They are actually .45 caliber. .457 roundballs are the proper size and get shaved a bit when seated in the cylinder. If, as is quite possible, the cylinder has become pitted from being left loaded and/or fired without cleaning, you can get a cartridge cylinder that accepts .45 Colt/.45 S&W or .45 ACP from Midway or others for about $290. Even if the cylinder is okay, the cartridge conversion is well worth doing. The manufacturer recommends only lead bullets and standard pressures, NOT the Ruger/TC loads that may be as high as 30,000 psi. At least one writer has listed loads with jacketed bullets, but you’re on your own there.
The cylinder is a “part”, and doesn’t require a background check, so far anyway. I’ve seen alleged ATF opinions that the Rugers do need to be treated as firearms because they are so easily converted, but they remain for sale all over. You may NOT sell the gun and cartridge cylinder together because you “manufactured” a firearm when you assembled them.
Prices run from $600 to $900+ on GB. Fine guns.
To unload, put the hammer in half-cock, remove the caps from the nipples, turn the base screw counterclockwise about a quarter turn, then pull the base pin/loading lever out. The cylinder should then be free in the frame. I’d soak it good with the nipples removed to kill the powder before trying to get the balls and powder out. Even then, go easy, and don’t point it at anything you don’t want a hole in. The compressed air idea is a good one too if you have what ‘s needed, but those balls have been rammed in pretty good. If you have caps, you could try shooting it, but that’s up to you🤔
Last edited by Pappy348; 10/04/21.
