(Almost) Complete Ruger Bisley Collection

[Rayco3]

I have every (non-Vaquero) configuration ever made EXCEPT for a fluted, adjustable sight .22. Even have the Shootists Mistake .44 Special and the Tom Ruger Shootists (one of 53 made). Am thinking of selling and was wondering if anyone might be interested in the whole collection before I break it up and sell the guns individually. I hope its ok I'm posting this here. Thanks. By the way all guns are either NIB, LNIB, and some have the shippers.

 

[WIL TERRY]

THERE WAS NO---NO !!!---" SHOOTISTS MISTAKE " BISLEY. There was a Ruger cluster flop on some Bisley 44SPL sixguns but it had NOTHING to do with The Shootists no matter how many times some one here refers to it trying to make it something it is not, Importent.

 

[Rayco3]

Thats not my understanding. And not what the distributor told me either.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

THERE WAS NO---NO !!!---" SHOOTISTS MISTAKE " BISLEY. There was a Ruger cluster flop on some Bisley 44SPL sixguns but it had NOTHING to do with The Shootists no matter how many times some one here refers to it trying to make it something it is not, Importent.

Got my letter back dated 10/06/2012 on mine,,,

"Our records show that this revolver was shipped in May of 2010, as a model RNVB-475-SPL, a special production model."

 

[WIL TERRY]

Thats not my understanding. And not what the distributor told me either.

THEY ARE WRONG !!! It was a Ruger screw up from the gittgo, NOT the Shootists'. It does not have the correct serial number sequence nor does it have The Shootists markings.

 

[WIL TERRY]

THERE WAS NO---NO !!!---" SHOOTISTS MISTAKE " BISLEY. There was a Ruger cluster flop on some Bisley 44SPL sixguns but it had NOTHING to do with The Shootists no matter how many times some one here refers to it trying to make it something it is not, Importent.

Got my letter back dated 10/06/2012 on mine,,,

"Our records show that this revolver was shipped in May of 2010, as a model RNVB-475-SPL, a special production model."

THE ONLY THING SPECIAL on those guns was the 7 1/2" barrel. I REPEAT: The Shootists had NOTHING to do with those particular pistols. The Shootists guns have their own, CORRECT, serial numbers and the CORRECT markings.

 

[Rayco3]

The only other 7.5 inch .44 Special Bisleys Ruger has ever were for the Shootists. Coincidence? No. It remains my understanding that a batch of these 7.5 inch barreled guns were originally intended to be for the Shootists, but they were INCORRECTLY serial numbered. So these went to the distributor for sale to the shooting public in general, and a CORRECTLY serial numbered batch (as you noted above) was made for the Shootists. And as noted above, T.A. Workman has a Ruger letter saying they were "special production." That lends itself to my understanding that these guns were in fact originally intended for the Shootists until the incorrect serial numbers were put on the guns. Otherwise who were they a "special production" for? And like I said the distributor confirmed this to me. I'm done now.

 

[hutchman]

Rayco3, I sent you a PM. Sounds like you have a very nice collection.

 

[WIL TERRY]

The only other 7.5 inch .44 Special Bisleys Ruger has ever were for the Shootists. Coincidence? No. It remains my understanding that a batch of these 7.5 inch barreled guns were originally intended to be for the Shootists, but they were INCORRECTLY serial numbered. So these went to the distributor for sale to the shooting public in general, and a CORRECTLY serial numbered batch (as you noted above) was made for the Shootists. And as noted above, T.A. Workman has a Ruger letter saying they were "special production." That lends itself to my understanding that these guns were in fact originally intended for the Shootists until the incorrect serial numbers were put on the guns. Otherwise who were they a "special production" for? And like I said the distributor confirmed this to me. I'm done now.

