22/45 - i did something dumb...

[swift]

OK, I know this was dumb, but before I take it to a gunsmith, maybe you can give me some good advice.

While reassembling my Ruger 22/45, I found the pin that goes into the bolt was just not going through the hole and that it was off my about 2 mm, so I forced the bolt in and the pin went in nicely. Now, the magazine is difficult to insert and the trigger does not reset.

Is this something I might be able to fix myself or should I find a gunsmith?

[50ae]

Send it back to Ruger and have them fix it. Nobody knows the gun better than them.

[Josh]

two things, it is a single action pistol. So its not going to reset by itself if you dry fire unless you hold the trigger as you rack the bolt.

the pin holds the firing pin back keeping it from slamming into the chamber, shouldnt affect the magazine or reset.

The magazine disconnect however can, if this is a newer MKIII 22/45.

[kermit]

Try stripping it down and reassembling according to these instructions:

http://www.1bad69.com/ruger/field_strip.htm

I generally need to flip my upsidedown to get the parts to line up correctly.

[rkt88edmo]

Try stripping it down and reassembling according to these instructions:

http://www.1bad69.com/ruger/field_strip.htm

I generally need to flip my upsidedown to get the parts to line up correctly.

Kermit gave you the best resource. Get to know your hammer strut and mainspring

[mike100]

you can really get the pin stuck, but I'm sure with a little persuasion, you'll get it loose. I did the same thing after I tried working on the 22/45 I have after a 5 year absence of possession. (sister in law stole it )

[donger]

I really hate field stripping and reassembling my 22/45.

You need a fricking engineering degree to put the thing back together.

[eckerph]

Get to know your hammer strut and mainspring
__________________

This is probably your problem, i have too tip mine upside down also to get the hammer strut on thte proper position, stripping the gun down isnt hard if you follow the ruger manual, i have taken the gun apart completly and put it back together again several times... no big deal. BTW im putting hogue grips on mine.

[Kruzr]

Sounds like the hammer strut isn't on top of the mainspring housing and the gun isn't cocking.

I assume you are talking about the bolt stop pin not the cross pin that keeps the firing pin from going too far forward. You need to take the bolt stop out again. Tap it from the top to get it started. It's possible that the two little legs on the U shaped end of the recoil spring were not centered on top of the bolt when you forced it through. Assuming you had the bolt all the way in, that was why it looked off center.

Get the pin out, take out the bolt and take a look at the back support of the recoil spring. If it's still intact, center it and try assembly again.

As others said, make sure you insert the mag, pull the trigger and push the hammer forward before you put the bolt stop pin in. Then hold it so the muzzle is straight up when you close the latch.

[swift]

I can't even get the mainspring housing out. (step 3 of the suggested solution). The slide does not go all the way forward and when I pull the trigger, nothing seems to happen. I don't feel the trigger release anything.

Can you recommend a place in San Diego where I could send it? I would be happy to send it back to Ruger, but the last time I sent a pistol in for repair it cost me $60 for UPS.

[saki302]

Turn the gun upside down and sideways and shake it about while trying to remove the mainspring housing. sometimes that will work.
You probably assembled it with the hammer strut off the spring perch, so it wedged up tight with the mainspring housing unit.

-Dave

[CalNRA]

man I love to help you out if I were in the area. I thought the 22/45 MKIII was easy to strip/assemble, but most people I know scold me for saying that.