I've used the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE) web site for years, to identify cartridge case headstamps. While poking around the site this morning, I realized they have a professional journal (duh). Because I'm not a member, I could not access complete articles without paying ($5 for non-members?), but a search using the keyword "Ruger" turned up some interesting abstracts:
Ruger Mark I Pistol Accidental Discharges - Examination revealed that if a cocked Ruger Mark I pistol with the safety in the OFF position was dropped muzzle down allowing the front of the trigger guard to be struck the pistol would discharge. It discharged 40 out of 41 times. If the safety is ON, the pistol did not discharge.
Ruger Blackhawk Automatic Revolver Conversion - A case report on an attempt to convert a Ruger Blackhawk revolver to fully automatic fire. The frame and cylinder from a Ruger Blackhawk were retrofitted with a 30 M-1 caliber barrel and gas piston. A longer cylinder pin was used to contact the gas piston of the M-1 barrel, which drove the pin to the rear upon firing the first cartridge. This action also rotated the cylinder to the next firing position. In concept, holding the trigger to the rear would accomplish fully automatic discharge. In practice, the full auto functioned only once during testing.
A "Hidden" Serial Number on the Ruger Bearcat - The author reports that Ruger Bearcats with a brass colored trigger guard have a duplicate serial number on the inside top of the trigger guard.
Examination of a Ruger Security-Six Revolver For Accidental Discharge - By closing the cylinder of a Ruger Security-Six when the hammer is cocked, the extractor can lift the pawl up, pulling the trigger back. This can cause the transfer bar to engage, and the hammer to fall, resulting in an accidental discharge.
Ruger Security-Six Rifling Specifications - After the first years of production of the Ruger Security-Six in calibers 357 Magnum and 38 Special, new rifling specifications began to be phased into production in 1972. Both rifling specifications are listed.
Anyone interested can find the AFTE web site at:
The searchable journal index is at:
Ruger Mark I Pistol Accidental Discharges - Examination revealed that if a cocked Ruger Mark I pistol with the safety in the OFF position was dropped muzzle down allowing the front of the trigger guard to be struck the pistol would discharge. It discharged 40 out of 41 times. If the safety is ON, the pistol did not discharge.
Ruger Blackhawk Automatic Revolver Conversion - A case report on an attempt to convert a Ruger Blackhawk revolver to fully automatic fire. The frame and cylinder from a Ruger Blackhawk were retrofitted with a 30 M-1 caliber barrel and gas piston. A longer cylinder pin was used to contact the gas piston of the M-1 barrel, which drove the pin to the rear upon firing the first cartridge. This action also rotated the cylinder to the next firing position. In concept, holding the trigger to the rear would accomplish fully automatic discharge. In practice, the full auto functioned only once during testing.
A "Hidden" Serial Number on the Ruger Bearcat - The author reports that Ruger Bearcats with a brass colored trigger guard have a duplicate serial number on the inside top of the trigger guard.
Examination of a Ruger Security-Six Revolver For Accidental Discharge - By closing the cylinder of a Ruger Security-Six when the hammer is cocked, the extractor can lift the pawl up, pulling the trigger back. This can cause the transfer bar to engage, and the hammer to fall, resulting in an accidental discharge.
Ruger Security-Six Rifling Specifications - After the first years of production of the Ruger Security-Six in calibers 357 Magnum and 38 Special, new rifling specifications began to be phased into production in 1972. Both rifling specifications are listed.
Anyone interested can find the AFTE web site at:
AFTE
afte.org
The searchable journal index is at:
Searchable Journal Index | AFTE
afte.org
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