I DO BELIEVE this is exactly what I said, Sir, except for this point. They were standard numbered Bisley frames that were mis-barreled, NOT the other way ,and calling them Shootists guns or Shootists mistakes in NOT correct. Ruger ended up with standard bisleys with the wrong barrels and sold 'em off. The pistols made for The Shootists were numbered correctly from the gittgo and built to The Shootists specifications from the gittgo. The funny/odd part to me is I do believe they are perhaps the clunkiest Ruger SA sixguns ever made.
And I swear I own a Bisley target sighted fluted cylinder 6 1/2" 22LR pistol like you noted. Munnell told me it was the second lowest numbered Bisley Single Six 22 ever known to leave the plant. It shoots like a dream.
And so it goes....

 

[radicalrod]

So Will, whats your thoughts on OLD MODEL VAQUERO verses NEW MODEL VAQUERO :lol: :lol: :lol: I think you are reading way to much into the fact that these guns are called the SHOOTIST MISTAKE BISLEY.....because that is exactly what the are......we all understand they were never engraved or roll marked but they were made to fill the order for the "SHOOTISTS" until the "MISTAKE" was discovered.....I see no problem with the popular name :lol: :lol: :lol: see ya RR.

 

[WIL TERRY]

AS far as I know there are VAQUEROS and there are NEW MODEL VAQUEROS. Mine is a very early 4 5/8" 45 Vaquero that is finished as ugly as a shiq sandwich with their "CCH" frame. It too is too heavy/clunky to carry when I can use the Blackhawk 3-screw 4 5/8" 45 or best of all, a sleek COLT SAA 4 3/4" 45 as a holster gun.
We will disagree into perpituity on the so-called Shootist's Mistakes pistols.

 

[flatgate]

Here's the real deal........images shared by a dear friend.

flatgate

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I have several Old Model single-actions that were "almost flattops" . . . except for the fact that they were made after the frames got revised and have prefix serial numbers. Can I get special money for these?

Sounds like a nice assortment of stuff, though. Should produce interest.

 

[Rayco3]

Either way there was a very limited number of these made. I was told in the 70-something range. So it does have some collector value. I'm having mixed feelings about selling the collection anyway . . . .

 

[Cholo]

If you're having mixed feelings, I highly recommend you wait. Seller's remorse is a not so sandy *beach*. Been there

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Indeed.

It's one thing to regret having gotten rid of a single gun (BTDT), but I cannot even imagine the remorse one might develop over letting a hard-built collection go.

Ponder carefully.

 

[chet15]

The only other 7.5 inch .44 Special Bisleys Ruger has ever were for the Shootists. Coincidence? No. It remains my understanding that a batch of these 7.5 inch barreled guns were originally intended to be for the Shootists, but they were INCORRECTLY serial numbered. So these went to the distributor for sale to the shooting public in general, and a CORRECTLY serial numbered batch (as you noted above) was made for the Shootists. And as noted above, T.A. Workman has a Ruger letter saying they were "special production." That lends itself to my understanding that these guns were in fact originally intended for the Shootists until the incorrect serial numbers were put on the guns. Otherwise who were they a "special production" for? And like I said the distributor confirmed this to me. I'm done now.

I DO BELIEVE this is exactly what I said, Sir, except for this point. They were standard numbered Bisley frames that were mis-barreled, NOT the other way ,and calling them Shootists guns or Shootists mistakes in NOT correct. Ruger ended up with standard bisleys with the wrong barrels and sold 'em off. The pistols made for The Shootists were numbered correctly from the gittgo and built to The Shootists specifications from the gittgo. The funny/odd part to me is I do believe they are perhaps the clunkiest Ruger SA sixguns ever made.
And I swear I own a Bisley target sighted fluted cylinder 6 1/2" 22LR pistol like you noted. Munnell told me it was the second lowest numbered Bisley Single Six 22 ever known to leave the plant. It shoots like a dream.
And so it goes....

You have incorrect information on the Shootists Bisley sir.
This was a project originally begun by the Shootists through Sturm, Ruger & Company, to offer something totally unique to members of their organization. And that once made, it was agreed by Ruger that no other model exactly like it would be made for anybody else.
The model agreed upon was a 7-1/2" .44 Special flattop Bisley with 7-1/2" barrel and a special serial number prefix beginning with SH-.
When Ruger completed these guns, the first group was shipped to the official distribituror for these (Lipsey's) when it was found that Ruger did not put the correct serial number prefix on then, so these were sent back to Ruger and a correct SH prefixed batch produced. Lipsey's also however got the "mistake" guns from Ruger to sell through their normal distribution.
So the 87- prefixed 44 Special flattops with Bisley grip frames are "mistake" guns.
Chet15

 

[WIL TERRY]

The only other 7.5 inch .44 Special Bisleys Ruger has ever were for the Shootists. Coincidence? No. It remains my understanding that a batch of these 7.5 inch barreled guns were originally intended to be for the Shootists, but they were INCORRECTLY serial numbered. So these went to the distributor for sale to the shooting public in general, and a CORRECTLY serial numbered batch (as you noted above) was made for the Shootists. And as noted above, T.A. Workman has a Ruger letter saying they were "special production." That lends itself to my understanding that these guns were in fact originally intended for the Shootists until the incorrect serial numbers were put on the guns. Otherwise who were they a "special production" for? And like I said the distributor confirmed this to me. I'm done now.

I DO BELIEVE this is exactly what I said, Sir, except for this point. They were standard numbered Bisley frames that were mis-barreled, NOT the other way ,and calling them Shootists guns or Shootists mistakes in NOT correct. Ruger ended up with standard bisleys with the wrong barrels and sold 'em off. The pistols made for The Shootists were numbered correctly from the gittgo and built to The Shootists specifications from the gittgo. The funny/odd part to me is I do believe they are perhaps the clunkiest Ruger SA sixguns ever made.
And I swear I own a Bisley target sighted fluted cylinder 6 1/2" 22LR pistol like you noted. Munnell told me it was the second lowest numbered Bisley Single Six 22 ever known to leave the plant. It shoots like a dream.
And so it goes....

You have incorrect information on the Shootists Bisley sir.
This was a project originally begun by the Shootists through Sturm, Ruger & Company, to offer something totally unique to members of their organization. And that once made, it was agreed by Ruger that no other model exactly like it would be made for anybody else.
The model agreed upon was a 7-1/2" .44 Special flattop Bisley with 7-1/2" barrel and a special serial number prefix beginning with SH-.
When Ruger completed these guns, the first group was shipped to the official distribituror for these (Lipsey's) when it was found that Ruger did not put the correct serial number prefix on then, so these were sent back to Ruger and a correct SH prefixed batch produced. Lipsey's also however got the "mistake" guns from Ruger to sell through their normal distribution.
So the 87- prefixed 44 Special flattops with Bisley grip frames are "mistake" guns.
Chet15

YEP, THEY SURELY ARE THAT, CHET, but they ARE Ruger mistake guns NOT The Shootists mistake guns, nor should they EVER have been referred to as "shootist's mistake" guns.

 

[Coogs]

Heck, just a matter of someantics :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:.........I mean, semantics. :wink: :wink: :wink: Coogs.

 

[radicalrod]

YES.....SHOOTISTS never make mistakes :lol: :lol: :lol: we get it.....RR.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Unfortunate though the reference may be, it is likely that those guns will forever be known as the "Shootist mistake guns" because that's the only way the tie-in to the original situation can be quickly/easily identified. I'm pretty sure no one infers any detrimental commentary about the Shootists organization.

Recall the "Hank Williams" .41 Flattops?

 

[SteelShooter]

To Chet's comment, also believe the "mistake" buns were normal blued finish, and the Shootist correct version with special serial number were high-polish blue.

Have 2 of the mistakes tucked away

 

[Jason at Lipsey's]

Since this seems to be clear as mud, I will try to explain exactly what happened since I was in charge of the project. 94 standard blue 7.5" Bisley 44 Specials were sent from Ruger to Baron Technology to be engraved and high polish blued. I don't know why they only sent 94 instead of the 100 that were on order, but that doesn't really matter now. I was sent a copy of the packing slip from Ruger to Baron and noticed these guns did not have the correct serial #'s. They were regular numbers that were in the sequence of our 4-5/8" and 5-1/2" Bisley 44 Specials. Luckily, these guns had not been worked on by Baron yet and were returned to Ruger. After consulting with Ruger, our only option was to take those 94 guns and sell them as a "Distributor Exclusive" and make up another batch of 7.5" guns to fufill the 100 gun Shootist order. These 94 guns have been coined "The Shootist's Mistake" guns by collectors, but as some have pointed out, it was no mistake of The Shootist's. Here is a link to more info on these guns: http://www.lipseysguns.com/post/Ruger-Bisley-Flattop-44-Special-Mistake-Gun.aspx

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Thanks Jason for your imput, and sharing that link never seen it or the "Certificate" before.
Terry

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Maybe we should start calling them the "Accidental .44 Special Flattop Bisleys".

If we all say it often enough it'll become the truth.

 

[bigbore45colt]

I believe Mr. Will Terry knows of what he speaks...

BB45C

 

[mohavesam]

I have to opine...

THIS THREAD IS USELESS WITHOUT PICTURES!!!

 

[Boge Quinn]

Wil Terry KNOWS whereof he speaks, in this matter and damn near any other. I have no problem with the name "Shootist Mistake Bisley" per se, as does Wil (who is one of the most respected and long-term Shootists, and among my dearest friends); but the mistake, in this case (and yes, Shootists can and do make mistakes), was made by Ruger, not by the Shootists, as Wil was trying to point out. This has also been pointed out by Jason (who also knows a thing or two about this, as neither run would have been possible without his help). At the end of the day, however, the "mistake" only made another set of collectible Rugers for us to pursue!

As a Shootist, I bought a small number of the "real" Shootist Bisleys, but I was not able to get one of the "mistake" Bisleys at the time before they were snapped-up by collectors - this has since been rectified by another dear friend and brother Shootist, who saw to it that I did get one.

mohavesam, this is for you...a "real" Shootist Bisley:

...by the way, as shown in my pictures, a special Belt Mountain base pin was also made to accompany each Shootist Bisley - they have "25" engraved on the head of the base pins, and one was made for each of these sixguns courtesy of Kelye Schlepp at Belt Mountain (a Shootist Board member).

Here is the beautiful custom Cannon Leather holster for the Shootist Bisleys:

...as was the case with the Rybka holsters and watch fobs for the Tom Ruger Shootist Bisleys, these Cannon holsters did not come with every Shootist Bisley, but they could be ordered by the Shootists who wished to have one for their sixgun. As such (as was the case with the Rybka holsters), these Cannon holsters are rarer than the sixguns themselves. I don't know how many Cannon made for the Shootist Bisleys, and I don't know how many Rybka made for the Tom Ruger Shootist Bisleys. I was lucky enough to win my Cannon holster in a raffle at the Shootists Holiday, and I am also fortunate enough to have the Rybka holster and watch fob to go with my Tom Ruger Shootist Bisley.

 

[hutchman]

I believe those are the first close up views I have seen of the "Shootist Bisleys." Very beautifully done! Too bad Ruger doesn't offer that same high polish finish as an option or on some runs of their regular offerings. My guess is that many of us on this board would be willing to pay the price! Again, very nice!

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Beautiful pictures of a Beautiful Revolver Boge!

I read enjoyed your original post on these when they first came out, if you ever decide to sell one of your "spares" I'd be interested,,,
don't know if I could afford it though,, :wink: :wink: ,, but I'd be interested! :mrgreen:

I'm also glad we can all agree its just the "Terminology" used to describe the gun,,,after all everyone knows who made the mistake! :wink:

Terry