would be a thing of beauty. Kinda sounds like what you mentioned though!

[The Old Redneck]

While you are looking, a new rear and maybe front sight. Nice base pin, grips, sure is easy to help spend money for someone else. There is just something about a custom revolver that I do not have the words to explain. They are addictive I can promise that. The first cylinder full of ammo puts a grin on my fact that erases all the doubts about "Was it worth it?". Taking game with your own special handgun is a whole new subject. I need to at least get the two back that I'm having done before even having the thoughts that are running through my head now. Good luck with whatever
you do. 

[greenrivers]

Can't agree more about the sights. A new pinned front that can be changed out with a tritium dot is what I have in mind. A member provided me with a rear peep that I like a lot and makes hand gun sights for older eyes doable again. The grips are going to be real ivory if it turns out well, and the raw ivory is now waiting in my safe. Picturing the completed project does put a grin on my face!

[greenrivers]

Forgot to ask. What are the two that you are having done now and what have you had done?

[The Old Redneck]

The two out now are a 45 and 32. Have custom worked revolvers in .17 to 480. Work from several smiths. Sent you a PM