45 ACP Ruger cylinder.

[Old Savage]

Fellows, I would like to have a 45 ACP cylinder for a late model 3 screw. I do not want to send it back because I think it will come back with all the new parts installed. SO, is there somewhere they are available and would they likely fit and/or what are my options here? Thanks in advance for any help.

[new pig hunter]

don't know the absolute truth of it, but I have heard that those Convertible Models had both cylinders (LC and ACP) specifically fitted for a particular frame. In other words, not necessarily interchangeable from pistol to pistol.

Interchangeability of cylinders definitely needs to be checked/verified.

(I have two Ruger New Model BH Convertibles (both in .45), and each of the 4 cylinders has the frame serial number etched onto it).

Cheers,

Carl

[Old Ironsights]

Solution.

Take out all of the parts that they are likely to swap out before sending the gun.

Having spare parts at home is never a bad idea.

[J Miller]

Fred,

The early NM cylinders were left over OM cylinders. If you get one of those there's a very good chance of a drop in fit.
That is what I did with both my .45 Colt and ACP cylinders in my first year, 71, production OM .45.

The only actual difference between the OM cylinders and early NM ones is the NM ones have thicker ratchet fingers. This has no effect on timing at all. If the cylinder has a rebated chamber and thicker ratchet fingers it's a NM cylinder.
Old Model .45 Colt cylinder, note thinner ratchet fingers:

OM BH .45C cyl c.jpg

Later NM .45 Colt cylinder, note thick ratchet fingers, early NM are between OM and later NM in thickness:

NM .45C cylinder.jpg

[M. M. Wright]

You can always find a .357 cylinder and send the whole thing to Alan Harton to be fitted and rechambered.

[Old Savage]

Thanks for the info Joe. Mine has the old model cylinder you show on the top, rebated.

[Malamute]

Some report drop in fitting. I tried 3 or 4 cylinders in 3 different guns at once, and found one cylinder that fit in one gun.

As far as I know, when Ruger fits new type internals, they have always returned the original parts, for "collectibility" reasons. That was always part of their advertisements, and those that I've heard that had it done have reported. Even if you don't ask for the parts when sending it in for something else, they were fitted, and the old parts sent along with it.

Call Ruger and ask.

[Charles]

Unless Ruger has changed their policy lately, they won't fit a 45 ACP cylinder to a handgun that did not leave the factory with one.

[O.S.O.K.]

Check this out: http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelB ... odels.html

Hmmmm.

[AJMD429]

Solution.
Take out all of the parts that they are likely to swap out before sending the gun.
Having spare parts at home is never a bad idea.

That's what I'd do.

I did think I saw Brownell's had 'Ruger blank cylinders in .45 cal' a few years ago.

Check this out: http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelB ... odels.html
Hmmmm.

You mean THIS one, don't you...

[Thunder50]

You might post over on the Ruger forum, for one. However, that said, I think I saw a post there that one sold on GB for $151

[Cast Bullet Hunter]

Contact John Linebaugh, http://www.customsixguns.com/ Heck of a nice guy and building custom Rugers is what he does. He may very well have a cylinder you can buy, and he will be able to tell you what to look for.

[O.S.O.K.]

Solution.
Take out all of the parts that they are likely to swap out before sending the gun.
Having spare parts at home is never a bad idea.

That's what I'd do.

I did think I saw Brownell's had 'Ruger blank cylinders in .45 cal' a few years ago.

Check this out: http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelB ... odels.html
Hmmmm.

You mean THIS one, don't you...

No, I was referring to the referrence to Williams Shooters Supply - for extra cylinders. Go back and look

[Thunder50]

There is one on GB now. Price currently is $125

[Old Savage]

Interesting reading on his site. Thanks for the reference.

[olyinaz]

Unfortunately, if you have one turned from scratch and fitted it's very expensive (I called a few smiths and asked last year).

I finally gave up and purchased a .45 ACP Vaquero. I'm going to see if the cylinder fits any of my .45 Colt Vaqueros, and if it does I'll send the pistol back to Ruger to have a new cylinder fitted (which they'll do since the gun was .45 ACP from the factory) and keep the other cylinder as a swap out for the other gun.

That's my evil plan at least...I need to find some dollars first...

Oly