Good old flattop

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:01 pm

Some of these early guns are still pretty good.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:18 pm

Yeah ,I like it a lot . One of these days stars will align and I'll own one.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:27 pm

I love those old ads. Thanks for sharing.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sat Mar 09, 2024 10:22 pm

The Ruger .357 Flattop is the ideal size sixgun. Almost identical to the Colt SAA in frame size, grip shape and cylinder size. They make nice .45 Colt conversions and .44 Special conversions. I won't convert mine .. I like the .357 in that size gun .. but I have seen them done.

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JMick · Post by **JMick** » Sat Mar 09, 2024 10:24 pm

I like the old ads as well.
Thanks for sharing.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:27 pm

Jim I have a Bowen conversion in .44 Special and one in.41 magnum.

But I’ve got two of these flattops in.357 and I won’t have them converted.

JimT · Post by **JimT** » Sat Mar 09, 2024 11:40 pm

The first one I ever saw converted was back in 1969 .. it was converted to .45 Colt.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 7:11 am

I didn’t see flattops for many years. However, lately they seem to be coming out of peoples’ collections and are finding their way into local gun stores.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:50 am

.
A classic that is pretty hard to beat…!

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 9:23 am

Nice shooting, Jim and Scott. Thanks to all for the pictures.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:16 pm

I have an early flattop, low 1,000's SN. Frame has turned the pleasant plum color a lot of these do. Was my Dad's, then my brother's, and now mine - and someday, Y2K's!

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:41 pm

Very nice!

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Mon Mar 11, 2024 2:09 am

Yeah has that nice plum frame blue .People complained about it originally so much Ruger put a notice out .They would attempt to reblue but no guarantees it would be better. Blaming it on tge 4140 casting.Today people go nuts over the color.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Mon Mar 11, 2024 11:33 am

Yep, that's a very nice gun, YK! Thanks for the picture.

TraderVic · Post by **TraderVic** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:37 am

FWIW, Lipsey's offers current exclusive Flattop models, both blued and stainless. I'm considering a 4 5/8 stainless 357 convertible (9mm)
Obviously - not the original, but still nice.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 7:40 am

The new flattops are excellent guns. The ones I have messed with (particularly my .44 Special) shoot very well.

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:36 am

I have a new model Blackhawk 44spl Flattop that is one of my favorite revolvers.

TraderVic · Post by **TraderVic** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:50 am

I've browsed the 44 Spl flattop Bisley, but didn't think they're still being made (?).

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 1:47 pm

TraderVic wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:50 am I've browsed the 44 Spl flattop Bisley, but didn't think they're still being made (?).

There was a run of them a few years back. I don't think they are in production currently but I could be mistaken.

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:55 pm

I'm very happy with mine. You sure polished yours up nice and purdy, Rube. Thanks for the picture!

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:34 pm

Very fond of my .45 Colt it may be the new model but shoots very well.

45 LC Blackhawk 001.jpg

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 6:30 pm

Hey, a Bird's Head! I've kinda been looking around for one but the only ones I've found around here are Ubertis. I do love Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt. I have five of them and probably shoot them more than any other caliber. I also have .45 Colts in Smith, Freedom Arms and Colt.

Thanks for the picture, Paladin!

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:43 pm

Walt wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:55 pm I'm very happy with mine. You sure polished yours up nice and purdy, Rube. Thanks for the picture!

Well when that photo was made it was still new. Thanks though. Its a beautiful revolver.

samsi · Post by **samsi** » Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:28 pm

Rube Burrows wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:36 am I have a new model Blackhawk 44spl Flattop that is one of my favorite revolvers.

I've got the same one, closest thing to a factory version of Keith's No.5 that's ever come along.

There was a period of time after the .44 Special Flattops had been out for a while where I'd see used ones for around $450 all the time. I wish that I'd grabbed up every one of them now.

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:18 am

I had a circa 1957 44 Flatop bought it at an auction for $325 it was listed as a Super Blackhawk . Only thing wrong with it was some yahoo had taken the factory grips off and put rubber Pachmayers on gun was 6 1/2” if I’m not mistaken . Again I bought it at N old style public auction and I sold it on GB for almost triple . I did spend about $30 having a friend make a set of smooth maple grips .

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Fri Mar 15, 2024 8:00 am

You know, I think I have a pair of smooth South Texas mesquite stocks that I can put on this gun.

Pat C · Post by **Pat C** » Sat Mar 16, 2024 7:59 pm

I really like the black checkered original grips I think I may try to find me a shooter this year sometime.

LeverGunner · Post by **LeverGunner** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:21 pm

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:01 pm Some of these early guns are still pretty good.

Very nice. I love my NM Flattop. What kind of target is that? I've never seen one with slots in it before. What are the slots for?

LeverGunner · Post by **LeverGunner** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:24 pm

Pat C wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:18 pm Yeah ,I like it a lot . One of these days stars will align and I'll own one.

