Lipsey's .44 Spec'l Serial Number Help Requested.

[Ray Newman]

Colleagues: this afternoon Fellow Shooter and I am going to look at a few Rugers at a private party sale.

From the list, three caught my eye: a Liberty marked Ol’ Army with box, etc., and two Blackhawks, .44 Spec’l.

Owner claims the .44 Spec'l. Blackhawks -- NIB, Flat Top, blued, 5 ½” -- are from the Lipsey’s limited run(s). One is the “standard” grip Blackhawk, serial number 520-190XX, the other has the Bisley grip, serial number 520-232XX.

Anyone know if these Blackhawks are in the Lipsey’s serial number range for the .44 Special runs?

I tried to do a search, but did not find what I was looking for. Or, I did not enter the right terminology into the search fields.

Thanks for any help, it is much appreciated.

 

[phonejack]

My Lipsey's 44 SP starts 520-248xx

 

[Terry T]

Mine starts with 520-198XX so close.
Terry T

 

[MSB9021]

I have a pair of stainless 4-5/8 flattop .44 Spl Blackhawks that are 520-213xx. Of course, they have the damnable internal lock. Other than that, I highly recommend them.

 

[varminter22]

Am pretty sure mine is from the early batch; serno: 520-171XX

 

[contender]

My two also came from the Lipseys early batch, before it became a cataloged item. #520-170xx & 520-172xx.

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

I thought the stainless flatop 44 spcials were TALO? Anybody have a Lipsey link for the SS models?

 

[DLM]

I read on the forum that it is believed they started at 520-16831. If I remember the first 2000 were first run Lipsey's exclusives. Mine are 520-1683x, and 520-1684x.
The stainless are indeed Talo exclusives, 4 5/8" barrel only.

http://www.lipseys.com/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=RUKNVB444SPCL&items=talo
The Lipsey's page is gone, but the Talo reamins.
http://www.taloinc.com/ruger-firearms/ruger-blackhawk-flattop-44

 

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have a Lipsey's .44Spl flat top (blued) with a 5-1/2" barrel that was ordered the day after they were announced.
The serial number is 520-181xx.

Great revolver, very happy with it except for the black plastic cheese grater grips.

Eventually, I will buy another to keep it company.

 

[Ray Newman]

Gents: thanks for the info. Was disappointed in the condition of all all three, so I passed.

 

[UmpquaCharlie]

If it helps mine is 520-17638. How would I know if it is from Lipsey?

 

[Tensaw]

If it helps mine is 520-180xx from Lipsey.

 

[Jason at Lipsey's]

Colleagues: this afternoon Fellow Shooter and I am going to look at a few Rugers at a private party sale.

From the list, three caught my eye: a Liberty marked Ol’ Army with box, etc., and two Blackhawks, .44 Spec’l.

Owner claims the .44 Spec'l. Blackhawks -- NIB, Flat Top, blued, 5 ½” -- are from the Lipsey’s limited run(s). One is the “standard” grip Blackhawk, serial number 520-190XX, the other has the Bisley grip, serial number 520-232XX.

Anyone know if these Blackhawks are in the Lipsey’s serial number range for the .44 Special runs?

I tried to do a search, but did not find what I was looking for. Or, I did not enter the right terminology into the search fields.

Thanks for any help, it is much appreciated.

Ray,

Your standard frame did come from our original 2009 run. All of the Bisley 44 Specials are out exclusives so it came from us as well.

 

[Ray Newman]

Jason: thanks for the response.

 

[Hondo44]

I have a pair of stainless 4-5/8 flattop .44 Spl Blackhawks that are 520-213xx. Of course, they have the damnable internal lock. Other than that, I highly recommend them.

In 2007 I figured out that the Ruger Bearcat spring seat made for their Ruger single actions, is the longest seat made by Ruger, go figure!! And it just bridges the larger gap in the grip frames made for internal lock! It works perfectly for a Lock by-pass:

The Bearcat spring seat is the easiest swap there is. A disassembly pin slips in the strut hole above the seat just like the lock, therefore the spring doesn’t need to be dismounted from the strut. In fact you don’t even need to remove the grip frame from the gun! In all the other Ruger SAs, the pin is inserted below the seat and it’s captured on the strut with the spring.

Brownells #780-000-948AK, $2.12, here:
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/frame-parts/mainspring-parts/mainsprings/mainspring-seat-sku780000948-11856-28534.aspx?sku=780000948

Or order direct from Ruger # PRO3603

 

[Hondo44]

Hi...
I have a Lipsey's .44Spl flat top (blued) with a 5-1/2" barrel that was ordered the day after they were announced.
The serial number is 520-181xx.

Great revolver, very happy with it except for the black plastic cheese grater grips.

Eventually, I will buy another to keep it company.

Altamont grips makes great replacement grips like these with Ruger medallions (w/o the scrimshaw steer head):

 

[MSB9021]

I have a pair of stainless 4-5/8 flattop .44 Spl Blackhawks that are 520-213xx. Of course, they have the damnable internal lock. Other than that, I highly recommend them.

In 2007 I figured out that the Ruger Bearcat spring seat made for their Ruger single actions, is the longest seat made by Ruger, go figure!! And it just bridges the larger gap in the grip frames made for internal lock! It works perfectly for a Lock by-pass:

The Bearcat spring seat is the easiest swap there is. A disassembly pin slips in the strut hole above the seat just like the lock, therefore the spring doesn’t need to be dismounted from the strut. In fact you don’t even need to remove the grip frame from the gun! In all the other Ruger SAs, the pin is inserted below the seat and it’s captured on the strut with the spring.

Brownells #780-000-948AK, $2.12, here:
http://www.brownells.com/handgun-parts/frame-parts/mainspring-parts/mainsprings/mainspring-seat-sku780000948-11856-28534.aspx?sku=780000948

Or order direct from Ruger # PRO3603

(a light comes on!) Ya know, I tried that very spring seat and didn't like it at all. I think I see MY problem. Let me guess - you use the strut that comes with the gun, right? My first mistake - I used a new strut from the non-lock SA's. This lead to my second mistake - the take-down pin ABOVE the seat. Time to go to the shop. I save all the parts I swap with the guns they go with. I'll replace the new strut with the original, so that the take-down pin works above the bearcat seat, and I should THEN be golden. Thanks very much!!

 

[Hondo44]

(a light comes on!) Ya know, I tried that very spring seat and didn't like it at all. I think I see MY problem. Let me guess - you use the strut that comes with the gun, right? My first mistake - I used a new strut from the non-lock SA's. This lead to my second mistake - the take-down pin ABOVE the seat. Time to go to the shop. I save all the parts I swap with the guns they go with. I'll replace the new strut with the original, so that the take-down pin works above the bearcat seat, and I should THEN be golden. Thanks very much!!

You got it, yes, retain the strut and spring that came in the gun with the lock. In fact the slightly lighter (shorter) spring in the guns with locks are just to my liking, especially on the single sixes with shorter hammers that have less leverage when cocking!

 

[kraynky]

Good thread, right what I was searching for. I just purchased what was advertised as a Lipsey .44 Special Blackhawk (520-234XX) and can't verify it either. Ruger just said is was a 2010 build on a New Vaquero frame. Love the gun either way, but I would like to know if it was part of the Lipsey order.

I haven't figured out how to attach a photo yet. I guess I need all kinds of help.

 

[Jason at Lipsey's]

kraynky,

That serial number didn't come from our 2009 run. The last number I show received in December 2009 was 520-20044. Anything after that would have shipped in 2010 and technically is a Ruger cataloged gun that could have come from any of Ruger's 15 distributors including us.

Jason