Cocking problem with my Vaquero

[mattbowen]

Hello; I am having a problem with my Vaquero, when I go to cock it it sometimes locks up as if the loading gate was open. I checked the the cylinder pin and it seems to be fine. I am wondering what else it be.

Thank you

Matt 

[Graybeard]

Might be as simple as you failed to properly index it before ya tried to cock the hammer. I've noticed on my Rugers that at times the cylinder isn't properly lined up after loading/unloading when I close the gate and try to thumb back. In those instances I just move the cylinder to line it up and then all is well again. Might be the same thing you are experiencing. Try it next time and see. If you turn it the cylinder will lock into proper index and not move past.

[mattbowen]

Graybeard;

Thanks for the reply, I know what you are talking about. This has been happing when I am firing the it and the only way to clear it is to let the hammer go and then try to re-cock it.

Thanks Matt

[huntswithdogs]

While I don't know the "whys", my BH does this same thing occasionally. With mine, the little bar that comes up when the hammer is back, gets hung  up. If I tilt the muzzle upwards it come back like it's supposed to. I don't know if there's a spring behind it or what, but it does it so INFREQUENTLY that I don't pay any attention to it anymore. Oh, the only times I had it happen has been while it was unloaded. Don't know why that has anything to do with it, but thought I'd throw it out there.

HWD

[mattbowen]

Huntswithdogs;

Thanks for the reply, I checked that the first. That is caused by a weak spring in the end of the cylinder rod. What I am experiencing feels very similar but the transfer bar is where it should be when it happens on mine. I am thinking that it is somewhere around the cylinder lock and the loading gate (just looking at the schematic) but I am not sure.

Thanks again

Matt

[flexjr]

what about the hammer plunger? it cams on the cylinder latch to drop so the cylinder will rotate. if you have dirt or gunk in there, it wont move like it should and wont cam the bolt.

[tinman]

i found my 30 yr old single six did the same thing after i unhooked one of the legs of the spring for a poor mans trigger job.   put the leg back on... no more problems.  thats the only trouble ive ever had with that gun.  if ya have done this take the grips of and cock the hammer watch the leg and coil spring.  that was enough for me to say thats not for me, even if it didnt bind the hammer.

[Ranch13]

Hello; I am having a problem with my Vaquero, when I go to cock it it sometimes locks up as if the loading gate was open. I checked the the cylinder pin and it seems to be fine. I am wondering what else it be.

Thank you

Matt

Look and see if the transfer bar is hitting the firing pin. There is a small spring loaded plunger at the bottom of the transfer bar that pushes it out just far enough to clear the firing pin. That little plunger doesn't get noticed or lubed unless you completely disassemble the gun, and without regular maintenance will hang up and not push the transfer bar back like it should.
 Be careful taking it out, that little sping and plunger are not very big, under alot of tension and can fly into places on the floor you never would of thought of 2 hours before you finally found it.

[painted horse]

When you try to pull the hammer back check to see if the cyl lock is dropping down into the frame to the clear the cyl. notch.  If not, it's the pin and spring on the bottom part of the hammer. I've replaced a couple of those on Vaqueros.

[mattbowen]

Thanks for all the replies, I haven't had a lot of time as of late. Ranch13; that was the first thing I thought of but that checked out.
Tinman; Both legs of the trigger spring were on.

flexjr and PH; I am going and check both areas after talking to a buddy of mine I may just change out all of my spring and see where that gets me.

thanks again

Matt

[44 Man]

Have you taken the gun apart lately?  If the end of the spring that goes against the loading gate is out of position, it will act like you describe.  When you open the gate, you cannot cock the gun and if it's out of position, it will do the same thing.  That's the first place I would look.  44 Man

[jimster]

Have you taken the gun apart lately?  If the end of the spring that goes against the loading gate is out of position, it will act like you describe.  When you open the gate, you cannot cock the gun and if it's out of position, it will do the same thing.  That's the first place I would look.  44 Man

That's what I was thinking too 44 man.  Had this happen to me, that little spring by the loading gate can be a pain, had to take my Ruger back apart and put it in place once and now I watch that real close.  I was also wondering if it could be just out of place enough to maybe even work sometimes but sometimes not?  I bet if things were just right maybe that could happen too. Worth checking into.

[mattbowen]

44Man, jimster;

I have her apart now waiting for a new cylinder latch spring, I will have to look closely at that spring. how is the best way to keep that spring in place?

Thanks again

Matt

[jimster]

44Man, jimster;

I have her apart now waiting for a new cylinder latch spring, I will have to look closely at that spring. how is the best way to keep that spring in place?

Thanks again

Matt

Matt, you need to grow another hand so you have three.  Really, I can't even think how to tell you the best way to make sure it's in place, maybe 44man has a method and can explain a good way. I just know for me that spring is a pain when putting it back together, I guess I just take my time and make sure it stays in place while I'm putting it back together.  Some Rugers are worse than others, but my Flatop 44 spl it's a pain, if the loading gate moves even a little bit while I'm putting it back together it slips out.  You should be able to see the tip of the spring is slightly sticking out if it's not right.  Hopefully you won't have it all back together and the screws tightened down if it's not right...like I did once...or twice.    
 

[mattbowen]

Jimster;

I don't think I can grow a third arm and if I could I don't think the wife would like it. Once I get the springs in and put her back together I will let you know how it goes.

[mattbowen]

Well Gentlemen;

I got it together and found that it was the pawl spring the was causing the problem, now she is working like new.

Thanks for all the replays.

Matt   

[44 Man]

Glad to hear it is working for you now!  As for getting is back together with the gate spring, that's a chore!  The gate spring needs to be as far as it can be towards the rear of the frame when put back together.  As for the easiest way, buy the little clamp from Brownells that holds it in place while you put the cylinder stop and pin into place.  Me?  I get it in place and hold it down with a screwdriver pressed down by my chin while I use my 'other two hands' to put the pieces in place.  In know, it's not approved (or possibly safe) but after I asked my wife to try to help me a couple of times, this was the best alternate choice.    44 Man

[mattbowen]

44;

I know what your talking about, I tried the same thing with my wife and I get frustrated faster with her then I do any other time.