Ruger Single-Seven 327 Loading Problems

[MudCamper]

I'm new here. I found your forum because I was searching for others who may have had the problem that I have with my new Ruger Single-Seven.

The first post in this other thread details the problem: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Federal-Magnum

That thread is closed. Perhaps that's a result of the arguing within it. I don't know. But I opened a new thread because this is a real problem that I think needs to be documented, and brought to Ruger's attention.

I will restate the problem here. (But the other thread has nice pictures illustrating it.)

On the Single-Seven (or on mine, and some other's) it is very difficult to load rounds, and extremely difficult to unload spent casings. The problem appears to be that the cutout in the frame under the loading gate is not quite the correct size or depth, and when you attempt to load a round, the rim of the case binds against the frame.

If you turn to a new cylinder, and are very careful not to let it click, and stop turning just as the chamber hole clears the frame, you can just barely fit the round by the frame and into the cylinder. Unloading is more difficult. It almost takes 3 hands. It was so much trouble for me, that I just started removing the cylinder to unload it. This was much faster than fighting with finding the perfect spot where you could both get the ejector rod into the case and get the case past the frame.

Now before anyone chimes in and says that this is perfectly normal (which is what started the unnecessary bickering in the other thread), let me make a couple points clear. This is not my first rodeo. I own 5 Ruger single action revolvers. I own a Bisley in 45 Long Colt, a Super Blackhawk 44 magnum, a Single-Six Convertable, a Bearcat Shopkeeper, and this new Single-Seven. None of my other Ruger single action revolvers have this problem. This is not normal behavior for these revolvers.

I may try and video the problem, and post a link to that here. I'll also send Ruger a link to this and the other thread.

If anyone else has this problem, know that it is a problem, and not just to be accepted as normal. IMO I think that Ruger QC is slipping, because they have been cranking out so many firearms lately. Hopefully they remedy this soon. (And I am speaking as the owner of many more Ruger firearms, not just these revolvers.)

Update: For those who don't want to read the entire thread, here is a video demonstrating the problem, and here is a video showing how well the gun works after Ruger fixed it.

[dragon813gt]

Best bet is to contact Ruger and see what they say. I've been to busy at work to have time call them. I do agree that is a problem. People have opened up the gate w/ very little work. Still something that you shouldn't have to do to a new firearm.

[JSH]

I too won't disagree. But why not go to the source rather than rile the natives, just saying.
I have two of the S7's fit and finish are excellent. Maybe I got lucky. I have read a fair bit on theses guns and swore I wouldn't comment anymore.
But for a production run gun I think it is fine. I honestly think a whole lot of folks think a short, limited run of anything means it is better and close to a custom of sorts.
Jeff

[rintinglen]

I totally agree with the OP.
I was one who stoned and polished the loading gate cut out to increase the clearance. I am convinced that someone in the engineering of this gun forgot that 7 goes into 360 less than 6 does, so the geometry is off by 8 or so degrees. I still ended up sending my gun back to have the base pin problem corrected. While the gun worked fine with 32 S&W Longs and 32 H&R Magnums, about one in three shots with the 327 loads would result in the base pin slipping forward and tying up the gun. The distraction of the frequent malfunctions made concentrating on the sights and trigger more difficult. I am waiting for the return from Ruger.

I have a second one on order, a 7 1/2 incher, and can only hope that it works better. Like the OP, I have four other Ruger Single action revolvers and have been shooting Ruger Single actions of one sort or another since 1966 and was more than a little miffed by some of the comments made by some of our know-it-alls who were pontificating with out having even seen the guns in question. I am also totally convinced now that any review you read on the internet is worth exactly what you pay for it.

Despite the problems though, I am very delighted with the feel, balance, and accuracy of the gun. I like the feel much better than the BH 8-shooter I had. In limited testing so far, all 4 boolits I have tried have grouped well with the first loads tried. I have used the MP 314-640 100 grain HP, the Lyman 311-316, the RCBS 32-98 SWC crimped over the front band, and the LBT 32-100. All have shot in the 2-3 inch range for 7 shot groups at 25 yards. Under the windy conditions I was shooting, I consider those very good. Indoors, at 50 feet, I got several 1 inch five shot groups with the MP HP boolit using hot 327 loads. the 32 h&r loaded with the RCBS boolit also shot very well I had only loaded 10 rounds and had neglected to write down the load so of course it was excellent. One thing to be aware of is the maximum cartridge length must not exceed 1.50 inches. I have some 311-465 boolits that need to be pulled now as they are a smidge too long. 296, Unique and 231 have all worked well. Power Pistol is waiting in the wings for its turn.

