Ruger Flat top Blackhawk 44 Special

[Chesster]

I have seen references to these. Anyone here have any experience with this limited or exclusive edition?

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m60/Chesster_photos/rugerbh44s.jpg

[CraigC]

It's a special run for Lipsey's, 1000each of 4 5/8" and 5½" barrel lengths, shipping 250 per quarter in `09. Shooters have been begging for it for 54yrs and it's finally a reality, a mid-frame .44Spl Blackhawk. I alway swore I'd be first in line to get one but haven't ordered mine yet, they sold out quickly. Early reports have all been positive, as they were with the 50th anniversary Blackhawk it's based on. New CNC machinery and revised manufacturing methods along with improved QC has made these guns, along with the New Vaquero and 50th Blackhawks of superb quality.

[Jim March]

What Craig left out is that this gun is based on the mid-frame size, same as the "50th Anniversary" >>357<< and for that matter, the New Vaquero.

All of these mid-frame Rugers from 2005 forward have shown exceptional quality control by any standard. They're some of the best guns Ruger has ever made. They're basically the same size/heft as a Colt SAA, and this one of course has adjustable sights.

[CraigC]

Yep, I meant to differentiate but forgot to. ;)

[batmann]

I just got mine a couple of weeks ago and I can tell you first hand---THEY ARE SWEET! Mine is a 4 5/8ths and matches my 50th in .357M. Ruger has done an excellent job on these. If you have the chance to get one, my advice is to jump on it.

[Chesster]

I have jumped and hopefully it will be in Monday or Tuesday. I have an OM Blackhawk 357 I had converted to 44 spec years ago. I am looking forward to the experience.

[Slopemeno]

I got to dry fire one of the .357's and it was very, very nice. I happened to have an original .357 flat top right next to it for comparisons sake, and Ruger has really done a great job on these. A .44 Special is icing on the cake.

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

I've had mine a few weeks now. It's the best shooting handgun I own. It passes up my 686, among others. The trigger WAS crappy until I did some work on it. The gripframe fit it not perfect either. But this baby can shoot. At 4.6", it's the shortest barrel handgun I own, but the most accurate. Finish is very good. Action is buttery smooth. It's my new favorite!:)

[Chesster]

Thanks for the input gents. Mine is in, I just have not had a chance to pick it up. I will probably put some new grips on it. Is this a XR3 or XR3RED frame?

[Pappy John]

Arrrrrrrgh!

Just when I thought I had all the handguns I needed and was done spending money for a while, this has to come along.

Oh well, I gues I'll be helping to stimulate the economy and all that.:D

[Gun 4 Fun]

Is this a XR3 or XR3RED frame?

It is the XR3. The original design.;)

[Jim March]

Let's be clear: this has the same grip as a New Vaquero. It's "XR3" but not quite the same as the pre-1965 in that the screw location differs.

So you can't use the original-type XR3 grip panels - this does replicate the feel of the original XR3 (and for that matter, it's very similar to a Colt SAA or New Frontier).

[Chesster]

Well, I picked her up today and went to the range. GREAT shooter with 6.5gr Unique and a 240 SWC. I will probably need some pachmayrs if I shoot anything heavier because of my arthritis. Anyone know if Pachs are available for this model???

I also like the bbl warning located on the bottom of the bbl and not the side.

[batmann]

Congrats on a fine revolver. I do not think Pachmayr makes grips for these. If you go to find grips, be sure the grips are for the 50th Anniversary in .357M or New Vaquero. The old XR grips will not fit. If you have any questions on grip size be sure and ask before ordering.
I ordered the imitation Ivory from Ruger and they are slightly bigger and fill the hand better, these might help with you hands.

[outdoor florida]

In May of 2010 I purchased a 4 5/8" through Lipsey's.

The differences between the Flat Top and 44 Mag frame are oh so subtle in a giant way.
On my Mag I upgraded with hand filling Badger grips but on the Flat Top I will stay with the factory original in keeping with the giant subtle features

Paired up with a custom field holster,this is indeed one "Special" woods and waters roaming piece and under the right conditions hunt.

[Jim March]

For the record, this is now a regular catalog production item, in blue.

Lipsey's now has them in stainless :).

And there's also a distributor special 44Spl "Vaquero" - alarmingly, even though it's a mid-frame, Ruger didn't label it "New Vaquero".

Whoever is coming up with new names is an idiot unfamiliar with Ruger's model history or the safety issues involved, and should be fired ASAP.

[treg]

Whoever is coming up with new names is an idiot unfamiliar with Ruger's model history or the safety issues involved, and should be fired ASAP.

Well, if they "over thought" the situation, they might argue that no .44 Special was made on the Vaquero frame. Still a faux pas IMO too.

I have a 4 5/8" Lipsey's Special. Closest to a custom gun as I'm gonna get in the forseeable future. Fits my hand and carries well, accurate as all get out too.

