question on vaquero

[buckeyeshooter]

I have a pair of stainless bisley vaqueros (original frame size). One gun works great, however, the other gun drags on the primers of my handloads. The primers do not seem to be high, as they look fine and the cylinder spins freely on my other vaquero and several other smith and wessons. Even going back to the press and further seating primers still leaves a couple rounds with a drag. What would be the best way to resolve this problem? There are no burrs or obvious flaws on the revolver frame and brand of primer or case manufacturer makes no difference.

 

[flatgate]

Your Vaquero seems to exhibit a "too tight" headspace situation. I would contact the Factory and, gently request a "freight paid" shipping container so you can send the gun back to Ruger.

Of course, tell them you'll pay for any/all expenses to fix any problems that aren't their fault....... :roll:

JMHO,

flatgate

PS Of course, there isn't any trace of burned powder fouling on the breech face of the "tight" cylinder..........

 

[buckeyeshooter]

no powder residue at all. I can live with it, but it is a pain. thanks for the suggestion.

 

[J Miller]

buckeyeshooter,

Two things to check before you do anything else.
A: Take a dial or digital caliper and actually measure the depth of your primers. Sometimes you think they are flush or below when they are not.
B: Check the breach face around the firing pin hole to see if the bushing might have become puckered out.

These two little things combined with the tight head space flatgate described will cause problems.

Joe

 

[buckeyeshooter]

Joe, thanks for the suggestion, the primers are flush. The bushing is fine, I marked the backplate with a black marker then turned the cylinder with one of the problem primers in it-- which ran fine in 2 other vaqueros and a blackhawk. The drag line runs from the start of the flat plate that the firing pin is on and runs to the bushing. Then no contact around the bushing and a small drag line after the bushing. Looks like it has to go back. Will they alter the cylinder or the frame to fix it?

 

[flatgate]

Will they alter the cylinder or the frame to fix it?

It depends on which item is "out of specification".

Explain the situation to Ruger and politely ask for a "post paid" shipping container.

JMHO,

flatgate