45 Flat Top

[xtratoy]

When the 44 Specials came out this forum was filled with posts for months about them. I have only seen a few posts about the 45 model. I would have thought that there would be more buzz since this is a combo cylinder gun. Has anyone picked one up and shot it yet? Maybe I missed some posts but I don't recall seeing any RugerForum member reviews. Did Ruger get the cylinder throats right?

 

[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The 44 spl had decades of build up.

As for the 45 FT, I'm personally disappointed it wasn't done on the larger 44 mag FT frame and can't shoot Blackhawk only loads. That dampens my enthusiam considerably.

 

[Lee Martin]

I like the model, but ideal for me would be a stainless flattop in 41 Magnum (5.5" barrel). Luckily, I have a NIB Talo that'll get that treatment this winter.

 

[Rclark]

I haven't shot mine yet.... My wife and I have an agreement that I must lose some weight before I can... That said, the .45 Colt throats were under sized on mine. I've since reamed them out to .452. Now I just got to get out and shoot it! Let you all know how it goes when I do.... I have some .45 ACP loads ready to rock, and off course plenty of .45 Colt .

Being on the medium frame doesn't bother me. For me, 'hot' loads for .45 Colt is ~20K PSI which this gun will easily digest. I see no need (not hunting in Africa) for anything hotter here is the USA.

 

[Hondo44]

I like the model, but ideal for me would be a stainless flattop in 41 Magnum (5.5" barrel). Luckily, I have a NIB Talo that'll get that treatment this winter.

Is it the Talo exclusive with 6.5" barrel?

 

[Vulcan Bob]

I spent myself stupid buying four of the .44 special's but the .45 is on the short list!

 

[Lee Martin]

I like the model, but ideal for me would be a stainless flattop in 41 Magnum (5.5" barrel). Luckily, I have a NIB Talo that'll get that treatment this winter.

Is it the Talo exclusive with 6.5" barrel?

No, it's the stainless 4 5/8" 44 Special.

 

[Hondo44]

I like the model, but ideal for me would be a stainless flattop in 41 Magnum (5.5" barrel). Luckily, I have a NIB Talo that'll get that treatment this winter.

Is it the Talo exclusive with 6.5" barrel?

No, it's the stainless 4 5/8" 44 Special.

Lee,

I guess you know Ruger made an "Exclusive" SS 41 Mag Flat top large frame 6.5" that would just require a shortened barrel to be the 5.5" that you want. Unless of course you must specifically want a medium frame FT version.

 

[xtratoy]

I think most will be well served being able to shoot a 280 grain slug to 1000 + FPS with a 20,000 PSI Max load as shown in Brian Pearce's article. http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/HL%20246partial.pdf . I have one on order. I just wish that my 5.5" 44 Special had come in Stainless.
Rclark, how close are you getting to shooting it? It must be quite the incentive!

 

[Rclark]

Lol, well I am almost there.... So I should be shooting it 'soon'.... You can't image what a 'good' 'incentive' it is to stick with exercise and diet . Just a few weeks ago, I finally was able to shoot my two new medium framed .44 Specs.... A Bisley FT 5 1/2" and a Sheriff's Vaquero . Works for me!

I think most will be well served being able to shoot a 280 grain slug to 1000 + FPS with a 20,000 PSI Max load as shown in Brian Pearce's article

Yep!

 

[Arokcrwlr]

I guess you know Ruger made an "Exclusive" SS 41 Mag Flat top large frame 6.5" that would just require a shortened barrel to be the 5.5" that you want. Unless of course you must specifically want a medium frame FT version.

Tell me more about the SS 41 FT. I never heard of it and I thought I was paying attention.

 

[xtratoy]

I knew that they made a blued 41 Mag Flat Top ( Williams Gun Distributors ) but was unaware of a Stainless model.

 

[dougader]

I knew that they made a blued 41 Mag Flat Top ( Williams Gun Distributors ) but was unaware of a Stainless model.

That's what I thought.

