Ruger .44Spl

[CraigC]

I swore that I would be first in line when Ruger decided to start making a mid-frame .44Spl. Somewhere along the line I developed a strong preference for the traditional half cock action and so when Ruger finally started making .44Spl's, I hesitated. And hesitated and procrastinated and hesitated and procrastinated some more. Couple weeks ago I spotted this lovely .44Spl Bisley in a local shop. It had been gently used but looked new. I sold a late model Winchester 1892 and decided to finally bring a factory Ruger .44Spl home. Here it is wearing CLC fancy black walnut. Haven't even shot it yet. Hope it shoots as good as it looks! If it does, I might splurge and have it engraved, install a new front sight, fitted with a Power Custom hammer/trigger kit and #5 basepin.

 

[weagle99]

Very nice. Probably as close to a factory version of Elmer's #5 that will ever be offered.

 

[Barry the Bear]

Pretty Gun you got there.

 

[Tony_the_tiger]

Love it. Leave it like it is!

 

[Boxhead]

That one looks to be fit and finished far better than the norm. Very nice.

 

[bannockburn]

CraigC

Nice find that looks great with those new black walnut stocks. And I agree with weagle99; the first thing I thought of when I saw it was that it reminded me of Elmer Keith's No. 5.

 

[RealGun]

Very nice, but the hammer looks like it belongs to a different gun.

 

[tubeshooter]

That's very nice! And this is from someone who isn't really a Bisley fan...


Beautiful gun.

 

[farm23]

Like you I have wanted one for a long time and am still wanting.

 

[Slamfire]

Nice wood!

I don't have the Bisley version. I loaded mine with 240 LSWC's and 6.5 grains Unique and that was a mild accurate load. The max load I tried was 240 LSWC's and 7.5 grs Unique and that pushed the bullet just at 1000 fps. Powerful and accurate.

I am glad to be able to get a good, strong 44 Spl. Was not interested in 44 Mag levels and yet wanted something stronger than a Colt SAA so I could push the bullets a little faster.

 

[Eaglestroker]

A beautiful gun in the 'best' caliber around Now you just need to make up some fine leather for it!

 

[Dframe]

Thats a very handsome piece and the stocks are just plain beautiful.

 

[Kleanbore]

It does make you think about putting together some heavy loads with lead Keith SWC bullets. Something that might make Elmer smile.

Beautiful as is, but I'm a sucker for fine engraving.

What kind of leather?

 

[slickracer]

We need a like button! A local shop just got one on trade...heading there first thing in the morning.

 

[788Ham]

Thats a thing of beauty Craig ! Those stocks are what makes the piece also, beautiful wood.

 

[B!ngo]

As much as I generally don't like that style of revolver, I am amazed at my desire to hit the 'like' button. In this case you bought and built a real beauty. Congrats. And best of luck with the shooting part of the love affair.
B

 

[CraigC]

Probably as close to a factory version of Elmer's #5 that will ever be offered.

Probably so, I just wish they were a little lighter. It's only an ounce lighter than a large frame 4 5/8" Bisley .44.

That one looks to be fit and finished far better than the norm.

One reason why I didn't want to just order one from Lipsey's. Sometimes you get a good one, sometimes you get one with "issues".

Now you just need to make up some fine leather for it!

Ah, the fun part!

It does make you think about putting together some heavy loads with lead Keith SWC bullets. Something that might make Elmer smile.

I probably will and this is the perfect platform for it. I found the Keith load to be extremely accurate in my custom Old Model. I just wish Speer hadn't discontinued their 225gr half jacket SWC hollowpoint. That was a good deer bullet.

What kind of leather?

I'll probably do a stitched toe Threepersons, reminiscent of Keith's #120, in my oxblood color. Similar to this one, only with a thong instead of a strap.

 

[murf]

beautiful bisley, craigc.

if you have leading issues, check the forcing cone and for a barrel restriction at the barrel threads (my blackhawk had both these issues).

gunsamerica.com has a good article by ross seyfreid on the barrel restriction issue.

the forcing cone on my blackhawk was not cut correctly and i had to have it recut. i opted for firelapping the barrel. after those two operations, the gun is splendidly accurate.

good luck on a fine purchase.

murf

p.s. a 300 grain lbt load at 1000 fps is doable and accurate (a brian pearce/handgunner load (for blackhawks only)).

 

[CraigC]

Thanks!

If I end up having that problem, I'll probably go ahead and send it to Jim Stroh for his Taylor throating, half cock conversion, custom front sight and refinishing. The bummer is that Ruger has started putting stainless hammers on their blued guns.

 

[35 Whelen]

Nice catch, Craig and I've been trying to find a Threepersons holster for my 5.5" NM .44 Spl Blackhawk just like you describe.

Do yourself a favor and get a Wolff spring kit. I installed mine last night in about 15 minutes. After installing the 17 lb. hammer spring and the new trigger spring the trigger pull is wonderful. Crisp and light!

I experience(d) leading in the throat of mine with bullets cast of WW's likely due to the .432" cylinder mouths and the .430" groove diameter. It really wasn't all that bad but I found that as load pressures increased, leading decreased, which is somewhat typical and indicative of proper bullet obturation. By the time I'd worked up to Mr. Keith's load of 17.0 grs. of AL2400, leading was pretty much non-existent.

35W

 

[Rodfac]

Geez, CraigC, I wasn't the least bit interested in a Bisley til I saw that one of yours in Post #1. What a beauty, and in that most interesting and useful of calibers. If you get bored with it, send me a PM...I'm more than ready! Great find, Rod

 

[murf]

a color case hardened hammer and trigger would look real good on that gun.

a .432" diameter bullet helps tame leading with less than full-house loads, 35 whelen. your cylinder throat and barrel groove dimensions are the same as my 44 special blackhawk. more than one way to skin a cat. fyi, the 300 grain load i mentioned is gas checked.

murf

 

[420Stainless]

I swore that I would be first in line when Ruger decided to start making a mid-frame .44Spl.

I said something very similar and still haven't got one yet. Of course, I haven't run into any that look quite as nice as yours and in the Bisley configuration. I didn't even know there were any .44 Special Rugers in a Bisley - it looks fantastic!

 

[goon]

Very nice. I found the Bisley grip frame to be more comfortable to shoot than the one used on the Blackhawk. You're pretty lucky on that find.

 

[peacemaker45]

That gun looks really nicely finished, even beyond the very nice stocks.