Bought a new "bad" Ruger...

[Jim Puke]

Just took delivery yesterday on this new revolver. I love the way it looks and feels, spent the night enjoying those virtues while eagerly looking forward to a range trip this morning. Was awakened early to rain, so I patiently waited for the rain to slack off (not stop). Jumped in the truck and blasted off to the range. I get to the range, load the Colt cylinder up, level gun and fired, cock and fire the second round...attempt to cock for the third round and the gun ties up tight. Took me a ridiculous amount of time to get the base pin and cylinder removed. Upon inspection, the cylinder is canted in the frame allowing the brass to contact the blast shield.

Ironically, a friend bought a new Lipsey Flattop .44spec on Wednesday and had nearly the same problem with it. His went back to Ruger on Friday and mine will probably go back on Tuesday.

So, to say that I am disgusted and disappointed is an understatement. Until now, the only guns that I have ever had to return to the company have been made by Taurus...but it was back to back revolvers with them.

 

[Hooch]

I'd say you have ample reason to be disgusted.............

 

[22/45 Fan]

What ammo, factory or reloads?

 

[Jim Puke]

What ammo, factory or reloads?

Reloads.

 

[WIL TERRY]

SO....ARE YOU SAYING THE CYLINDER PIN backed out ?? If so it is NO big deal and easily fixed. The cylinder cannot "cant" if the cylinder pin engages both basepin holes in the frame, front and aft. MAKE SURE the basepin engages it's lock.

 

[Jim Puke]

SO....ARE YOU SAYING THE CYLINDER PIN backed out ?? If so it is NO big deal and easily fixed. The cylinder cannot "cant" if the cylinder pin engages both basepin holes in the frame, front and aft. MAKE SURE the basepin engages it's lock.

Base pin was in and locked.

If hole is not bored straight in cylinder...it will be canted.

Fired the .45acp cylinder with no problem....45colt was the problem.

 

[Poco Oso]

like to see a good shot of the front & back of that particular cylinder, as well as the base pin.

 

[Jim Puke]

like to see a good shot of the front & back of that particular cylinder, as well as the base pin.

There is no visible anomaly in front or back of cylinder nor in the base pin.

 

[olyinaz]

In my opinion Ruger has always put out more duds than many other manufacturers, but they do stand behind their product 100% and they'll make it right. It's very frustrating for the percentage of buyers who get one of the duds. Sorry to hear of it.

Oly

 

[Jim Puke]

In my opinion Ruger has always put out more duds than many other manufacturers, but they do stand behind their product 100% and they'll make it right. It's very frustrating for the percentage of buyers who get one of the duds. Sorry to hear of it.

Oly

As soon as they make it right, it will be sold as this has absolutely killed my desire for the gun. I talked myself into buying this gun as I really wanted to go with the FA97...now, I will.

 

[Hondo44]

like to see a good shot of the front & back of that particular cylinder, as well as the base pin.

There is no visible anomaly in front or back of cylinder nor in the base pin.

I guess you know to get a shipping label so you don't pay one dime in shipping. In fact, since you aren't gonna' keep it, I'd ask for a refund.

You'll see a canted cylinder clear as day. Just rotate it slowly in the cylinder window while looking from the side and watch the light space between the cylinder and the top strap get skinny, then wide and then skinny again, etc.

 

[COR]

I'd love to see pics of this one.

Your haste in giving up on that Ruger will only cause you to miss out. I'd take a breath and not be so hasty. It could be very simple to correct and get you shooting again.

I love how these posts immediately bring out the "all the Ruger problems..." drama. There's always one... :lol:

 

[protoolman]

I've seen exactly one Ruger ( a Blackhawk) with the problem of a base pin hole bored crooked enough to vary the barrel cylinder gap over the years. If you take a deep breath send it in etc. it will be back in a few weeks good as new and you better shoot it before you trade it off. Many people report getting back a pretty sweet gun after these problems. The thinking is maybe Ruger makes darn sure the gun is right before sending it back out so it gets a little better fitting than usual? If you decide to dump it put it in the classifieds here. The dual cylinder gun looks pretty desireable so you should be able to do well.

 

[contender]

Oly,
I do not think the "percentage" of bad guns from Ruger are any greater or less than any other larger manufacturer. It may be that some folks rant & rave more over a bad Ruger as compared to a Colt or S&W. Or maybe Remington? How about Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Toyota?

