Ejector Rod Housings

[RonEgg]

I talked to Zeus this morning and we were discussing lengths of ejector rods and how far they would extract brass. I took a few pics to illustrate the differences. First is a OM 45 conversion with a 5 inch barrel and the same length ERH. Secondly is a OM 45 4 5/8 barrel and stock ERH. Lastly is a Bisley 5 1/2 barrel and a ERH of that length. The differences are the Bisley and conversion have #5 base pins and the OM 45's is stock. The #5's are just a bit shorter.

 

[c.r.]

Great pics

Ron, I swapped a few pm's with Zeus discussing a similar subject about the length of ERH's. I need to dig up those pics and post them on your thread. our discussing involved ~1/4 inch difference between ER lengths.

It seems like anything length you gain, increases the extraction by about double that amount. I guess because its from not only an increase in ejector rod lenght, but also in stroke of the ejector rod.

I also think that since most crescent shaped ER handles have a small dimple on the back, they also increase extracting just a bit.

~c.r.

 

[RonEgg]

c.r. Thanks for your post. I should have mentioned in mine that besides the #5 base pin, that both of those handguns also had the crescent ER. Thanks

 

[contender]

Great references here. The pics help show it a lot!

 

[Zeus]

Here are the pictures that C.R. is talking about. The stainless gun is a 475 with a 5.75" banded barrel. The blued gun is a 500 with a 5.5" banded barrel. The base pins are basically the same length. The .25" gains just over 1/2" in extraction from the 5.5" barrel. I don't remember the exact measurement but that's pretty close if my memory isn't failing. Now, one area that may help with the gain is the fact that the usual base pin doesn't come all the way to the edge of the frame on the inside of the cylinder window. I'm looking at two and they are probably an 1/8" or an inch inside the frame. On the 475, the rod is machined to match the inside edge of the cylinder window. That will explain where a little of the extra is coming from on these particular sixguns in the following pictures....

Here are the two guns side by side for a look at the barrels. The 5.75" barrel balances very nicely and you don't really notice the extra .25" when you look at it. But it does gain some in the extraction area if you need or desire it....

 

[KTM]

And then there's the Special Edition, 32 H&R mag/ 32-20 Convertible Vaquero (Davidson's) that the ejector rod doesn't have the proper clearance on... :roll:

Yes, I know it's because the .32 chambers are small compared to the size of the cylinder. Having to shake the spent brass out doesn't mean I care to part with it.

 

[woodpuppy]

KTM, that's a factory gun? Ruger really did that?!?

 

[KTM]

Yes, factory gun.

 

[c.r.]

KTM,

That is the oddest thing i've ever seen.

I'm sure it's perfectly clear to some folks, but why does this issue occur on your example but not on the Buckeye models? Is there just a slight difference between the BH and Vaquero frames where the ERH mounts?

yeah, i bet that's frustrating. I suppose you could purchase a spare ejector rod, and grind a "flat" the length of the rod on the side that interfers with the cylinder
~c.r.

 

[KTM]

C.R., I have a Buckeye 32H&R/ 32-20 as well. If time permits, this weekend I'll have to dig them both out and compare them side by side. I don't shoot this Vaquero enough to justify modifying it, thankfully the brass drops out with very little shaking.

 

[woodpuppy]

KTM,

My 1959 .44 flattop has a flat milled down the side of the ejector rod facing the basepin, or closest wall of the cylinder. This is known as a "Type 2" ejector rod. I would bet that would solve the problem. It would be an easy install, though it would be a blued part.

 

[KTM]

I checked out my Ruger "Buckeye" 32H&R/ 32-20, the ejector rod on it has been ground down to allow for clearance. It's not flat like woodpuppy mentions on his 1959 .44 flattop, it's ground to a slight oval shape. Sorry no photos.

 

[az6gun]

My Buckeye has the half type as well, these were also found on the 30 Carbine due to the small bore.