About a SBH to Bisley conversion...

[WrongHanded]

I'm considering swapping out the grip frame on my 4-5/8" SBH for a Bisley. I'm pretty comfortable with fitting and finishing the frame, so that's not a big deal.

What I want to know is, can I keep the stock hammer, trigger, and all the other parts I currently have in my SBH and just install the new frame and grips? If not, and I DO need some replacements Bisley parts, what do I absolutely have to have?

 

[Varminterror]

To convert a plowhandle to bisley, you will need:

Two socket cap rear grip frame screws
Bisley grip frame
Bisley grip panels

The standard hammer and trigger will work in the Bisley frame - the reverse is not true. The hammer reach and trigger feel will be awkward, but they will work fine. There will be a large gap behind the hammer, don’t get your skin caught here, it’s a pinch point.

 

[WrongHanded]

To convert a plowhandle to bisley, you will need:

Two socket cap rear grip frame screws
Bisley grip frame
Bisley grip panels

The standard hammer and trigger will work in the Bisley frame - the reverse is not true. The hammer reach and trigger feel will be awkward, but they will work fine. There will be a large gap behind the hammer, don’t get your skin caught here, it’s a pinch point.

Thanks Varminterror!

Are the socket cap rear screws a different size than the ones on the standard grip frame? I didn't see those available on Midway, but I'll check Brownells and Numrich.

I'll watch out for that pinch point.

 

[Varminterror]

The standard grip frame uses countersunk slotted drive screws which are visible externally. The Bisley frames conceal the upper screws internal to the frame, and use hex socket cap screws, not countersunk.

 

[Varminterror]

Personally, I’d get the Bisley hammer too. Triggers are a matter of preference - I prefer modified Bisley triggers on all of my Ruger SA’s, even plow handles, but the hammer really should be Bisley in the Bisley grip.

 

[WrongHanded]

So the grip frame and grips panels came. I also ordered a grip panel dowel and the pin for holding the trigger spring (though the frame turned up with one of those installed).

 

[WrongHanded]

Three and a half hours later, having never taken a single action revolver apart before, it was done.



I used an angle grinder and a 1/16th inch disc to remove most of the extra material, frequently checking the grip frame to main frame fit. Then went to Home Depot for some sanding blocks of 36, 80, and 180 grit.



Not amazing, but about as good as the original grip frame (the finish of which was sub-par in my estimation). It feels great though!

I had to fit the grips a little, and I didn't manage to get the socket cap back screws yet because no one has them. I tried measuring the current screws and came up with 6-40 X 3/8", so I ordered a few of those online (I'll find out if they fit next week). Currently I have the original back screws installed, but I'm not thrilled about shooting it much with those in, just because they're not a correct fit and I'd hate to damage the grip frame or the screws. Worst would be to have a screw head break off.

I may or may not order a Bisley hammer and trigger. These function okay, and the hammer reach is find, but there's that big gap behind the hammer into the grip frame and I don't like it. I did look for those too, but the Bisley larger frame hammer is not available anywhere I looked (unless a Bisley Vaquero hammer will work?).

But I'm pretty pleased with the outcome.

 

[Clemson]

https://www.brownells.com/handgun-p...gers/ruger-bisley-trigger-kits-prod25442.aspx

 

[WrongHanded]

https://www.brownells.com/handgun-p...gers/ruger-bisley-trigger-kits-prod25442.aspx

Wow! Seems like the "silver" version is available. Strange how they seem to have the blued image for "silver", and the stainless image for blued. However, I like the half cock option for easy loading.

Thanks!

 

[LoonWulf]

Very nice!
I seriously considered doing the Bisley conversion on my SBH, but sold it before I could

 

[WrongHanded]

Very nice!
I seriously considered doing the Bisley conversion on my SBH, but sold it before I could

Thank you, LoonWulf!

It has definitely given the gun a very different feel. It now feels better in my hand than my beloved Redhawk. I've always like the idea of this gun for a hiking sidearm, I think it's almost there.

I ordered that Power Custom hammer/trigger kit. I think it will work out very nicely. Put some socket head screws on backorder too. Just in case the ones I ordered on amazon earlier in the week don't work out.

 

[Varminterror]

No need to spend the money for the power custom hammer kit unless you want all of the functional modification which comes with the kit.

Yes, the “Bisley Vaquero” hammer is the right part for you. KBR04001B is the appropriate part number, they are typically just under $30 available direct from Ruger, or through Brownells or MidwayUsa. Drop in parts. You may notice a gap at the front of the trigger as well, in the under belly of the trigger guard, which is filled by the Bisley trigger, but not by the standard trigger. Midway shows the hammer in stock as of this moment.

