Is PowerCustom/GrandMaster half-cock hammer OK?

[Stopsign32v]

I want to start this buy saying I'm not implying, claiming, or anything other than asking a question for this part. I have never dealt with PowerCustoms.


With that being said I was planning on getting the PowerCustom half-cock hammer setup with transfer bar and all for my newly built NM Blackhawk. However, I want to ask you guys if there is anything to be concerned about regarding it. Reason I ask is because I was speaking on the phone with a VERY well known custom Ruger gunsmith and I was told a few things...

1. Ruger designed the NM Blackhawk to operate the way it does and it should be left alone because it's a good design
2. PowerCustom's quality has gone down hill since the father passed away recently and Randall the son took over
3. PowerCustom half-cock hammer WILL break because the design leaves the sear too small and fragile

Now again, at this point I don't know what to believe and I'm at a cross roads with which way to go. On one hand my factory Ruger action is timed perfectly. On the other hand I would like the revolver to be more Colt like and be able to load and unload at half cock.

 

[hittman]

I don't know about the Power stuff but agree totally with item 1 above.
And wonder if you shouldn't just buy the gun you want (Colt) …… you trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear?

 

[contender]

I prefer the OM single actions that Bill designed. They load from 1/2 cock. It's the way the action is designed.

But the NM action was a big safety improvement. I, along with so many others lament to loss of the OM design. BUT,,,,,,, knowing the STUPIDITY of so many people,, I applaud the NM design. With the change,, the half cock loading was eliminated.

For quite a while Power Custom had a good reputation. But I never saw the need for much of their stuff. I have no clue as to how it is now.

But if the only reasoning for getting their half-cock parts is to mimic a Colt,, (or an OM,) I'd just pass. I'd prefer to spend the money on slicking up the action. I have a NM that was worked over,, & it's as slick as whale snot. I could care less about the position of the hammer.

 

[Medicmike3762]

Buy an old model!

 

[Stopsign32v]

Buy an old model!

Find me a stainless 44 special flat top in an old model and I will.

 

[Medicmike3762]

What are you trying to do? It sounds like you're wanting to go the "custom" route? If so get you an old model flattop make it a 44 special have it electroless nickeled or hard chromed. Not stainless but durable. That actually sounds like a cool project! Maybe some stag grips?? I'm onto something!!

 

[Medicmike3762]

I also have never had one of the half cock hammers but have bought lots of of other PC parts base pins, shims, etc….. all good parts.

 

[contender]

"Find me a stainless 44 special flat top in an old model and I will."

Sigh,, ya just can't please everybody!

But I can say I've seen quite a few OM Ruger Flattops that were converted to .44 Spl by custom builders. I owned one long ago. So,, other than it bring blued & not stainless,,, it's been done.

Seriously,, Due to the manner in which the internal parts were designed & built by Ruger,, the use of the loading gate as the way to unlock the cylinder for turning was the most economical. And we all know that stainless guns didn't come along until after Ruger stopped OM production.

Stopsign32V,, I see you are in SC. If you are anywhere close to the upstate & want to visit,, I'm less than an hours drive from Spartanburg. I'll gladly let you check out my super slick NM .45 Colt. I own a range & you can shoot it to see what a sweet gun they can be made into.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Stopsign32V,, I see you are in SC. If you are anywhere close to the upstate & want to visit,, I'm less than an hours drive from Spartanburg. I'll gladly let you check out my super slick NM .45 Colt. I own a range & you can shoot it to see what a sweet gun they can be made into.

I actually live in Spartanburg

 

[Randyzzz]

If you are looking for for quality parts, I'd suggest talking with Ronnie at RWGripframes. His products are amazing.

 

[Paul B]

Regardless of whether I'm shooting an old model or new model I still load five and the hammer on an empty chamber. Why? Two reasons. One, at the range a box of 50 rounds come out even with no oddball loading at the end of the box. Two, I have both old and new models and I find it's the best way to make sure I don't have a lapse in memory as which gun I'm using. Just a simple habit that helps keep things safe.
Paul B.

 

[contender]

Stopsign32v, if you are in Spartanburg,, I'll gladly invite you to visit here,, and I can break out a few different Rugers for you to try out.

And yes,, if you want quality products,, Ronnie Wells makes OUTSTANDING stuff.

 

[RatCat454]

1. Ruger designed the NM Blackhawk to operate the way it does and it should be left alone because it's a good design
2. PowerCustom's quality has gone down hill since the father passed away recently and Randall the son took over
3. PowerCustom half-cock hammer WILL break because the design leaves the sear too small and fragile

Ronnie Wells does make outstanding items. If one looks in the NM grip frames, there is a "RatCat" selection. Gee, (and "Haw") my forum name is the same.

I have installed 32 Power Custom kits over the past 25 years.

1. The Power Custom does not change the Ruger design; it just adds a small feature with the half-cock. In fact, I have mixed Power Custom parts with Ruger on a temporary basis to get a gun operational (but the half-cock will not function). If one is on a budget, a Ruger trigger can be modified to work happily with a Power Custom half-cock hammer.

2. The Ron Power version is a step above Ruger quality. The Randall Power version is three-quarters of a step. The difference is in the finishing frills. As an example, under Ron the trigger shoe face had a definite convex shape that made the trigger appear thinner when the gun was viewed from the side. Under Randall the face of the trigger is flat like a Ruger. Current kits have two Wolff reduced power trigger springs, 30 oz and 40 oz.

3. In 25 years, and many thousands of rounds from .22 to .45-70, 460 S&W, 500JRH, 500L, I have not experienced a Power Custom failure. The Power Custom (and Ruger) items will work in the BFR. The thickness of the sear of the Power Custom trigger is on par with various other guns.

While I appreciate the Colt-like click melody of the Power Custom half-cock hammer, that is not the main appeal. I very rarely use the half-cock function. What does appeal is several features not found on the Ruger items…

1. Power Custom Bisley hammers are readily available for the Single-Six/Seven guns.

2. Power Custom Bisley hammers are easily installed into the XR3, SBH, Hunter, and Bird's Head grip frames without modification to the hammer skirt radius.

3. All the Power Custom hammers have an increased skirt radius compared to a Ruger hammer that fits better in the hammer opening of the grip frame.

4. The serration on the PC hammer spur is cross-hatched (resembles Montado) and aligned (perpendicular) with the centerline. On the Ruger it is not rare for the serrations to be misaligned, cut partially across the width of the spur, or both.

The Ruger hammer assembly and trigger will not cost anything as they are included in the gun. A Ruger replacement is probably $20 to $60, respectively. A Power Custom kit is around $150 to $220 but includes a hammer, trigger and various Wolff springs. A PC hammer alone is about $125, a trigger, $44. Prices were sourced from MidwayUSA. Be advised, Midway uses pictures of Ruger items in the descriptions of Power Custom items.