Medium frame flat tops

[aalmcc4]

A year or 2 ago, we were treated to the 44s and now the 45 mid frame Flat Tops. I love the mid frame Flat Tops and am thrilled they are so popular. So much so that Ruger made the 44 a regular production item.

Any chance we'll see a mid frame FT in 357? (I REALLY want one)

 

[Robb Barnes]

It is already available I believe. The 50th Anniversary 357's are mid framed flat tops if I am not mistaken and they can still be found on the gun auction/buying forums.

 

[rsi705]

Yep, my 50th anniversary 357 mid frame is my favorite shooter.

 

[caryc]

A year or 2 ago, we were treated to the 44s and now the 45 mid frame Flat Tops. I love the mid frame Flat Tops and am thrilled they are so popular. So much so that Ruger made the 44 a regular production item.

Any chance we'll see a mid frame FT in 357? (I REALLY want one)

You must have been in a hole somewhere. The .357 mid frame 50th anniversary flattop was the first new flattop that Ruger came out with. Way before the .44 spec. They've been around for over 6 years.

 

[aalmcc4]

Yeah, I guess. I know about them on the second hand market. But frankly never got one because of the engraved "Anniversary" thingy on the barrel. Yikes. I would never buy a gun with garish "gold" stuff on it. Like the gold trigger Marlins. Eeks!

Honestly, after the new flat tops came out, I don't want any of the regular/large frame Blackhawks. The mid frame flat tops are IMHO, perfect. The NM Blackhawks just seem too large and clunky. (Not to offend anyone, just my opinon).

I think it would be great if maybe Ruger came out with an entire line of mid frame flat tops. Maybe call it the "vintage" line or whatever. Hey, remember, the NEW Vaqueros replaced the larger framed Vaqueros.

 

[caryc]

Yeah, I guess. I know about them on the second hand market. But frankly never got one because of the engraved "Anniversary" thingy on the barrel. Yikes. I would never buy a gun with garish "gold" stuff on it. Like the gold trigger Marlins. Eeks!

Honestly, after the new flat tops came out, I don't want any of the regular/large frame Blackhawks. The mid frame flat tops are IMHO, perfect. The NM Blackhawks just seem too large and clunky. (Not to offend anyone, just my opinon).

I think it would be great if maybe Ruger came out with an entire line of mid frame flat tops. Maybe call it the "vintage" line or whatever. Hey, remember, the NEW Vaqueros replaced the larger framed Vaqueros.

The gold in that lettering can be easily removed with a tooth brush and a little nail polish remover.

 

[Olsherm]

Deer ect do not know that the Marlins have gold lettering on them.Nor,do tin cans or paper targets know that the Anniversary models have gold lettering on them. Seems to make no difference to them.JMHOP

 

[jimbo1096]

'tis in the eye of the beholder. I also do not like the gold inletting and would remove it if I had one.
Too bad there isn't a NVB34 in the regular offerings from Ruger.

 

[gak]

The ubiquitous .357 NM Blackhawk has been such a staple item for shooters for almost forty years, and of course the OM before, that it's very odd Ruger hasn't made the flattop a catalog item by now. Hardly much of a risk...it's not like it's something along the lines of a .218 Bee or .25-20!

 

[32magfan]

I'm waiting for the 327 / 32-20 convertible Flattop myself. I might buy 2 of each barrel length and finish if they offer them. :shock:

I still kick myself for the $ I blew in '92-93 that could have gone into Smith and Ruger .32 H&Rs. :roll: I won't make the same mistake again. I stay broke because I buy guns but I save up for what I want and then get it. It helps not being married anymore. I can eat Mac-N-cheese for 5 days straight or soup, etc to save money. :wink:

I think Ruger should chamber Flattops in all kinds of calibers. What would it hurt? Lipseys will get some of it done (I hope). Nice people there.

MY .02,

32Magfan

 

[oldthings]

wonderful photo above

 

[Hondo44]

If I wanted a 357 FT I'd strip off the barrel markings including the instruction manual, reblue it and never look back. Voila! But then I'm too old to wait for anything I want!

 

[1ruger]

I picked up a 50 anniversary 357mag model from Buds almost 3 years ago. It has that gold inlaying on top of the barrel but it still works good.

 

[REP1954]

My favorite Ruger is a Bowen tuned 357 50th Anniversary.

 

[Ken ONeill]

What I want is a stainless .41 Mag. Flat Top, preferrably on the mid-size frame.

 

[Hondo44]

Here's why you'll never see one from Ruger, at least in a 6 shot:
SAAMI pressure specs: 41 Magnum 36,000 PSI.

IIRC the mid frames are considered good for around 20,000. Someone please correct me if you know better.

 

[1ruger]

Here's why you'll never see one from Ruger, at least in a 6 shot:
SAAMI pressure specs: 41 Magnum 36,000 PSI.

IIRC the mid frames are considered good for around 20,000. Someone please correct me if you know better.

Yes, I've heards that medium frame 45Colt/ACP revolvers are good for 20,000 PSI but the 41 Mag is smaller diameter so there would be thicker wall around the chamber on the cylinder. My medium frame 357 Mag can handle much more than 20,000 PSI.

 

[Rclark]

My medium frame 357 Mag can handle much more than 20,000 PSI.

FYI, your medium frame .357 can handle ANY .357Magnum load. SAMMI .357 is 35,000psi.

 

[Hondo44]

Here's why you'll never see one from Ruger, at least in a 6 shot:
SAAMI pressure specs: 41 Magnum 36,000 PSI.

IIRC the mid frames are considered good for around 20,000. Someone please correct me if you know better.

Yes, I've heard that medium frame 45Colt/ACP revolvers are good for 20,000 PSI but the 41 Mag is smaller diameter so there would be thicker wall around the chamber on the cylinder. My medium frame 357 Mag can handle much more than 20,000 PSI.

Per Brian Pearce, the factory has blessed 45 ACP +P loads for it which are 23,000 psi, just a little more.

 

[Ken ONeill]

I'd happily settle for the larger .44 frame as long as it was a stainless flat top, but since I was wishing ....
BTW, even Colt built some experimental .41 Mags. on the SAA frame and built and SOLD some .44 Mags. (!!!) on the New Frontier frame. Two of Bob Peterson's were sold at auction about a year ago.