Ruger Old Model Single Six .22LR

[cntrtr54]

Greetings!
This revolver is misfiring and will only fire occasionally. Maybe one round out of 18! I have tried several different brands of ammo and once ejected they show the slightest hint of a scratch on the rim. I have read several remedies (before heading to the gunsmith) dealing with the springs etc. I was hoping to be enlightened here by one of the members who's busting at the seams with knowledge of this revolver and this particular problem. From what I've read it's not too uncommon.
Thanks in advance for your help!
I am also searching for a magnum cylinder for this revolver. When I purchased it the dealer was void the cylinder as the knucklehead he purchased it from misplaced it! Would anyone have a lead on or advice in how to secure a .22 magnum cylinder? I would of course then bring it to 'the gunsmith' and have the timing checked out.....and repaired if I am unsuccessful!
Thanks again!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Does the hammer fall "with authority" and give the firing pin a good whack?

If so, I'd suspect a broken firing pin or firing pin spring that's jamming the pin's motion.

As far as the mag cylinder is concerned, post a "wanted to buy" in the Classifieds here. You'll want to provide the overall length of the .22LR cylinder to three decimal places to get a cylinder that will at least fit in the frame.

JMHO and good luck.

:)

 

[cntrtr54]

The hammer appears to fall properly although one thing I have noticed is that the transfer bar does not rise up over the firing pin when the hammer is cocked as it does on one of my other Ruger revolvers. It only partially comes in contact with or barely reaches the pin.
Thanks for your response JMHO, any thoughts on that observation?

Cntrtr54

 

[Ale-8(1)]

So, it has received the "safety conversion" parts.

The transfer bar does not rise up when the hammer is cocked, but when the trigger is pulled. You can watch this occur by cocking the pistol and then pulling the trigger while holding the hammer with your thumb. If the transfer bar does not rise between the hammer and firing pin, there's your problem. Note that the bar may not completely cover the pin, but most of it.

I'd call Ruger's customer service number. They'll likely have you return the piece for free service. Ask for a prepaid shipper.

:)

 

[cntrtr54]

Ok, the plot thickens.
My other Ruger revolver is a different caliber and much newer and I had made an assumption the mechanism or transfer bar operated in a similar fashion. On comparing them side by side and 'knowing what to watch for' (thank you) I can see the difference between the two. On the OM Single Six the transfer bar 'does' come up to make contact with the pin when the trigger is pulled. The thicker part.....I purchased this revolver from a 'reputable' (jury's out while waiting for him to return my call) dealer at a local show. I made the 'assumption' at time of purchase that I was buying a functioning revolver! Never asked if it fired...oops!
So.....back to that broken firing pin advice or has that changed now that it's been established that this OM Single Six has undergone the safety conversion?
Again, thanks for your time, it is greatly appreciated,
Cntrtr54

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Well, if the transfer bar appears to be working so that the hammer's blow is transmitted to the firing pin, I'd suspect the firing pin as mentioned earlier.

With the cylinder removed and the hammer cocked, can you manipulate the firing pin with a small device to see if the tip does protrude thru the recoil shield far enough to strike a cartridge? Does it deem to move smoothly and retract into the recoil shield smartly when released?

If all this seems right . . . I give up.

And I'd call Ruger.

JMHO YMMV


:)

 

[cntrtr54]

Yes it all seems to be quite 'smart'.....arrrgh!
We were up at a cabin in the mountains this past weekend and I could load it, walk out on the front porch and fire away! Back at home now and will have to head to the range or just cut to the chase and swing by a local gunsmith and have it repaired!
I greatly appreciate the time you spent trouble shooting! I am now a much more educated broken gun owner!
Thanks again,
Cntrtr54

 

[cntrtr54]

.........AND call Ruger!!!

 

[Hondo44]

The firing pin should have a nice smooth half round tip. If the tip is rough and jagged, the tip has broken. If the tip looks good, squirt some aerosol spray cleaner like WD-40 in and around the firing pin to make sure it's not gunked up inside.

