Good old flattop

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Scott Tschirhart
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Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Some of these early guns are still pretty good.
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Pat C
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Pat C »

Yeah ,I like it a lot . One of these days stars will align and I'll own one.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I love those old ads. Thanks for sharing.
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JimT
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by JimT »

The Ruger .357 Flattop is the ideal size sixgun. Almost identical to the Colt SAA in frame size, grip shape and cylinder size. They make nice .45 Colt conversions and .44 Special conversions. I won't convert mine .. I like the .357 in that size gun .. but I have seen them done.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by JMick »

I like the old ads as well.
Thanks for sharing.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Jim I have a Bowen conversion in .44 Special and one in.41 magnum.

But I’ve got two of these flattops in.357 and I won’t have them converted.
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JimT
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by JimT »

The first one I ever saw converted was back in 1969 .. it was converted to .45 Colt.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

I didn’t see flattops for many years. However, lately they seem to be coming out of peoples’ collections and are finding their way into local gun stores.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by AJMD429 »

.
A classic that is pretty hard to beat…!
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Walt »

Nice shooting, Jim and Scott. Thanks to all for the pictures.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Ysabel Kid »

I have an early flattop, low 1,000's SN. Frame has turned the pleasant plum color a lot of these do. Was my Dad's, then my brother's, and now mine - and someday, Y2K's! :D

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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Very nice!
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Pat C
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Pat C »

Yeah has that nice plum frame blue .People complained about it originally so much Ruger put a notice out .They would attempt to reblue but no guarantees it would be better. Blaming it on tge 4140 casting.Today people go nuts over the color.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Walt »

Yep, that's a very nice gun, YK! Thanks for the picture.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by TraderVic »

FWIW, Lipsey's offers current exclusive Flattop models, both blued and stainless. I'm considering a 4 5/8 stainless 357 convertible (9mm)
Obviously - not the original, but still nice.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

The new flattops are excellent guns. The ones I have messed with (particularly my .44 Special) shoot very well.
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Rube Burrows
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Rube Burrows »

I have a new model Blackhawk 44spl Flattop that is one of my favorite revolvers.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by TraderVic »

I've browsed the 44 Spl flattop Bisley, but didn't think they're still being made (?).
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Rube Burrows
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Rube Burrows »

TraderVic wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:50 am I've browsed the 44 Spl flattop Bisley, but didn't think they're still being made (?).
There was a run of them a few years back. I don't think they are in production currently but I could be mistaken.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Walt »

I'm very happy with mine. You sure polished yours up nice and purdy, Rube. Thanks for the picture!
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Paladin
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Paladin »

Very fond of my .45 Colt it may be the new model but shoots very well.
45 LC Blackhawk 001.jpg
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Walt »

Hey, a Bird's Head! I've kinda been looking around for one but the only ones I've found around here are Ubertis. I do love Ruger Blackhawks in .45 Colt. I have five of them and probably shoot them more than any other caliber. I also have .45 Colts in Smith, Freedom Arms and Colt.

Thanks for the picture, Paladin!
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Rube Burrows
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Rube Burrows »

Walt wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:55 pm I'm very happy with mine. You sure polished yours up nice and purdy, Rube. Thanks for the picture!
Well when that photo was made it was still new. Thanks though. Its a beautiful revolver.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by samsi »

Rube Burrows wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:36 am I have a new model Blackhawk 44spl Flattop that is one of my favorite revolvers.
I've got the same one, closest thing to a factory version of Keith's No.5 that's ever come along.

There was a period of time after the .44 Special Flattops had been out for a while where I'd see used ones for around $450 all the time. I wish that I'd grabbed up every one of them now.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by 6pt-sika »

I had a circa 1957 44 Flatop bought it at an auction for $325 it was listed as a Super Blackhawk . Only thing wrong with it was some yahoo had taken the factory grips off and put rubber Pachmayers on gun was 6 1/2” if I’m not mistaken . Again I bought it at N old style public auction and I sold it on GB for almost triple . I did spend about $30 having a friend make a set of smooth maple grips .
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

You know, I think I have a pair of smooth South Texas mesquite stocks that I can put on this gun.
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Pat C
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Pat C »

I really like the black checkered original grips I think I may try to find me a shooter this year sometime.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by LeverGunner »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:01 pm Some of these early guns are still pretty good.
Very nice. I love my NM Flattop. What kind of target is that? I've never seen one with slots in it before. What are the slots for?
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by LeverGunner »

Pat C wrote: Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:18 pm Yeah ,I like it a lot . One of these days stars will align and I'll own one.
Thank you for sharing, I'd not seen that one before. I'd love to have a print of it to hang on my wall. Very interesting artwork.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by LeverGunner »

Here is my NM Flattop. I didn't care for the XR3 grip frame as my hand felt bunched, so I replaced it with a stainless XR3-RED grip frame.

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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Looks good!
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by LeverGunner »

Thanks, it has a bit more holster wear now. I need to clean the dust off it and get some more recent pics.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Several hundred rounds later.

Shoots everything well from 3 gr of Bullseye and a 158 gr machine cast slug to 14.5 gr of 2400 in .357 cases a small rifle primer and 158 gr XTP.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by LeverGunner »

Very nice combo.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

samsi wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:28 pm
I've got the same one, closest thing to a factory version of Keith's No.5 that's ever come along.

There was a period of time after the .44 Special Flattops had been out for a while where I'd see used ones for around $450 all the time. I wish that I'd grabbed up every one of them now.
That’s exactly right. It is the closest thing to a No.5 you could buy over the counter…..but in many ways better. Certainly more durable.

I have one in .44 Special that I had interchangeable front sight blades (Freedom Arms style) put on by Bobby Tyler. But I have not really wrung it out properly.

I certainly need to do just that!
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Rube Burrows »

LeverGunner wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:43 pm Here is my NM Flattop. I didn't care for the XR3 grip frame as my hand felt bunched, so I replaced it with a stainless XR3-RED grip frame.

Image

Good looking revolver.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by OldWin »

My only Flat Top. Made in 1960.
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"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Scott Tschirhart
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Very nice!
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by OldWin »

Scott Tschirhart wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 9:03 pm Very nice!
Thank you sir. Much as I love the Colt SAA, there is just something about rolling the hammer on a 3 screw Ruger. :D
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by LeverGunner »

Rube Burrows wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:04 pm
LeverGunner wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 9:43 pm Here is my NM Flattop. I didn't care for the XR3 grip frame as my hand felt bunched, so I replaced it with a stainless XR3-RED grip frame.

Image

Good looking revolver.
Thank you!
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by LeverGunner »

OldWin wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:59 pm My only Flat Top. Made in 1960.
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by OldWin »

LeverGunner wrote: Fri Apr 05, 2024 6:55 pm
OldWin wrote: Thu Apr 04, 2024 12:59 pm My only Flat Top. Made in 1960.
Very nice, thanks for sharing.
Thank you sir!
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Woodsloafer2 »

Odd man out here. I have an old 44 mag flattop that someone cut to 4 5/8. I like the Pachmayer grips and shoot much better with them than standard grips. Seeing the sights became an issue and I was not accurate enough to hunt with it. Really breaking tradition and it now has a red dot. A gun I really like to use and to continue to use it accurately I had give in.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Scott Tschirhart »

Whatever works!
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Walt »

Tradition is one thing but it's worthless unless it's useful.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by OldWin »

Walt wrote: Sat Apr 06, 2024 3:51 pm Tradition is one thing but it's worthless unless it's useful.
I agree. If it doesn't work for you, and you don't want to alter it, sell it and get something that will.
That's what I do at least.
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by Sixgun »

OldWin wrote: Sat Apr 06, 2024 7:50 pm
I agree. If it doesn't work for you, and you don't want to alter it, sell it and get something that will.
That's what I do at least.
Jay,
This is a better picture of your very mighty FT…notice the same serial number? The 44-40 Merwin & Hulbert is/was keeping it company.

Image



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OldWin
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by OldWin »

Hey wait a minute.......
You were supposed to send me that Merwin too! I paid for the Merwin and you said you'd throw in the FT. :D

Had to try anyway....
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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Re: Good old flattop

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OldWin wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:57 am Hey wait a minute.......
You were supposed to send me that Merwin too! I paid for the Merwin and you said you'd throw in the FT. :D

Had to try anyway....
Yes, I said that but you were 5g’s short.:D
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OldWin
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Re: Good old flattop

Post by OldWin »

Sixgun wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 1:22 am
OldWin wrote: Sun Apr 07, 2024 12:57 am Hey wait a minute.......
You were supposed to send me that Merwin too! I paid for the Merwin and you said you'd throw in the FT. :D

Had to try anyway....
Yes, I said that but you were 5g’s short.:D
Haha! Like I said, worth a shot. :D
"Oh bother", said Pooh, as he chambered another round.
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