Base Pin Issue

[boxhead]

I have a third year Flattop 44 Mag cut to 4 1/2" that I bought many years ago from a gent on the Ruger Forum. I fitted a BM Keith style base pin (without locking screw) to it years ago as well. I have shot it a fair amount without cleaning, a habit of mine, and decided to clean it. I had to "pry" the base pin out and noted it would not slide into the bare cylinder or bare frame once removed. The rear of the notch had a peened high spot that was found to be the problem after slight stoning. Once back together I noted that when the pin was pushed forward the gap between the rear of the base pin and cylinder frame was .040". As it's the only Blackhawk I have up here in Idaho I do not know if this is normal. Thoughts please.

[taffin]

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[tdbarton]

On a few of my BM pins, the fit is so tight that it takes a good pull to remove it. I’d imagine that even a small amount of debris from firing or carrying would make it pretty hard to remove. I’ve no problem with this as I imagine they’ll wear in to a sweet spot. I also deburr both front and rear holes for the base pin pretty thoroughly.

As peening of the slot for the latch seems to be the current culprit, I’d shoot it a bit more, see if the peening continues and stone off the raised area as needed until it stops.