Thank you for sharing, I'd not seen that one before. I'd love to have a print of it to hang on my wall. Very interesting artwork.

LeverGunner · Post by **LeverGunner** » Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:43 pm

Here is my NM Flattop. I didn't care for the XR3 grip frame as my hand felt bunched, so I replaced it with a stainless XR3-RED grip frame.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:18 pm

Looks good!

LeverGunner · Post by **LeverGunner** » Wed Mar 20, 2024 8:46 pm

Thanks, it has a bit more holster wear now. I need to clean the dust off it and get some more recent pics.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sun Mar 31, 2024 6:23 pm

Several hundred rounds later.

Shoots everything well from 3 gr of Bullseye and a 158 gr machine cast slug to 14.5 gr of 2400 in .357 cases a small rifle primer and 158 gr XTP.

LeverGunner · Post by **LeverGunner** » Mon Apr 01, 2024 10:19 am

Very nice combo.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 7:43 am

samsi wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:28 pm
I've got the same one, closest thing to a factory version of Keith's No.5 that's ever come along.

There was a period of time after the .44 Special Flattops had been out for a while where I'd see used ones for around $450 all the time. I wish that I'd grabbed up every one of them now.

That’s exactly right. It is the closest thing to a No.5 you could buy over the counter…..but in many ways better. Certainly more durable.

I have one in .44 Special that I had interchangeable front sight blades (Freedom Arms style) put on by Bobby Tyler. But I have not really wrung it out properly.

I certainly need to do just that!

Rube Burrows · Post by **Rube Burrows** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:04 pm

LeverGunner wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:43 pm Here is my NM Flattop. I didn't care for the XR3 grip frame as my hand felt bunched, so I replaced it with a stainless XR3-RED grip frame.

Good looking revolver.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:59 pm

My only Flat Top. Made in 1960.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:03 pm

Very nice!

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 5:45 am

Scott Tschirhart wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:03 pm Very nice!

Thank you sir. Much as I love the Colt SAA, there is just something about rolling the hammer on a 3 screw Ruger.

LeverGunner · Post by **LeverGunner** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 6:54 pm

Rube Burrows wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:04 pm
LeverGunner wrote: ↑Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:43 pm Here is my NM Flattop. I didn't care for the XR3 grip frame as my hand felt bunched, so I replaced it with a stainless XR3-RED grip frame.

Good looking revolver.

Thank you!

LeverGunner · Post by **LeverGunner** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 6:55 pm

OldWin wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:59 pm My only Flat Top. Made in 1960.

Very nice, thanks for sharing.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Fri Apr 05, 2024 9:16 pm

LeverGunner wrote: ↑Fri Apr 05, 2024 6:55 pm
OldWin wrote: ↑Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:59 pm My only Flat Top. Made in 1960.
Very nice, thanks for sharing.

Thank you sir!

Woodsloafer2 · Post by **Woodsloafer2** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:09 am

Odd man out here. I have an old 44 mag flattop that someone cut to 4 5/8. I like the Pachmayer grips and shoot much better with them than standard grips. Seeing the sights became an issue and I was not accurate enough to hunt with it. Really breaking tradition and it now has a red dot. A gun I really like to use and to continue to use it accurately I had give in.

Scott Tschirhart · Post by **Scott Tschirhart** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 9:28 am

Whatever works!

Walt · Post by **Walt** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:51 pm

Tradition is one thing but it's worthless unless it's useful.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:50 pm

Walt wrote: ↑Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:51 pm Tradition is one thing but it's worthless unless it's useful.

I agree. If it doesn't work for you, and you don't want to alter it, sell it and get something that will.
That's what I do at least.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sat Apr 06, 2024 11:31 pm

OldWin wrote: ↑Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:50 pm
I agree. If it doesn't work for you, and you don't want to alter it, sell it and get something that will.
That's what I do at least.

Jay,
This is a better picture of your very mighty FT…notice the same serial number? The 44-40 Merwin & Hulbert is/was keeping it company.

2 calibers, 5 barrel lengths…still need a 10” 357 to complete them all
4&5/8’s 357, 6 @1/2” 357, 6&1/2” 44, serial number 843 and the rarest of them all, 7&1/2” 44 and the mighty “big 10” 44.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:57 am

Hey wait a minute.......
You were supposed to send me that Merwin too! I paid for the Merwin and you said you'd throw in the FT.

Had to try anyway....

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:22 am

OldWin wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:57 am Hey wait a minute.......
You were supposed to send me that Merwin too! I paid for the Merwin and you said you'd throw in the FT.

Had to try anyway....

Yes, I said that but you were 5g’s short.

OldWin · Post by **OldWin** » Sun Apr 07, 2024 2:33 am

Sixgun wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:22 am
OldWin wrote: ↑Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:57 am Hey wait a minute.......
You were supposed to send me that Merwin too! I paid for the Merwin and you said you'd throw in the FT.

Had to try anyway....
Yes, I said that but you were 5g’s short.

Haha! Like I said, worth a shot.