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I went to the Clarksville/Johnson County AR. Police auction last Saturday. I usually don’t go to gun auctions because around here people really bid stuff up higher than new prices. It was cold and rainy and I didn’t have anything going on and decided I might get lucky. Well the people didn’t disappoint and was bidding over $250 on Heritage.22 revolvers that cost $129 at the local farm store. Eight and $900 on value brand AR’s etc. I just had to laugh. They came to a pair of .45 Cimmaron revolvers that looked they they had been used pretty hard for twenty years. One went for $950 and the other $1250. Anyway this Ruger 3 screw revolver that missing the cylinder base pin came up and I actually got it a pretty good deal. I guess that missing pin scared people off. It is a .357 with the 6 1/2” barrel. The s/n dates it to 1966 and it is still original and not had the transfer bar safety update. I ordered a Belt Mountain pin from Skinner Sights after I got home last Saturday and I got it today. I put it in and I had to file the notch a little so the catch would go all the way in. The instructions said that I may have to. It only took 5 or 10 minutes to get in. Works perfect! Thanks Andy!
The trigger and action has a different feel than my other New Models. Here is a few pictures.
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D. Brian Casady
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
Thanks, Piller. I hope it shoots good as well. I am planning a multiple .357 revolver/ levergun range day next week. We are in the middle of a 4-5 day rain/thunderstorm event. I hope no tornadoes!
I got to sneak off to the range for a little while this afternoon and shoot my 3 screw Blackhawk and my 50th anniversary Flattop .357 with the 4 5/8” . The Old Model shot is as good as I am capable. The most accurate load was 158 XTP over 15.5 gr. H110 of which I had a few 5 shot groups of roughly 2” at 15 yards and the New Model may of been a smidge better.
Also a plinking load of 125gr. Rainier truncated flat-points over 6.5 grains of Unique was giving a little better groups in both guns.
The Old Model is a keeper!
The old model 357 Flattop is one of The Best Ruger made, to my way of thinking. It is basically the same as the Colt SAA in size and grip shape and feel. Colt stocks actually fit the original XR3 grip. I have played with .357 flattops that have been converted to .44 Special and .45 Colt and they were great.
My old .357 is a 1958 model. It has been used and is still being used .... These days I shoot a lot of .38 Special loads instead of the hot stuff.
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Any .357 which can produce those groups is certainly in the category of well armed.
D. Brian Casady
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
If they could make the transfer bar equipped guns to be as crisp functioning as the non-transfer bar equipped guns, they could bring back the old flat top and sell enough to be worth it. I would love to have one in .357 Mag.
D. Brian Casady
Quid Llatine Dictum Sit, Altum Viditur.
Advanced is being able to do the basics while your leg is on fire---Bill Jeans
Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up---Robert Frost
piller wrote: ↑Sun May 03, 2026 8:06 am
If they could make the transfer bar equipped guns to be as crisp functioning as the non-transfer bar equipped guns, they could bring back the old flat top and sell enough to be worth it. I would love to have one in .357 Mag.
My .41 Magnum is a New Model. It has been extensively reworked and is pretty close! The trigger does not move forward after firing but stays at the rear. Letoff is about perfect. It has a hammer block to keep it from being over-cocked. They can be made to be pretty durn close.
I only have one Old Model, a SBH. On all my New Model Blackhawks, about the only action that may be a tiny bit different than the Old Model is when the hammer is drawn to the rear. They get better all the time. A lot of polishing has gone into them.
Anyway this Ruger 3 screw revolver that missing the cylinder base pin came up and I actually got it a pretty good deal. I guess that missing pin scared people off. It is a .357 with the 6 1/2” barrel. The s/n dates it to 1966 and it is still original and not had the transfer bar safety update. I ordered a Belt Mountain pin from Skinner Sights after I got home last Saturday and I got it today. I put it in and I had to file the notch a little so the catch would go all the way in. The instructions said that I may have to. It only took 5 or 10 minutes to get in. Works perfect! Thanks Andy!
These days I shoot a lot of .38 Special loads instead of the hot stuff. 
