Ruger 50th anniv. flattop 357 - worth it or waste of good $$?

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UnderDawgAl

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I'm enjoying shooting my Single-Six more and more. It took me awhile to figure out the best handhold for accuracy--much different from DA revolver shooting--but I'm loving it now. The .22LR is great, but, sometimes, a man needs just a little more kick and boom.:)

Well, since I already cast and reload for 357/38, I've been thinking about that flattop 50th anniversary model from CDNN. It's a good-looking gun, in a caliber that's easy to reload and soft-shooting.

Any experience with it? Any opinions regarding, fit, finish, accuracy? Any of you handloaders working up successful loads with it?
 
Well, after hearing how great the old XR3 frame originals were, I got a 50th Anniversary 44. I find I much prefer the XR3 RED gripframe on my .357 New Model Blackhawk and Vaqueros with anything other than wimp loads. I fully understand your desire for a stronger gun, but I would definitely encourage you to look at all the options. I think Ruger may have realized people's hands have gotten bigger over the years since the Colt SAA rolled out, and the XR3 RED is a good accomodation of larger hands. I think Ruger's finishing quality has taken a step up across the board of late.
 
I'd look the gun over carefully - and not order/buy one sight unseen. I have seen both anniversary models, the .357 & .44 alike, with obvious grind/milling marks clearly visible through the blueing. Even the sample that graced the front of the 'American Rifleman' had such obviously poor prep work. If that is allowable there, what kind of attention was given to the innards?

I will admit, I never found a SS GP-100 I would accept, due to poor finishing and tool-marks. That seemed to have changed with the newer non-wood panel gripped versions. They now look and feel a lot better, lockwork-wise. Still, years of having to complete the assembly/fitting of a new Ruger on my workbench took their toll on me. I sold the remainder of my Rugers last year, replacing them with admittedly fewer S&Ws, which I am much more content with now.

If you like .38s, consider a S&W 4" 67 for a nice adjustable sight SS version. I have both a blued 2" 10 and SS 4" 64, fixed sight versions of the 67, and they are fantastic. If you think you might want a .357 Magnum, consider the 4" SS 620 - a great 7-shooter. If you have to have a SA, like a Ruger Anniversary, consider the regular Blackhawk - in fact - consider the .38/.357M/9 mm convertible. It includes a second cylinder - for 9mm. Talk about utility... they are quite universal. Of course, check the finish and fit before the purchase.

Good luck!

Stainz
 
I was dissapointed with mine and sold it. Not finished or fit well. My standard Blackhawk was better all around.
 
Better finish and fit than any of my Rugers, lightest and best trigger yet even of my 3 screws. I heard they took extra time on thesee, at least they did on mine. The "Hunter " series are pretty good examples also. Hers the famous 'curved barrel' wide angle shots of mine.
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Thanks, guys, for your responses. Thanks, Gordon, for your pics. Nice shots!

The previous two posts reveal the hazards of buying a gun sight unseen. While the fit and finish on one might be great, that might not hold true for another gun of the same line. Perhaps, too, it's a matter of interpretation. What's great for one person is only acceptable for another.

For those who suggested S&W guns, I appreciate the advice. What I failed to mention is that I have a nice 686-1 with 6" barrel and a nice Colt Det. Spl. I certainly have been tempted to get a K-frame in 357/38, and I've been eyeballing an old Colt Official Police at the local dealer. However, a single action strikes my fancy for my next revolver.

I'll have to give the standard Blackhawk a closer look, as PO2Hammer and Stainz mentioned.
 
I ordered a .44 "50th" sight unseen, and got a nicely balanced and finished .44, which would probably be lighter than your .357 with similar barrels. I never did see the need for a 7.5" barrel, when the S&W 29 was so nicely balanced and had only a 6.5". Anyway, here's mine, and REALLY like it with the warning UNDER the barrel...much better lines. ****************
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May I interrupt this thread to post an interesting commercial:

Ruger Blackhawk · 44Mag · Single Action Revolver · 6.5" Barrel · Polished Blue Finish · Ramp Front Sights · Micro-Style Adjustable Rear Sights · Checkered Black Grips w/Black Medallions · Gold Rollmark "50 YEARS OF .44 MAGNUM 1956 TO 2006" · New
#RUG00867 $369.99

www.cdnnsports.com Only limited supply available.
Click to expand...

Also see post #14 for additional information

Now back to the regularly scheduled program… ;)

Order telephone line: (800) 588-9500
FAX line: (325) 695-4898
Snail Mail: CDNN, P.O. Box 6514, Abilene, TX. 79608
Click to expand...
 
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The link doesn't work, but I can say a better gun can not be had for that kind of price. I'd buy another just for the next 100 years after my first one wears out.
 
I got one of the 44 special Ruger flat tops and was shocked to see grind/tool marks on one spot on the cylinder. After everyone was saying how great the finnish was on theirs. But when I measured the cylinder gap and shot the gun, I didn't care much any more. I got mine to carry horse back and keep close at hand. For the price, it's still a good gun but a Colt or S&W have a better trigger and finnish. But those will not shoot any better than this Ruger 44 special. In the end it's what you intend to use your weapon for, IMO.
 
SharpsDressedMan:

I corrected and checked the link. I don't know what went wrong but it worked for me just now.

I failed to mention that they don't show a lot of handguns on the 'net anymore since the Virginia Tech. shooting. I don't believe they were involved, but their attorney probably had a fit. Anyoue who is interested should phone to obtain more information or to order. I will add contact information to both this and my earlier post. Sorry for any trouble I might have caused. :(

Anyway, log onto the link, and you can download their catalog in .PDF format. It does show the guns, but usually not prices. However I received an e-mail today with the notice I cut & pasted to my post.

Order telephone line: (800) 588-9500
FAX line: (325) 695-4898
Snail Mail: CDNN, P.O. Box 6514, Abilene, TX. 79608
 
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I have both a .357M and a .44 Spl in the Flattop and both mine are great shooters and have exceptional fit and finish. I must be lucky because every Ruger I have bought has been pretty darn good out of the box.
 
I'm very happy with the fit and finish of my 50th Flat Top, very accurate shooter too.

Here is my 50th with my 52 year old Flat Top.

IMG_6336.jpg
 
I have both a "Sheriff's Model" .357 Vaquero {2003 Vintage, on the .44Mag size frame} and a 50th Year .357 Blackhawk. The 50th Year Blackhawk seems to fit my mitts better than the Vaquero, alothough IIRC, the "New Vaquero" is the same size as the 50th Year .357 Blackhawk.
 
I greatly prefer the 50th ann. grip frame to and the new vaq to the larger guns. (I'm 6' 4" and wear a large size glove.)
cdnn has been offering the anniversary guns for several months now so either they had oodles or they are selling slowly. either way I don't think there is any rush.
 
greyling22, do you have a link for those anniversary guns at CDNN? I looked and found nothing:confused:

I like my Flat Tops so much, I found this Lipsey's 44 Special brand new and waiting for me at the gun shop, for the price they had on it I'm not sure if they new what they had?

IMG_5016.jpg
 
357 50th anniv.

Fit and finish are excellent
Great shooter, lots of fun.
 

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My wife bought me the anniversery set a few years ago. Both are very nice fit and finish and shoot as well as they look. I did change out the grip frame on the .357.
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Feeling old...

When Ruger does a 50th anniversary version of a gun you bought new 41 years ago, it makes you feel kind of old. I think I paid about $100 for my Ruger .357 Blackhawk in 1968 in a gun store in Annandale, Virginia. I have shot it over the years but it mainly resides in my safe.

RugerBlackhawk35.jpg
 
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