Bisley 3-screw conversion?

[Jason280_2]

I picked up a '71 3-screw this week in .357 with a 4 5/8" barrel. Finish is around 80%, and hasn't been converted...only real negative to the gun is it was drilled/tapped for a scope base, and has a single tapped hole in the top strap.

So, since there isn't a lot of collector's value, I've considered fitting it with a stainless Bisley frame. I've always wanted a Bisley .357, and having one in a 3-screw would be great. What potential issues will I run into with this conversion? Any reason not to do it?

 

[Hondo44]

No reason not to do it unless the parts cost is more than you want to spend or it's more work than your work appetite.

1. A 'take off' Bisley grip frame from another gun will save you some hours of work over buying a new one which comes in the "rough" and needs fitting to your cyl frame and polishing. $100 - 150.

Fitting the top of Bisley grip frames to Old model guns can be a little more challenging as shown in photo below. If you try to maintain the angle of the main frame, you run out of metal on the Bisley grip before you would ever mate the two together. The solution is to carefully decrease the angle of the main frame at the recoil shield. Of course both spots will require a little touch up with cold blue on blue guns, but is in such a protected area, there’s little chance of wearing it off. Plus the original grip frame will still mate up properly.

2. I presume you want the Bisley hammer as well. $140 http://powercustom.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12&products_id=1118&zenid=va0fon0vkrga81einhgjmeu812

3. Bisley adapter trigger to fit OM Ruger with NM Bisely grip frame. $62 from Dave Clements.
Or make simple adaptor to use existing OM skinny trigger or OM Super BH wide trigger:

Adaptor in place:

 

[contender]

As Hondo has said,,, it's easy to do. I did a 44 mag OM Super I got a few years back,, that somebody had put a factory brass g/f on & had chopped the bbl. So when I got it,,, I removed the brassie,,, added the return spring adapter, bolted on the Bisley g/f I had already, (a take off,) & even added a stainless ejector rod housing. If I could get into Photobucket,,, I'd post a picture.

 

[Jason280_2]

Thanks for the information!

Looks like cost becomes a bit of a factor, may be easier to simply try and find a NM .357 Blackhawk Bisley.

 

[contender]

I think an OM is SWEET with a Bisley g/f. As for cost,,, shopping around to get the g/f can result in finding one at a reasonable cost. As for the fit,,, frame to g/f,,, mine turned out to be not much & I left it alone. A Bisley hammer won't work in an OM 3 screw,, so as long as you are ok with the current hammer,,, fine. OR,, you could find an OM Super hammer to drop in. But those will cost you $100 or so.
And as for the trigger return spring adapter,,, make one yourself. It's not hard. I've made several. All it takes is a piece of block material, drilled with a pin hole to hold it in place, a hole drilled to put the spring in,,, and cut to fit in the recess in the frame.

All in all,,, you can add the g/f & an adapter for about $125 average & your time,, if you hunt & shop around.

 

[BPGuy]

I did a Bisley conversion on a NM; it ended up being a PITA. The big problems with my conversion will not affect your conversion, fortunately! It had to do with the lock; I had trouble getting the correct hammer strut. I also had a problem with the pawl; I had to get one for a pre-lock gun. Like I said, this shouldn't affect you.

As for fitting the grip frame to the cylinder frame - Yes, it is some work. I did it in an afternoon with a file and some sandpaper. I just held them together, observed where the material needed to be removed, then filed a bit. And then again, and again, until the fit was right. I then polished it with some pretty fine sandpaper. Done! (It is stainless steel) Just take your time and you'll be fine.

Why not do it? In retrospect, I would have been better off if I had just purchased a Bisley out-right. It would have been cheaper, easier and less stressful (did I mention the pawl was a real PITA? Mainly just figuring out what was wrong...) I do though, have a gun that I have personally done a lot of the work myself, and there's probably not another quite like it out there anywhere. I guess that's worth something.

However, since you've already got the gun, buying another won't be cheaper. So, if you want to get hips deep into a project, go for it! I got all my parts from Brownell's. They have the grip frame/screws, and a hammer & trigger kit. The trigger pull is AWESOME, by the way.

 

[Hondo44]

You can buy a Bisley hammer from Power Customs that's a drop in on the old models:
http://powercustom.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=12&sort=20a&page=3

And you can buy an adaptor Bisley Trigger from Clements that's also a drop in to work with the NM Bisley grip frame and OM action to avoid making the return spring adaptor above.

It's 2nd from the right below:
___________________________Clements adapter triggers are the center two_________________________
OM trigger__________________standard____&____Bisley w/over travel stop__________________NM Bisley

They are $65 and are a 'drop in'. http://www.clementscustomguns.com/

You can use your existing hammer spring, strut and spring seat; they're the same as the Bisley.

You've added more cost but a lot less work.

You can get a new stainless Bisley grip frame from Beownells for $97 in stock here:
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/frame-parts/frames/grip-frame-prod44165.aspx

You'll need two of these bisley grip frame screws as well: Screws, SS $2.99 (2 required) http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/grip-parts/grip-screws/grip-frame-screw-b-back-ss-sku780001221-12078-28782.aspx?sku=780001221

 

[Ale-8(1)]

. . . and if you elect to proceed with this project, by all means keep us advised of your progress.

:) :) :)