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Post by aus71383 on Mar 30, 2015 0:29:46 GMT -5
I'm new to the forum - been lurking for a while. Seems like a great group of folks, I'm glad to be here.
I just bought a Ruger .357 Maximum online, and I'm planning on having it converted to a .500 Linebaugh Maximum. I didn't realize people cared about the base guns - seemed like such a niche thing to me I never even considered it I guess. The one I won the auction on has a 10" barrel. Am I better off finding someone who has a 7.5" and keeping this intact/selling it? I had been figuring on just selling the barrel and grip frame. It's supposedly unfired, but the cylinder has been turned. Whatever that means!
So….would it be foolish to cut this thing up?
Thanks,
Austin
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Post by kings6 on Mar 30, 2015 1:04:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum Austin. There will always be folks who take offense to taking a perfectly good gun, especially a discontinued model like the Maximum, and making it into a custom. My response has always been that if they wanted to save the gun in it's original form, all THEY had to do was buy it before I did! That said, I admit to being a custom converter, not a collector so I have customs made out of type 1 Ruger flat tops, S&W model 29 no dash guns and even a 5 shot 414 made out of a Ruger 357 maximum that had a 10" barrel. In other words, it is your gun, have your 500 Linebaugh Max made if that is what you want. I am just glad YOU will be squeezing the trigger and not me!
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Post by aus71383 on Mar 30, 2015 1:10:13 GMT -5
Not sure if I'll be squeezing the trigger or jerking it - hopefully squeezing, with enough practice and a gradual progression of power…..and plenty of rest in between range trips.
I grew up reading Guns and Ammo and Taffin Tests - the Linebaugh cartridges have been in the back of my mind for the past 20+ years. Now I'm finally able to get one - I'm going to do it! Even if I don't load it to max power all the time, it'll still have lower pressure than a 500L. Plus - I like getting what I want sometimes, and I just want one.
I'm certainly no collector - all the guns I have are "shooters" - even if they were NIB and 20+ years old when I bought them.
Thanks for the input!
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Post by kings6 on Mar 30, 2015 1:28:57 GMT -5
This is what a dyed in the wool converter had done to a Ruger Max.   A frankenfreedomruger! |
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princeout
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Post by princeout on Mar 30, 2015 5:11:46 GMT -5
Austin, The picture above posted by Kings6 is the one that first started me on this custom gun adventure. Still one of my favorites. Lots of 10" 357 Max's out there. Seems a lot are unfired. I've bought several in the past and 3 out of 4 of them were unfired. Still have one hanging on the pegboard above my workbench waiting for me to do something with it. The collector's may bemoan the demise of stock guns, but in reality it just makes their stockers more valuable. Good luck with your quest and watch out! This hobby can get away from you!  Tim |
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Post by whitworth on Mar 30, 2015 5:12:52 GMT -5
I am of the firm belief that a person should do what it is that they want to do and not succumb to pressure from others. I have a .500 Maximum that I had built on a perfectly good .357 Maximum and don't regret it a moment. In fact, I plan on having a .475 Maximum built on another. But that's just me and if it makes the collectors cringe, so be it. I apologize in advance. That said, what is it you plan on doing with said .500 Max? There are more practical plunkers, target guns, and hunting handguns IMHO. I understand the desire to have one despite the impracticality, though. Welcome to the forum, Austin! I believe that there are more .500 Maximums on this particular forum than any other. Before:  After:  |
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coogs
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Post by coogs on Mar 30, 2015 6:30:52 GMT -5
Austin, I'm just a little partial to the Max in it's pure form, but as already stated, it's your gun. Some day I may consider a conversion, I believe I have one or two to spare for the project. Once again, as stated already, it just increases the value of the ones I have.Just make sure you get me the serial number, been collecting those since about '85. It doesn't happen to be serial #600-11588 does it? If it is we need to talk, cause I'll trade you one NIB 7 1/2 Max and one NIB 10 1/2 Max for it. That's right! By the way, all you other guys that have converted a Max, have you gotten me your serial numbers? Thanks, Coogs.
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Post by whitworth on Mar 30, 2015 6:39:15 GMT -5
Austin, I'm just a little partial to the Max in it's pure form, but as already stated, it's your gun. Some day I may consider a conversion, I believe I have one or two to spare for the project. Once again, as stated already, it just increases the value of the ones I have.Just make sure you get me the serial number, been collecting those since about '85. It doesn't happen to be serial #600-11588 does it? If it is we need to talk, cause I'll trade you one NIB 7 1/2 Max and one NIB 10 1/2 Max for it. That's right! By the way, all you other guys that have converted a Max, have you gotten me your serial numbers? Thanks, Coogs. PM heading your way, Coogs. |
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Post by bushog on Mar 30, 2015 7:32:37 GMT -5
Cut it up!
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princeout
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Post by princeout on Mar 30, 2015 7:41:23 GMT -5
Always direct and to the point!! Tim |
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Post by aus71383 on Mar 30, 2015 14:15:40 GMT -5
Great responses, thanks gents. Coogs - I will get you the serial number for sure - hoping it has a 2336 in it, but if it's your number that's good too! I'm guessing 1-15-88 or 11-5-88 is a birthday of someone you know… Whitworth - I have a .44 Bisley Hunter and a .45 Bisley 5.5" Stainless - I think both are about as practical as can be, though with the scope I have on the Hunter it's pretty hefty. I carry the 5.5" .45 if I decide to leave my rifle in the truck when I'm out hunting. I have a Browning 71 Carbine, thinking of getting another and having it done as a .50 Alaskan. Not because I need to defend myself from rabid grizzly bears - but just because it's fun to shoot big guns….as long as you're not prone while doing it. Then again, if an elephant ever escapes from the zoo…I'll be ready. Naturally if I have a .510 rifle, makes sense to have a .510 pistol so they can share bullets - and even brass! The truth is I will probably carry this gun a bit while hunting, a lot while scouting, and generally enjoy owning something special and unique. I will have fun shooting it and loading for it too. What I have in mind so far is similar to this gun owned by Cannon Watts - never met him, but found his web page through some google searches.  I spoke with Jack Huntington late last week and right now I'm planning on sending the gun to him for the conversion. I don't want the exact same gun as above, but from 10 yards away it'll look basically the same. |
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coogs
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Post by coogs on Mar 30, 2015 14:45:40 GMT -5
Actually, #600-11588 is the highest number out there, according to Ruger records. I'm close, have #600-11577,but no cigar!
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Post by bigbores on Mar 30, 2015 15:25:51 GMT -5
I think they make nice customs myself. Top is a 500S&W and bottom is a 500LL.   |
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Post by aus71383 on Mar 30, 2015 23:48:09 GMT -5
Those are some good looking guns bigbores! I like the walnut grips. Still trying to decide on grips - thinking walnut or sheep. I have black micarta on my 5.5" .45 Bisley and they seem to be a good fit for it, but a blued gun is a different animal. Cannon Watts' gun had me thinking walnut, but then the sheep grips and scalloped recoil shield on this one look really nice too. I found this picture in the Handgun Blueprint Thread - belongs to "bushog"  |
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Post by aus71383 on Mar 30, 2015 23:50:41 GMT -5
Coogs - do you really think it's floating around somewhere? Surely some employee got that to save to pass down, or to sell for retirement, etc…
That said - I hope it is, and that it's in the mail on it's way to me! 1 for 2 sounds like a great deal.
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