Anybody on here have experience with Ruger Number 3 rifles?

[crosstimbers]

I've got a bit of a situation, trying to replace the lever latch retaining pin on mine, and it has really surprised me the lack of info available online. I know the rifles were discontinued long ago, but I would still expect more than I've been able to find...even on Ruger forums.

[v35]

Tried both rugerforum.com and rugerforum.net?

One is better than the other but I'll let you be the judge 

[crosstimbers]

Tried both rugerforum.com and rugerforum.net?

One is better than the other but I'll let you be the judge 

I've now been on both, but only registered on the .net forum. I posted my question and have received no answers as of the last time I looked. Both of those forums are structured in ways I find rather difficult to navigate- but it may just be my unfamiliarity with them thats at fault.

I managed to drive out the remaining bits of the old lever latch pin, and at this point think I'll be fabricating a new pin with a nail or similar item. I can't even find out what the size of the pin is supposed to be, so I'm going it by trial and error. Plunger spring seems ok, though I may order a replacement while Numrich still has THAT part in stock!

[v35]

I don't blame you a bit for asking here. I'd probably do the same.

This site may be small, but it's the best.

Speaking of the best did you try calling Ruger? Their customer service is spectacular, but I only have experience with current production products. I know nothing about a Ruger Number 3 but here's its manual if you don't have it already.

[crosstimbers]

I found the manual online, but I didnt find what I was looking for (specifications for the pin). I haven't tried calling Ruger yet, but did read some postings on various threads where other people had and the jist of it was the rifle is out of production and they have no parts available...they might be able to tell me the size of the pin though, so I may call them.

I actually found more information and discussion about this rifle on other forums than I did on the Ruger forums. Thats why I thought to post here. I'm pretty confident I can improvise a fix on this, but knowing the actual size that the pin is supposed to be might be nice in selecting something to make the pin from. So far everything Ive used trying to drive out the old pin parts has been either too big or a bit undersized. But I have some small nails that may be close enough to do the job.

[v35]

Part SC-55? Hard to tell from their parts diagram because the number just looks like a blob.

Can you measure the diameter of its hole, and if so did you try McMaster-Carr for a suitable replacement.

[crosstimbers]

I just sent Ruger CS an email, they promise an answer within 3 days.

Yeah, if the old pin had not completely rusted away I could use my reloading calipers and measure it- so far I've been unable to find anything that seems to fit like it should, to make a measurement from. Trying to measure the hole itself might be a test of my engineering "skills"- my wife would have a comment here if she were privy to this discussion. 

What kind of supplier/firm is McMaster- Carr? guess I could look them up

[crosstimbers]

I looked them up. Might be a source once I get the size matter resolved.

[Wobbly]

I found the manual online, but I didnt find what I was looking for (specifications for the pin). I haven't tried calling Ruger yet, but did read some postings on various threads where other people had and the jist of it was the rifle is out of production and they have no parts available... they might be able to tell me the size of the pin though, so I may call them.

No one builds their own pin or makes their own fasteners. That would be like growing and smashing your own tomatoes when you could simply go Dollar General buy a bottle of ketchup.

There is a 99% probability that they bought either an Inch or Metric sized pin "off the shelf" from one of hundreds of suppliers. Once you measure accurately and figure out what you're chasing, it's an easy thing to go to McMaster, Grainger, Fastenal, or any of the hundreds of industrial supply houses and buy the identical pin. Sure, you may have to buy a bag of 25 pins for $4.95, but now you have spares.

[crosstimbers]

I was fairly sure that would be the case, but again- I have no means of measuring the empty hole and the original pin is not on hand. Once I hear back from Ruger, I hope to be able to track down a replacement in the form of some sort of pin-stock.

But people do in fact make their own, or so I've been reading....not for this rifle in particular but for others. Not an idea that I relish, but with the trouble I've been having finding information, something I had considered.

The rifle came out of Pennsylvania, and had a scope on it I had never heard of before. Interestingly enough, in doing some searches about the scope I learned it had been a commonly available product in that area back in the day, and was popular for "hunting in the humid environment". Wasn't much else said about why, but with the rusted out pin and a couple of other rust spots evident on the rifle it evidently did do some wet weather hunting.

[v35]

There are ways of accurately measuring the diameter of an empty hole. The first thing that comes to mind is using an assortment of drill bits to find out which size fits best (without drilling anything, obviously). Dowel pins are going to come in standard sizes, and I doubt it's metric on a Ruger.

Dowel pins less than 1/8" are going to come in 1/64" increments. 1/32" for larger ones. I am assuming it's not a roll pin but that's possible.

I just can't fathom using a nail instead...

[crosstimbers]

There are ways of accurately measuring the diameter of an empty hole. The first thing that comes to mind is using an assortment of drill bits to find out which size fits best (without drilling anything, obviously). Dowel pins are going to come in standard sizes, and I doubt it's metric on a Ruger.

Dowel pins less than 1/8" are going to come in 1/64" increments. 1/32" for larger ones. I am assuming it's not a roll pin but that's possible.

I just can't fathom using a nail instead...

I've already tried drill bits. Here's what happened- the smallest bit I have is 1/16, two different sets of bits, one went into the hole and the other wouldn't. Still that leaves me suspecting that 1/16 is at least close to the needed size. I actually have a 1/16 punch, and it would not go into the hole so I had to drive out the remains of the old pin with a small nail I filed the point down on. What the pin does is fit into a slot on the bottom of the plunger, allowing it to travel a small, set amount...so that when opening and closing the action it is easily moved and goes into an opposite hole to "lock" the action. So, I think any metal pin, regardless of it's pedigree, would do the job. I'd prefer an actual steel pin of course, but in the end I'll settle for whatever will work.

Its hard to tell from the schematic in the manual, but it doesn't appear to be a roll pin. There was literally nothing but rust flecks of the old pin, so I couldn't inspect that.

[david s]

As already mentioned, try using numbered drill bits, when you find the correct size buy that bit and cut the unfluted shank to the proper length. If you buy a carbon steel drill bit, you'll find that they cold blue really well generally. Or take it to a machine shop or someone you know with a lathe and ask if they can measure the hole diameter with their pin gauge set. Pin gauges increase by .001" for each pin. The drill bit has the advantage of possibly being used as the actual pin replacement.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                           
       

[crosstimbers]

I think you posted as I was answering V35. Ive tried drill bits, and a 1/16 bit from one set would go into the hole, while the same size from another would not. I found this out while trying to determine if I had an "expendable" bit I wouldn't mind sacrificing. I also have a punch that size that wouldn't go in the hole.

Bits were mentioned in the various discussions I read about making replacement pins. Once I am certain of the size needed, that may well be the route I go.

[david s]

A 1/16 hole is a .063 pin gauge, the set I have begins at .061" or .002 of an inch smaller than what you're looking for. The set goes .061, .062, .063, .064 .065 on up to a quarter inch diameter. Thats the range you're looking for. Pin gauge sets use to be pretty common now there are cell phone apps that measure stuff like this, I've never used one of these apps, but could that work for you?