Vaquero problems

[44shootist]

have always owned Blackhawk 44's this is my first Vaquero 44 Mag. It's falling apart anyone else have problems with these?
Had to buy used since no new ones are bring made, was polishing it and the base pin latch fell apart, hunted on the floor and found the parts and put it back on with locktite.
Took it to the range today to shoot it for the first time and just before I finished a box of shells off the dang ejector rod assembly falls off parts every where, found them and the screw that holds it to the barrel is bent on the threads, and the barrel threads looks a bit long-gated the screw won't go back in cause it's bent and I wasn't going to force it so looks like I need a new screw and maybe barrel retaped or replaced so far this gun is junk, would sure like to know if it is just this gun or 44 mag Vaquero's in general? knew I should have got another Blackhawk.

The gun is S/S 5 1/2" barrel made 2000

 

[J Miller]

44shootist,

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you as the operator must remember to tighten those screws up every so often.

I use BLUE LOCTITE on the ejector rod housing screws on ALL my single actions. Then I cinch 'em up good and snug. Looseness is the enemy of that screw. As the housing begins to move under recoil it beats the crap out of the screw and screw hole.

The base pin latch simply needs to be tight, I've never had one come loose on me. However you really need a special screw driver for the nut side. One with a notch in it. That way you can get them nice and tight w/o damaging them.

Joe

 

[pisgah]

IMO, two loose screws do not equal a junk gun. Screws can, and will, vibrate loose, and anyone who shots a gun that has screws should check them from time to time. Order some new screws, and if you are worried about them add a tiny dab of blue LocTite to each one before snugging them up. Oh -- and check the grip frame screws, too, while you are at it.

As far as "should have got another Blackhawk", your Vaquero is nothing but a Blackhawk without adjustable sights -- and the same things can happen with a Blackhawk.

 

[gak]

No, not normal at all IMHO. You got a real lemon--or one that's been lemon-ized. Vaqueros of the original large-frame variety "are" Blackhawks in all respects other than smoothed topstrap, sight configuration, finish and steel gripframe/ERH.

 

[44shootist]

Like I said it was used, and I think the ejector screw may have always been a problem, think someone put it back together long enought to sell it and I didn't see it.
None of my Blackhawks have ever had loose screw problems, I do check them, and did check this gun before fireing it, think the ejector screw felt tight cause it was already bent.
And yes someone did sell me a lemonized gun, I think it's from a gun show so it all comes apart locktite everything, when I get a new screw for it.

 

[DeletedMember275]

My first Blackhawk - a .41 Mag that I bought new in 1975 - launched the ejector housing assembly (including the stud that the screw threads into) after firing three (3) rounds of factory ammo. I'm sure glad that I didn't swear them off because of that episode!

I agree - it sucks to have so many problems with a new-to-you gun. S**t happens; get over it. Get on with your life.

I sure hope you never buy a used car.

 

[JWhitmore44]

I haven't had any problems with mine. I have heard of the ejector housing screws coming lose. I've also heard of the cylinder pin latches letting the cylinder pin move under heavy recoil. Haven't had either problem with the 44 or the 45 Vaquero's I have (knock on wood).

 

[buckeyeshooter]

I use my 44 mag vaqueros for CAS to the tune of 4500 rounds a year in each of the 2 I use. Granted they are not super hot loads, but I do shoot 200 grains at 850fps.
I have had zero wear issues in 4 years.

 

[powder smoke]

Yup good advise mentioned above Tighten them screws check them from time to time and all will be good. ps

 

[44shootist]

Contacted Ruger yesterday they wouldn't tell me why this may happen, but is something that does happen.
They wanted me to send it in for repairs, I asked to be sent a new ejector screw first to see if it would thread back in first so they are sending one free of charge which was very nice of them.
I didn't know the threads are not in the barrel, that there is a threaded stud soldered in the barrel so if my threads are bad it can be removed and replaced that's good news, bad news is having to send it in to Ruger.

 

[DeletedMember275]

I didn't know the threads are not in the barrel, that there is a threaded stud soldered in the barrel so if my threads are bad it can be removed and replaced that's good news, bad news is having to send it in to Ruger.

Ruger had so many problems with the stud coming off the barrel (an assumption on my part), that they began drilling and tapping a hole in the barrel many years ago. Regardless of the reason they have been using the current method, without the stud, for a number of years.

