cylinder latch

[Lightning Ross]

My cylinder has be very hard to turn . The cylinder latch will not drop down and clear the cylinder when the loading gate is open the gun is a vaquero. I have Larry Crows disassemble video. And I have torn it down for complete cleaning several time. I am a Mounted shooter and shoot black powder blanks. I need some help figuring out what to test or look for before ordering parts if need be. Gun has been stripped and cleaned and still binds. Thanks ahead of time

 

[tek4260]

Look and see if the cylinder latch spring is in the cam cut in the loading gate and is not is front of it. That sounds like your problem to me. I'll see if I have a picture

 

[tek4260]

I don't have a New Model picture, but on your Vaquero the base of the loading gate has a slanted cutout for the tip of the gate spring(which also drops the latch). The tip has to fit flush in the cut. If it does not, it will drag on the back of the cylinder causing binding, and will not drop the latch when the gate is opened.

Edit: here is a picture

http://www.tactical-life.com/online/combat-handguns/rugers-new-model-44-special/2/

 

[Lightning Ross]

Tip of gate spring is in the correct place.

 

[tek4260]

And when you open the gate, the latch does not drop and clear the cylinder.... Is the tip of the spring broken or chipped? I've never personally seen one of the springs broken, but I have replaced one to tighten up a loose gate. I don't think there is a way to assemble it wrong other than the tip not fitting in the slot. Regardless, I'd tear it down one more time and reassemble. If it still acts up, order a gate spring. Also, is the stud still in place on the side of the latch? The stud is what the gate spring presses down to drop the latch when the gate is opened.

 

[Lightning Ross]

This gun is real close to 10 years old I will check the stud and end of spring .I have another to compare it to.

 

[Olsherm]

I had one that the latch would not drop all the way down and the bolt dragges and hung up on the cylinder.The spring was not broken but it was just weak.I replaced it and everything was good to go.Just a little info that might help.It was the first one I had seen that was just weak.