[chsparkman]

I have a Single-Seven, and I know what you mean. I think maybe that the trouble lies in the seven-round cylinder necessarily indexing at just the wrong point so that it wants to rotate just past the optimal position for loading/unloading. I don't know if I expressed this correctly, but I think many will know what I mean. Anyway, I'd be interested to see whether Ruger has a solution.

[Guesser]

I thought about opening mine up a little but then as I used it I fell into time with the odd spacing and now it is second nature to hold it in place for loading and extracting. Only took me about a hundred rounds to get my rythum in sync with the 7 chambers. Good gun, but, truth be told, I'm more of a provinvialist and would rather they had made it a 6 shooter, for esthetics and tradition more than function.

[30calflash]

I don't believe it's a QC issue.

My SS 32 H&R needs some TLC to get the rounds loaded and unloaded. It's a matter of getting used to it.

Ruger stuffed a 32 in a 22 sized package and now with 7 rounds it's even tighter. It's the price paid for an adaptation that shoots rather well, from what I've heard. Spend some time with it.

[MudCamper]

Jeff Quinn at GunBlast states in his text review, "The chambers line up perfectly with the loading gate for loading and unloading."

In his video review he states, "One thing I also like about this being a seven-shot, when it clicks, you can load right there. On a lot of Ruger new model revolvers, if you go to the click, you've gone too far. These load up just right. When the cylinder clicks, for loading and unloading, it lines up with the loading gate really well."

That description is as far from my experience as you can be.

I will contact Ruger, and post here what I find out.

[Fergie]

Yeah, I contacted Ruger and the response I got was along the lines of "Huh? Send the gun in and we'll check it out."

They had never heard of the issue, and even after sending an email to the CEO, no response.

Time and effort wise, about 30 minutes with some sandpaper and a buffing wheel and I am set.

If you get a better response from Ruger than I did, I'd be more than happy to voice my issue with them, but as of now, the gin functions fine and I'm not keen on pissing away more time on the issue.

[Mohillbilly]

My single sevens have a slight ripple / bump on the frame inside the loading gate . "about 30 minutes with some sandpaper and a buffing wheel and I am set." None will align at the click to load , or rotate back far enough to load . As far as timing , cylinder to barrel is good , and the loading alignment is about the same on all my single sixes, and black hawks . Normal as far as I am concerned . My .32 H&R loads the same way . Before the click , and it is a six shooter . I don't believe it's a QC issue . It's a matter of getting used to it. I am happy for the most part and in these demanding times on the johnny come lately scene of gota buy a gun , think of the people that voted for the Obamation , and thank Ruger for producing this one .

[wrench man]

The loading gate notch was my biggest complaint, now that I've fixed that the base pin jumping is the problem, I haven't tackled that one yet.

[MudCamper]

I don't believe it's a QC issue . It's a matter of getting used to it.

You must not have read my first post. I have 5 Ruger single actions, and none of the others have this problem. Perhaps you have Vaqueros? I do not. Also, read what Jeff Quinn has stated. All three of his test samples don't have this problem.

I also think there is some variation. Some guns are worse than others. I have to remove the cylinder to unload my revolver. That is not something that I am willing to "get used to".

[Mohillbilly]

I did read, but your sample is small . I have a few more than that. I have a few that do line up ( 1 .45 Colt , and 1 .44 Rem.) and I think that they are easier to load and a happy mistake . Jeff Quin observation are his , on his guns . There is variation in production batch to batch / year to year . Mostly I find Ruger single actions accurate , well built , strong , and priced to a point that a working stiff can afford , and pretty good looking . Not every one demands quality of a Freedom Arms and its higher prices . If your problem is with this gun then give Ruger a chance to inspect/ remedy it , or sell it . If this really bothers you , I suggest you personally inspect every gun Before you pay . Or just vote with your wallet and feet and not buy Ruger products . I have only sent one new gun back to Ruger and resolved quickly . I have collected for 30+ years and there are some things that are get used to it , as technology is always advancing , the single action revolvers do have improvements some good and some not . You do the pick'n .

[Timber88]

After reading the previous closed contentious thread about potential loading/unloading issues with the new Ruger Single Seven I thought I'd share my observations of Jeff Quinn's test and review article. First let me say that I presently own a NM Blackhawk Convertible 45 and a NM Vaquero in 45 Colt and previously owned a NM Blackhawk Bisley in 45 Colt. All of them worked great without this issue. A couple days ago I picked up a Single Seven 7 1/2" and discovered the exact same loading/unloading problems previously posted. So I did some searching and came across this great forum, the previous closed thread and this thread and joined to comment.

