Author Topic: Trouble with loading gate!!! (Read 571 times)

jedd · « **on:** July 27, 2004, 05:03:16 PM »

I just bought a Ruger Blackhawk .44 mag. Took it to the range and shot it 12 times and when I went to unload the empties I could barely get the gate open. After trying it a few more times it is almost impossible to get it open now. Please help.
Thanks

Jeff Vicars · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2004, 05:54:41 PM »

Take the grips off and make sure both legs of the trigger return spring are on the posts.

jedd · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2004, 08:47:14 PM »

Took a look and they are both on the posts.
Thanks

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** July 27, 2004, 11:14:54 PM »

take the cyl out and look at the bottom of the loading gate for a little spring and plunger that bears up against the gate. It is what spring loads the gate. These somtimes come out in recoil. Its an easy job to put it back in.

Steve P · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2004, 05:46:35 AM »

Is the gun new?
Sounds like the spring is dislodged in the frame.
Can happen if the retaining pin is put in backwards.
About a 5 minute repair with the tools out.

Steve

jedd · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2004, 02:09:57 PM »

The gun is brand new. It has only been shot a dozen times. I've taken off the grip frame and I can't see anything wrong with it. All the springs seem to be in the right place. Now, the hammer will only go back 50% of the time and I have to really work at it. I can get the loading gate open once in a while only after I've worked the hammer back and forth, but it's still pretty hard and I've noticed small pieces of metal wearing off the trigger detent spring. So now I have given up on it, until I get some more advice. I'd send it to Ruger , but I don't wont it to be gone for three months.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2004, 02:31:30 PM »

I suggest you send it back to Ruger. I know I would.

Zeus · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2004, 07:03:25 AM »

I had the same thing happen on my Ruger 41 magnum Hunter. I shot it about twelve times and sent it back. Still waiting on it to return. They are on annual shutdown last week and this week so hopefully I will hear something next week. I'll let you know. I would send it back though. I put in a new gate detent spring and it ate it also. chewing off the ends on the gate. So just send it back. GS

44 Man · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2004, 12:51:00 PM »

Ok, your gate spring is out of place, had the same thing happen to me. Sometimes when it is put in, the relationship between the gate and the tip of the spring is off and the tip of the spring binds the gate instead of riding in the detent. You have to take the grip frame off. Remove the grips and cock the hammer. Put a small pin in the strut to hold the hammer spring and pull the trigger and release the hammer. You can then remove the hammer spring/strut. (remember which way the bend is) Remove the 5 grip frame screws (watch where the long one goes, it holds the hammer pin in place) Wiggle it around to drop the trigger return spring off the back of the trigger and remove it. Looking in the inside, you can see the gate spring. It is a long "U" shape. The spring holds and is also held in place by the trigger pin. Depress the gate spring and slide the trigger pin out. (you need three hands) You will probably find that the spring is slightly forward or backward from where it is supposed to sit. Make sure the loading gate is properly in place then pick up the spring and let it fall back into place. Depress it and put the pin back in (a three handed job again - unless you buy a nifty tool from Brownells). Check the loading gate and it should work normally. Reassemble the grip frame and you are done. Only tricky part is slipping the trigger spring back over the trigger. Takes longer to explain than to do. 44 Man