New Black hawk problem

[hornady]

 
Just about a year ago I bought a New, New model Black hawk 45LC, I have put about 400 rounds threw it. Shooting reloads Lyman 255 Grain cast bullets with 6.5 Grains of W-231, not a hot load, yesterday, I shot about 50 rounds and the loading gate would not open, after taking the stock off I was able to get the cylinder out. There were no signs of excess pressure . all the cases were slightly smoked from light loads but all dropped out.
With the cylinder out I could see the gate detent spring had jumped in front of the gate, I was un able to drop the trigger and rather than force anything I reassembled the gun and took it  to a  gunsmiths. He said he had never seen this in the Black hawk.
Has anyone else seen this in the Black hawk.   

[Blackhawker]

I have had issues with loading gates on New Model Blackhawks.  If you don't keep that gate cam lubed well (not oiled but lubed with grease) the cam will wear down on the gate detent spring.  Eventually, it's very hard to open the gate and both parts, the gate and spring, will have to be replaced.  Fortunately, my Blackhawk that had this problem is stainless steel and it was easy to finish the gate to match the rest of the revolver. 

This is an easy fix and it's relatively cheap to do.  Check the tip of the gate detent spring where it rides on the cam of your gate and see if you can detect wear or even metal chips or shavings.  I'm sure this is your problem.

[hornady]

Thanks for the advice, you would not think a new gun would have a wear problem with 400 rounds, I thought about contacting Ruger but thought I would have more in shipping, than the Gunsmith would charge me. I will call him to day, I may have more answers, I hope not but it may end up getting sent back to Ruger  just seems odd on a new gun.

[Blackhawker]

Mine wore out when the gun was relatively new as well.  As I recall, the gate detent spring of mine had a sharp edge to it and caused the grinding on the gate cam.  This probably doesn't happen a lot but if you get a bad spring, your gate cam will go to "heck" fast.  The spring and gate parts are really cheap and it's a "no brain-er" to fix.  Just make sure you use brass or even plastic punches when knocking out your pins.  You'll be surprised how easy it is to completely disassemble a new model Blackhawk.

Good luck.

[hornady]

Thanks for all the good information. the gun is still out to the gun smiths. I mashed a couple fingers on my right hand so it was a little hard taking the gun down, I get it back I may tear it down so next time I will not be at the mercy of a gunsmith. The book that came with the gun is pretty detailed in taking it down.
Thanks again

[Blackhawker]

OUCH!!  Hope you didn't mash those fingers while taking the gun apart. 
 
By the way, when you do get around to doing so, are you aware of how to take the tension off of the hammer spring?  If not, here's what you do....
 
Take your grip panels off so the grip is bare and the spring and strut are exposed.  Draw the hammer back until it locks.  At the end of the hammer strut, there is a little hole.  Find a pin or nail that fits in that hole, slide it in, and then let the hammer down again.  The pin or nail will hold the pressure of the spring and you're free to go.  If you let that pin out, you'll NEVER get that sping compressed to fit back on the strut.  I had that happen once and almost lost an eye trying to compress that spring back down over the strut.  Yes, I eventually got it compressed but you wouldn't believe how fast and how far one of those springs go when released!   

[tacklebury]

Ruger's site has a nice single action video of disassembly and re-assembly it's in a flash window, so I cannot get a link directly, but if you scroll down the list you will see several videos about the singles. 
 
http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkConvertible/extras.html

[hornady]

The fingers were the result of being in a hurry cutting a small board on the table saw. I put the plastic guard in the up position, first mistake. The push stick was not at the saw so second mistake. The 4 X 4 board I was cutting twisted and two fingers hit the blade. Very lucky I still have them. Do something dumb pay the price.
I read the instructions on take down of the gun, a roofing nail worked very well for taking the stock off, it was when I was trying to remove the trigger and hammer I ran into trouble. My hand heals up I will give it another shot. Picked the gun up last night, He charged me $40.00, not cheap but he said everything looked good to him and he put a small amount of Gun grease between the Gate and spring.
Thanks again

[bilmac]

I've had the loading gate spring get out of whack on one of my blackhawks too. I think it was on a 45 or 44. I repositioned the spring and never had the problem again. But then I don't have either of those guns anymore. Now I only have a couple of 357s and neither of these has ever had a problem.

[tacklebury]

I feel your pain on the fingers.  lol  Back in '91 I was ripping some beautiful tulip wood strips to make my fiancee a make-up table and the gate got stuck on the saw.  Like an idiot I slapped it and it wouldn't pop up so went to hit it again just as it caught and popped up.  Needless to say, the carbide bits turned my finger tips to hamburger in about 1/4 of a second.  I got lucky as one of the best surgeons in our hospital happened to be walking through the emergency room and immediately came in and fixed me up.  He said I'd never have finger nails, but should have feeling.  Guess he did better than he thought.  Was amazing to watch him unravel the pieces and put everything back together.  Guess I'm lucky I can still feel and type and have semi-normal nails too. 

[coyotejoe]

I've had that same issue reoccur several times with my 50th Anniversary flat top .44 mag. I finally bent the tip of the spring back a bit and it hasn't happened since. Next issue was the ejector rod housing screw broke off. Ruger sent a new one free of charge but it really is a flimsy means of attachment. Rugers are tough but they do have their weaknesses.

[hornady]

I watched the Ruger Link Tackleebury  posted very good thanks, I may dig into some of the other firearm manufacturers sites of firearms I own. I have gone to Midways site for reviews on products and how to tips but they seem some what generic. Glad a manufacture like Ruger would take the time too make the Video. And thanks to all, very good information and tips here.