What's your definition of the #5 revolver.

[magman]

I am seriously planning on having a #5 built on a Ruger flattop. What defines that gun to you?

My thoughts are:

The custom base pin lock

the Gripframe.

Who would you recommend does the conversion?

Thanks

[Jamey Worrell]

I think you pretty much hit on the definition of a #5. From my understanding, all of the mods to convert a FTBH to a #5 are pretty pedestrian, except for the custom base pin lock. That is going to represent the lion's share of the machine work. Also, depending on how true you want to be to the original, ivory grips with the relief carved Mexican eagle is also going to add to the cost...and screams for one of the modern masters (Persinger comes to mind).

As for pistolsmith, I'm a huge Gallagher fan. He's good, personable and reasonably priced. If I were going full-on repro, I think I'd get on Hamilton Bowen's schedule and start saving some dinero.

Just my 2 cents.

[AxeHandle]

#5? We have Keith's #5 and then we have the concept of the #5. Many copies of the original and improved #5s have been produced through the years. IMHO there is no right or wrong in a personal #5. It is simply what the individual perceives as the epitome of the single action revolver. Me? I've yet to make mine. I hold a few copies of other person's perceptions of the #5 from Reeder, Clements OM, Clements NM, and a TLA... We could even call my Gallagher 5.5 stainless octagon Bisley 44 a "#5" of sorts...

[magman]

I think your TLA #5 represents mostly what I am thinking about, however, done in the 44 Special. I do like the Reeder #5 also w/o all the etching.

[shorty500]

these two serve fairly well to scratch my itch on the #5 concepts. lol and am in process of building up a flattop convertible .45 with 5-1/2 barrel and adding bisley frame. respect elmer's #5 grip as an improvement over the standard but its a touch short for my hands and the more vertical backstraps of the bisley and freedom arms guns just work for me

[kings6]

To me the grip frame and the base pin latch are the two defining features of a #5 revolver. That said, since there is only one original #5, no disrespect to Brian Pierce's Bowen created masterpiece, beyond those two features it is a blank slate in my book. That is why I went with a different caliber, barrel configuration and different carving on the ivory grips on my Bowen #5.

As far as building one goes I do not know if John will take on the base pin latch but Alan Harton or Hamilton sure will. Both have long lead times right now and full blown #5 guns are not quick nor cheap projects but that just means you have more time to start saving pennies and buying the parts you want to use.

[jayhawker]

To me, the TLA concept did not work. A reverse SA. But a #5 must have a Bisley spur hammer.

[fanofthefortyone]

Just me but I'd like to have one built on a Colt SAA in 44 special. And I've got one I'd not hesitate to use!
Ronnie

[newrugersafan]

My version built by Mr. Harton.
I wanted the #5 gripframe and base pin but I like the clean lines of the cylinder frame without the #5 lock. I wanted the 45/8" barrel with the TLA sight it also had to be a 44 special and have the Bisley hammer. In reality my version is just features of guns that I like rolled into one gun.

Mike

[newrugersafan]

This is a Ruger 44 special that I fit the Powers #5 grip frame to installed the Bisley hammer and made the Walnut grips.

[Doc Barranti]

Sept 1, 2013 20:13:59 GMT -5 newrugersafan said:

My version built by Mr. Harton.
I wanted the #5 gripframe and base pin but I like the clean lines of the cylinder frame without the #5 lock. I wanted the 45/8" barrel with the TLA sight it also had to be a 44 special and have the Bisley hammer. In reality my version is just features of guns that I like rolled into one gun.

Mike

Was this a Powers #5 grip frame or did Alan fabricate it? I know you've given details on it before but...

Thanks!

[Fowler]

Ok I have put more than a little thought into this one. Like Robb the #5 is what you make of it, there are no rules but I do hate when guys build a Bisley and stick a pair of white grips on it and call it their #5, but whatever.

For me the things that make a #5 a #5 are as follows in order:

1- A #5 grip frame, it can be a custom made grip frame or a Ron Powers but it is the single item that makes a #5 a #5.

2- A Sedley #5 base pin release and the hour glass base pin.

3- Carved ivory grips

4- Flat Top frame

5- The distinctive front sight ramped Patridge front sight

6- A 5 1/2" barrel with a step in the end as the original did

7- 44 special caliber, sure they can be built in any caliber but they just dont seem right if they are not 44sp.

I deliberately built my #5 on a Old Model Flat Top frame, I probably could have had it built on a USFA Flat Top Target gun but I wanted coil springs and a fully adjustible rear sight that a USFA or Colt doesn't have. I think Elmer would have done the same had they been available in 1929 but who really knows.

We all walk our own path down the road of our version of this classic gun, we all have limitations as many of the options get a bit spendy and/or add significant time to the build. The #5 Base pin retainer and base pin is a $500+ option, dont ask what carved ivory grips cost they are silly. How bad do you want to build what you envision in your head? I saved very penny for over three years, I skipped buying all sorts of toys, didnt go do many things as it would have dipped into the #5 fund. Some months I could stash $200 away some were $20 months but in the end I had the funds saved when I need them and I have my version of the #5.

What will be your path?

[magman]

Thanks guys. Those are indeed some beautiful firearms.

[AxeHandle]

Good nights sleep on the #5 concept.. Made the decision that I do own a few copies of my personal idea of a 21st century #5. My "#5" is a 4 5/8-5.5 inch barrel 5 or 6 shot custom by pretty much any of our top drawer gun builders. Reeder, Gallagher, Clements, Bowen, Linebaugh, Harton, ... You get the idea..

[shorty500]

what is a good defintion of a #5 single action??? would propose the following- Keith chose the then best cartridge avaliable to guncranks, in the sturdiest platform revolver available at the time, settled on a compromise barrel lentgh for packing/velocity/sight radius and then turned it over to the best smiths of the time to improve it using ideas of his, Croft's and others to build the best thing at the time.
with Belt Mountain basepins using lock screws, the longer Bisley grip that helps us with larger hands, and factory ready squared off sights that are adjustable we are a few steps ahead of what Elmer had to start with as a base gun. then figuire in the stronger platforms and newer chamberings we can have the "concept of the Last Word" in a #5 built to our dream.