Thinking about converting...

[Joe S.]

I have a 1970 3 screw 357 that is non converted that i am thinking about sending in to have "fixed" so i can carry a full cylinder.

For those that have done this, will i lose the half cock? Will my holes still line up with the loading gate? Those are two features is rather not lose if i dont have to...

 

[Bob Wright]

LEAVE IT ALONE! If you've just got to have that sixth round, buy or trade it for a New Model.

If you "modernize" it, you'll get a hodge-podge of parts that look as ugly as a mud fence, with a trigger pull to match.

Leave you three screw as God intended, and get yourself a New Model.

Bob Wright

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

What Bob Wright said +1 !!!!!!!

 

[rtl]

Yeah....I have to ditto these guys here.

 

[Joe S.]

It does have a LIGHT trigger!!

 

[Hondo44]

Joe,

The answers to your questions are:
Yes, you will still have a 1/2 cock but not a 1st notch (useless anyway, but no 'click').
Yes, the chambers will still line-up properly like they do now.

But the action will be stiff. The conversion trigger will have a bump on the back of it to increase the trigger spring pressure. Grinding it off will help a lot. Also you have more parts moving around so slicking them up or polishing will also help. There will be a groove on the right side of the hammer for the transfer bar to fit in which is kind of ugly when cocked.
The new parts that will be installed are retrofit parts made to work in a 3 screw gun and not the same or as sophisticated as the new model.

If you send it back to Ruger, call 1st and get a prepaid shipper and there will be no shipping cost to or from. Also strip out all the internal parts including the hammer, trigger and cylinder pin and keep those at home. There are reported cases where those did not come back with the gun. You can either keep them for the gun or sell them.

 

[Joe S.]

It sounds like i will ne creating a need to put alot of time into it to get it back close to where it already is now...

Thanks for the answers. May hold off a bit...

 

[wwb]

I have a 1970 3 screw 357 that is non converted that i am thinking about sending in to have "fixed" so i can carry a full cylinder........

Not to seem snarky, but if 5 shots ain't enough, why do you think 6 will do the job?

Joining the chorus, I say you can either leave it alone, or sell/trade for a New Model, but please don't have it converted.

 

[Joe S.]

cause an empty chamber bothers me... (ADD)

 

[rammerjammer]

Leave it alone

 

[Rclark]

Of course the decision is up to you... But if it was me, I'd just buy a New Model if I wanted to load 6 and leave the Old Model as is.

 

[bigboredad]

is the empty chamber a problem cause you don't think it should be empty? or you really want 6 shots? Just trying to understand why the empty chamber would bother you not a put down by any means. If you can afford it maybe you should look for one that has been converted and see if you like it or try a new model. If the gun doesn't hold any sentimental value to you I'm sure you could swap it for one that either has been converted or a new model. I recently fell into a 3 screw .357 and then realized I don't care for the .357 and that for the past 30years I've only shot new model blackhawks. So I swapped it for a 12 year old virgin in .45 colt and couldn't be happier so lots of things to consider. Good luck

 

[Joe S.]

Its not even with 5... Thats all. At least a 5 shot is spaced even...

Maybe i should load a snap cap. Ha

 

[Joe S.]

Mine is WELL WORN... Doubt anybody would want it.

 

[Lee Martin]

I carry all my new models on an empty chamber. Like others have said, 5 is plenty. Keep it unconverted.

 

[Joe S.]

Looks like yall have convinced me. Dont wanna lose that sweet 40-something action!!

 

[Donaldjr1969]

I do not know the uses of Joe's OM, but if it by any chance is merely for range shooting rather than carrying loaded in a holster for hunting or predator control, then I would not have a problem loading 6. After all, it will only be loaded while on the firing line and carried to and from the car/truck unloaded.

Of course, if I truly need to shoot only 5, I will get out my S&W...

 

[Joe S.]

Yessir when at the range i do load 6. But i use it as a sidearm while hunting and that is when i have the pesky empty hole. Ha

 

[bigboredad]

Yessir when at the range i do load 6. But i use it as a sidearm while hunting and that is when i have the pesky empty hole. Ha

I can see your point. It's like that pebble in your shoe it ain't gonna keep from chasin that big buck but you know it's there and it bugs the shiz out of ya til it's taken care. One thought for ya make up a dummy then use a sharpie to mark the rim that way you will know at a glance if it is in the right place

 

[Joe S.]

I can deal. Just a thing. Ha

As soon as i get my vaquero right i will probably resort to carrying it full time anyway.

 

[bigboredad]

Vaqueros are cool and you have to work really hard to knock the sights out of alingment :lol:

 

[Joe S.]

Lol. Guess so!