Ruger SBH ejector assembly issues?

[MovedWest]

I've had some issues with a new model Ruger super blackhawk 44 magnum I purchased new about a year ago. From everything I've seen and heard these stout irons are darn near indestructible. My personal experience is beginning to make me doubt that though, so I want to see if anyone else has had this same problem.

On TWO occasions I've been at the range and while firing factory rounds, the screw holding my ejector assembly sheared off from the barrel leaving the assembly (pin, housing, & spring) to fall to the ground. The screw sheared off at the barrel level so it would have to be tapped out.

I payed the shipping to send it back to Ruger the first time, and the second time Ruger had it picked up via UPS. The first time it broke, the pistol had yet to see a handload. The second time it had seen some of my handloads, but nothing as stout as the factory remington 44 mag rounds.

My father has an old model SBH that he heats up with some seriously hot rounds. All he does is tighten some screws every now and again. It has never had to be sent back. I own many Ruger arms; This is my only problem child.

Has anyone else had this happen to them with the new model SBH's?

-MW

 

[C-grunt]

Sounds like something is out a whack with your SBH. I have only had mine a couple months but its 30 years old and is still a friggin tank.

Call Ruger back up and tell them it happened again. I bet if they take it back and measure it, something will be out of spec.

 

[nicholst55]

Are you applying Loc-Tite to the ejector screw? If not, I'd recommend it. Screws that shear off are frequently loose to begin with.

I'd also wonder if something is not properly aligned - perhaps the screw hole is not correctly located, and when assembled, the ejector screw is in a bind. You might suggest that to the good folks at Ruger, and see what they say.

 

[LlanoEstacado]

My SBH .44 (stainless Hunter) has done fine and I'm mainly shooting +P 300 to 320 grain hardcast stuff from Garrett, Buffalo Bore, Cor-Bon, etc. Sounds like something quirky is going on. Anything unusual about the fit? For example, does the mounting screw seem to be rubbing against the hole in the ejector assembly? Any "slop" in the ejector assembly after you mount it?

 

[ArmedBear]

Loc-Tite is your friend.

Doesn't have to be really serious stuff, just enough to keep the screw from coming loose, which it will, even on a SAA firing cowboy ammo.

 

[BlkHawk73]

had it happen just once with some hot Hornady loads years ago. Some early ones were simply had a threaded stud silver soldered to the bbl. Mine came off. Not a big deal, just replaced it and all was good.

 

[MovedWest]

Are you applying Loc-Tite to the ejector screw? If not, I'd recommend it. Screws that shear off are frequently loose to begin with.

I would think that the tighter the screw the more susceptible it would be to getting sheared off. I will note however that when I cleaned it to ship it back darn near every screw was loose. The main screw on the bottom of the grip frame was about to fall out!

Hmm... I think you all are on to something here. Looks like a trip to home depot is in order when I get my SBH back. What strength of loc-tite would you guys recommend?

Thanks for the info! Hopefully this will be the last time I send it back. I feel naked without it.

-MW

 

[ArmedBear]

A dab of blue works fine. You want to be able to get the thing off; you just don't want it to shake loose whenever you fire the gun -- and it will do that without Loc-Tite.

 

[rcmodel]

I might put Blue Lock-Tight under the ejector rod housing too.
Sort of a glass-bedding job for it so to speak.

Movement of the housing under recoil is what shears off the screw.

The better fit the housing has against the barrel, the less it will try to stay where the gun was before it recoiled.

rc