1974 Ruger Semi-Automatic 44 Magnum. (problem.. see videos)

DocBurN

DocBurN

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Hi guys.. long time no see..

I would appreciate your input on a situation that starting to bug me off. Once every 20 something rounds.. it happen kind of random but happen way to often for my taste, my rounds does not seem to feed properly.. or the bolt dont go back far enough everytime to let the next round goes up.. and about the 44 magnum ammo, these are perfectly cleaned brass reloaded with love and i have zero problem with it in all my other 44s.

So lets say i load 4x magnum.. it will (for example) fire the first 2 and then the bolt stay open with still 2 rounds in it.



In those video, i slightly pull back the bolt handle and the round pops right up but its not normal .. its a semi-auto after all. This problem ""could"" have happen when the only time i disassembled it for a clean up.. since its older than me (its a 1974 rifle) i thought a cleaning was in order.. everything seem to goes back together smoothly but then this problem began after a few weeks. Some say it fire perfectly dry, many people say you should oil it.. hard to say.. i never put too much oil to not gunk up the action.. i could give to a gunsmith but that will mean i can never clean it myself without fear to mess something up so i would rather work on it myself (therefor your input on the situation)

Disassembly video are pretty rare on youtube for this rifle but i followed this guy.. seem to know his stuff.. ( youtube.com/watch?v=muV5e-3E4Dg )

Do you have any suggestion for me.. all input are welcome.. i want to fix that baby up!

Merci beaucoup.. thank you.. danke!

DocburN
 
I take it that it shot perfect before taking it apart and cleaning it. What kind of oil did you use and was there any part you cleaned that didn't get oiled afterwards. Most feeding problems with a Ruger seems to be cleaning or lack of.
 
Can you try a different magazine or is that a tube feed?

Ramping up like that is usually a mag issue in my experience.
 
I love these little rifles. I've had 4, currently have 1. Two I had had feeding / action issues - But both were solved with a good solid cleaning. My suggestions -

Completely disassemble, clean, lubricate and reassemble the firearm. Use this guide: http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/ig/Ruger-44-Carbine-Instructions/Ruger-Carbines-1.htm

Pay particular attention to the slide assembly, spring and bolt. One I had was really jammed - the action wouldn't even open. I sprayed it down with a good solvent, then gave it a scrub. Got it working and cleaned all the disassembled parts with some fine steel wool .

When you reassemble, ensure there is a light coat of oil on all parts, and look for sticking spots reassembling. Its metal, it moves, it needs some sort of light lubrication. Always! Ensures proper functioning and protects it - Especially the older steel.

Also you didn't mention what kind of ammo you are running. These rifle are picky - Only full power loads - nothing heavier than 240gr. Handloads will almost certainly give you trouble. It was designed to function with full power factory ammo of a certain size / length. I find 240 gr. Winchester white box or Hornady 225gr ftx leverevolution work well.

Good luck and let us know hoe it turns out!!
 
Sorry I just noticed that you mentioned you are running reloaded rounds. These rifles can be very reliable BUT as my previous post stated, anything but the 'correct' load will create some issues. Try a box of winchester Whitebox Soft points - measure the dimensions vs. your handloads - Check the shape of the slug the depth of seating, etc. I suspect standard factory rounds will solve your problem. I use handloads only in my bold / lever .44s, not my semi.
 
Try some Rem 240gr soft point factory ammo, I hear that's the ammo these rifles where "designed" around. Never had an issue with any of mine and I used a lot of that ammo.
 
What Blasted Saber said!
I have cleaned a bunch of these for people to address jamming issues.. The ones that continued to jam were rectified with a simple ammo change to the 240gr Winchester..
 
Raton57 said:
I take it that it shot perfect before taking it apart and cleaning it. What kind of oil did you use and was there any part you cleaned that didn't get oiled afterwards. Most feeding problems with a Ruger seems to be cleaning or lack of.
Click to expand...

yes pretty much.. i only shot 50ish rounds before feeling guilty of not having cleaned it before shooting when i first got the rifle.. it was perfectly shooting yes.

As for oil.. i dont have a lot of option on hand, but i will get whatever if mine is not a good idea.. i got Hoppe's 9 Lubricating oil.. orange bottle.

After some research and your feelings.. i'll re-disassamble it and check what is going on inside.
 
DTM5 said:
I love these little rifles. I've had 4, currently have 1. Two I had had feeding / action issues - But both were solved with a good solid cleaning. My suggestions -

Completely disassemble, clean, lubricate and reassemble the firearm. Use this guide: http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/ig/Ruger-44-Carbine-Instructions/Ruger-Carbines-1.htm

Pay particular attention to the slide assembly, spring and bolt. One I had was really jammed - the action wouldn't even open. I sprayed it down with a good solvent, then gave it a scrub. Got it working and cleaned all the disassembled parts with some fine steel wool .

When you reassemble, ensure there is a light coat of oil on all parts, and look for sticking spots reassembling. Its metal, it moves, it needs some sort of light lubrication. Always! Ensures proper functioning and protects it - Especially the older steel.

Also you didn't mention what kind of ammo you are running. These rifle are picky - Only full power loads - nothing heavier than 240gr. Handloads will almost certainly give you trouble. It was designed to function with full power factory ammo of a certain size / length. I find 240 gr. Winchester white box or Hornady 225gr ftx leverevolution work well.

Good luck and let us know hoe it turns out!!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your advice.. and a new angle/source of cleaning guide..

And for the reloading part.. I use 22 gr of Winchester 296 with 240 gr Berry FP. Always run smoothly in my Rossi Ranch Hand.. seem powerfull enough for the 44 carbine bolt i think..

I am not a super heavy reloader.. yet.. not many years with the Dillon.. only reloaded around 14500 of 44mag but i have always been happy with it.. hope the carbine eat them well in the future.
 
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captonion said:
What Blasted Saber said!
I have cleaned a bunch of these for people to address jamming issues.. The ones that continued to jam were rectified with a simple ammo change to the 240gr Winchester..
Click to expand...

hummm.. i was exactly hoping that my handload would not be an issue.. many of you votes for ammo vs cleaning.
If i need to buy factory 44 magnum, i take it as a failure to reload. I would rather change powder or bullet than buying factory round if possible.
 
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jandp said:
Mine is getting a little loose now and is getting more fussy about ammo, mine does not like winchester but no issues with rem 240 gr ammo.
Click to expand...

Ok ok this rifle could be picky about ammo i guess but what specifics does the remington 240 gr factory ammo have that cant be cloned in reloading.. I mean, overall lenght, powder, bullets, primers.. Everything can be cloned , right ? If i cant reload for the carbine i might as well sell the gun.
 
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