Ruger base pin latch

[BigAl52]

Last week when I went shooting and I was using up some 9mm loads that I had laying around I had the 9mm cylinder in my convertible 357/9mm Ruger Blackhawk. While plinking away at a bowling pin I noticed something exit my gun on each side after firing a round. I stopped and took a look and notice the latch had exited the gun leaving a hole where it usually goes. Ive never had this happen before but after doing a little research I found out that its something that does happen more than you would think. So if you shoot a Ruger very often if you dont already do this you might want to check that latch once in a while. I never found mine as I shoot in an area that has quite a few weeds starting to grow now. I came home and took one out of another gun so I could shoot that gun next week. I did order some parts online from Midway. But when I put those parts in my shopping cart to send to my house I discovered that Midway and some other online suppliers are charging the excise tax when shipped to Colorado. So I immediately canceled my order. Im not supporting that anti 2A crap. I mention my shooting trip to a close friend in Texas. Im getting my parts via Texas. Belt Mountain makes a pin that has an allen head locking screw on the front but I have never tried one of those. If anybody else has I would like to hear your thoughts.

[North Country Gal]

I used the Belt Mountain locking base pin on my 41 mag Blackhawk because the factory pin kept working loose. The Belt Mountain pin solved that, permanently. I have heard that Belt Mountain closed, but also heard that it is being bought by Skinner sights, which is great news.

By the way, I traded that 41 mag Blackhawk and replaced it with a beautiful Old Model 357 Blackhawk with the same 6" barrel length. Way easier on the hands. That 41 mag recoil in the Blackhawk was just as bad as 44 mag in my Super Blackhawk, not to mention 357 mag ammo is WAY cheaper and much easier to find than 41 mag.

[BigAl52]

Thanks NCG. Understand on the recoil. Recoil is something that the aging dont much care for. And since Im in that aging group I get it more and more. I did see those base pins are still available through Midway and another supplier but I havent ordeded one. I did however order the Wolf Springs for the latch that are supposed to be improve the holding of the latch. I shall see

[North Country Gal]

I'm in the same boat with recoil these days. Anyone thinking that dropping down from 44 mag to 41 mag will reduce recoil in Ruger single actions take note. The blued Blackhawk 41 mag has a lighter alloy grip frame, compared to the Super Blackhawk 44 mag's steel grip frame, so it's really a wash as far as felt recoil between the Blackhawk 41 mag and the Super Blackhawk 44 mag.

I will always have a Super Blackhawk 44 mag in the house for sentimental reasons if nothing else, but when I do shoot the big SBH, at least finding ammo is not a problem.

[North Country Gal]

With you all the way, too, on going 357 mag/9mm convertible in a Ruger Blackhawk. Fun rig. Love mine.

[Sir Henry]

What is the tax?

[BigAl52]

What is the tax?

You mean how much Gene or what for? Its 6.5% excise tax on all gun parts, ammo and guns.

[Ernie]

Good information.
Thanks

[BigAl52]

I got my parts today for the base pin latch. I ordered the wolf spring instead of the stock Ruger spring for the latch. I just installed the new latch using that spring and I can tell you there is a definite improvement using that spring. The latch is stiffer and I believe it will not only hold better but the stiffer spring should help from the latch coming lose and falling out.

[North Country Gal]

Sounds good. Let us know how it works, next range session.

[5shot]

I only have two single action Rugers left, a .41 and .45 Colt and they are both Bisleys. Both are relatively pleasant with heavy loads for me. I've never liked the standard blackhawk grip on a gun with heavy recoil.

The best solution I've found for loosening screws is a product called Vibra-Tite VC-3. It's a red gummy goo that doesn't set up like loc-tite so screw removal doesn't turn into a battle. My bottle is starting to dry up so I'll soon be checking on where to find more.

Edit to add....I see they have it at Walmart for $35 a bottle.

[BigAl52]

Ive got 3 with the plow handle grip. Ya the one that will bust that big finger right next to the index finger with heavy magnum loads. I get what you’re saying 5shot. One of mine is a 41 and the other 2 are 357. One of those 2 is a convertible with a 9mm cylinder. I shoot the 9 mm quite often as it does ok with steel plate shooting. Big hands and plow handle Ruger grips aren’t a good fit. I did change my guns to Bear Paw grips. His grips do improve that standard grip frame a bunch. They feel good when shooting those guns.