1960 Flat top 357?

[bagdadjoe]

Added some photos, but naturally I didn't do it correctly.

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Ran across a Flat Top 357 today, # 27502 which puts it at 1960. Unfortunately it's been "converted", but has a 4 5/8" barrel and is in about 90% or better for $450. Is that price in line even with the conversion? Has some yellowed, and cracked, pearloid grips on it. They'd have to go....quick. I'm not usually interested in a .357 but I have some stuff to load quite a few.

[kings6]

Not a bad price if you don't mind it converted but higher than I would pay for a transfer bar flat top. If you want to put original style parts in it you will be setting on a $600 flat top so the question is does the condition warrant a price like that once the original parts are put back in. JMHO but that is based on the 15-16 flat tops I have boughten over the last 5-6 years.

[bagdadjoe]

I appreciate the answer, but meanwhile I decided to stay the course and order a .44 Special Flattop Bisley. That's what I really wanted to begin with but got sidetracked with some unforeseen expenses. It is nice, but I'll be wishing I'd waited on the Special.
Thanks again!

[bagdadjoe]

So I lied.... lied to you and lied to myself. I went back to the shop and tried to trade with the owner and couldn't come out on it, so I told him to hold it and I'd bring cash... Go to Midas and you'll get a muffler. Go to a gunshop and you'll get a gun. Guess I'll dump a couple of un-needed items, take this one home and then find me a set of grips. No self control at all.... Well, that's why some of us are here I guess.

[bagdadjoe]

I picked it up yesterday and it's even better than I had thought at first. 90% was definitely a low conservative estimate...if I only had the box and original grips. Looks like someone forgot to shoot it for the last 52 years. There is one little 1/16" scratch on the trigger guard, almost zero drag line on the cylinder..you have to look for it, barely perceptable blue wear on the sharp edge of the muzzle on the left side..have to look for it, action is tight as new, cylinder gap is extremely tight, haven't put a feeler in it yet, but you can barely see light through it. No perceptable wear on the grip except on the sharpest edge on the butt, where it looks like it might have been rested and shot...hairline scratches, again almost unnoticeable. I'll try to post some photos later. I shot two cylinders full last night and it's a keeper. A totally different animal than the new model 6 1/2" I had a couple of years ago. Couldn't get it to shoot accurately with any load I tried. It left in a hurry. This one has changed my mind about .357's. Oh, I found out I'm the second owner.

[Frank V]

Congratulations
Sounds like a nice gun. The .357 is a good ctg & handloading can take you to places that factory can't.
.38 Specials are fun in a .357 & a bit cheaper.
I think you will enjoy it. When you get time, we'd like to hear a range report.
Frank

[kings6]

If you want a set of internals, Jussbad on the Ruger Forum just posted a set for an early 357 flat top for $200.

[bagdadjoe]

Thanks. I went "shopping" over there. Didn't realize they were that expensive...well expensive to me. Probably quite reasonable to someone in the know. They "edgy-cated" me pretty quick. I think I'll just keep it as is, for now, anyway and enjoy it. I do like the extra clicks, but it's ok without it. I did shoot it with some "junk" loads I had leftover from a couple of years ago (Junk in that I don't remember what the load data is, but I don't load anything too hot). The jacketed shot in a pretty small group, my cast loads did not. They didn't shoot that well in the last gun either. May be pushing them too fast. Plain base 180's. I'll try them with a mild Unique load and see what happens. I'm having to reaquaint myself with this trigger. My Vaquero trigger is about 2 lbs and has a trigger stop installed...big difference.