problems with new 22/45

[boykinboy]

Hello All,
Newbe here. Limited experience but I have 2 ruger revolvers and just purchased 22/45 target with 5.5 bull barrel. First thing I did was disassemble and then reassembled. Used alot of info from this site and I thought I finallly got it put back together properly. But, the gun is locked up. I cannot pull the bolt back. After the bolt has been inserted in the barrel the safety and bolt release do not move when pressed. When I insert a mag the bolt stop moves up and when I move the bolt stop down the mag ejects. Also, I understand that the main spring housing and especially the bolt stop pin are difficult to remove/insert at first being somewhat stiff. But it appears the bolt stop pin is especially hard to remove and replace in position and I wonder if the barrel is not setting correctly on the grip frame as well.
Apologize for yet another novice problem. But after many hours I need your help. Wondering if I have a defective weapon or I am inept. I appreciate the experience and knowledge of the members of this site and have been reading posts here on and off for several years before getting my 22/45. Thanks to Bullseye for his help in getting onto site.

[Bullseye]

Welcome to Guntalk!

Can you remove the mainspring housing? This sounds like the hammer strut is not seated on the mainspring cap properly - a common first time mistake.

R,
Bullseye

[boykinboy]

Yes, I have removed the mainspring housing several times but removing and replacing it has required the use of a rubber mallet. I could be mistaken but thought I had seated the hammer strut properly.

[Bullseye]

That may be possible, but not being able to move the bolt rearward is typically a sign that the strut may not be seated properly. You shouldn't have to completely remove the mainspring to check the strut positioning just be able to swing it out of the frame.

Is this a Mark II or Mark III version of the 22/45?

R,
Bullseye

[boykinboy]

This is the Mark III.

[greener]

Sounds like the hammer strut was not in the mainspring housing. If the strut is in the housing, you will feel some resistance over the last 3/8" closing the mainspring. If you don't feel this resistance, then it is not in.

You shouldn't have to beat the mainspring in and out.

If it were me, I'd remove the mainspring and the bolt. Insert the bolt stop pin through the top of the receiver and tap on the muzzle or rear of the receiver until the bolt stop pin slides all the way in. This should align the receiver and the grip frame.

I'd then reassemble the pistol following the instructions in the technical section

http://www.guntalk-online.com/fsprocedu ... reassemble

I use a screw driver, knife blade, key or anything I find handy to push the hammer forward in step six.

I miss on step 8 every now and then because I either didn't swing the muzzle vertical or was too quick closing the mainspring.

[blue68f100]

What they said.

With the hammer into the forward position (fired) point the gun up and back down to horz. You should beable to see the hammer strut swing. If it's stuck behind the pin you may need to help the hammer with a small screwdriver. Once free try again. The main spring has captured the strut when the housing will not close completely with out force. Normally there is about 3/16" that's need to be pushed down so you can flip the catch forward/down.

It's a little tricky at first, till you learn what to look for and that feel of the main spring capturing the strut.

Good luck and enjoy your new gun.....

[99/100]

There are at least 25 wrong ways to re-assemble but only 1 correct way. A hammer or mallet is never a good idea. I was "stuck" once like that myself and by going back over the post here and taking a few deep breaths found out by turning it upside down a squeezing the trigger I released the part that was "bound" and was able to take it apart and start over.

[boykinboy]

I want to thank everyone for their excellent input concerning the correct assembly of this great gun. Greener, the suggestion about moving the barrel back into position in order for the bolt stop pin to insert properly was a great idea and that worked well for me. Thanks. I am learning alot from all the posts and I greatly appreciate them. Any further advise/knowledge is welcome. Still attempting to seat the strut correctly and I will keep at it until I get it right. Really want to take the gun to the range and put some rounds thru it.

Thanks again for everyone's gracious help.

[Bullseye]

The key is in steps 5 thru 7 on this page http://www.guntalk-online.com/2245detailstripping.htm

You have to flip the pistol upside down. Then as your slowly closing the mainspring into the frame, tilt the pistol back a little to keep the strut riding on the front edge of the mainspring housing to seat it on the cap. Otherwise it will slip off and get stuck when you close the housing and latch it.

R,
Bullseye