Ruger transfer bar question

[329]

I have an Old Model .357 Blackhawk bought new in the mid 60's by my grandfather. We were of course aware of the Ruger modification but not interested, I've always just carried the gun with an empty one under the hammer.
I'm "slightly" interested in the mod today considering that the gun can be converted back to original, 6 rounds in the cylinder would be a bit helpful to me.

My question is this: I read about trigger pull being degraded by the changeover, but nobody in my circle ever sent one back so no real world experience to base it on.

I'm not concerned with "clicks", etc, only whether the trigger will remain as user friendly as it is in stock form or close to it. This has to be the best place to ask  so thanks for any insight.
It's a common run of the mill gun and won't leave my family after going thu 3 generations already, I have kids who will greatfully accept every firearm I own when I tip over. So no "collector value" implications here.

[Encore64]

Don't Do It!!!

[lassiter]

Apr 7, 2023 15:26:38 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

Don't Do It!!!

^^^^ What Encore said...

[pacecars]

If you really need a 6th round in a single action then a double action may be a better choice or as JB Books said “if you feel you need all 6 rounds then load 6”

[pleadthe2nd]

I bought an old model 357 flattop that had been converted, trigger was much worse than a stock new model, I couldn't get the parts together fast enough to unconvert. Yes it does have a negative impact on the trigger.

[bobwright]

I have bought two Blackhawks that were already converted, and had one Super Blackhawk converted. (All are now as God intended.) My Super Blackhawk, with the conversion in place, had a very stiff trigger pull with a lot of creep. And cocking the gun resulted in a "ratchedy-clack" sound as the hammer was drawn back. And usually over rotated to skip a chamber. Fortunately I kept my parts to the Super Blackhawk. Plus, the conversion hammer is just so blamed ugly!




Bob Wright

[jeffh]

I wouldn't do it.

Get a NM if you want to carry six shots. The conversion parts are a bit flimsy compared to the originals or NMs too.

[longoval]

The new models don't have the trigger issues that the conversions have. They are pretty available. Just leave the old one as is and get a new model.

[marcruger]

Another option is carry it with five, and keep a few spare rounds handy. If you find yourself in harm's way, load the empty chamber for a total of six. I am thinking that is how the old timers did it 150 or so years ago.

[Snyd]

It works! Don't fix it!

[leftysixgun]

Yes, leave as is. I rescued my grandfathers single six....My uncle saw the “safety” modification ad and was ready to send it in. Luckily he told me before it happened. I traded my new model SS for my G-pas old model SS
Just make your boys (or whom ever) aware how to properly load and carry it with the hammer down on an empty chamber.

[gnappi]

I'm one who thinks that a great trigger on a transfer bar pistol is no problem, and carrying 6 rounds is a big performance gain. I mean if we were talking +1 on a 17 round gun, then that one round is bupkis.

It can go back to original, who cares if an heir doesn't like it? :-)

[AxeHandle]

FWIW if you've ever held a converted 3 screw Ruger that Gary Reeder has been into you know the converted guns can actually have excellent triggers. And... Make note of the fact that if Ruger converts an old model three screw they stamp a permanent mark on the bottom of the cylinder frame.

[parallaxbill]

What I hate about transfer bar Ruger single actions besides the lesser trigger is the cylinder ring that all my New Models had and all my old models (that had not been mishandled) do not. Or at most it is very slight. Just my experience.

[contender]

Ok, as a long time collector, shooter & fan of the OM Rugers, I'll weigh in as well.

I have purchased some OM's that had the safety parts installed. ALL of the ones I tried,, the trigger was not good at all. Even compared to any New Models I own. It works as intended, yet fails to allow a person to work on good accurate shooting due to the poor action/trigger pull. All of the ones I purchased,, I told the seller that it would cost XYZ amount to restore the gun to "as shipped" condition, and refused to pay that difference.
Yes, Ruger does put a mark on the underside, out of sight, main frame of a converted gun. To a collector,, this isn't a problem. It's Ruger's way of protecting themselves from a lawsuit by someone who re-converts a gun then fails to understand the PROPER method of carry & use of an Old Model.
Teaching your kids the proper way to safely load & carry an OM is a good skill to know. AND,,, as noted,, it preserves the finish on the cylinder from the dreaded "turn ring" when done improperly. Buy doing the "Half cock, open gate, load 1, skip one, load 4, full cock, lower hammer on an empty chamber" is THE ONLY way to do it.

Short answer; Don't convert it, as it will have a much poorer action & will create a cylinder ring.

And yes,, a NM can be worked over that already has the transfer bar system to where it's a SLICK action. I have a few of those as well.