Converted, or not converted?

[Amistad]

I see this term on here every now and again. Am I right in thinking that this refers to an older gun that has been sent back to Ruger and has had the transfer bar added at some point after it originally left the factory? Thanks!

Amistad

 

[rdf009]

You are correct. A "converted" gun is a three screw old model Ruger SA that has had a transfer bar added.

 

[flatgate]

The Factory stamps the letter R on the cylinder frame's lower "flat" to indicate the conversion has been performed. This marking is usually hidden by the grip frame.

flatgate

 

[Amistad]

Thanks, gents! As to the transfer bar, would an unconverted gun be more likely to fire if it were dropped or was somehow struck with lots of force?

Amistad

 

[davidh5000]

In a word "Yep". Thats why you are always supposed to load five rounds and let the hammer rest on an empty chamber in an unconverted 3 scrrew Ruger

 

[DGW1949]

Thanks, gents! As to the transfer bar, would an unconverted gun be more likely to fire if it were dropped or was somehow struck with lots of force?

Amistad

Only if dropped or mis-handled while a round is under the hammer.
Un-converted OMs are best carried with the hammer resting on an empty chamber which for most purposes renders them 5-shooters, not 6-shooters. Even then, one must excersize due care while lowering the hammer on a cocked but not fired revolver of any action-type....meaning that the safety-aspect of a transfer bar is only present when your finger aint on the trigger. That same "due care" also applies while cocking a revolver while your finger is inside the trigger guard, which is something that I'd bet most of us do.

Designers can add features to address this or that risk, but nothing can make a gun fool-proof. Yeah, a "converted" OM is safer to carry while fully loaded, but once your hand grabs the grip, the rest is up to you.

DGW