ruger old army problem
- Thread starter wap41
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Depending on your level of mechanical expertise, you might be better off to hand it over to a qualified gunsmith to get it apart and straighten it once it has been removed. These parts are absolutely NOT available anymore, so you must take care to not damage the parts any more than you are already experiencing.
BADUNAME30
Member
Are you sure that the pin retainer is in the unlocked position ?
I would try lubing the pin with oil and then with a protected pair fo pliers try and remove it.
I would try lubing the pin with oil and then with a protected pair fo pliers try and remove it.
J-Bar
Member
If the gun cycles ok, that is, the cylinder rotates easily when the hammer is cocked, then I suspect the base pin retaining pin is the problem. It can be removed, I believe, without removing the base pin itself. Using an experienced ROA gunsmith is your best bet.
arcticap
Member
Below is a PDF copy of the Ruger Old Army manual.
See pages 20-21 for illustrated instructions about how remove the cylinder base pin and loading lever assembly together.
The disassembly instructions on page 24 specifically mentions to remove the cylinder base pin before removing the cylinder base pin retaining pin from the frame.
It may be possible to help start the removal of a stubborn cylinder base pin by using a craft or Popsicle stick, or clothes pin for leverage. Give it a mild whack with a mallet if needed to get the pin to budge forward, the first 1/4" or so is the toughest.
The rammer can also be used to provide some leverage at the very end of its stroke when it contacts the frame.
https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/oldArmy.pdf
See pages 20-21 for illustrated instructions about how remove the cylinder base pin and loading lever assembly together.
The disassembly instructions on page 24 specifically mentions to remove the cylinder base pin before removing the cylinder base pin retaining pin from the frame.
It may be possible to help start the removal of a stubborn cylinder base pin by using a craft or Popsicle stick, or clothes pin for leverage. Give it a mild whack with a mallet if needed to get the pin to budge forward, the first 1/4" or so is the toughest.
The rammer can also be used to provide some leverage at the very end of its stroke when it contacts the frame.
https://ruger-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/_manuals/oldArmy.pdf
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problem fixed
Thanks for all the advise,but I managed to fix it myself.I put a block of wood under the loading lever and put pressure on it as I wiggled it a little bit and it came loose.The pin was bent where it was notched out for the lock.I managed to get it straight again by driving it into the cylinder with a wooden hammer handle and back out several times.Works just great now.Thanks again for the advise.
Thanks for all the advise,but I managed to fix it myself.I put a block of wood under the loading lever and put pressure on it as I wiggled it a little bit and it came loose.The pin was bent where it was notched out for the lock.I managed to get it straight again by driving it into the cylinder with a wooden hammer handle and back out several times.Works just great now.Thanks again for the advise.
BADUNAME30
Member
Good to hear it worked out for ya wap.
Most likely the previous owner did the perverbial 'been there done that' by rammin a ball without first lockin the base pin retainer pin.That bit of misfortune results in a bend exactly where yours was.
I'll raise my hand and say...."been there done that" with my very first ball in my first ROA.
Most likely the previous owner did the perverbial 'been there done that' by rammin a ball without first lockin the base pin retainer pin.That bit of misfortune results in a bend exactly where yours was.
I'll raise my hand and say...."been there done that" with my very first ball in my first ROA.
robhof
Member
robhof
Add me to the list, I was lucky to find a spare pin, but I also straightened out the original by clamping 2 boards together and drilling a hole same size as the pin and using a small hammer and light taps I rotated the pin in the groove of one board til it rotated smooth and tested it on the other half of the groove then on the pistol, so now I have 2 pins, oh, and the spare pin had a slight bend in it, an Ebay find that the owner knew nothing about, but it was a gun part. I got it cheap, and with a few minutes tapping, it was as good as new.
Add me to the list, I was lucky to find a spare pin, but I also straightened out the original by clamping 2 boards together and drilling a hole same size as the pin and using a small hammer and light taps I rotated the pin in the groove of one board til it rotated smooth and tested it on the other half of the groove then on the pistol, so now I have 2 pins, oh, and the spare pin had a slight bend in it, an Ebay find that the owner knew nothing about, but it was a gun part. I got it cheap, and with a few minutes tapping, it was as good as new.
BADUNAME30
Member
Yep, had some freinds from church over for a day o' grillin and intro to burnin BP.
I anxiously poured some powder into a chamber,( while exclaimin .." this is soooo much fun" ). Put a ball in there, grabbed the rammer and YOINK !!
" i don't think this is supposed to do that
"Soo,with laughter in thier voices, they stepped off the back porch and headed off 'cross the yard to the range to burn that other powder.:banghead:
Grabbed me a brass hammer out o' smithin tools and headed off to the anvil.
With some carefully placed taps while rotatin that pin, had 'er like new in no time.
BADUNAME30
Member
How 'bout......." Confessions of a pin bender "
Or......" As the pin bends "
HI..my name is Jim and i'm a pin bender.
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