Purple loading gate

[broknprism]

Bought a new .45 Colt BH yesterday, and it looked awesome (as awesome as a neww model can look) under the store flourescent light, but outside, I saw the loading gate is purple. I asked about this once, and I think someone said that purple parts happen when the bluing tank is "off." In theory, this part can be reblued to a blue, right? Is there anything magical and difficult about getting a loading gate off, or should I send an entire gun just for that? I would expect they'd just do the one part, since close would be close enough for me, as long as it isn't purple.

I was happy to see they'd moved the warning under the barrel, but sorry to see the Sturm Ruger rollmark isn't there at all. Would it have killed them to stamp their name on it?

 

[Bucks Owin]

Some of us think "plum is cool"... 8) My '74 NMBH has a purple gate too. Doesn't bother me, I kinda like it...(happily, it's "pre warning" too)

Just sayin'.... :wink:

 

[Rainman]

I'm sure there are lots of folks on here who would be glad to swap you a blued one for that pretty plum.

Plum is too cool!

Dan

 

[Olsherm]

Interestingly,I have a Blackhawk that has been finished in Black chrome by Reeders Custom Guns a few years ago and the purple gate is showing thru the black chrome.I wonder if the gate is made of some other type of metal? I also have a new Vaquero that has been case hardened by (i think Turnbull) and the gate has not turned purple???? I wa really surprised to see the purple showing thru the Chrome.

 

[JWhitmore44]

there are a couple of threads with pictures and in the threads are letters from Ruger explaining why the parts tun purple or plum

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=103909&highlight=plum
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=41127&highlight=plum

 

[jimbo1096]

I like the plum and would be more than happy to supply you a fresh blued gate for your plum one. Whatever you decide, don't send it off for a reblue- get a new one and pass the puple along.

 

[xtpshooter]

My new model Blackhawk 357 which I purchased new in the early 80's has finally had the loading gate go plum. Myself I like it.

 

[broknprism]

Wow, that was a surprise. Plum seems to be some sort of badge of honor. I guess I'll live with it. ; )

It would be hard to swap gates anyway, wouldn't it? They're fitted parts, I wold imagine.

 

[SteveRuger]

Wow, that was a surprise. Plum seems to be some sort of badge of honor. I guess I'll live with it. ; )

It would be hard to swap gates anyway, wouldn't it? They're fitted parts, I wold imagine.

They are a much desired Items, & they are very easy to exchanged! Enjoy

 

[newrugersafan]

Most of us like the plum on our Rugers.

Mike

 

[protoolman]

I absolutely love the Plum color. One of my .45s has a plum loading gate and the other does not. I love the Plum color the best. I would totally leave it like that.

 

[Hondo44]

If you had it reblued it would probably come out purple. I've seen many reblued that did that. It's the imperfect alloying content of the steel that causes it not to take the bluing properly. All the steel in your gun did not come from the same batch of alloyed steel. For example the cylinder came from alloyed round steel bar stock.

 

[flatgate]

flatgate

 

[DGW1949]

If you had it reblued it would probably come out purple. I've seen many reblued that did that. It's the imperfect alloying content of the steel that causes it not to take the bluing properly. All the steel in your gun did not come from the same batch of alloyed steel. For example the cylinder came from alloyed round steel bar stock.

I've often heard that explaination in the past. Although I have no reason to doubt that it's true, it does not explain the purple (aluminum) ERH's that I've seen on Ruger Blackhawks over the years.

DGW

 

[Ale-8(1)]

A plum discussion, with full explanation from IOWEGAN . . .

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=127768&highlight=plum

 

[flatgate]

Loading Gate, Cylinder Frame and Grip Frame!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

. . . it does not explain the purple (aluminum) ERH's that I've seen on Ruger Blackhawks over the years. DGW

I've seen plum steel ERH's, but not aluminum ones. I have seen various shades of black/grey on the aluminum pieces over the years. Of course, I haven't seen them all.