Ruger Base Pin

[Ickisrulz]

What wears on the Ruger base pin causing them to come out upon recoil? Is it the base pin itself or the base pin latch/spring?

My Flattop 45 just developed this problem after about 3,500 rounds or fairly light loads.

[ShooterAZ]

I think it could be a combination of the things you mentioned. When my SBH base pin started doing that I replaced it with a Belt Mountain pin with the locking allen screw. I did nothing to the latch/spring, and never had the problem again. Hope this helps...

[Outpost75]

+1 on the Belt Mountain locking base pin.

[Guesser]

My new Ruger Single 7 had the problem from day one. I emailed Ruger and they sent me a new pin and a new latch/spring assembly. I replaced them and wishing 50 rounds it was jumping out again. I studied it and determined that Ruger had not turned the groove in the pin correctly. I got a drexel stone of the correct dimension and judiciously deepened and enlarged the groove to the rear of the pin, that is the groove side away from the head of the pin. It helped but it jumped after 50 or so rounds. I took the dremel and removed slightly more material in the same manner. It worked, and is staying in place for almost 2 years now.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

+ 2 on the Belt Mountain locking base pin. http://www.beltmountain.com/

[Lloyd Smale]

belt mountain pins in every ruger single action I have.

[Guesser]

The Single 7 is the only Ruger single action I've ever had problems with. I currently have 3 NMBH and have had several other NMBH and SBH pass thru my possession over the last 40+ years. Never experienced a base pin problem until the Stainless Steel Single 7.

[Shuz]

Another vote here for the Belt Mtn pin and allen set screw set up!

[hpdrifter]

It is the base pin. The circular groove is not machined deep enough.

Do a test. See how deep the base pin latch goes in with the base pin in place.
Then remove the base pin and see how deep the latch goes.
You'll see the latch pin go all the way in with it removed

I took my base pin and put it in a drill. Used a jewelers round file and deepened the groove; slowly, until the latch went all the way in. I've never had the base pin move since then.

[Guesser]

That's exactly how I described my Single 7 malfunction.

[rintinglen]

It is the base pin. The circular groove is not machined deep enough.

Do a test. See how deep the base pin latch goes in with the base pin in place.
Then remove the base pin and see how deep the latch goes.
You'll see the latch pin go all the way in with it removed

I took my base pin and put it in a drill. Used a jewelers round file and deepened the groove; slowly, until the latch went all the way in. I've never had the base pin move since then.

+1 This is how I fixed the first Single 7 I got.

[Ickisrulz]

It is the base pin. The circular groove is not machined deep enough.

Do a test. See how deep the base pin latch goes in with the base pin in place.
Then remove the base pin and see how deep the latch goes.
You'll see the latch pin go all the way in with it removed

I took my base pin and put it in a drill. Used a jewelers round file and deepened the groove; slowly, until the latch went all the way in. I've never had the base pin move since then.

The latch goes all the way in with the base pin in place. Something has had to have changed since it didn't do this when new.

[hpdrifter]

The latch goes all the way in with the base pin in place. Something has had to have changed since it didn't do this when new.

Does it back out now?

[Ickisrulz]

Does it back out now?

Yes. It's an ongoing issue.

[ShooterAZ]

I'll add another comment on the Belt Mountain pins, the tolerances are far better than on the factory Ruger pins IMHO. It tightened things up significantly and I did realize an increase in accuracy once installed. I use STP lube on the pin and inside the cylinder where it fits, and it's smooth as can be now. They are great people to deal with also.

[bob208]

I only ever had this problem on one ruger. that one I found the base pin lock had come unscrewed. which weakened the pin tightened it up no problems after that.

[BOSCHLOPER]

I love single action Rugers, have a whole closet full. I have seen this a few times, and have corrected it by a little re-work to the groove in the base pin. Look for burrs / drag marks &etc, and remove a small amount of material with a file. May take a couple attempts, too little twice is better than too much once. The Belt Mountain solution is a good one, but should not be necessary.

[wrench man]

My Single Seven is the only Ruger I have that's had this issue, I deepened the latch pin hole in the frame to get more engagement on the base pin and all is good now.

[Greg S]

Check to make sure the base pin latch is fully engaging the groove. Sometimes there is a bur in the seat causing it not to fully bottom out in the groove.

[Whiterabbit]

Check to make sure the base pin latch is fully engaging the groove. Sometimes there is a bur in the seat causing it not to fully bottom out in the groove.

This. Polishing fixes it. Then add a Wolff overstrength spring.

[derek45]

wolff heavy springs cured mine

[doc1876]

Belt Mountain here

[stubshaft]

Another Belt Mountain fan. I did it more for aesthetic reasons...I like the looks!

[ironhead7544]

This has always been a problem with the Colt and Ruger single actions. It is just a poor design. Only half of the notch engages the pin. Sometimes a heavier spring works. The Super Blackhawk is slightly better designed.

In the later Rugers, the pin is made so it can not fall out when it pops loose. On a revolver used for serious purposes, Belt Mountain.

Elmer's solution is on his Number 5.