spitting lead

[joeb4065]

Ok gang, have a question, I just bought a Linebaugh modified Ruger Bisley, was a 41 mag, now is a tight chambered 45 colt.

It has the custom slow twist barrel, and a fantastic trigger job.

Problem is that shooting 23 grains of H110 behind a home cast WW slug, this thing spits lead worse than anything I have ever shot. Shot one gun full, and had little blood specs on my left cheek.

Upon inspection, all looks fine, barrel to cylinder gap is very tight, but doesn't rub, I can't figure this out.

Can anybody shed any light on this, or have suggestions for things to try?

[joeb4065]

Oh, one detail I forgot to mention, I did not buy this directly from Linebaugh, it was built 20 years ago.

[brules]

Check the forcing cone, it may need to be cleaned up.

[Ken O'Neill]

Of course it's a timing, forcing cone or B/C gap issue. Close examination should reveal which of the three. Although many could fix such problems, I believe that I'd want Linebaugh to be the one who works on it to correct it, FWIW.

[Mark Terry]

Joe,

I don't know and admit to being a rank amateur on these sorts of things but my guess is that you'd have noticed if the cylinder wasn't locked in place when the hammer was cocked or if there was an excessive amount of play in the cylinder at that point in time. I suppose if the bolt was bent, the cylinder would lock up tight slightly out of alignment with the barrel. A range rod could confirm if this were the case.

You can check the barrel / cylinder gap with feeler gauges to see if there's a problem there. I'd look real hard at the forcing cone and the bore to see if there's not an accumulation of lead or jacket material.

Let us hear how this gets resolved.

[joeb4065]

The barrel to cylinder gap is very small, much closer tolerances than stock Rugers, I cleaned the barrel, no leading, but the forcing cone is extremely short, about 1/4 the length of a stock Ruger barrel.

I have no experience with any converted pistols, have never seen first hand any product of one of the big guys that do these. So this may be normal for these special barrels.

I am going to call Linebaugh today and see what he recomends.

thanks for the interest and help, I will keep you guys posted on the outcome.

I have always drooled over the custom Rugers, finally got a chance to get one, and am determined to got it right.

Joe

[joeb4065]

Well guys, I am stunned.

I called Mr. Linebaugh, he answered the phone himself.

Explained to him what the situation is, that this is a gun he built over 20 years ago, and that it is spitting. He wasted no time in telling me to ship it to him and he will make it right, that there is a lifetime garantee on his stuff. He also said that there would be no charge.

I really enjoyed talking to him, never felt like he just wanted to get me off the phone, he took the time to discuss what I want to do with the gun, what loads, distances, etc.

I am not one that has unlimited funds to play with, but when I get this one back, I will find the money to send him my 41 and have it worked over.

I could not be more impressed with the guy, and I am sure I am preaching to the choir here, but guys like John deserve our respect and business.

Joe

[Charger Fan]

Feedback like that is always good to hear, thanks.

[brionic]

[TEXASFIVEGUN]

Yes John is a gentelman and I think of him as a good friend. Let us know what he says the problem was and what he did to fix it. We may all learn something.

[joeb4065]

I have sent him the gun, and had one long visit on the phone after he received it.

We discussed what he planned to do to correct the problem, and I was impressed yet again when he wanted to know what load I had been shooting, that he would duplicate the load and shoot it to experience the spitting, and see what the accuracy is like prior to the corrective action.

Then he would shoot it to see what improvement was evident.

That kind of quality focus still impresses me, so I asked him to do some other work on it, paid by me.

I will keep the forum posted.

[38 WCF]

John is a great guy. I called him this spring because I wanted to attend his seminar in Cody,WY. I hesitated to call him but needed some basic information that was not on his website. I could tell he was in his shop working but he would not stop talking about guns. He made me feel like I was his boyhood pal or something. I attended his seminar, met his parents, sat at his table for dinner. He struck me as a true gentleman. I am very honored that I can now call him a friend.

[joeb4065]

38 wcf

I have talked to John a couple more times, still impressed with the man, will make a trip to meet him at some point.

In my talks with him, I have asked him to do some additional work on it while it is on the bench.

I'm not new to shooting single action Rugers, have been casting and shooting them for years. But I have never coughed up the bucks to have it customized like I would like. Got the chance to pick this one up, and am like a kid before Christmas.....can't wait to get it back and see what she'll do.

Now I"m looking at the stuff in the safe with a jaundiced eye, non of the rifles are as pretty as they were, thinking about liquidating some and sending my NM 41 Mag and have him go whole hog, octo barrel, converted to Bisley......seems the list is long.

I have decided this is a real disease, and I have it bad....

[38 WCF]

joeb4065
You should try and make it up to Cody in 2010. You can meet the man in person.
Single Actions, especially custom ones, are infectious for sure.

[joeb4065]

Well gang, got the Linebaugh back on Thursday night. John does beautiful work. He stopped the lead spitting, put a new front sight, installed a Bowen rough country rear, free spin pawl, and scalloped the loading gate. Finished the package with a re-blue, and it truly is beautiful.

Loaded 13 gr of HS6 and WW 454424 home cast bullets, at his recomendation. Best groups I have ever shot with a 45 Colt. Almost all touching at 25 yds, I could not be more pleased.