WTB WTB Ruger Super Blackhawk fluted cylinder, 44 Mag.

[Xrayist]

Title says it all. I want a fluted cylinder for my Bisley. I just don't like the looks of an unfluted cylinder, so in search of a fluted version. Thanks in advance over any leads. I have checked eBay with no luck.

 

[aware3218]

Have you considered having your cylinder fluted? I had that done on a Super Blackhawk and it turned out great. Of course is needs to be a cylinder with no roll marks.

 

[Xrayist]

I did consider that, but as you pointed out, the roll marks. Even an unfluted one, once fluted, would most likely have a different blue. My Bisley is basically unfired and I don't want to have the entire gun reblued. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[seasterl]

I also wanted a fluted cylinder but on a short-barreled 44. IME, I t's cheaper to buy the revolver that has the cylinder you want, then either have the barrel cut down or a grip frame mated to it. Also, for some builders, if they go through the trouble of fluting your cylinder, they'd just assume build you a custom one from scratch. This can open up some other possibilities where you pay a little more, but you get a gun with a custom cylinder that will lock up like a bank vault (like a FA!). You "could" even have one built longer and to fill up your cylinder frame more. If this was done on a 45 Colt, John Linebaugh would have called it a big 45 Colt. Just stuff to think about. I also like fluted cylinders but also ones that fill up the frame opening.

 

[moparclan]

Make sure the cylinder ratchets match, I bought a spare stainless fluted cylinder for Super Blackhawk .44 and somewhere along the line Ruger changed the size of the ratchet teeth. Still trying to get pictures from my old computer or I could show the difference in size.

 

[Xrayist]

I also wanted a fluted cylinder but on a short-barreled 44. IME, I t's cheaper to buy the revolver that has the cylinder you want, then either have the barrel cut down or a grip frame mated to it. Also, for some builders, if they go through the trouble of fluting your cylinder, they'd just assume build you a custom one from scratch. This can open up some other possibilities where you pay a little more, but you get a gun with a custom cylinder that will lock up like a bank vault (like a FA!). You "could" even have one built longer and to fill up your cylinder frame more. If this was done on a 45 Colt, John Linebaugh would have called it a big 45 Colt. Just stuff to think about. I also like fluted cylinders but also ones that fill up the frame opening.

The issue is, is that the Bisley model only came with a fluted cylinder very early in production and they are quite scarce and expensive when you can find one. As for building a cusom cylinder, I actually looked into that a few years back on another project I was working on. At that time, I found that I could buy a nice used Freedom Arms revolver for less money. Not only do they lock up like a bank vault, the over all fit, finish is next to none. Linbaugh is gone, Bowen does not do this type of work anymore. I have seen in the past, used 44 mag cylinders go for about a 100, give or take. My gunsmith said he would charge me about 50 to do any alteration that needs to be done to the gun to make it work. I would not be using the original cylinder again, so no worry about it working in the gun anymore, as it will probably end up on eBay or a forum's classified section. I like my Bisley's 7.5 inch barrel, so as far as getting the revolver that has a fluted cylinder, and then switch grip frames, there are some issues. I don't recall anytime Ruger made a .44 magnum SA revolver with a 7.5 in. barrel and fluted cylinder, other than some early OM .44 Blackhawks or early Bisley's as I stated above. Also to fit a Bisley frame correctly, there will be a reblue involved. I just can't imagine that buying a new /used revolver (if it even existed), swapping out grip frames, and then having it reblued would be cheaper than buying a used cylinder for 100, even 200 and paying a gunsmith 50 to fit it.

 

[seasterl]

Did you check out Ross Customs? Ryan Ross is also a forum member and would be a great resource to help you get what you want.

 

[Randyzzz]

I guess I'm not the only one…I jumped at the chance to buy a Bisley .44 Super. Ended up having Ruger replace the barrel and reblue under warranty. Then I changed the grip frame and now I'm also considering a fluted cylinder. At one point I thought the Bisley cylinder roll marking was attractive. Not anymore…

 

[contender]

As you know,, a factory Ruger .44 mag fluted gun is harder to find & expensive. As such,, finding a cylinder out of one is even harder,,, as very few get separated from their parent gun.
I would consider a search for a standard .44 Mag cylinder, of the same vintage as your gun,, then have it fluted & re-blued.
Just an idea here.

 

[Robb Barnes]

Another option is buy a 357 max cylinder and have it shortened and rechambered. If you do that you can have it fill the entire frame window and add that nice touch for not much more. I have had max cylinder put in a number of guns and I really like using them.

All these have rechambered max cylinders. Top to bottom are 41 mag, 44 mag and 45 Colt.

 

[Redington Slim]

Have you thought of asking Tyler Gun Works? He specializes in custom single actions, might just have something on hand.

 

[needsmostuff]

I wonder if you could simply buy a 44mag. Vaquero of any barrel length you can find and simply swap cylinders both ways?

 

[bisleyfan41]

The44 fluted cylinders aren't as common as the inflated, but all the 5.5" Supers all have fluted cylinders. They're reasonably available. You can then swap barrels, grip frames, etc. Not a big deal.

Edited to add:
Or do what needsmostuff advises above ^^^