OM Flat Top rescue

[LC '92]

I rescued this little jewel from a local pawn shop yesterday. Spent most of the day cleaning it and rubbing cooties off of it from sitting in a pawn shop surrounded by cheap DVD's, used iPhones, monster sized flat screen TV's, Chinese tools, and stolen lawn equipment while being bombarded with loud Rap music from all sides. It had a serious self esteem issues! After several hours of therapy and one field trip, I think he is restored to his former dignity.

It has unmolested screw heads and no one has tried to "fix" the worn grip frame anodizing. It has a very desirable barrel length and the original grips. Man, it's getting hard to find them like these out in the wild anymore. 1958 model I think.

I put about 60 rounds through it and it shoots great. Need to do something with that trigger though.

Its' only shortcoming is that it has been converted and the old parts were not included with it. Will 3-screw Blackhawk parts work in a Flat Top?

 

[Don Lovel]

The 4 5/8 Bisley grip 41 mag in my avatar is a pawn shop rescue. Some nimrod had tried to grind finger grooves in the grip frame, it had mud in the bore and ejector rod housing, and a police evidence number etched in the bottom of the grip frame. I ordered a new Bisley frame and hammer from Brownell's and took the grip frame off my 7 1/2" Bisley and fitted it to the 41 and then installed the new grip frame polished and clear laquered on my 7 1/2" 45 Bisley

There is something really noble about rescuing old Rugers from Pawnshops and/or the hands of idiots and giving them a chance to be appreciated.

 

[flatgate]

Will 3-screw Blackhawk parts work in a Flat Top?

Yes, but the .30's, .41's, .44's and .45's have slightly taller hammers. Sometimes they'll fit fine and sometimes they may need a little shortening, IIRC.

flatgate

PS Nice ol' Flattop! Good for you!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Very nice. Good rescue.

Likely shipped in September of 1958.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Hondo44]

Your a Ruger good samaritan!

I rescued one worse than that for $400 and now it's an all steel 44 Spl.

 

[americal]

A fine job of cleaning :!: the Flattop --- some would say they all look the same---not so to me each one has its own character -esp. the used ones again thanks for not sanding on that one

 

[LC '92]

Took the flat top out again this afternoon. Shot some 130 grain cast bullets over 5 grains of Unique. It was cold and windy but I fired about 25 rounds before I ducked into my old shop to get out of the wind. I soaked the revolver in Hoppes #9 and scrubbed it good with a bronze bore brush and then wiped it down with a soft cloth and Rem-Oil. The Unique handloads and liberal doses of #9 have completely purged all the indignity of the pawn shop from its pores. It now takes its place in my safe with the other fine pieces of American iron stashed in there. It is a worthy addition.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

"And they lived happily ever after."

 

[SAJohn]

LC, Please do more frequent postings, I love your wit. John