I was unable to post Jeff's picture but my loading port and gate is SMALLER than the one shown in the test review article. Please look at the close-up picture of the cylinder and gun in profile (round laying on top of the cylinder). It's on the left side of the page towards the bottom. It's subtle but comparing mine to this one I can see some relief on the loading port at the top AND the bottom that mine does not have. I think this would solve the loading problem while indexed however Jeff states his example lines up for loading and unloading. My ejector hits the front of the cylinder when indexed and therefore still would not function with only an enlarged loading port.

While I understand that changes are made during production it's clear to me this issue was addressed after some guns were made and sent to Lipsey's. It is true that with very careful positioning before the cylinder is indexed it is possible to load and unload the cylinder. However this is a tedious and frustrating exercise and something I personally did not anticipate when examining my new gun at the store. I plan to contact and show my dealer what I've stated here and see where it goes. I love my Ruger's but will sell and move on from this particular example if this isn't addressed. Thank you for your consideration.

[SteveS]

This issue (I call it a characteristic) has been in existence ever since Ruger converted the Single Six to .32 mag. thirty years ago.

I bought my Single Six 32 mag. in 1986, 28 years ago.

The loading gate along with the tight base pin characteristics were very frustrating at first but I eventually got the hang of how the gun works. I've carried and shot, loaded and unloaded, cleaned and oiled, cast and reloaded for and enjoyed it's unfailing operation and accuracy for so long it's "issues" and "characteristics" are nothing more or less than just enjoying the gun for me now.

Ruger has had thirty years to fix something that they don't think is a problem and haven't. I doubt they are going to redesign the gun but for those who want to complain, Ruger is just a telephone call away. They might even design a whole new gun if there is enough interest. Who knows?

The options are, learn to use the gun as designed, modify it to your liking, hope Ruger will redesign it for you or sell it and move on.

They are all the right answer.

[Timber88]

I agree and was only trying to point out that from what I see in Jeff Quinn's article and pictures it is evident that Ruger did indeed address the "characteristic", at least at it relates to the loading port. The alignment of the ejecting rod (when indexed) would seem more problematic but maybe that was addressed too. However it's apparent that there were guns released to Lipsey's before these changes were made.

[Mohillbilly]

All my .32 H&R single sixes have this same characteristic of loading before the click . I have 4 of them and 2 baby vaqueros . Maybe that's why they don't produce them any more . It was quite a shock back then in the day how Ruger could bore out a .22 to .32 . I am glad I got while the getting was good . I'll have to check the .22 and the .17 HMR . never appeared an issue to me .

[rintinglen]

THERE IS NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THE 32 SSM AND THE 327 LOADING ISSUE. If you don't have a dog in the fight, keep your false analogies to yourself. I have fired three SSM's, yeah, they load before the click, but the cases did not drag and bind on the frame. I have four other single action Rugers, have previously owned several others and have run thousands of rounds through them over the years. I greatly resent people telling me it's "just normal." It is not. I removed at least 15 thousandths of metal to open mine up to functionality.

[Mohillbilly]

rintinglen I have all three single sevens and Ruger did not polish the loading trough enough on them . I am unwilling to send them back , for what could happen to them on the way , and would rather do it my self . The round count means you are using the same 4 guns , try inspecting 75 to 100 single sixes and black hawks . AND IF you were addressing my response , I do have " a dog in the fight" I am entitled . You are entitled to your opinion , and I mine . Rude is telling some one you do not know ,
"to keep your false comparisons to yourself". AND so is "keep your false analogies to yourself. " Free country free speech, as it were ,.

[ethang]

I have a 5.5 after a trip back to fix the BC gap it has been a nice pistol. I have a 32 Mag SS and it does not load at the click easily. I adjusted to that and just loaded/unloaded as the hole lined up, not at the click. Never had an issue and I shot a couple thousand rounds before the Single Seven.

My Seven I just normally loaded the same way. I don't think before reading this thread and playing with it tonight I ever tried to load it at the click. So.... I did. I have two charge holes that load just fine when indexing to the click, just have to back it up till it stops after clicking. All the rest are varying degrees of go/no go when trying the same way. A few I can load with a gentle push and unload the same, a few take a harder push, and won't unload without going all the way around again.

To me, being used to just loading as the cylinder clears, it's not an issue. Is it a design flaw? Maybe, but it's not a big deal to me I just naturally adjusted to it. Just for kicks I tried loading my Seven with my eyes closed and had no issues what so ever. I just lightly pressed the bullet to the cylinder and rotated. Went right in. Now this might be a tolerance stacking issue and other examples are worse than mine. For me and mine I don't see it as a problem, just needed to allow for it.

Your results may vary.