If someone has installed the conversion kit other than the factory, it may not be fitted correctly.

Simple tests you can do:

With cyl removed and hammer cocked, push the pin in flush with the hammer channel surface with something larger than the firing pin hole. Observe how far out the pin protrudes from the breechface.

Now cock the hammer, pull the trigger and hold the trigger back. Observe if the pin protrudes the same amount as in the above test. If not, the hammer nose needs fitting. It's too thick and doesn't allow the transfer bar to be smacked tight against the hammer channel and firing pin. Take metal off of the hammer nose until the firing pin protrudes the same amount as above.

Dealers have been known to remove the original action parts and to sell them on e-bay and make an extra $85 to $100. Then throw in a conversion kit they have laying around to sell the gun. Some won't sell old model Rugers without a conversion kit due to their fear of liability. If you don't have to have the safety kit, buy a an original parts set on e-bay and install it.

 

[cntrtr54]

Thanks Jim!
I will check it out again later today and let you know what I find. I appreciate the additional information. I am still waiting for a return call from the dealer. If he was aware of the problem and sold me the revolver anyway, shame on him. But more important shame on me for being too trusting in not asking if it fired. At this point I really don't care about either, I would however hope that he would be helpful in guiding me on getting it repaired locally.
We'll see?
Thanks Jim

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Call Ruger Service, Newport NH. Tell them you have a converted single action that does not operate reliably. Ask for a Co. paid pickup to return the gun for repair. Simple fix, PERIOD. :roll:

 

[cntrtr54]

Thank you SPLITZ!
I will do that!

 

[jstanfield103]

One thing that you have received from this post is, Ruger customer service is top notch. They will fix it correctly and with no worries. Once fixed you will love that OM Single Six. I know that I sure do Love mine.

 

[cntrtr54]

I am not the OO (Original Owner) so there is no warranty or paper trail with Ruger. I only have the bill of sale from the dealer (who as of yet has not returned my calls) to prove ownership. I had hoped he would have gotten back with me by now if for no other reason than good business and it's the stand up thing to do! I was curious as to whether or not he did the safety conversion to pirate the older parts or if Ruger did the work. I'll have a nice 'chat' with him at the next show!
Thanks for your advice, I will grab a moment and call them today!

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

Simply stated, you do not need a paper trail for Ruger to make this firearm right.........It is a RUGER and for the largest part, OVERALL, WE HAVE FOUND THAT they will correct any issues of safety and or reliability. CALL THEM. I agree that your dealer should be returning your call......... :roll:

 

[cntrtr54]

Thanks! I WILL call them today!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Just an aside . . .

I once bought an OM Single-Six with an obviously-messed-up firing pin at a gun show. The price was right and I couldn't pass it up. I sent it to Ruger for repair and asked that they fit a .22 Magnum cylinder to it while they were at it.

It came back with a new firing pin & spring as well as the magnum cylinder and the "safety conversion" in place . . . along with the original internals in a little bag. The only thing I had to pay for was the cylinder and its fitting.

Ruger does nice work.

:)

 

[cntrtr54]

Thanks, I look forward to working with them!

 

[cntrtr54]

Just off the phone with RUGER and they were FANTASTIC to work with setting up the return of the revolver!
As a small business owner focused on customer service it is always refreshing when you get the same treatment you strive provide in return!
VERY IMPRESSED INDEED!
Especially their attention to the smallest of details in getting the OM back, repaired and returned!
THANK YOU!!!
Cntrtr54

 

[HAWKEYE#28]

LOVE IT WHEN A RECOMMENDED PLAN COMES TOGETHER.......YEA! TEAM! GO! RUGER!! 8) :wink: :D

 

[cntrtr54]

I'll keep you posted as the process continues.....wouldn't want to leave you with a cliff hanger and no happy ending!

 

[bouncle]

Did you ask about the magnum cylinder?

 

[jstanfield103]

No cliff hanger, we all know Ruger will make it right. But we would like to hear the ending anyway.