Hondo44
Hawkeye
Since Skeeter Skelton's conversion of an OM 357 mid frame to a 44 Spl, which was likely the 1st, literally thousands have been done. Besides Ruger finally came around after over 50 years to produce 44 Spl mid frames. So what's the big deal? Is it the panache of an old 3 screw 44? Well available New Model Flat top 44 Spl take off barrels and cyls have made it an exceedingly simple one compared to my first conversion.
Using a NM barrel and cyl for this '69 vintage 357 were literal drop-ins needing no machining or even fitting. The ERH took some tapering on the back side due to the larger diameter 44 barrel in the OM 357 mid frame because of the ERH socket location relative to the barrel hole in the frame.
To meet my needs it has a stainless steel SBH Hunter round guard grip frame, steel ejector housing, SBH hammer, Colt ejector rod, and finally a NM Bisley trigger (the only real work beside lengthening the trigger slot ~1/8"):
I've used the Clements Bisley trigger in the past, and although it eliminates adapting the OM Ruger trigger to the NM grip frame/return spring, it's not the authentic shape of the historical Bisley trigger nor even faithful to the Ruger design. Plus it's $70 if and when available.
It just took some simple welding to graft the top of the OM trigger (with screw hole and sear) to the bottom of the NM Bisley trigger with the shelf for the NM return spring, as shown in the following photos.
Left side:
Right side with welding bead dressed down:
One thing the grafting facilitated was moving the trigger back slightly for more finger space in front of the smaller plow handle trigger guard:
Ruger Bisley trigger in a NM with plow handle grip frame for comparison:
Using a NM barrel and cyl for this '69 vintage 357 were literal drop-ins needing no machining or even fitting. The ERH took some tapering on the back side due to the larger diameter 44 barrel in the OM 357 mid frame because of the ERH socket location relative to the barrel hole in the frame.
To meet my needs it has a stainless steel SBH Hunter round guard grip frame, steel ejector housing, SBH hammer, Colt ejector rod, and finally a NM Bisley trigger (the only real work beside lengthening the trigger slot ~1/8"):
I've used the Clements Bisley trigger in the past, and although it eliminates adapting the OM Ruger trigger to the NM grip frame/return spring, it's not the authentic shape of the historical Bisley trigger nor even faithful to the Ruger design. Plus it's $70 if and when available.
It just took some simple welding to graft the top of the OM trigger (with screw hole and sear) to the bottom of the NM Bisley trigger with the shelf for the NM return spring, as shown in the following photos.
Left side:
Right side with welding bead dressed down:
One thing the grafting facilitated was moving the trigger back slightly for more finger space in front of the smaller plow handle trigger guard:
Ruger Bisley trigger in a NM with plow handle grip frame for comparison: