Flattop comes home

[2 Crow]

Have you ever had a best pal that you look back and can’t remember a time in your life when they were in it? I’m kind of that way about the 44 Special. I don’t remember what it was that drew me to this grand old caliber, but I can tell you what keeps me coming back. It’s big, it’s accurate, it doesn’t have to abuse either the shooter or the gun to do its job, and it’s nostalgic, for me anyways. It reminds me of my grandfather who grew up down on the Rio Grande in New Mexico, and who, had he taken the position offered him with the US Border Patrol after his return home from WWII, may have rode with the likes of Skeeter Skelton.

I just love it.

And now, I am loving this new Ruger .44 Spcl Flattop.

The weight and design of the Bisley grip make the “Skeeter” loads I ran through it feel like very light 38 Spcl’s. (In fact I thought the first one may have been a dud after it went off, it was so sweet). I have added the Belt Mountain #5 base pin, just ‘cause. The cylinder is locked in solid and I think it looks cool as hell. The leather is from Simply Rugged, and like all of the gear Rob Leahy and his crew put out, it fits and looks like a dream.

I am loving this wheel gun and am looking forward to building many memories with it in the years ahead. I hope to look down from On High one day and hear my kids telling my grand babies about “This one time, Paw Paw and his Old 44 were up this canyon....”.

 

[Pat Riot]

Wow! Very nice photos and that Sixgun is definitely super cool. Thanks.

 

[BullRunBear]

Great photos and a gorgeous gun. And Blackhawks, whatever the vintage, never get old. I like the image of future owners discussing your old exploits!

Jeff

 

[Sistema1927]

Very nice, and Rob at Simply Rugged did a great job on that holster.

I just purchased a tan one from him with the Chesty Puller system for my new .45 ACP/.45 Colt Redhawk, and had the same edge embossing.

 

[Slamfire]

Love it! I have a Lipsey's Flattop in 44 Special and it is a great pistol. When you can push a 240 L in a 44 Spl Ruger Blackhawk to 1000 fps, you have created a powerful and accurate round. It is my opinion that there is absolutely no need for any other powder in this caliber than Unique.

44 Spl Ruger Blackhawk 5.5"

240 LSWC 6.25 grs Unique thrown, lot 6/21/-98/92 Midway cases, Brass WLP
T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09

Ave Vel = 835.4
Std Dev = 26.83
ES = 74.52
High = 877.5
Low= 803
N = 24

240 LSWC 6.6 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Midway cases, Brass WLP
T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09

Ave Vel = 875.4
Std Dev = 25.94
ES = 109.6
High = 914.8
Low= 805.2
N = 25

240 LSWC 7.5 grs Unique thrown, lot UN364 3/9/92 Midway cases, Brass WLP
T ≈ 60-65 ° F 19-Apr-09

Ave Vel = 1001
Std Dev = 17.32
ES = 64.32
High = 1027
Low= 963
N = 27

 

[Obturation]

Very nice!

 

[bannockburn]

2 Crow

It reminds me of my grandfather who grew up down on the Rio Grande in New Mexico, and who, had he taken the position offered him with the US Border Patrol after his return home from WWII, may have rode with the likes of Skeeter Skelton.

I got hooked on the .44 Special reading Shooting Times when I was kid, enjoying everything Skeeter wrote about! His story telling abilities were legendary and took you back to those "good ol' days" that made you feel like you were right there with him! There were also the guns that I associated with him: a Colt SAA in .32-20, a S&W Model 27 with a 5" barrel, and of course anything in a .44 Special! When Ruger came out with the Flattop Blackhawk I had to have one as I felt it was a fitting tribute to reminding me of the handgun enthusiast I enjoyed reading so much about!

 

[Logwood]

I've a 6" S&W model 624 that I really love for carrying in the field. Dead accurate and reliable, plenty of power and just a beautiful revolver!!!

 

[RKRCPA]

Very nice, you will enjoy it very much.

I bought a Lipsey's 44spl when they had their first run



And then bought the Bisley when it came out.



The only load I have used is Skeeter's load. It does everything I need it to do.

 

[Logwood]

Have to agree, Skeeter's recommended load is the best I've used in my .44. I keep a lot of it stacked away.

 

[bannockburn]

RKRCPA

Nice .44 Special duet you've got there! The holster is really nice too!

 

[CraigC]

Great outfit and pics! All ya need is some swanky grips.

 

[Olon]

View attachment 899837

Have you ever had a best pal that you look back and can’t remember a time in your life when they were in it? I’m kind of that way about the 44 Special. I don’t remember what it was that drew me to this grand old caliber, but I can tell you what keeps me coming back. It’s big, it’s accurate, it doesn’t have to abuse either the shooter or the gun to do its job, and it’s nostalgic, for me anyways. It reminds me of my grandfather who grew up down on the Rio Grande in New Mexico, and who, had he taken the position offered him with the US Border Patrol after his return home from WWII, may have rode with the likes of Skeeter Skelton.

I just love it.

And now, I am loving this new Ruger .44 Spcl Flattop.
View attachment 899838
The weight and design of the Bisley grip make the “Skeeter” loads I ran through it feel like very light 38 Spcl’s. (In fact I thought the first one may have been a dud after it went off, it was so sweet). I have added the Belt Mountain #5 base pin, just ‘cause. The cylinder is locked in solid and I think it looks cool as hell. The leather is from Simply Rugged, and like all of the gear Rob Leahy and his crew put out, it fits and looks like a dream.
View attachment 899839
I am loving this wheel gun and am looking forward to building many memories with it in the years ahead. I hope to look down from On High one day and hear my kids telling my grand babies about “This one time, Paw Paw and his Old 44 were up this canyon....”.

Beautiful gun, and your photography undoubdetly does it justice.

 

[Old Stumpy]

Skeeter would have loved that Old West pancake holster.
A great idea and elegantly executed with one-tool border stamping.