[fredneck]

Just picked up a Bisley Flattop 44 Special last week. Schweet!

[Ozzieman]

Wish I could help you,,, mine is setting in the box wrapped in Christmas paper (gift from my wife).
35 days and counting :D :D :D

CraitC… Shooters have been begging for it for 54yrs and it's finally a reality
Understatement of the year

[GeauxTide]

Got a Bisley 44SPL a couple of months ago. It is awsome. Got 100 rounds of 240Rem JSP over 17gr of 2400 to get 'er seasoned. The trigger is amazing OOB and I really like the change in the cylinder stop that lets you back it up when emptying/loading.

[rclark]

...they might argue that no .44 Special was made on the Vaquero frame Not only that but the caliber does say .44 Special on the side. Ie, Loading within the guidelines of your reloading manual there won't be a problem... even for the hotter Skeeter and Keith loads :) . BTW same with the BH. Now all are BHs and SBHs are on large frames with the exception of the .44 Special BH which is on the 'medium' frame... Go figure.

Shot my new blued Ruger .44Special with 5 1/2 barrel today. A nice revolver. Only catch is it is shooting high with the read sight all the way screwed down. Will need more cases..... 100 just doesn't cut it :) . Will be putting in a Starline order one of these days...

[DennisE]

I've got one of the Lipsey Bisley Flattop .44 specials and really love and enjoy reloading the .44 special. Great gun and great caliber. Dennis

[Jim March]

Somebody will assume incorrectly that it's a "44Magnum-class" frame. This is absolutely inevitable. It may take decades but an accident WILL happen.

[Jimmy10mm]

Somebody will assume incorrectly that it's a "44Magnum-class" frame. This is absolutely inevitable. It may take decades but an accident WILL happen. IIRC the very first 44 magnum blackhawks were made on the medium frame ? I seem to recall reading that they did have some issues and along came the Super Blackhawk and the non fluted cylinders. This thread has me wanting one of those Bisley 44spl flat tops. :p

[laytonj1]

Somebody will assume incorrectly that it's a "44Magnum-class" frame. This is absolutely inevitable. It may take decades but an accident WILL happen.
Jim,

Not disagreeing with you, but loading 44 magnum class loads in a 44 special handgun is stupid.
Not knowing if the 44 Special handgun you're loading those 44 magnum level loads in can handle it is, well, really stupid.
Some folks just have to learn the hard way.

Jim

[treg]

loading 44 magnum class loads in a 44 special handgun is stupid.
Not knowing if the 44 Special handgun you're loading those 44 magnum level loads in can handle it is, well, really stupid.
Some folks just have to learn the hard way.

What part of SPECIAL don't you understand?

It's like a girl that doesn't need makeup.

[rclark]

IIRC the very first 44 magnum blackhawks were made on the medium frame? Yes, and proof loads took care of one of the revolvers... Hence the large frame we have today. Fluted vs Non Fluted have nothing to do with 'strength' of the cylinder BTW....

As for some one loading up a ,44Spec beyond the Keith load, well let Darwin's natural selection take it's course. As a reloader, you and I are responsible for what we load it with. Gee, personal responsibility! Imagine that :) .

[tulsamal]

I have both the 50th FT Blackhawks, the .357 and the .44 Magnum. When the .44 Special came out, I had to get one of those as well. It is a nice gun. I don't shoot it as much as you would expect because I have a custom .44 Special built on an OM .357 frame that I like even better.

I got Simply Rugged to make me a Lawrence holster and to size it for the new FT's in 5.5". My .357 is a 4 5/8ths. The .44 FT is a 5.5". The custom is a 5.1". So I can use that one holster with all three of those guns. Very nice and I even went for the optional floral carving on the holster.

Gregg

[longfellow]

No Pachmayr doesn't yet make grips. I found this out the hard way by ordering and returning a set to my gun shop. Yes, they wer the right part number; confirmed by many web sites as well as Pachmayr themselves, using my serial number. He then ordered a set of Hogue grips which he says are in. I just haven't gotten around to picking them up.
Additionally my cylinder throats are .433 which has me spending much time with sample orders of cast bullets and casting my own trying to get some large enough to fill out the throats. Watch out if you are a dedicated cast bullet shooter. I read that in response to the continuous gripes from the market about too tight throats, Ruger did something about it; they just did too much. No worries if you don't shoot cast or are planning on getting a custom mold made, which i am just about ready to do. It will amount to fraction of a penny over thousands of rounds anyway.

[claimbuster]

I have both the 357 and 44SP flat top. The 44 is an absolute sweetheart.

Had an El Paso holster and belt made for it.

http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r258/jfwest/ElPaso.jpg

[savit260]

I got Simply Rugged to make me a Lawrence holster and to size it for the new FT's in 5.5".

Do you have any pics of that holster?