One of the very first things I do with any new-to-me Ruger SA is to remove the ejector housing screw, degrease the threads on both screw and the hole, and apply a tiny drop of BLUE Loctite. For those who don't like to use Loctite, a drop of clear fingernail polish, varnish, or Truoil will work just as well. Or, Flatgate recommends winding a bit of thin monofilament fishing line around the screw, and tightening it. At any rate, it's a fix-and-forget thing for me.

If it proves necessary to return your gun to Ruger, call and ask nicely for a return label. They may or may not oblige, being as you bought the gun used.

 

[dmize]

My first Blackhawk was a 4 5/8 SS 45 Colt,after you shoot enough HOT 255 LSWC and 300 JHPS thru one, you just automatically remove, degrease and blue loctite ALL the screws on a Ruger S.A. and YES even the grip screws!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[44shootist]

Well got the screw from Ruger today and put my gun back together, not sure the screw went in all the way? 2 1/2 turns was all not much to hold things on.
Only problem now is I have to have Ruger send me a new screw cause they sent me a blue one not Stainless like I asked for.

 

[flatgate]

I have a decent pile of shooters. Not once, never, nada have I needed to loctite the ejector housing screw. Yes, I've had the barrel stud fly off on one gun, a '57 vintage .44 mag. Other than that I simply keep "new screws" in my guns and I keep 'em tight.

You bet I have a well stocked parts box!

YMMV,

flatgate

 

[44shootist]

Took the gun out and shot it to day with my new ejector screw in place with a little blue loctite, and no problems today.

 

[chet15]

Contacted Ruger yesterday they wouldn't tell me why this may happen, but is something that does happen.

Centrifugal force.

Chet15

 

[CraigC]

I agree with Joe. YOU have to keep your screws tight. Ruger puts threadlocker on their screws for a reason. If they're ever broken loose for any reason, you have to reapply threadlocker in any of various forms. I have over two dozen single actions and most of them will loosen up during shooting if I do not keep them tight and thread locked. Use Loctite Blue 242 on clean threads. Do not send your Vaquero back to Ruger.

 

[pisgah]

Contacted Ruger yesterday they wouldn't tell me why this may happen, but is something that does happen.

Centrifugal force.

Chet15

It's obvious why it could, and does, happen -- vibration can lossen screws in any application.

If you have ever owned and ridden a motorcycle, and you've got good sense, you check screws, nuts, and bolts on a regular basis. Now, you may rarely, or even never, find a loose one, but that deosn't mean they can't shake loose. Same thing with every gun put together with screws -- checking them on a fairly regular basis is just sensible, and finding a loose one is nothing to get upset over. You tighten it back up, and if it happens again, and this is an unaccetable state of affairs to you, you put on a dab of blue LocTite -- and still check them from time to time.

I keep fire insurance in force on my house; I keep a good spare tire in my truck. Doesn't mean I think I'll need either -- my house has never caught fire, and I haven't had a flat in many years -- but the precautions are wise as flat tires and house fires are not at all unusual in the grand scheme of things.

 

[44shootist]

Well seam to have this problem all taken care of, now the next problem.

Can't hit the side of a large barn with it at 25 yards.Took it to the range Sunday and think I put more holes in the targets on both side of me than I did my own.

And no it is not the shooter I can shoot the center out of a target all day long with my Blackhawk, but not this Vaquero.

 

[draisland7]

I bought a new steel blued ejector with screw for 71 dollars online, the old one was worn and have no problems, I have a 96 blued 7" 44 mag vaquero.

 

[Dale53]

Every single action I have ever seen, including the Colt SAA is "afflicted" with loose screws.

Elmer Keith went over it back in his literature of the thirties. I'll bet if you ask Buffalo Bill (should that be possible) he would say the same thing. Elmer used shellac on the screw threads. I actually prefer shellac.

I have had some serious problems with loc-tite. Sometimes loc-tite won't release even if you use the proper type. Shellac NEVER fails to release and yet I have NEVER had a screw come loose that was secured with shellac.

At any rate, either shellac or blue loc-tite and your screw loose problems should be solved.

When I get a new single action revolver, regardless if it is new or used the screws get a tightening with some type of thread lock compound.

Dale53

 

[eric conrad]

draisland7, i'm just trying to help. Next time you buy parts online check out Ruger, Brownells, Midway. They have the ejector housing with screw for about $30.00
With shipping and backordered prts I always start at Ruger. Always good to have extra parts with you.
I always thought Vaquero stood for low and left at 25 yards :lol:
Eric