Single-Six factory barrel/cylinder gap?

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ruger22
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Single-Six factory barrel/cylinder gap?

Post by ruger22 » Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:47 pm

I have a stainless Single Six I bought new in February, and it has about 500 LR rounds through it, about 30 WMR rounds. I just recently thought in curiosity to check the barrel/cylinder gap. The LR cylinder checks a consistent good .007, snug .008, in three places. The magnum cylinder comes in at .007 and .008 no-go.

Does anyone here know the actual factory specs? I know .002 to .010 is usually the acceptable range, but .007 seems a bit large for a new gun.
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

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Post by Bullseye » Sat Aug 22, 2009 5:33 pm

The Single Six's Barrel to cylinder gap should be between .004" and .008", however .006" is considered the optimum width for the B/C gap. If the B/C gap is too small the cylinder will bind on the barrel from fouling during shooting.

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Post by ruger22 » Sat Aug 22, 2009 6:40 pm

Thanks, Bullseye. Sounds like mine is okay. The 200+ rounds through it this weekend did have it bind a little. I somehow remember that the same model I had around '80 was just under .007.

I'm always careful with the B/C gap in cleaning. Hoppe's No.9 and a toothbrush style brush with fine brass bristles. Once or twice a year I use one of the lead removing cloths to do an extra good job.
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

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ruger22
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Posts: 1574
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Location: Virginia

Post by ruger22 » Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:36 pm

Started a new thread in Technical with this post:

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Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 10:28 pm

Mentioned a cylinder/barrel gap of .007 in earlier post. Email exchange with Ruger, was told their factory specs were .003-.010.

I had forgotten to pull cylinder back to remove play. My gap is .actually 010-.011. I don't have a .011 gauge, but ten fits, twelve won't. Gun is now on its way to Ruger, with a request for .004-.006. I hope they care to make me happy with it.

Gander was great, ships and receives it no charge, since I bought the gun there new. Smith here has 20 years background, says he wouldn't live with it , although within specs. Says I'm lucky it's a revolver, I might get it back in three weeks. Pistols go to Prescott, two months.

I miss it already. I'm having separation anxiety........ :cry:
* 2 Ruger Bearcat stainless, w/ EWK ejector housings & Wolff springs
* Ruger SP-101 .22LR, w/ Wolff springs
* 2 NAA Guardian .32ACP
* 3 Zastava M70 .32ACP
* S&W 15-22 Sport (.22LR AR)
* 2 Ruger SR22 .22LR pistols

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