Malpais Mike Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hello the camp! One of my .44-40 Vaqueros has tight chamber mouths. It gages .424; my other gages .429. Ruger wants me to send it back; they'll fix it and return it, but I'll be out the FedEx fee--last time was $70. Here's where I hope the expert advice -- or the 'I tried that and it sucked' -- department is open. I can get an adjustable reamer for under $20; I envision shooting a cylinder-ful, matching fired brass to chamber and boring out primer pocket for a pilot. Since I'm only talking .004-.005, I should be good to go. Your comments/advice/guffaws are solicited. thxnregards mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Mike, doesn't Wes Fargo live down there near you? See if he can do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malpais Mike Posted June 10, 2012 Author Share Posted June 10, 2012 Well, of course he does. Just shows you how well I can fall into the 'why didn't I thimk of that, I wasn't doing anything brilliant ennyhoo' mindset. I'll give him a call. On the other hand, I'd like to know if the idea has merit [yup, mostly stubborn but curious nonetheless]. I've used these reamers several times to good results. thxnregards mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Lumpy Gritz Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Never liked "adjustable" reamers. They seem to have a mind of their own...... Have Wes cut those cly. throats to what ever size the other one is. LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrimstoneJerome Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I also believe an FFL can ship pistols for you using flat rate boxes. Brim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W. D. Pickett Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Two things. First of all, the original .44-40 bullet was .427. Second, Ruger put out a lot of .44-40s with a .429 barrel on them so that they would not have have to make the .427 barrel. Basically, they used a .44 special or .44 magnum barrel. Also, as you have found out, the chambers were wrong. Do your research on the .44-40 and then talk to someone about opening the chambers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Jake1001 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I also believe an FFL can ship pistols for you using flat rate boxes. Brim This is true. I used my FFL guy to ship two (2) handguns in the same box to Texas from Calif. $22.00 United States Postal Service. Fed Ex charges that $70 fee for overnight service because they don't want their employee stealing the guns left laying around in trucks and buildings. Just sayin' Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Sloe Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 As for Ruger, they give excellent service and turn around. Sent in two OMs and had them back the next week. Big thumbs up to Ruger. Barry Sloe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackson Haller Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Howdy! I don't think any more research is needed; Ruger made all their 44-40's with .429 barrels, but didn't get the cylinder dimensions correct initially for that barrel size. For best accuracy and cartridge fit, the chamber mouths need to be opened. I had Ruger do all my 44-40s, as I didn't trust any local smiths. They knew they screwed up; only charge was shipping to them, and I considered it worth it to send to Ruger. They did a fine job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Howdy, I guess I dont understand. I thought the chamber throats were attached to the cylinder. So cant ya just ship the cylinder to rooger and get the work done? I must be missin sumptin??? Im glad I dont live near westfargo cause he would have all my gold dust gittin my roogers all slicked up. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy Rick, SASS #49739L Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 My 44-40 cylinders were at .425, so I bought a reamer from Brownells and opened them up, Had to jerry-rig it, as the pilot would not pass through the cylinder opening. Had to do the same thing with my OMV .45s. CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malpais Mike Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Much obliged for your input. That said, as the reamer arrived Sat., and the Rugers are back-ups now, I think I'll give it a go. Chili Ron, you are correct. However, reamed properly, the barrel is removed, a pilot installed in the frame and the cylinder reamed/honed to size. That makes everything coaxial/concentric/whatever. I'm with ya, Cowboy Rick. I slugged: om Marlin '94 .44mag, jap Win '92 .44mag, kaboy Marlin .44mag ==> these were chamber-cast and all .429-,430. Pistols are pairs: .44-40 om Vaq, .44spl nm Vaq, .44spl Hartford, and Smoke Wagons .44-40 w/ spare .44spl cylinders. Pistols all slugged using Meister kit came out .429, or close enuf for my Mitutoyo. Cylinders plug gaged .429 except the one Vaq at .424. Film at lebendyleben. thxnregards mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Dick, SASS #12880 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I'm a little surprised that Ruger wants you to pay for shipping to correct a factory defect. Have you asked them to send you a prepaid shipping label? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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