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

I've had mine for a bit more than a month now. Only shot 45 Colt so far, no ACP. My load of a 250 grain Lyman SWC over 8.5 Unique goes just over 900 fps from the 5 1/2" barrel and groups just fine (I'm inconsistent enough not to quote an average group size). The gunfighter style grips are too skinny for my liking and will get replaced sooner or later, but the gun is a keeper for sure - just the right size and handles "honest" 45 Colt loads just fine.

 

[Hondo44]

I knew that they made a blued 41 Mag Flat Top ( Williams Gun Distributors ) but was unaware of a Stainless model.

That's what I thought.

To all,

My apologies! My brain went to Bermuda for a minute....AGAIN! I read somewhere that it MIGHT be offered next.

 

[Lee Martin]

Lee,

I guess you know Ruger made an "Exclusive" SS 41 Mag Flat top large frame 6.5" that would just require a shortened barrel to be the 5.5" that you want. Unless of course you must specifically want a medium frame FT version.

I know Ruger made a limited run of 6.5" blued flattops in 41 Magnum....never heard of a stainless version. I want the smaller frame however, so I plan to convert a stainless 44 Talo to 41 Mag.

 

[xtratoy]

I know Ruger made a limited run of 6.5" blued flattops in 41 Magnum....never heard of a stainless version. I want the smaller frame however, so I plan to convert a stainless 44 Talo to 41 Mag.

Are you staying with a six shot cylinder or doing a 5 shot? I would think that a six shot would still be plenty strong.

 

[Lee Martin]

It'll be a six-shot.

 

[G2]

I picked up a 45/45acp and have been thinking about having a 5 shot cylinder built to go ahead and shoot the 30K loads.

The current cylinder sure is thin in between the holes. I would be a little nervous with the 20k stuff.

I'm sure before its all over we will see some blown up cylinders. :roll:

 

[kooz]

I've shot mine, shoots pretty good but the throats are a bit tight. I have since sent it to Alan Harton to have the bbl shortened to 4 5/8", trigger job, a basic "tighten and tune" set of grips, blk powder chamfer and a reblue. Should be done in a week or so, will post pics when I get it.

 

[Glupy]

As for the 45 FT, I'm personally disappointed it wasn't done on the larger 44 mag FT frame and can't shoot Blackhawk only loads. That dampens my enthusiam considerably.

Really? I didn't know that the flattop was a smaller frame. I have Blackhawks in 357/9mm, 44 Special and 45 Colt. They all look the same size.

Dave

 

[Hondo44]

As for the 45 FT, I'm personally disappointed it wasn't done on the larger 44 mag FT frame and can't shoot Blackhawk only loads. That dampens my enthusiam considerably.

Really? I didn't know that the flattop was a smaller frame. I have Blackhawks in 357/9mm, 44 Special and 45 Colt. They all look the same size.

Dave

Yes, dissapointing. I've got a line on a used NM 44 Mag flat top that I may swap out the barrel & cylinders from my standard Blhk 45 convertible with. Although since my 45 is a 3 screw I just may mill off the sight ribs and remount the rear sight pin and sight lower. Either way I'll install an Old Army steel grip frame (same size as my alloy XR3 RED) and steel ERH. It'll add some recoil damping weight for those BLHK-only loads of mine and match my OM medium frame 357 FT converted to 44 Spl .

 

[Rclark]

'Finally' got out with my FT convertible. Shoots very well! Went through a 100 rounds of .45 colt (8.5g Trail Boss pushing 250g RNFP. Target marked incorrectly) and 30 .45 ACP (200g XTP 6.1g W231) . As expected the .45 ACP shot lower and groups were a bit bigger at 15Y. Going to have to go to a larger bullet for .45 ACP I think. Going to have to find a load that matches the .45 Colt load. Anyway, cleaned it up and it is ready to go again. A little leading just ahead of the forcing cone, but nothing bad. Oh yeah had to put a dab of blue locktite on the sight pin as it was working it's way out. All other screws and base pin stayed in place! Looks like another keeper!

Shot 15Y, standing, two handed. .45 Colt left, .45 ACP right.

[edited] Target on left was shot with Trail Boss... not Unique. Found when I went to reload the box and it was marked TB 8.5g .....

 

[xtratoy]

Rclark, you forgot to put a picture of your Flat Top in with your targets.