OM 357 through Flattop44 Awesome!

[Kevin]

The story behind this Ruger Old Model .357 is: I got my tax return back finally. The wife says go ahead. I sent Contender some pictures of one I was thinking about (6 1/2 inch model). He said I could do better. Contender, thank you for communication back and forth. This gun is much nicer than the other.

Contender told me about flattop44. He has one, (4 5/8th inch.) I told him I'd take it. Sent the check off the next day and wammo, I picked it up this afternoon. Flattop44 is an excellent guy to deal with, as well. Thank you very much, great communication.

It's my first Old Model. Yahoo!

Questions:
So, I know load one, skip one, load four more.
Is an old model safe to dry fire?
The turn ring is prevented from not letting the hammer down from the half-cock position, correct? The gun has a slight turn ring, (last photo) it is a shooter, but in pretty great condition overall.

I suppose now, I should send it off to Ruger to make it safe. Perhaps ask if they can stamp something on the barrel about the owners manual. (insert smiley face here.)

 

[Kevin]

A couple more questions as I sit here, gun at my side.

How do I load the darn thing? I have never held, shot or owned an Old Model. The cylinder doesn't rotate when the loading gate is open. Is it only at the half-cock position again? Same with removing spent cases?

Two, what is the process of removing the cylinder? Is it the same as my other Blackhawks? I did manage to get it out, but putting it back in I don't think I did it the proper way. It took a little bit of fiddling.

 

[Cholo]

Kevin, you'll regret the day you ever "met" flattop44. I could be retired right now if he hadn't sold me my 1st OM FT about 15 years ago :lol:

To answer your questions:

To load--cock the hammer to the 2nd notch. Same for removing/installing the cylinder. Yup, they do take some fiddling to get things lined up just right. Enjoy!

 

[Stoots]

Beautiful! Great pics too!

 

[JWhitmore44]

When you send that off for the conversion have Ruger put on a new grip frame with a lock in it

Nice 3 screw.

 

[contender]

Yeah,, I'm an enabler!
Bill is responsible for MANY of us who are now hooked on Rugers.
Yes,, you can dry fire it,, but if you are concerned,, get 6 snap-caps & have at it.
Yes, you have to go to 1/2 cock to rotate the cylinder.
Sometimes the cylinder base pin slides easily back in & sometimes you have to fiddle with it. Normal.
And yes,, to prevent the dreaded turn ring,,, never lower the hammer from the 1/2 cock position. Always go to full cock first.

I bet the first time you shoot it,, it'll be hard to get the smile off your face!

 

[Bkat]

Kevin, just a couple of reminders on another OM truism: never let the hammer down from half-cock; always go to full cock before letting the hammer down. Will help avoid the line around the cylinder and save a little wear and tear.

It's also safest to load only five and keep the hammer down over an empty chamber. Do that by loading one, skipping one, loading four. Close the gate, go to full cock and when you let the hammer down it should be over the empty chamber.

Apologies if you already knew this; just assumed from your OP that you might not.

Have fun with a great classic!

EDIT: Just read your post closely and see that you do indeed know those things--sorry, I should have read and not skimmed.
Bkat

 

[Kevin]

Contender, I'm already smiling. I love this shorter barrel. The other two Blackhawks I have are a 7 1/2 inch 30 carbons and a 5 1/2 327.

I'll get some pictures of them together tomorrow.

 

[Joe S.]

Nice

 

[Mike Armstrong]

Gee, don't know HOW you can live without the new model factory "barrel graffiti"! I'm thinkin' of having it set to music. Maybe a Ruger Rap????

 

[GasGuzzler]

Very neat. Cap it off with some black bird on silver background emblem grips.

 

[mannyCA]

Great use of the antler...

 

[David LaPell]

They are a thing of beauty aren't they.

 

[flattop44]

Kevin, hope you are shooting it this weekend!! )
FT44

 

[Kevin]

I actually just got back from the range today. You know yesterday I was skeptical of short barrels as far as accuracy goes.

This OM is a laser. As soon as I figured out the sights, it was shooting nice and tight groups at 25 yards.

This gun is my new favorite. Nice trigger, comfortable grips, not front heavy like a 7 1/2 inch barrel. Overall I got the better end of the deal.

Thanks flattop44!

 

[contender]

Told ya!

 

[Kevin]

I know Contender. You are and enabler. I just sent flattop44 a pm about another as soon as I can afford it.
Thanks.

 

[contender]

You're hooked,,,,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Colonel Daddy]

OM, .357, 4 5/8". Yup, that just might become yer favorite bummin' around gun. Been mine for a long time! 8)

 

[Boxhead]

I have sold off much of my OM stuff but the handful of 357 Flattop's still remain. The pinnacle Ruger IMO. My favorite below, one I bought whilst living in Canada. I have yet to see nicer factory grips and few customs.

 

[flatgate]

A couple more questions as I sit here, gun at my side.

How do I load the darn thing?
Is it only at the half-cock position again? Same with removing spent cases?

Two, what is the process of removing the cylinder?

RTFM!

flatgate