How I got into the Ruger 44 Special Flat Top

[UnderDawgAl]

I had no plans for a 44 Special, but I slowly happened into one over the past two years. I recently got a 4-5/8" Ruger Flat Top in 44 Special, after a few months of waiting. In fact, I believe I got a good deal all the way around.

First, nearly two years ago, I picked up the below for $13 from the local gun shop, just for fun. At the time, I didn't even know about the Lipsey special run.

Then, a guy at church GAVE me some of his dad's old reloading equipment. Among the cache was over 100 pieces of 44 Spl brass and this classic, including the handles:

Well, by now I had the brass, the reloading gear, and a mould. Just by chance, the local gun shop later had the below item marked down to $25, brand spanking new. Looks like there aren't a lot of casters in my area. I snatched it up.

By this time, I was on the hunt for that Ruger 44 Special--Lipsey or catalogued, I didn't care. I ordered some large pistol primers from Powder Valley, and I already had an 8-lb jug of HP-38. Now, all I needed was the gun.

Bud's Gun Shop just recently had them in stock for $414 delivered, so I took the plunge, receiving this from the local FFL transfer dealer:

It was test fired at the factory April 7, and I got it around April 25.

I've now shot about 120 rounds through it. It shoots very well, except I had to crank the rear sight all the way to the right to get the group centered AT 15 YARDS. I can tell by looking VERY closely that the front sight is just a hair to the right. I'll confirm with factory ammo. Then, if it's still an issue, I'll send it back to Ruger for straightening.

Regardless, I'm all in for less than $500--gun, components, tools, everything. That's a fair deal, in my book, particularly if I get many years of enjoyment out of it.

Now, I'm just waiting for some of Private Schultz's grips in American Holly to show up at my door in the next few weeks!

 

[COR]

You done good at that price and my dealings with Bud's gun Shop have been nothing but easy all the way around. I have some of his Holly grips on my 5 1/2" FT. They not only look great but he has a great design that just seems to fit my hand well, I also think his sight unseen fit is remarkable.

Unfortunately that sight being off a few degrees is not uncommon. If it were me I'd contact Ruger. They made one of mine right an a few weeks. I love the nostalgia of those loaders too....

Mine likes 7.5grs of W231 (HP38) behind an RCBS250K or my Lyman 429421.

Leather is next... that beauty will deserve it.

 

[2dogs]

Man , That's a deal !
I have about $600 in mine and I'm happy with it, brass not included. . .

 

[rugerfan100]

It is indeed a Ruger beauty!

 

[Rainman]

UnderDawgAl:
The shooting to the left must be a common issue on a lot of this model. My first one shot 6" to the left at 25 yds with the sight cranked all the way to the right! It left in a trade.

The second one wasn't quite as bad- 3" left- and John Gallagher fixed that when he did the action job. Thank goodness he is picky about the rear sight being dead in the center! With his action job, this gun is AWESOME!

Dan

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Thanks, guys, for the positive comments.

Rainman, I agree with you that it seems to be a fairly common issue, at least as I've noticed on forums such as this one. As a matter of fact, I wonder if it didn't come from the factory sighted in like this, because the sight was ALREADY cranked to the right when I took it out of the box. I centered the sight before I ever went to shoot it the first time.

As a lefty, if I err in shooting, it's with shots that tend to go to the right. There's no doubt, then, that if I'm shooting 3 inches left at only 15 yards with three different loads in two bullet weights, then there's either a sight issue or barrel alignment issue.

Like you mentioned about Gallagher, I have a problem with a sight having to be cranked all the way to one side or the other just to be able to center groups at only 15 yards.

 

[Rainman]

UnderDawgAl:
When I took the gun to John it was NIB. I wanted him to do an action job and check it out before it got the dreaded "new model turn ring". His action job is smooth as glass, trigger pull light but crisp at the same time and the oversize base pin he makes takes out all the factory "slop". When he test fired it, it shot 3" left so he regulated the sight by way of tweaking the barrel. Like he said, he can't stand not having the rear sight dead center.

Regardless of what you decide to do with yours, I promise it will become you're "new favorite Ruger". I hope to track down a stainless Vaquero in 44 spl.