Personally, for my money, I don’t really enjoy a half cock, I prefer a free spin pawl, which can be had for a fraction of the cost, then the cylinder can be rolled either direction and made to align with the loading gate freely. You can also modify your existing pawl, or buy a very inexpensive replacement pawl to modify, and create your own free spin conversion - the revolver need not even be disassembled to do so. The Power custom set is good, but it’s very expensive and doesn’t really do anything for me which can’t be done much cheaper.

 

[LoonWulf]

I prefer a free spin pawl, which can be had for a fraction of the cost, then the cylinder can be rolled either direction and made to align with the loading gate freely

I REALLY liked that feature after i changed the pawl out on mine. For some reason i almost always managed to miss a chamber when i was loading it, that modification made life alot easier.....

 

[WrongHanded]

Having never used a revolver with a half cock before, I don't really have an opinion. But I suppose it's better to find it out on a Ruger than on a Freedom Arms (which I think I'd like one day). The Power Custom kit is just over $100 more expensive than the separate Bisley hammer, trigger, and free spinning pawl. More than double the cost, but it will be an educational experience.

As I said previously, I also had some concerns about buying parts labelled 'vaquero' because I know there are descrepencies in frame sizes and the descriptions of which parts work for which guns don't seem that great. But I'll keep that free spinning pawl in mind for future Ruger single actions. It sounds like a really nice idea.

 

[Varminterror]

There are no discrepancies in frame sizes. Ruger makes 4 frame sizes in single action revolvers. 1) The Bearcat micro frame. 2) The Single Six small frame. 3) The New Vaquero/Anniversary/Flattop Mid-frame. 4) The original Vaquero/Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk Large frame.

The Bearcat is it’s own animal. 2, 3, and 4 all share the same grip frames and triggers, but not hammers or pawls. 3 and 4 share all of the same internal lockwork and grip frames, save the 5 round Super Blackhawks in .454 and 480.

For your application, any hammer or trigger which fits any Vaquero, new or old, will fit any Blackhawk, flattop or not, or Super Blackhawk. The rump on the Bisley hammer and the nose on the Bisley trigger are the only nuances there, which are easily modified to fit.

The difference in the Power Custom product names between a Super Blackhawk and a Vaquero is the profile of the hammer spur. Nothing different about fit.

 

[WrongHanded]

There are no discrepancies in frame sizes.

.....


For your application, any hammer or trigger which fits any Vaquero, new or old, will fit any Blackhawk, flattop or not, or Super Blackhawk. The rump on the Bisley hammer and the nose on the Bisley trigger are the only nuances there, which are easily modified to fit.

Discrepancies was the wrong word. What I meant to say is that I know there are differences in the frame sizes between some models, and it's not always clear to me which parts are correct for a given frame size. So I understand the the original Vaquero and the Blackhawk are the same size, whilst the New Vaquero is slightly smaller. But it's not always clear to me which parts are interchangable and which are not.

I find myself confused when a hammer is listed as "compatible firearms: Ruger Bisley Vaquero", but don't mention the Blackhawk at all. Especially when I find other out-of-stock hammers that seem the same but are listed as being compatible with "large frame" or some such.

I value your knowledge @Varminterror, and appreciate your time. I just don't know nearly as much as you do, so when a parts listing is not comprehensive regarding compatibility, it can be confusing for me. Of course, now I know more than I did before, so thank you.

 

[Varminterror]

That’s what we do here.

Usually the PC kits also say “gunsmith installation recommended,” or some such. However, that’s typically a CYA type statement, and they drop in to ALMOST every individual revolver on the market.

The Bisley hammers from PC aren’t really the same as the Bisley hammers from a Ruger - they leave a large gap at the rear of the hammer, just the same as the non-Bisley Ruger hammers. The gap is not quite as large as the factory hammers - except the Montado hammer, but it’s a big gap. I’ve never quite understood why PC says it’s a Bisley compatible hammer, as it fits all of the Ruger mid and large frame revolvers, not just the bisley’s - AND as it doesn’t fit the Bisley the same as the Ruger Bisley hammers.

 

[Clemson]

This is a Power Custom hammer and trigger in a Ruger Bisley frame (converted Super Blackhawk). There is no gap behind the hammer.

IMG_3950 by William Jacobs, on Flickr

 

[Varminterror]

Drop the hammer.......

 

[Reeferman]

I would do that in a heartbeat if ITAR would allow the parts to do this to be shipped outside of the USA!!