Ruger Flattop Question

[golfguns]

Ok, first of all glad I found this forum. A little history so you know where I am coming from. I grew up on S&Ws. It's still hard to beat an old blued Smith. Thirty years ago I had a great time with an old SBH and a TC Contender. It was great reloading and working up loads.

Act 2: Family and law enforcement career started. Started my career with a model 10 and I think it was the first time I shot a gun double action. Migrated thru the wonder nines, etc.

Act 3: Retired from law enforcement and I refuse to buy a gun with an internal lock (S&W). Son likes the boomers and I am back to reloading. In the last year we have added a SRH, a 7.5 BH SS in 45C, a 5.5 flattop in 44 special, and a 4 5/8 SS flattop in 357/9mm.

Finally if you are still with me - are the frames on the flattop really any smaller? I like the smaller grip but other than the ears milled off, the frame appears to be the same size. Weights are right there too.

Thanks if you made it to the end.

[Encore64]

The Midframed Flattop guns are smaller. The weight is because they include a steel grip frame.

I have them in 357/9mm, 44 Special and 45 Colt / 45 acp. One custom octagon barrel and gearing up for another in 480 Ruger.

They are excellent guns and in my opinion, Rugers best.

Congratulations on some fine choices of revolvers.

[contender]

All of your Ruger SA's are of the New Model variety. And yes,,, encore64 is correct,,, the flattop frames are smaller. It may not seem like much,,, but they are. A lot of folks really like them as they seem to balance a bit better. I say it's all in how each person "fits" the gun. Now,,, your 7.5" SS Blackhawk in 45 Colt is on the larger frame.

[golfguns]

Thanks all. There is only a few ounces difference in the SS 7.5 and the 5.5 flattop. I figured that was only the barrel length making the difference so I thought about the calipers. They make it very easy to see the difference, especially the inside frame dimension.

I see some custom SAs down the road, maybe a case colored 44 flattop?

[singleaction]

Jul 3, 2016 9:17:25 GMT -5 golfguns said:

Thanks all. There is only a few ounces difference in the SS 7.5 and the 5.5 flattop. I figured that was only the barrel length making the difference so I thought about the calipers. They make it very easy to see the difference, especially the inside frame dimension.

I see some custom SAs down the road, maybe a case colored 44 flattop?

Old model 357 frame flat tops are lighter, even when you add a steel grip frame. New model flattop are wonderfully accurate, but I'd rather carry an old model when hiking in the hills here in Colorado. I prefer the old model triggers as well, even the converted triggers are pretty nice.

[Ken O'Neill]

All true, but remember that the 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum Flat-Tops and the .41 Magnum Flat-Tops are on the large frame.

[veeman]

Which is a dang shame, especially the 41.

[Frank V]

golfguns welcome to the forum.
Sounds like you are on the right track reloading.

Now golfguns what a great idea guns to shoot golf balls with!

[golfguns]

Thanks for the welcome. Sixguns take up most of my minds idle time nowadays so I may have a few shag balls I can sacrifice.

[2 Dogs]

If there was ever a guy who needed a copy of Hamiltons book it is this OP.

[singleaction]

Jul 12, 2016 9:10:45 GMT -5 2 Dogs said:

If there was ever a guy who needed a copy of Hamiltons book it is this OP.

It can be downloaded for like $11.00. A lot cheaper than the $200+ that hard copies are now going for. The binding of my hard copy is toast, so I now look through the digital copy when need arises.

[golfguns]

Bowen's work has fascinated me as of late. Maybe a little work on the 44 including a little case colored frame.