Ruger Stainless Steel 22/45

Harry Bonar · July 17, 2006, 07:15 PM

Shooters:
I hadn't broken a 6X48 tap for 35 years - but that record ended today!
SS. Ruger 22-45 undid me.
A respected shooter/guntinkerer brought it to me because he'd broken 5 drill bits trying to get a hole - no hole but one chewed out! The holes were out of line and after center-punching I drilled with a 39 drill and reamed with the 31. Then tapped the front hole - no trouble! Tap broke on second hole.
So, I drilled and counterbored for new screw location and everything worked out well. (He brought it to me "glued" on with RTV).
Getting to the cause; Ruger SS. WAS very hard! but my tap which I'd used several times just "crumbled." I'm throwing out my used taps - I think metal-fatigue did the job.
Be careful of this new Ruger SS - it's HARD! I had to re-grind the drills several times and of course used the best drilling, milling and machining oil that I mix myself.
Thought this might help.
Harry B.

**Unclenick** · July 17, 2006, 09:14 PM

Harry,

I've got that gun in blued steel, but haven't done any drilling in it. My old Mark I that I acquired used in the 60's sure isn't that hard (also blued steel).

Thanks for the heads-up!

Nick

July 17, 2006, 07:15 PM	#1
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,804	Ruger Stainless Steel 22/45 Shooters: I hadn't broken a 6X48 tap for 35 years - but that record ended today! SS. Ruger 22-45 undid me. A respected shooter/guntinkerer brought it to me because he'd broken 5 drill bits trying to get a hole - no hole but one chewed out! The holes were out of line and after center-punching I drilled with a 39 drill and reamed with the 31. Then tapped the front hole - no trouble! Tap broke on second hole. So, I drilled and counterbored for new screw location and everything worked out well. (He brought it to me "glued" on with RTV). Getting to the cause; Ruger SS. WAS very hard! but my tap which I'd used several times just "crumbled." I'm throwing out my used taps - I think metal-fatigue did the job. Be careful of this new Ruger SS - it's HARD! I had to re-grind the drills several times and of course used the best drilling, milling and machining oil that I mix myself. Thought this might help. Harry B.

July 17, 2006, 09:14 PM	#2
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Harry, I've got that gun in blued steel, but haven't done any drilling in it. My old Mark I that I acquired used in the 60's sure isn't that hard (also blued steel). Thanks for the heads-up! Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle