The gun Ruger never made.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Here is an early (3 digit serial number) Ruger Blackhawk chambered in .44 Magnum with a 4 5/8 inch barrel.

Whoever shortened the barrel was very good. But Ruger didn’t ever ship one of these with a short barrel.

[Walt]

I've had a New Model .44 mag with a 4 5/8" barrel for years. It has been a fun gun, a lot more fun to shoot than a 4" model 29.

[AJMD429]

.
Definitely a 'Man's Gun' - those stout and sturdy and poweful 44's and 45's in single-action are awesome pieces of machinery - and amazing in the hands of someone who can accurately shoot them (and I wish I were one of the latter group).

[GunnyMack]

For a second there I thought you were talking about my 44 special Single Six!

That is a beauty!

[4t5]

Looks to be a year older than me !

[2ndovc]

Most of you have seen this one a few times. Work was done by Bowen Classic Arms about twenty years ago. My all time favorite revolver!
I know it’s not a flat top, the SBH just fits me better.

jb

[Pat C]

Old model flat top is one of the best looking sixguns. One of these days I'm going to make a flat top target in 38 WCF with color case frame. Soon as right donor comes along.

[Walt]

Scott, I've gotta say I love the patina. Thanks for the pictures!

[Pat C]

Those maroon frames were the product of 4140 casting reaction . Lot of guns left the factory that way . So many Ruger released a statement saying this and they would attempt to refinish if desired but no guarantee.

[GunnyMack]

In skool we noticed almost all Rugers would take a reddish color when reblued. The general consensus was the hardness/ mixtures used with investment casting. This was with hot salt blue. If wanted it black we would Belgian blue.

[Pat C]

The interesting part is not all turned maroon . And sometimes it was only certain parts like loading gates . It's definatly a product of investment casting. Alloy may contribute too but look at the old Savage frames when reblued they are deep maroon if dip blued.

[Pat C]

Ruger statement

[samsi]

I've seen a lot of plumb color loading gates, not as many frames. It's still a nice gun, put me in the "not objectionable" camp. My Flattop is a '59 and while I wouldn't say it's a uniform finish it doesn't have much to any plumb.

My OM 44 FT shooting experience is only with this sample of one but it's capable of finer accuracy than I am most days, what's the consensus on the accuracy of these original 44's?

[Oldncrusty]

The perfect .44

[Scott Tschirhart]

what's the consensus on the accuracy of these original 44's?

They have always been good shooters in my hand. But they are not so common that I can make a meaningful judgement.

[Walt]

That's a remarkable gun. The screwhead slots look untouched and it appears that the chambers are recessed. I have an old model SBH manufactered in 1973 and it does not have recessed chambers. I believe Ruger stopped making them that way some time in '73 but I don't know the specifics.

[samsi]

what's the consensus on the accuracy of these original 44's?

They have always been good shooters in my hand. But they are not so common that I can make a meaningful judgement.

I was thinking that might be the case. I just picked this one up in February and it's impressed me so far. When I'm off I know that it was me and not the gun.

[Scott Tschirhart]

It’s a great shooter. More comfortable with the .44 Special Skeeter load to be sure.

But even a 250 grain Keith over 22 grains of 2400 isn’t too brutal. At 18.5 grains it ought to be more better.

[Griff]

If you look at the internal of almost any post top eject '64 Winchester mdl 94, you'll see the same plum coloring.

[High Desert Hunter]

My late 90s Ruger No. 1S has turned a plum color.