All manufacturers are going to have issues occasionally with ANY mass produced item. It's not just firearms, it's any company.
But it's how they handle the issues that make the differences.
Percentages,,, I doubt it's any better or worse than any other big company.

For Jim.
As noted, many of us would like to see with pics what you are talking about. A canted cylinder is a very odd thing to mention. And you mentioned it would bind up when you tried to shoot it. In your picture above, the plastic spacer appears to be in there just fine. Does it bind with the spacer in it? You mentioned you shot reloads,, did you try any Factory ammo? Sometimes reloads aren't quite the right size.
Just saying,, sometimes a problem isn't the guns fault.

 

[SweetWilliam]

I've seen primers not being seated fully bind up a cylinder.

 

[CraigC]

As soon as they make it right, it will be sold as this has absolutely killed my desire for the gun. I talked myself into buying this gun as I really wanted to go with the FA97...now, I will.

"It" happens, not really a big deal if you don't make it one. :wink:

 

[Jim Puke]

As soon as they make it right, it will be sold as this has absolutely killed my desire for the gun. I talked myself into buying this gun as I really wanted to go with the FA97...now, I will.

"It" happens, not really a big deal if you don't make it one. :wink:

True.

It would not have been a big deal if I had not bought this gun despite what I had really intended to do.

And, not a big deal if it had been another Taurus .22...

 

[Ravenn]

Greetings all...

In my expirence with Ruger service, they were fast and top notched. They rebarrelled my SS Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt, and checked the cylinder bore diameters and the piece was back in 9 days. The also sent the "thest fire" target with it, fired at 15 yards.... great grouping on a three shot string.

Regards Rich

 

[DGW1949]

Stuff happens.
"Stuff" has happened to me too.
Most recently, "stuff" involved a new Mini-14, which BTW, was picked up for repairs (on Ruger's dime) the day after I spoke with the nice young lady in Customer Service. When I contrast that experience to the problem Colts I've had, and to Colt's snotty service reps, all I gotta say is that:
(1) Even high-dollar guns can have problems.
(2) No warranty is any better than the folks who honor it.
(3) Given a choice, I'll take the company which gives the best service every time.

That aint to say that other outfits don't offer good service too, or that the FA you've dreamed about aint worth saving up for. All I'm saying is that it aint realistic to expect perfection every time, out of anything.

Good luck in your endevors.

DGW

 

[Jim Puke]

I kept getting more disgusted and finally took the gun apart, diagnosed the problem and finished Ruger's job for them. Had to be done by hand, but it is done and it has been taken to the range, fired 35 flawless rounds and stands ready for service. It just burns my biscuits that this was not done before it left the factory as I am sure this was supposed to be checked...and was not.

This is just another reason that I have bought more used guns during my life. than I have new. I have no problem with used guns as most times the bugs are worked out.

 

[contender]

And the problem was?????

 

[joeb4065]

I think he may have found that it wasn't a major oopsie from the factory after all. Methinks he started blasting them too quick.

I bought a new Ruger several months ago, and it truly had a major error from the factory. As I can of afford to buy new guns often, this purchase was greatly anticipated. I received the gun, and within less than 6 rounds, knew that something was definitely not right. I determined the problem, called the dealer that sold and shipped me the gun. He asked for photos, which I provided. He contacted Ruger directly, then told me who to talk to there. Bottom line, I sent the gun back, at their expense, and they sent me a new one. I am very happy, not only with Ruger, it the dealer that sold me the gun. It was several weeks longer than expected for me to start enjoying the single action, but all is well now.

Rather than bash start bashing Ruger right off the bat, I gave them the chance to make it right. I have only had to deal with Ruger directly twice, and they have done the right thing both times.

I own several Ruger single actions, and am looking to get another shortly. I'm a Ruger fan for sure.

 

[Jim Puke]

And the problem was?????

The problem was where the base pin sits under the hammer was not completely open meaning that the base pin would lock into place but it was not in proper alignment on hammer side of the cylinder. It was somewhat torqued into place and almost impossible to remove initially and replace when I changed cylinders. The area had to be opened up to allow the pin to go into place properly...meaning straight.

It required metal being removed for proper seating, and it had to be done by hand so as to not create a problem with making the area too large. At any rate, it should have been done at Ruger...before it left the factory. I am sure that this is nothing they do not see on a regular basis and someone neglected to make sure that it was cleaned out on this gun...kind of the "Taurus" version of quality control.

