Sticky Ruger base pins

[Bill in Oregon]

Anyone else have trouble getting the base pin back in on their Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk? I have a new-to-me five shot .480 Bisley, and either I am doing something terribly wrong or Ruger has gotten the tolerances so close everything has to be dead perfect. Pin is currently stuck half way in. I don't remember this as a problem 30 years ago, but then I was younger and smarter back then.

[Chuck 100 yd]

The five shot guns need to be handled a little differently than the six shot guns due to the pawl and ratchet set up. The cylinder needs to be rotated in the frame enough to make sure the pawl is properly aligned with the cylinder ratchet before trying to push the pin through.
I have a BlackHawk .41 mag. That was the same way, a real P I T A to assemble, until I relieved the inside edge of the top step of the pawl at a slight 45 deg. Angle as seen in Knudhousen's (sp.?) book Ruger single actions manual available from Midway and Brownells.
I would carefully pry the pin back out and try again. If it is right the base pin will slip into place. I assume it was fully assembled when you got it. It will go back together again if you haven' damaged anything with that 3 pound hammer.

[Bill in Oregon]

I'll try again Chuck. Haven't used the 3-pound yet, but might use a rawhide ...

[AJMD429]

Be sure that the cylinder is rotating very freely and not binding up. Making sure the hammer is cocked enough to pull the cylinder bolt down helps.

[Malamute]

The loading gate being open should allow the cylinder to turn. I turn mine when installing the pin. The flange on the New Models has always seemed to add some binding to some degree to inserting the pin. For looks sake and to gain some ejector rod stroke, I turned down a base pin to more closely resemble a Colt pin. Once the flange was eliminated, the base pins go back in easier. They don't have that one specific way they are supposed to go in after turning it off. First couple I didn't get the flange all the way removed, after I did get one cleaned up enough, realized it was much nicer.

[Chuck 100 yd]

The new Super BlackHawk Bisley five shot .454 and .480 have base pins with large heads with a set screw that engages an indent in the bottom of the barrel. The top of the head is contoured to match the radius of the barrel. This was done to prevent recoil from these hard kickers from causing the base pin to jump forward. They are designed to only fit in one position.
The Elmer Keith #5 Colt had a similar base pin. Modern made copies are sold by Belt Mountain Base Pins and are a fine replacement for heavy recoiling six shooters.

Try the base pin in the cylinder, try the base pin in the frame without the cylinder installed. If it goes in both easily then the problem is NOT base pin related.

[yooper2]

It is a pain getting the base pin in these new 5 shots.
With my 480 SBH I put the cylinder in past where it belongs (as in too far to the left when viewed from a shooting perspective), put the base pin in the frame, then start pushing the cylinder into line while also slowly rotating it (clockwise from shooting perspective) and pushing in on the base pin. Slips in smooth every time.



Eric

[Bill in Oregon]

Well I got the base pin back in, only to find the ejector won't move but an inch before binding. Guess I need to disassemble and check for swarf or burrs. You'd kinda think they'd catch this stuff at the factory.