mat523
Single-Sixer
Ruger states that the last three digits on a 9mm cylinder must match ther serial number of the gun to be fired. Why can't a 9mm cylinder be used in any .357 BH of the same vintage? Ie OM or NM.
Blackhawk convertible
- Thread starter mat523
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Ruger won't tell you to do anything that they could be held libel for later i.e. putting a cylinder they didn't fit in a gun and firing it. If the timing and fit is correct it would work. Hondo44 has a guide posted in various threads on cylinder fit that will show you how to check.
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- Apr 3, 2012
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Even just using the last three digits in theory could be a problem, if they make more than 1,000 of them. I always wondered why they don't put the whole s/n on. Especially with the single sixes.
Yes, the smith at Ruger who fits the grip frame and rest of the parts to the frame hand engraves the serial number or part of it on the parts. I think mine has his initials in the grip frame too but can't remember right now.
I think they go with 3 digits because it would be hard to match up another part of a different gun to the same exact serial trail. They ship guns all over the place and two ruger nuts getting together with the same ending digits is probably far off.
I know mine will never be too far from the frame anyway.
I think they go with 3 digits because it would be hard to match up another part of a different gun to the same exact serial trail. They ship guns all over the place and two ruger nuts getting together with the same ending digits is probably far off.
I know mine will never be too far from the frame anyway.
Hondo44
Hawkeye
Many earlier OM convertible cylinders were stamped with the last three digits. But for years now, they have been marked with a hand held electric "pencil engraver".
TO GET A convertible CYLINDER OF PROPER SIZE:
In 30 years I have never installed one or heard of one that did not function and "time" correctly. They are assembly line produced to a common plus or minus tolerance. The exception and only important issue is that it has enough overall length for your frame at the front hub which is fit and sized to each individual frame window. If too long you can dress it down and is simple to 'fit' with a little stoning, usually under .005", that's not a lot. To have a gunsmith do it would be a minimal charge if you're more comfortable doing it that way.
You should take an overall length measurement of your existing cyl with a dial caliper in .001 of an inch and seek one the same length or longer (1st photo). A cyl with a gap as shown at the bottom arrow, in the 2nd photo below: will rub on the end of the barrel at the top arrow because it will move back and forth in the gun called "cylinder end shake" in gunsmith terms.
Photo courtesy of “rugerguy"
TO GET A convertible CYLINDER OF PROPER SIZE:
In 30 years I have never installed one or heard of one that did not function and "time" correctly. They are assembly line produced to a common plus or minus tolerance. The exception and only important issue is that it has enough overall length for your frame at the front hub which is fit and sized to each individual frame window. If too long you can dress it down and is simple to 'fit' with a little stoning, usually under .005", that's not a lot. To have a gunsmith do it would be a minimal charge if you're more comfortable doing it that way.
You should take an overall length measurement of your existing cyl with a dial caliper in .001 of an inch and seek one the same length or longer (1st photo). A cyl with a gap as shown at the bottom arrow, in the 2nd photo below: will rub on the end of the barrel at the top arrow because it will move back and forth in the gun called "cylinder end shake" in gunsmith terms.
Photo courtesy of “rugerguy"
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