Drag ring on Ruger cylinders

[Heavy Barrel]

Just curious as to why the drag ring seems to be more pronounced on Ruger revolvers than most other makes including some much cheaper revolvers.

 

[Chief 101]

Howabouts cause they are getting used alot. I hadn'tnoticed since I have Smiff's with as much drag marks as Rugers have. A man holding a revolver that looks to be well used a lot is more dangerous than a man holding a gun in the precious box. Chief aka Maxx Load
:twisted:

 

[Heavy Barrel]

Howabouts cause they are getting used alot. I hadn'tnoticed since I have Smiff's with as much drag marks as Rugers have. A man holding a revolver that looks to be well used a lot is more dangerous than a man holding a gun in the precious box. Chief aka Maxx Load
:twisted:

I don't buy that.My Python that I bought new in 1978 has been shot more than all my rugers (10 +) combined and has no marks at all.

 

[darkwater67]

What do you mean exactly by "pronounced"? Do the drag marks travel farther on the cylinder, or do the drag marks seem deeper and show more steel? Also, are you generalizing for all Rugers you've ever seen, or do you own specific models and/or model years where this is evident, and if so, which ones?

 

[Heavy Barrel]

What do you mean exactly by "pronounced"? Do the drag marks travel farther on the cylinder, or do the drag marks seem deeper and show more steel? Also, are you generalizing for all Rugers you've ever seen, or do you own specific models and/or model years where this is evident, and if so, which ones?

Marks not deep,just enough to remove bluing.Old or new model makes no difference,from the first Single Six I bought new in 1957 to the last new model 44 Super Blackhawk.Only one that doesn't have it is my 357 Max. only because I don't shoot it.If you look at the guns for sale in the classified,unless it it an unfired gun,95% have the drag line.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

It's due to the way the Ruger "New Model" (for 35+ years) lockwork works. It's just the way it is. There are a zillion threads on it if you do a search.

-- Sam

 

[Skalkaho Slim]

 

[seeemmiss]

:twisted:[/quote]


I don't buy that.My Python that I bought new in 1978 has been shot more than all my rugers (10 +) combined and has no marks at all.

The reason the Colt has no mark is because it turns the wrong way. Must be putting bluing on instead of taking it off. LOL Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

It's due to the way the Ruger "New Model" (for 35+ years) lockwork works. It's just the way it is. There are a zillion threads on it if you do a search.

-- Sam

I don't buy that either,zillion threads or not old model does the same thing.Should have been fixed by now.

More popcorn!

 

[BlkHawk73]

Should have been fixed by now

It's not broken so why fix it?

Seems like you don't buy any explanation. You a salesman type that asks and asks until you get the answer you want? If it's THAT big of a deal, don't use 'em. Use anything and it gets wear. It's a condition we all learn to live with and accept. Can't? Well... Sorry to be blunt but...:roll: It's NOT that big of a deal even to the big boys and purists.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

a) The Old Models do not do it if properly handled.
b) You obviously Don't Get It, and you're not going to Get It until you read up on why it happens and what can possibly be done to avoid it. If you think me or anyone else is going to rehash information that's already been posted "a zillion times", then, well, good luck with that!

-- Sam

 

[CraigC]

It's due to the way the Ruger "New Model" (for 35+ years) lockwork works. It's just the way it is. There are a zillion threads on it if you do a search.

-- Sam

I don't buy that either,zillion threads or not old model does the same thing.Should have been fixed by now.

More popcorn!

Buy it or not, it's the truth. The New Model is designed that way. Has nothing to do with a sixgun getting "used", no matter how condescendingly you say it. It has everything to do with timing. A properly timed sixgun, as most traditional half cock guns are, will not ring the cylinder if handled properly. No matter how much it gets "used". Although a great many Old Models have early rising bolts and do indeed, ring the cylinder.

This sixgun has been used enough to have the bluing worn off the trigger and several spots on the grip frame. Yet it should be obvious that it does not have a ring because the bolt rises into the leede, as it's supposed to.

Same for this one.

By contrast, even a professionally tuned New Model will ring the cylinder. This picture was taken shortly after it came back from David Clements where it was completely refinished. Had less than 100rds through it and the ring is already apparent, as is the spot where the bolt rises and contacts the cylinder between leedes.

 

[Heavy Barrel]

a) The Old Models do not do it if properly handled.
b) You obviously Don't Get It, and you're not going to Get It until you read up on why it happens and what can possibly be done to avoid it. If you think me or anyone else is going to rehash information that's already been posted "a zillion times", then, well, good luck with that!

-- Sam

Well,I'm awfully damn sorry I ask. :roll:

 

[ebg3]

My .357 50th Anny. FT has developed a heck of a wear line on the cylinder. I really have not shot it that much, maybe 300 rds. I'm really not too woried about it, it adds character.
EG

 

[CraigC]

Well,I'm awfully damn sorry I ask.

Don't play the victim, you asked a legitimate question, got some legitimate and more importantly CORRECT answers and then you questioned them. It is we who should be rolling our eyes. :roll:

 

[Heavy Barrel]

Well,I'm awfully damn sorry I ask.

Don't play the victim, you asked a legitimate question, got some legitimate and more importantly CORRECT answers and then you questioned them. It is we who should be rolling our eyes. :roll:

I would say I got excuses rather than answers.I ask a simple question,all I wanted was an explaination as to why.That I did not get.What I got was it's been ask a zillion times and that's the way the lock work works.Once again,sorry I ask! I'll know better the next time.

 

[gunhacker]

Drags marks on revolver cylinders are inherent to the design, to what degree they manifest themselves is determined by a number of factors.

Timing.

If the bolt is dragging then:

Smoothness of the bearing surfaces, if the cylinder has been really buffed/polished well before bluing and the tip of the cylinder bolt/latch has also been debured/polished, then the marring is going to be greatly reduced.

Spring tension... how strong is the spring that keeps the cylinder bolt/latch raised against the cylinder surface?

Surface area... how much larger is that surface on the cylinder bolt/latch of a Ruger, versus a S&W, Colt, fill-in-the blank that rubs on the cylinder?

Relief cuts on the cylinder prior the the cylinder notches? The ones on a Python are longer than those on a S&W or Ruger, so not only is there less surface for the bolt to ride on, when it's in those relief cuts there is less force on the bolt as it rubs on the surface because the bolt spring is not as compressed.

Colt Pythons are well know for amount of hand fitting and polishing of parts they get when assembled, and that's one of the reasons why they cost so much to begin with. No surprise here that drag marks would be minimal or hard to detect.

Rugers are meant to be work horses, built for strength, stamina and reliability at a more reasonable cost than other handguns...there's going to be a trade off, so you can't expect them to be like the more refined dandy pants Colts for the price paid.

I'll take a cylinder drag line any day if it means getting the kind of solid performance I've received in my Bisley Blackhawk and Vaqueros for shooting CAS as many years as I have with them... it ain't no big deal.

 

[wwb]

Simple answer.... a New Model is gonna have a ring after very little use, An Old Model (3-screw, if you prefer), if treated with care, will NOT have a ring.

The DA revolvers (Colt, S&W, Ruger), if they haven't been worked on or carefully hand timed, will normally have a partial ring, as the dog pops up before the lead is over it.

 

[mohavesam]

Maybe a 'zillion posts - but they're also a zillion opinions. The Ruger'smithing section has most of the best discussions & pic posts for my vote.
Never hurts to ask.
:idea:

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Poor poor victim Heavy Barrel. Too lazy to look for information, and we're the bad guys because we won't spoon feed it to him. Then he starts swearing.

What a loser.

-- Sam