Dan

 

[UnderDawgAl]

I think I'll shoot it awhile before trying to send it back.

There's another thread here on the forum about the same issue with other Ruger guns. The common thread: groups too far to the left, never to the right.

I've got a Smith 686-1 that I bought used about three years ago. The Smiths have the ribs running along the topstrap and barrel all the way to the front sight. Well, this gun was shooting so far right that I had to crank the rear sight all the way to the left to center my groups. Mind you, I do most of my revolver shooting at 15-17 yards.

A close look at the barrel and topstrap revealed that the ribs weren't in perfect alignment, i.e., that the barrel needed to be turned a hair. I took the gun to a friend of mine who is an excellent machinist and a natural gunsmith. He put the frame into a massive padded vise and used a gigantic strap wrench to loosen the barrel. He took it off, cleaned the threads, reinstalled, and centered the barrel ribs with the topstrap ribs. The result: A centered rear sight puts the groups dead center at 15-25 yards.

That's what I will eventually have with this gun, whether I send it back to Ruger, or follow your lead and send it to John Gallagher. The problem is that I don't want to give it up for that length of time!

 

[Cary]

UnderDawgAl,
I've never seen one of those loader kits you picked up for $13. I have one of the Lee Loader kits similar to but not the same. Have you used it yet and what do you think?
Cary

 

[UnderDawgAl]

Cary,

This is called the Improved Loader kit, made by the old Lee Custom Engineering Company, which forced out company founder Richard Lee (whose son runs the Lee company you're familiar with) and reorganized under the name Mequon Reloading Corporation.

This kit includes a hand primer, flaring/crimping tool, and primer pocket cleaner. If the name on the box is "Improved Loader", then it neck sizes only. If the name on the box is "Unitized Loader", then it full-length resizes (even for rifle cases). See post #84 here, for additional details.

The company went defunct in the late 80s, I believe.

I have this kit in 44, 357, and 45 ACP, all bought used of course.

I've used this one to reload about 150 rounds, a nice relaxing way to reload, if you need a few minutes alone in the garage! I used the included scoop for 6.0 grains of Red Dot for a number of the rounds. I also used my regular powder dispenser to throw HP-38 and AA#5 for the rest of the rounds. Resizing the 44 brass takes a little more effort than for other calibers, but I use a little resizing lube and take my time. For me, it's a great way to relax. I batch loaded for all these rounds.

However, just yesterday, I received my traditional 44 die set in the mail for my Lee Classic Turret Press. The Improved Loader will see only occasional use now. It's very convenient for working up small test loads.

Keep your eyes peeled at gun shows and on eBay for these old Lee Loader kits. They're fun, and they're a great way to teach new reloaders.

 

[Cary]

Cary,

This is called the Improved Loader kit, made by the old Lee Custom Engineering Company, which forced out company founder Richard Lee (whose son runs the Lee company you're familiar with) and reorganized under the name Mequon Reloading Corporation.

This kit includes a hand primer, flaring/crimping tool, and primer pocket cleaner. If the name on the box is "Improved Loader", then it neck sizes only. If the name on the box is "Unitized Loader", then it full-length resizes (even for rifle cases). See post #84 here, for additional details.

The company went defunct in the late 80s, I believe.

I have this kit in 44, 357, and 45 ACP, all bought used of course.

I've used this one to reload about 150 rounds, a nice relaxing way to reload, if you need a few minutes alone in the garage! I used the included scoop for 6.0 grains of Red Dot for a number of the rounds. I also used my regular powder dispenser to throw HP-38 and AA#5 for the rest of the rounds. Resizing the 44 brass takes a little more effort than for other calibers, but I use a little resizing lube and take my time. For me, it's a great way to relax. I batch loaded for all these rounds.

However, just yesterday, I received my traditional 44 die set in the mail for my Lee Classic Turret Press. The Improved Loader will see only occasional use now. It's very convenient for working up small test loads.

Keep your eyes peeled at gun shows and on eBay for these old Lee Loader kits. They're fun, and they're a great way to teach new reloaders.

Thanks for the information. That looks like a more deluxe kit than the Lee Loader Kits they sell now. 95% of my equipment is Lee and it has done the job for me.
Cary