Free spin pawl on Ruger SBH?

Poodleshooter · April 26, 2011, 11:09 AM

Is anyone running a free spin pawl on their Ruger SBH? In particular, can you run one on an unmodified old model?
I don't think there's any change between the pawl on old models and transfer bar models,but I've only had limited experience with the new models.

Poodleshooter · June 3, 2011, 02:35 PM

Ok, apparently this doesn't work on an Old Model SBH. I'l chalk that up as a home gunsmithing lesson learned.
At least I'm not out much $.

I picked up a stock Ruger pawl to modify, and shaved it down.
The part is identical to the old model part, but pawl/ratchet position differs from three screw old models to the new models. On an old model, loading position is at half cock, the cylinder stop is down, and the pawl is still exposed enough (and locked by the hammer's half cock notch) to lock any reverse motion of the cylinder even with the shaved down free spin pawl. On the new models that load at hammer down, the pawl is apparently low enough that it can move backwards and allow both reverse and forward motion of the cylinder with the modified pawl / ratchet.

April 26, 2011, 11:09 AM	#1
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Free spin pawl on Ruger SBH? Is anyone running a free spin pawl on their Ruger SBH? In particular, can you run one on an unmodified old model? I don't think there's any change between the pawl on old models and transfer bar models,but I've only had limited experience with the new models.

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June 3, 2011, 02:35 PM	#2
Poodleshooter Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2000 Location: Floating down the James River in VA Posts: 2,599	Ok, apparently this doesn't work on an Old Model SBH. I'l chalk that up as a home gunsmithing lesson learned. At least I'm not out much $. I picked up a stock Ruger pawl to modify, and shaved it down. The part is identical to the old model part, but pawl/ratchet position differs from three screw old models to the new models. On an old model, loading position is at half cock, the cylinder stop is down, and the pawl is still exposed enough (and locked by the hammer's half cock notch) to lock any reverse motion of the cylinder even with the shaved down free spin pawl. On the new models that load at hammer down, the pawl is apparently low enough that it can move backwards and allow both reverse and forward motion of the cylinder with the modified pawl / ratchet.