Got my .44 Special Flattop Bisley!

[Teddydogno1]

Picked it up from the transfer dealer yesterday. I was happy to find that it fits my holsters for SAAs from my CAS days. Pics below. But first, a question:

The hammer seems like it is harder to cock than on my other SA revolvers (SAA closes, Ruger Old Models and other New Models that I have owned before). This is my first Bisley...is the difference in "feel" just due to the different shape of the spur? Or is it a break-in issue? Or just "they way they are now"?

And now...the pics:

Chocolate brown holster and canvas web cartridge belt, both by San Pedro Saddlery, formerly of Tombstone, AZ.

Tan holster and rough-out cartridge belt, both again by San Pedro Saddlery. This particular belt has loops for 38/357 and is too small for me. I think I bought it used and relatively cheap.

Aside: Sand Pedro Saddlery made some nice products. I also have a 16-gauge shotshell belt in canvas. Note that the canvas belts are made from fire hose material--very heavy duty. The owner of SPS apparently got more and more behind in his work and orders and eventually lost his rep among CAS shooters and I understand is no longer in business.

Questions and comments welcome.

Rob

 

[Hooch]

Congrats on the bisley I have a 5 1/2" model and I carry it daily and love it. Cannot say on the hammer pull as my is pretty smooth and about to get smoother here before long.

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

Congrats on your new Bisley!!
I could not tell for sure in your pictures, bt if the gun is a 521-XXXXX prefix it is the new version, minus the internal lock.
Terry

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have one exactly like yours. I got it about a month ago from Kentucky Guns.
The hammer , being shorter than the regular hammer, has less leverage against the main spring. So it will require more effort to compress the spring.
I ordered a FT 4 5/8" .44 Plow Handle just yesterday from them and got an e-mail this morning saying it has been shipped.
That will make Ruger handgun #37 for me.

 

[Rclark]

Congrats!

Just a note : The Rugers without the internal locks are harder to cock than those that do. The difference is in the hammer springs. (Bisleys never did have an internal lock BTW).

 

[Joe S.]

i have one just like it. very nice!

 

[Teddydogno1]

Yes, it is a 521-prefix serial number. The pics are a little blurry...cameraphone. Can't seem to find the charger for my Panasonic camera's proprietary battery.

I never owned a New Model with an internal lock and don't currently own any other New Models (except a Single Six). The Bisley sure does feel different in the hand.

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. I may actually go shooting after work tomorrow!

Rob

 

[Rclark]

The Bisley sure does feel different in the hand.

+1 . That is why most shooters either 'really' like it, or just don't. Not much middle ground. While I don't mind the Bisley (have two), I really prefer the o' plow handle for general shooting as it is what I am used to, so feels 'right' in the hand.

Tell us how the shoot'n goes . I hope to get out too in the next couple of days.

 

[dougader]

Mine had a problem with the cylinder base pin coming loose. It made it hard to cock the gun and sometimes impossible. I didn't have the tools to fix it myself so sent it to Ruger on their dime and they made it right as rain.

 

[Gun_Cat]

Nice gun and holster rig.

My .44Spl Bisley should be here any day now. I passed on a few of these a while back when it seemed there was always one available somewhere. Didn't let that happen last week when I found one. I'll have a #5 base pin (just because) and some Elmer Keith looking cast bullet loads waiting for it.

 

[nickE10mm]

Im very jealous! I think I need that exact same model 44spl to keep my .44 Bisley hunter in good company.

Nice!!

 

[Teddydogno1]

I'm going to start a new thread with the first shooting outing.

Rob

 

[David LaPell]

I really like the look of that gun. If I can ever get any money together I think I know what I will get. I imagine that gun, with a good handload like a 250 grain #429421 and 7.5 grains of Unique would be a nice close range whitetail and everything else load.

 

[Gun_Cat]

My apology if this is a dupe... but I enjoyed the following articles on the Ruger Flattop and its inspiration, Elmer Keith#5, and thought you might also.

Ross Seyfried's write up on the Ruger: http://www.gunsamerica.com/blog/ross-seyfried-lipseys-ruger-flattop-44-special-bisley-revolvers/

Keith's 1929 article on the original (#5) revolver: http://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/colt-single-action-army-elmer-keith/

 

[WendyZXZ]

Very nice pistol!

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I have two new Ruger Flat Top .44`s . One Bisley 5 1/2" and one 4 5/8" plow handle.
They are some of the nicest fitted and finished six shooters I have seen in years .
I have installed extra power base pin springs in every Ruger single action I own except one,a SS Single Six .22. The first thing I do when bringing home a new one is to remove the cylinder, install the extra power base pin spring and give the gun a cleaning and lube. :wink:

 

[RoverSig]

I just bought one on Gun Broker -- my first Bisley! I had emailed Lipseys and they surprised me by trying to help me find one they had shipped to a local gun shop here in town -- going the extra mile -- but I couldn't connect on that one, but found one a few states away. Probably paid too much! But it joins my plow handle Flat Tops in .44 Special and .41 REM. These are wonderful revolvers -- fun to reload for them -- shooting them is great. I think I will carry this revolver when out camping/hiking/fishing and I can afford the extra weight and bulk. Good luck with yours -- it seems a lot of people like them.

 

[Denver]

I have my eye on one and intend to make a move on it soon. Do I understand correctly that all the Bisley FT models do not have the internal lock? I think I read that the FT models are now a regular production item, so are there any physical differences between them and the Lipsey models?

D

 

[Sapo]

Mine came rough and seemingly hard to cock. I disassembled it, polished the mating surfaces, stoned a few others and did a poor man trigger job. While it is better than original, I hope shooting will wear things in a little. Mine does not have the internal lock.

Sapo