VERY LATE UPDATE:
Okay, I finally got around to sitting down and going full-blown vendetta on that cylinder. Some PB Blaster and that wood trick 4V50 Gary suggested (thank you sir) got it to come loose.
Turns out one of the knuckleheads who had the gun before me packed that thing full of grease, and that's why it was dragging.
So I've got a shiny new ejector rod from Ruger and some cleaning supplies. Time to clean it, oil it, and have her back to good-as-new. I just wanted to post the finale and extend my thanks for all the help.