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Since the alloy frame was designed for a mild cartridge, ie, 22 rimfire, wouldn't it be possible to disassemble the gun, use a TIG outfit to add metal where needed, then machine the frame to properly fit & align the cylinder?Revolver cylinders have to be fitted to the frame. Single action cylinders are easier than double actions, but you still have to fit and adjust for head space, cylinder end shake, timing on all chambers, and alignment on all chambers.
It's possible someone just dropped in a used cylinder that just didn't fit the frame, OR it's possible some fool installed a cylinder from a totally different brand of revolver.
If a cylinder doesn't fit properly it can have end shake, which is when the cylinder is free to move back and forth in the frame.
If this is bad enough, the cylinder becomes in effect an impact hammer slamming back and forth in the frame, and this literally hammers the frame to death.
One prime indication of a cylinder with end shake and/or a gun shot with way over hot loads is cylinder ratchet impact peening of the frame. This leaves the ratchet shaped dents you see on your gun.
My best guess: Possibly someone installed a badly mis-fitting .22 Magnum cylinder in a gun made for .22LR then shot the snot out of it, paying no attention to the damage they were doing.
WHAT happened we'll probably never know, but the frame is DOA.
This is one of those things that are at least in the realm of "possible" but are really not likely.Since the alloy frame was designed for a mild cartridge, ie, 22 rimfire, wouldn't it be possible to disassemble the gun, use a TIG outfit to add metal where needed, then machine the frame to properly fit & align the cylinder?
Just a thought.![]()
I'd bet that is exactly what happened.I don't know how well Ruger cylinders swap between guns, but just wondering, if a previous owner/user had put a 22 magnum cylinder in this gun for a while, I'm wondering it doing that would result in this sort of damage.
If you're going to take a shot at it, price be damned, don't even bother looking for any local gunsmith and DO NOT take it to ANY welder. Even the best welders are not gunsmiths and don't understand all the ramifications of gun work.Since the alloy frame was designed for a mild cartridge, ie, 22 rimfire, wouldn't it be possible to disassemble the gun, use a TIG outfit to add metal where needed, then machine the frame to properly fit & align the cylinder?
Just a thought.![]()
I am going to try to get it repaired. To come out monetarily would mean to sell the gun in parts, but then its one less collectible gun and I'd rather keep it. Even though I wouldn't likely shoot it, I don't like having a gun that won't shoot and I wont sell a gun to someone that isn't safe to shoot. So I'm gonna check into getting it repaired, because its collectible and I'm in it only about 40% or less of what a similiar one would cost (without the frame issue). I've checked the B/C gap and its .006 inch, but the end shake is too much, obviously because of the ratchet marks. Because its only a 22LR, I think it can be repaired.. But like Dfaris said, its not going to be cheap. I'm going to have to give it Colt effort even for a Ruger .. since it is from 1957.