Ruger Single Action Hammer Interchangeability

Joined
Feb 22, 2013
Messages
189
Location
TEXAS
Forgive me if this has already been covered, but I couldn't find anything on the subject in past posts.

I recently acquired a NM Vaquero and want a hammer that's a little lower and wouldn't mind if it were a little wider, but that's not absolutely necessary. Do any of the hammers for other Ruger single actions fit the NM Vaquero? If so, best place to buy one?

Thanks!
 
Register to hide this ad
A Super Blackhawk hammer is a little lower and fits. A Bisley hammer is a lot lower but takes a considerable amount of fitting to work without a grip frame change.....but is worth it.

D972B9DC-825B-4189-8099-B6B6ECEF8499-794-0000013AC6E07457_zps3591447b.jpg


Oh crap...New Vaquero? That's a smaller frame....
 
308 Scout,
Yes.

The Super Blackhawk hammer will fit with only normal fitting. It will usually function just fine, with only fine tuning to get trigger pull the way you want it needed. There are posts about this floating around; try searching "super blackhawk hammer new vaquero" and see if one shows up.

The Bisley hammer will fit with some filing and sanding. The "hump" on the Bisley hammer needs to be shaped to fit in the gripframe. Using the original hammer as a template, transfer the shape of the lower back of the hammer to the Bisley hammer and remove slowly, test fitting to try and get the shape to be flush with the shape of the grip frame area where the top two screws pass through.

Finding the hammer is the fun part. Ruger apparently has stopped making blued versions of both. Stainless steel are still around at places like Midway, Brownells, Numrich or even Ruger, but supply is somewhat spotty.

couple of links:
http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=190916

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=190631

There are more out there with more pictures and step by step instructions. The search function can be challenging though. Good luck!
Tim

Tim
 
The Bisley single six hammer is your best bet for a lower/wider hammer in a single six.

Single six Bisley hammer and trigger (all the same size no matter what model) in single six:
orig.jpg


You can use a Super that will be wider but not lower and takes a lot of work to get some decent proportion like this old model. But you will also need to fit the front face of the hammer to the transfer bar to maintain the safety feature:
orig.jpg


TIP: REPLACING JUST HAMMER and/or PAWL:
You do not need to pull the trigger, the PESKY GATE SPRING or transfer bar to remove the hammer and pawl. Once you take off the grip frame, the hammer pin is the only thing you have to remove to get them out. Just pull the hammer back and all the way down, then depress the hammer plunger in the base of the hammer with a small tipped screwdriver to clear the trigger extension where the transfer bar connects to it. Let the hammer & pawl fall out. Install in reverse! Piece o' cake.

Blackhawk Hammer Height Dimensions to top front:

Montado, N Vaq, mid frame Flat Top Blackhawk, SBH 2.231"- 2.238"
Bisley Mid & Large Frame 2.245"
Original large frame Vaq 2.254"-2.255
Large frame Blackhawk and mid frame Flat Top BH 2.315"

Some standard NM hammer vintage changes:

The left and center small base hammers 1.071" – 1.076" predate the ca. 2000 large base hammer production. Measured on the centerline of the two large holes from back of hammer base to top of full cock notch.
Left hammer is large frame Blackhawk/adjustable rear sight.
Center hammer, thin topped is original Vaquero.
Right hand hammer is the latest production with large base 1.122" – 1.130" and narrow shank.
Not shown: New Vaquero hammers (not shown) with the longer spur, have the large base and an even narrower shank.

DSCN1610.jpg


The large base hammer followed Ruger's decision to simplify production about 1997 in the serial range 56-XXXXX (Vaqueros). Ruger raised the cylinder frame mating surfaces of the non-Bisley SAs (Blackhawks and Single Sixes) on both sides of the hammer to match the Bisley model frames so they could be assembled to any style grip frame.

Therefore the 'ears' on the standard grip frame had to be raised and enlarged as well. But it took Ruger awhile to use up existing small base hammer inventory before the enlarged base hammers, that matched/fit flush with the taller grip frame ears, were put into production. So for a few years guns were shipped with some ugly hammer/ear fits.

The thinner shank came along much later coinciding approximately with the 1st anniversary new mid-size and later large frame flat tops in 2005 and in my opinion are much better looking. I know of no other reason for it other than improved looks and/or small weight reduction.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=155024&p=1559726#p1559726 more pics

Spur shapes and relative heights: Bisley front, Super and Montado middle, and standard in the rear.
hammers.jpg


http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=136817
________________________________________

MODIFYING BISLEY HAMMER FOR BIRDSHEAD OR STANDARD GRIP FRAME:
Before you trace your old hammer, make sure it fits flush with the grip frame 'ears'.
Use the hammer pivot pin to hold the original and new hammers together and scribe both sides, then grind, file, sand and re-blue the portion you filed away (if blued).

I "hog out" most of the metal with an 1/8" x 1" Dremel course stone; hammer in a vise. Then true up the course grinding and the corner with a small double cut triangular file. Finish with 400 grit paper wrapped around a 1/4" x 1/2" alum sanding block with flat surfaces, and re-blue with Brownells OxPho blue. That will match the factory finish which is left a bit course. For a higher polish, follow up with 800 grit and 1000 grit. Polish with a Dremel flannel wheel using white rouge made for polishing stainless steel. Then blue.

Notice that mine has part of the flare on the hammer spur removed as well to look more like a Super Blackhawk hammer.

I usually take about 1/16" off the back of the hammer shank below the spur because they stick out from the frame recoil shield too far for my taste, but don't go too far or the hammer plunger/spring hole will be exposed. You'll notice the newest production hammers have narrower shanks. See hammer on the right:

DSCN1610.jpg

DSCN0589.jpg

DSCN0594.jpg

DSCN0598.jpg



http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=1543606#1543606

G2's photo:

P1010010-6.jpg


Hammer heights to front top:
Large frame hammer = 2.37" (including Bisley and Super)
Mid-frame = 2.18"
Single six = 2.035 to 2.060"
Super single six, shorter for adj. sight = 1.945 to 1.965"

The Single-Six uses a much shorter hammer than do the centerfires and notice the difference between the Single Six and Super SS (shorter to clear adjustable sight).

The mid frames use a slightly shorter hammer than do the full size Blackhawks but will still interchange.
 
Super Blackhawk grip frame with rounded Super Blackhawk trigger guard and a Bisley hammer.
(The trigger guard still needs to be welded.)

50th Anniversary Super and it shoots great!

333850203.jpg


flatgate
 

Latest posts

Back
Top