Question about a Ruger sp 101 Question updated

[old tech]

Happy New Year.
I just purchased a Ruger SP 101 in 327 federal mag. Put 50 rounds of 32 S&W long thru it at the range. The outside of the cylinder on the cartridge bores turned black from powder residue. I called Ruger, they said send it back. I sent it to them and apparently this is "normal" for this to occur. I have several stainless revolvers and NEVER seen this happen. I can't imagine that much gas leak between a cylinder and barrel being normal. Has anyone else had this happen to a revolver they have owned? The residue is NOT on the face of the cylinder, it is on the external part of the cylinder. Looks like the power bounces off the frame and is then deposited on top of the cylinder

Thanks

[JTROKS]

Some ammo are dirtier than other depending on the powder & bullet combination. I get less carbon fouling when using light jacketed bullets with fast clean burning powder. A drop of Hoppe’s 9 let it sit for a minute and a white Brillo pad will clean regular fouling. I’m thinking you use your SP101 for defense, don’t know how you feel about slightly polishing the outside of the cylinder.

[ojisan]

Depends mostly on the powder and bullets used.
Blued revolvers do this too, it's just not as visible.
I've found that cheap commercial reloads use dirty powders, lead bullet reloads are even worse for making a mess.
I'm sure that Ruger checked the forcing cone and barrel to cylinder gap.
If these are OK, then, like annealing, soot deposits are normal.

[Turbinator]

I agree, it seems normal based on my limited experience.

Wondering if polishing up the cylinder face would help with future cleaning sessions? Afraid that a polishing could increase cylinder gap, even if only slightly, which I think would be a bad thing.

Opinions?

Turby

[Garv]

Happens to my stainless 686 every time and I use good ammo.

There is a pad for scrubbing off the residue, I'll see if I can find a link.

EDIT:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Birchwood-Casey-Lead-Remover-Polishing-Cloth/1611128.uts?productVariantId=3360324&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=BingPLA&WT.z_mc_id1=03601141&rid=20&msclkid=63b471e20afc1f1cebd22ba89fb9608a&gclid=CKHa7eHIt9gCFecMfwodPLkArQ&gclsrc=ds

Pro-Shot Products also has "Lead-Clean Gun Cloth" which looks very similar.
I will be trying that one out very soon.

PSA: This product is not for use on blued or case hardened surfaces.

Good luck and pics required of a pristine gun later.

[Svashtar]

[rogervzv]

Totally normal.

[morrcarr67]

Happens all the time, especially when you are using shorter cased ammo.

32S&W in a 327 Mag
38 Special in a 357 Mag
44 Special in a 44 Mag

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[splithoof]

^^^^^This.
I regularly use 45HP and 45GAP in a S&W 625; the cylinder is very much blackened after one range session. Throw in a box or two of the dirtiest Russian steel-cased ball, and another box of 200 grain LSW's using 231, and it is very dirty. Polishing the face of the cylinder to clean it off won't bother it at all.
Fire away

[old tech]

Thanks Gentlemen,
I must have been lucky over the years not to have experienced this.
None of my Smiths have done this, nor my Taurus.

[AKexpat]

Happy New Year.
I just purchased a Ruger SP 101 in 327 federal mag. Put 50 rounds of 32 S&W long thru it at the range. The outside of the cylinder on the cartridge bores turned black from powder residue. I called Ruger, they said send it back. I sent it to them and apparently this is "normal" for this to occur. I have several stainless revolvers and NEVER seen this happen. I can't imagine that much gas leak between a cylinder and barrel being normal. Has anyone else had this happen to a revolver they have owned?
Thanks

Don't let it bother you unless you are a super neat freak. If so, don't shoot it. Make it a safe queen.

I have a 1989 date SP101 in .38 Spl that I shoot +P ammo in and it does it all of the time. Just clean it well and oil it and there won't be a problem.

I am of the opinion that a lot of you folks think that after a range session the gun should have no powder residue. You should see my 1911 stainless .45 after a trip to the range!

I am primarily into BP C&B pistols and you have never seen anything as dirty as that!

Jim

[Turbinator]

Ok, so question for you guys who have polished the cylinder face. Does it make cleanup a lot faster and easier?

Want to know what the payoff is before I spend the elbow grease effort..

Turby

[wpod]

I use the eraser from a #2 pencil to remove the discoloration on the front of my cylinder.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[splithoof]

I use the eraser from a #2 pencil to remove the discoloration on the front of my cylinder.

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

I'll have to try that.
Thank you for the tip.

[old tech]

maybe I didn't explain it properly.
The residue is NOT on the face of the cylinder, its on the external part of the cylinder. It looks like the residue bounces off the frame and is then deposited on the top of the cylinder.