1st Ruger Old Model Flat Top

[dougader]

A few weeks ago, I traded for an OM Ruger Blackhawk. I got sore thumbs from working the action so much the first day I picked it up from my local dealer. It was built in about 1972 according to the Ruger website. Love those 4 clicks!

Well, then I was surfing around on Gun Broker, and saw a fairly nice Flat Top that was made in about 1960 (according to the Ruger website). I pm'd Robb about it, and he said the Dougan book put it about 1959.

I was born in 1960... so I said: Close Enough! My camera takes pretty mediocre pics, so I'll just post the pic that was on GB. No box, no papers, but that's ok. I shoot my guns, even if they do have a bit of collector value.

I should have never picked up that first OM. Now I'm addicted to these too:

[Deleted]

Man, that's a clean flattop. Nice pick-up and let us know how she does at the range.

[dougader]

The wear you see there in the pic is about all there is. I have seen other flat tops lately that looked almost perfect, but then there would be one major flaw, like a smashed up crown/muzzle where it looked like the gun had taken a nose-dive into some gravel. And the sellers were asking a LOT more for the gun... though, sometimes it was because a box came with the deal.

I wonder if that is the correct base pin, though. If it is, man it was done with super close tolerances. It's really tight, and I about wore out my finger/thumb before I got it loose so I could inspect the cylinder and bore, which are very clean also. I can't wait to shoot it.

On another note, I picked up a NIB New Model 44 Special Bisley flat top and it looks gorgeous, but I can't cock the hammer back!!! I fiddled and fiddled but I can't get it to cock the hammer back. I sent an email to Ruger service and asked for a call tag.

I was going to go shooting today, but after I found the problem with the NM 44 FT I decied to stay home and do other chores.

[sixshooter]

You did good on the OM. Real good in fact. Sorry to hear about the NM 44. I'm sure Ruger will make good on it.

[majorKAP]

At the risk of telling you something you may already know.....if the base pin isn't installed to it's seated position, the little spring loaded plunger in it can't push the transfer bar back enough to clear the firing pin. That will prevent the hammer from cocking unless you orient the gun muzzle up.

The other possibility that comes to mind is that someone has turned that pesky lock mechanism beneath the main spring under the grips.

Just thinking out loud, that's all.

[dougader]

No worries, I appreciate the tip. I'll double check that base pin but I do believe it is all the way seated. This NM Bisley flat top doesn't have the lock.

Thanks again.

[Frank V]

Very nice. The bug has bitten though, you are in trouble now.
Thanks for sharing.
Frank

[dougader]

Well, guess what? The base pin was sliding out just enough to cause problems... because there is no spring inside the base pin button assembly. If I hold the base pin in, then it cocks and fires just fine.

I called Ruger and asked them for a spring, and they're sending me the whole assembly to make sure it goes together right for me.

And now that I've worked the action a little I know its actually got a pretty good trigger. Better than some other SA Rugers I have. I'm just glad it wasn't something that required me to ship the gun over to their NH facility for repair.

So, thanks for the tip!

Sept 3, 2011 20:23:43 GMT -5 majorKAP said:

At the risk of telling you something you may already know.....if the base pin isn't installed to it's seated position, the little spring loaded plunger in it can't push the transfer bar back enough to clear the firing pin. That will prevent the hammer from cocking unless you orient the gun muzzle up.

The other possibility that comes to mind is that someone has turned that pesky lock mechanism beneath the main spring under the grips.

Just thinking out loud, that's all.