Ruger Blackhawk Help

[Camel 23]

I have a New Model Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC, the cylinder seems to bind when loading and unloading.  If you hold the hammer back just a hair it will rotate freely.  It fuctions perfectly when firing and shoots great but its a pain in the butt to load and unload.  Can anybody please help?

[John Traveler]

Withe gun unloaded (naturally) and fieldstripped, look at the frame casting near the firring pin and recoil shield.

1.  Ruger frames are investiment cast and can be very rough and porous in this area.  Do you see any burrs or sharp edges where the cartridge rims can catch?

2.  Examine the cylinder ratchet and the hand or pawl in the frame that rotates it.  Any burrs or sharp edges there?  Any unusual wear?

3.  Look at the tip of the transfer bar (in front of the hammer).  Does the transfer bar catch slightly on the firing pin as it rises when the hammer is cocked?

Those are the most common places for a New Model Blackhawk to bind when the action is cocked.  Deburring and smoothing the action parts is a fairly straight-forward procedure.  But if you do it or have a gunsmith do it, the warranty will be voided.  I work on my own guns, but it's your choice.

[Lloyd Smale]

send it back to ruger theyll fix it for free.

[Steve P]

Is your loading gate open all the way?  Your loading gate frees the cylinder stop as does the hammer when you cock the gun.  If the loading gate is not all the way down, your cylinder stop may be binding.  Pulling back the hammer will also release it.  

Check the loading gate and watch the silver cylinder stop in the bottom of the frame.  Does it go all the way down into the frame when the gate opens?  It should (or nearly so).

Steve