[Two-Bits]

I've read in several posts that the throat size in the cylinders of Ruger revolvers are consistently undersized. If this is such a problem, does anyone know why Ruger does not address it.

I have a .45 Colt Vaquero and I am happy with it. It seems to shoot fine for me, but I'm not looking to get groups that I can cover with a dime.

If I can cover them with a hub cap, that's fine. A hub cap is smaller then an average man.

I'm just curious about the throat size problem.

Thanks!

 

[J Miller]

Two-Bits,

The problem with undersized chamber throats in Rugers comes from a long history of gunmakers putting OVERSIZED throats in .45 colt cylinders. I have a S&W 25-5 with .457 throats. I had at one time an Interarms Virginian Dragoon with .458 throats. This causes many problems.
Ruger addressed this problem by going to far the other way.
Not all Blackhawks and Vacaros have undersized throats. Some are right were they should be, some arn't.

Many posters in the forums I belong too have told of their conversations with the Ruger service department. They were told the throats are within Ruger specs and nothing would be done about it.

Undersized throats are better than oversized ones, because they can be opened up to match the barrel. Usually .4525".
There are many benifits to having this done. Better accuracy, less barrel leading, and sometimes less pressure (undersized throats can cause increased chamber pressure).

An easy way to check your gun to see what the throats measure out at, is to get a pure lead muzzel loading ball just bigger than your chamber throats, .454 should do, then tap it through from the chamber end.
It's best to measure the slug with a MACHINISTS MICH. These measure down to the ten thousands of an inch and give better readings.

Minute of hubcap? I'd want mine to shoot at least 2" to 3" at 25 yards. Mine will, yours should.

 

[Two-Bits]

J Miller:

Thanks for the reply and info.

Just a little bit of humor regarding the hubcap statement. My Vaquero is more accurate then I thought or I'm a better shot then I thought. I don't have the grouping that you have, but I was just shooting from a free-standing position and a little closer then 25 yards.

Thanks!

 

[twillis]

Hi Two-bits,

Don't know if you are interested, but this guy is reaming 45 throats and donating the proceeds to a good clause. I do not know him personally, but he is spoken of highly on some forums I participate in. Prices look reasonable as well.

Cas

 

[Eric Gibson]

I have Rugers in both 44/40 and 45 colt. My blackhawk convertable has a throat of 452 while the Vacquaro has 450. The pair of 44/40's have throats of 424.

Ruger replaced under warranty the 44/40 cylinders with 430's while I had to buy a reamer from Clymer to open up the 45LC.

From my books on pistol smithing the throat should be 0.001 over bore size which is 451 in the Ruger 45LC and 429 in the 44/40.

All guns now shoot well with lower pressures and no leading build up in the throats.

 

[Bigfoot]

I had a Bisley 45LC that had undersize throats. I bought a .4525 reamer from a local industrial supply and hand reamed them ( about $ 20). Accuracy went from 6" at 50 yds to 2.5" - 3".

I also used the reamer to open up a 44mag cylinder prior to rechambering it to 45 LC. I have a nice bead blasted stainless 45 LC Vaquero 5" barrel with an unfluted or engraved cylinder.

 

[Old Reb]

All you need to know:

http://www.45throatdoctor.com/