Is this normal? Ruger SP101 Forcing Cone to Barrel

justinpar · October 2, 2011, 03:06 PM

Highly doubt this is normal. This looks exactly like machine tool marks. I recently switched to lead and noticed excessive leading, and I believe would would be the cause. Wondering if this is worth sending back to ruger?

g.willikers · October 2, 2011, 04:17 PM

Looks almost like it was threaded.
Maybe that's where someone thought the muzzle break was supposed to go.
Are the marks deep enough to be actually felt?
Or are they more like just a discoloring?

drail · October 2, 2011, 04:31 PM

That is completely normal on Ruger and most other handgun barrels. If you want it recut and smoothed up it will be on your dime. Actually as far as forcing cones go, that one is not bad at all. It doesn't hurt anything. Shoot it.

Crankgrinder · October 2, 2011, 04:43 PM

I have an sp101 and it is #1 for me but i have to say my cone doesnt look like that. I would send a copy of that pic maybe a few more to ruger and ask about it

**Tom Servo** · October 2, 2011, 07:53 PM

Completely normal for Ruger, and nothing to worry about.

mehavey · October 2, 2011, 08:24 PM

deleted

chiefr · October 2, 2011, 08:28 PM

Concur with most: Normal, In fact, yours looks better than most.

Webleymkv · October 2, 2011, 09:16 PM

I will defer to others as to whether the forcing cone is normal or not, but I may be able to help you with the leading problem. You say you switched to lead, but did not specify whether you're using factory ammo or handloads. Preventing leading, particularly with magnum velocities is somewhat more complicated than you might think. First off, don't try to push swaged bullets much over 800fps, you need hardcast for higher velocities. Secondly, you need to ensure that the bullet in question is not undersized for you bore. I had a Ruger Redhawk that would be leaded terribly after loading it with .429 cast bullets even though the very same bullets didn't cause issues in the Taurus and S&W revolvers I shot them in. Switching to .430 bullets, however, cured the leading issue leading me to suspect that the Ruger had a slightly looser bore. If you're handloading, try using a bullet one thousandth bigger than what you're using now (ex. if you're using .357" bullets, try .358").

mkk41 · October 2, 2011, 09:23 PM

Wouldn't say it's normal , but it's not uncommon and probably on par for a Ruger. Brownells sells forcing cone reamers and polishing tools , but taking the taper too deep will have an adverse affect on accuracy. And that one looks deep already.

October 2, 2011, 07:53 PM	#5
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalachians Posts: 13,093	Completely normal for Ruger, and nothing to worry about. __________________ Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe

October 2, 2011, 03:06 PM	#1
justinpar Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Posts: 45	Is this normal? Ruger SP101 Forcing Cone to Barrel Highly doubt this is normal. This looks exactly like machine tool marks. I recently switched to lead and noticed excessive leading, and I believe would would be the cause. Wondering if this is worth sending back to ruger?

October 2, 2011, 04:17 PM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Looks almost like it was threaded. Maybe that's where someone thought the muzzle break was supposed to go. Are the marks deep enough to be actually felt? Or are they more like just a discoloring?

October 2, 2011, 04:31 PM	#3
drail Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2008 Posts: 3,150	That is completely normal on Ruger and most other handgun barrels. If you want it recut and smoothed up it will be on your dime. Actually as far as forcing cones go, that one is not bad at all. It doesn't hurt anything. Shoot it.

October 2, 2011, 04:43 PM	#4
Crankgrinder Senior Member Join Date: July 24, 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 917	I have an sp101 and it is #1 for me but i have to say my cone doesnt look like that. I would send a copy of that pic maybe a few more to ruger and ask about it

October 2, 2011, 08:24 PM	#6
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 7,209	deleted

October 2, 2011, 08:28 PM	#7
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 1,401	Concur with most: Normal, In fact, yours looks better than most.

October 2, 2011, 09:16 PM	#8
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,610	I will defer to others as to whether the forcing cone is normal or not, but I may be able to help you with the leading problem. You say you switched to lead, but did not specify whether you're using factory ammo or handloads. Preventing leading, particularly with magnum velocities is somewhat more complicated than you might think. First off, don't try to push swaged bullets much over 800fps, you need hardcast for higher velocities. Secondly, you need to ensure that the bullet in question is not undersized for you bore. I had a Ruger Redhawk that would be leaded terribly after loading it with .429 cast bullets even though the very same bullets didn't cause issues in the Taurus and S&W revolvers I shot them in. Switching to .430 bullets, however, cured the leading issue leading me to suspect that the Ruger had a slightly looser bore. If you're handloading, try using a bullet one thousandth bigger than what you're using now (ex. if you're using .357" bullets, try .358").

October 2, 2011, 09:23 PM	#9
mkk41 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2004 Posts: 283	Wouldn't say it's normal , but it's not uncommon and probably on par for a Ruger. Brownells sells forcing cone reamers and polishing tools , but taking the taper too deep will have an adverse affect on accuracy. And that one looks deep already.