I do not care that Ruger would have taken care of this. Ruger has made a million of these things and they know the process better than any company in the history of the world. These guns are not complicated, this was not a problem of lockwork that is hidden from sight on final inspection or will only manifest itself when the gun is fired. This was a problem that was evident when the employee put the cylinder in the gun...I could tell it was not right, I am sure that whomever has the job of doing this had to know it was not right when they had to "drive" the base pin into place.

The only part of this that matters to me is I paid for a new and FUNCTIONAL gun that I did not get due to poor quality control.

Now, if they blow off these obvious problems...what has been overlooked under the skin?

 

[exlogger]

I'm glad it wasn't anything major.

 

[Jim Puke]

I'm glad it wasn't anything major.

Thanks.

Me 2.

 

[olyinaz]

I do not care that Ruger would have taken care of this. Ruger has made a million of these things and they know the process better than any company in the history of the world. These guns are not complicated, this was not a problem of lockwork that is hidden from sight on final inspection or will only manifest itself when the gun is fired. This was a problem that was evident when the employee put the cylinder in the gun...I could tell it was not right, I am sure that whomever has the job of doing this had to know it was not right when they had to "drive" the base pin into place.

The only part of this that matters to me is I paid for a new and FUNCTIONAL gun that I did not get due to poor quality control.

Now, if they blow off these obvious problems...what has been overlooked under the skin?

It's a mass produced, value priced item. What happened to you happens to small percentage of those who buy ANYTHING that is mass produced in factories optimized for profit and minimal operating cost. It's happened to me, it's probably happened to everyone here on this board and every message board on the internet. It will continue to happen and it's the percentage or the rate that matters. If Ruger is in the ball park for a like manufacturer of similar goods then this is how it goes - such is life.

If you wanted to pay three times as much (or more) for a Freedom Arms single action, you would have most likely - not 100% assuredly, but mostly likely - gotten a three time nicer pistol that worked great right out of the box. Again, most likely, but I'm sure even FA has an occasional issue.

It's working now so I hope you enjoy it, but only you can chart that course.

 

[olyinaz]

Oly,
I do not think the "percentage" of bad guns from Ruger are any greater or less than any other larger manufacturer.

I'm a fan of Ruger products, but I cannot agree. I have no proof. Just decades of playing with these toys and what I've seen and experienced. I think that companies like S&W, Sig Sauer, Glock, Browning, H&K, FN and Winchester all can boast of better product on average, but I still like Ruger and many Ruger products. I'm sure I own more Rugers than any other brand, so I vote with my wallet. :wink:

Oly

 

[gmartinnc]

Ruger would have fixed your gun at no cost to you. These are inspected by human's and human's aren't always perfect. Next time you want a single action, take $2000 and buy a Freedom Arms if you demand perfection right out of the box.

 

[DonD]

If you wanted to pay three times as much (or more) for a Freedom Arms single action, you would have most likely - not 100% assuredly, but mostly likely - gotten a three time nicer pistol that worked great right out of the box.

Evaluating a gun's worth is obviously a personal issue but while FA are outstanding guns, I certainly wouldn't
view a FA as anything even remotely near being 300% better than a Ruger SA revolver.

In my opinion, the OP made too much of the issue which turned out to be a minor one. Don

 

[41 Magnum]

Evaluating a gun's worth is obviously a personal issue but while FA are outstanding guns, I certainly wouldn't view a FA as anything even remotely near being 300% better than a Ruger SA revolver.

In my opinion, the OP made too much of the issue which turned out to be a minor one. Don[/quote]


+1

I had a S&W 686 with "very dangerous" hammer & trigger issues that recurred 4 times & went back to the factory each time, until they finally repaired it properly. ( I also had friends with the same issue with other S&W's.) Ruger is by no means any worse than any other manufacturer at turning out the occasional problem product. But at the same time, they are well known to be a company who stands behind their products, sometimes to the extreme ! I have a friend who literally totaled, ("blew up") his Ruger P-95, with a bad reload, & Ruger replaced it, no charge. I get really tired of someone going completely off the deep end & trashing Ruger when they have a problem. If everyone who ever had a problem with a new car would quit buying that brand of car, all car companies would be out of business. It's a minor problem, & not life threatening, get it repaired !!!! If that revolver is the only product you have ever bought that did not work as expected, you're extremely lucky !!!!