500JRH BFR Bent Cylinder Base Pin

[lar45]

I've got a problem with one of my BFR revolvers. It's a 500JRH with 5.25" octagon barrel. Anyway I was trying to take it apart for cleaning and couldn't get the base pin to slide out easily. It seemed to rotate freely until I moved it about .1" out of the frame, then the base pin would get stuck in the cylinder.
I used a hardwood dowel and a small hammer to massage it out and took this picture.
http://www.lsstuff.com/pics/500jrh/base-pin-001.jpg

It looks like the recoil of this little monster has beaten on it pretty hard.
I've contacted Magnum Research, but have not heard back from them yet.

Has anyone else experienced a bent base pin on their BFR?

Here's some pics of the gun.
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-04.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-05.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-06.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-07.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-08.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-09.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-10.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-11.jpg
http://www.lsstuff.com/temp/500jrh-12.jpg

[reed1911]

I'm no help, but that is a fine looking revolver. Between the unfluted cylinder and octagon barrel, it looks well balanced and artistically appealing.

[44man]

No and I shoot a 440 gr PB with 29.5 gr of 296.
It also appears you are shooting dry. Put STP on the pin and ratchet.
I have the same gun with a 7-1/2" round barrel and it has seen many thousands of shots and my .475 gets used a lot too.
Did recoil bend it or did you, driving it out. They should slip right out if you use lube, looks like you are galling the pin. STP has proven best, it also provides cushion to parts.

[lar45]

I usually use Break Free CLP on the pin and ratchet. At first I thought that maybe the oil had left a hard film behind, so I dripped some Ed's Red at the top and bottom of the pin and spun the cylinder to see if I could get it worked down inside of the cylinder. I was turning the cylinder and pulling the pin a little farther out, then turn the cylinder some more. I think that's the galling you see about 1/4" from the end.
I'm pretty sure that it was bent before I tried taking it out. With the pin all of the way in, the cylinder would spin freely and smoothly.
The plunger is seized up also and won't let the hammer fall all the way.

[44man]

Strange indeed, wish I could come up with an answer. Why the plunger would seize when it only holds the transfer bar back and under no stress.
Let me know if MR tells you anything.

[lar45]

How far in does the plunger go? Maybe it got pinched when the end of the rod got pushed over to one side?

[44man]

All the way in with light pressure. it's only function is to hold the transfer bar back so you can cock the hammer without running into the firing pin with the bar. Maybe you can free it up.

[44man]

Try STP, CLP is like sewing machine oil with Teflon in it. At times the Teflon goes where you don't want it.
My SBH is approaching 82,000 rounds with no wear at all using the heaviest recoil a Ruger sees in several life times.
I can't see recoil harming a BFR at all.
That is one beautiful gun you have. I just love the barrel!
You can call 218-746-3459 and buy a new pin, cheap.
Change lubes, you will thank me in about 100 years.

[lar45]

Well, Fedex just came and delivered my 500JRH :)
All the paperwork said was replaced cylinder base pin... no charge.

[44man]

Really great.