I've always been a big fan of single actions for carrying in the woods or backpacking. The simplicity of the whole thing has always appealed to me for several reasons.

1. Safety when dehydrated and tired from many backpacking miles. If you have never been in this state of mind you would be surprised at the simple stupid things you do when fatigued and your body is pushing for fluids and minerals.

2. Simplicity. When in need cock and fire. When not needed nothing else to say really. No need for an empty chamber under the hammer with transfer bar system, no need to worry about hitting the cylinder latch, etc.
I have smaller hands and jumped on these flat tops due to their mid size grip frames. It is just a smidgeon smaller than standard frame size and overall fits my hand better.

This last one I picked up is a 44special. I wanted something a little lighter than my 357/9mm Flattop due to larger diameter holes. Yes when loaded bumps Weight back up but the barrel is a little lighter and weight shifted towards you slightly. Plus a larger chunk of projectile coming out of the end of the barrel.

So far it is very present shooting with 245 grain slow loads at about 750 ft/sec. would be plenty for trail use around here for general use in NC but I do have some 1000 ft/sec 255 grain loads that I'll be shooting soon. Odds are I'll use those for the trail most often.

Not sure why but this 44 special feels like an old friend already and I've only got 50 rounds through it.

Here are some pictures to enjoy.

Very nice.. One of my favorite calibers!!!!

Probably one of the most inferior revolvers ever made.

That is a very comfortable configuration ... balance, etc. I thought about buying one but they list at 42.5 ounces and my same-barrel-length Super Blackhawk weighs 45 ounces. I couldn't rationalize the cost for 2.5 ounces of savings. If it'd been down in the 35-38 ounce range, I might well be carrying one of those and not abusing myself with a S&W 329PD.

Cool pictures. Darn things look right, feel right ... "you done good."

Tom

Can you explain a little better?

They are winners for sure. What weight are those red wadcutters?

200 grain. Suposidly 1000ft/sec

Nice. I used to use a 218 from a Lee mould. Never shot anything with one though.

Nice looking sixgun! Should be a sweetheart to shoot.

Old guy here, huge fan & reader of Skeeter Skelton. I can't remember a time when he was off base. He loved the 44 special & preached it's attributes on many occasion. I used to argue with him telepathically that I didn't need a 44 special as I had 44 magnum revolvers & I could always shoot specials in those. This went on for a couple decades.

Finally, I decided to try a revolver chambered in Special. And it was. I tried another special, it was. They can be lighter, trimmer & seem to be more accurate than their magnum counterparts. I was hooked on something that had been handed me time & time again. Better late than never.

I have 550 pieces of special brass & it seems I'm always running low on loaded ammo, my most fired center fire revolver.

So many adjectives for the Special I wouldn't know where to start, but it has a place for sure.

Showing your lack of knowledge & experience isn't hard for you is it?

Another campfire troll.

I like it. 😊

What’s your favorite barrel length? I was thinking of keeping an eye out for a 5.5” barrel version maybe.

The trade off length.

Or... the length of indecision, 5 1/2". Many Blackhawks & Single series here with the in between length.

But, if a 4.6 showed up at the right price, I could be seen with one. I like the looks of yours, & the short base pin is cool. Good photography too!

Only had the 4.6 lengths so I'm intrigued at times about the 5.5's

I've been out of SA's for many years now but that particular model keeps calling my name!
It would be carried in NC mountains just west of you.
Presently, that role is filled by a S&W .44 mag Mtn Gun.

I bought the Bisley version about six months ago. I love it.





Sorry for the crappy pix but my camera's acting up......and I'm a crappy photographer.

Ignorance can be cured, once you realize you have a problem.

Just ignore him/her.

Very nice, enjoy!

Put him/her on ignore. That's what I've done. He's not worth it, contributes nothing.

Nice gun...a friend who is big into .44 Special has a blue Bisley 4 5/8s and a stainless standard BH 4 5/8".... I've shot both and they are great shooters...

The new black plastic grips make the gun look just like the original Flat Top .357s of the 1960s... I had a FT .41 Magnum a few years ago and while the grips look great I hated shooting the gun with them on it and switched them out for a fatter set of bonded ivory...

https://www.gunsamerica.com/digest/ross-seyfried-lipseys-ruger-flattop-44-special-bisley-revolvers/


Enjoy the gun...about the perfect revolver caliber...Bob

RJM,
Are these flattop Bisleys built on the slightly smaller frame as were the Anniversary models, or are they the SBH frame size?

The Bisley frame is its own thing from what I know.
It is different grip frame all together.

They are on the mid-size frame. All of the modern production Flattop models are built on that mid-size frame.


Added: That's speaking of the cylinder frame. The grip frame on the standard (non-Bisley) Flattops is the original XR3 size grip frame from the Old Model .357 Blackhawks.

The .357, .44 Special and .45 Colt/ACP are on the Mid-Size frame...the .41 and .44 Magnum on the Large frame. The grip frames are all the same XR3...

Bob

You're right, of course. Every time you try to come up with a blanket statement about Ruger revolvers they throw some exceptions at you.

Now that's a revolver to drool over.........envious.

Thanks guys, that answers my question.

Mine's a Bisley and wears Rowen ivory.

Nice piece. My favorite Ruger 44 Special, built long before Ruger offered one.

Have one..really nice pistol. Who makes a nice set of aftermarket grips?

Hey I dig those ... how wide are they vs factory ? I l might need a set

About 1.2" across the screw with very little taper. SA or DA, 1.2" is the sweet spot for me.

That's a beauty Ed......

One of my favorites, love the Single Six top strap conversion.

My SS .44 Special. Had it for several years. The quality/finish is excellent.

That is nice!

That's a very good article....thanks for posting it.

man, i completely agree with that line of thought re: single actions. theyre safe and simple. wish the rugers had less trigger creep outta the box but thats really my only complaint. i have the 50th anniv flattop. fantastic shooter with 158 g lead & trailboss.

That's what mine loos like, sans those nice grips. Who did those for you?

Thanks for your kind words. I can't remember the maker's name --- he went by a nickname. I wasn't very happy with him. The grips are Elk antler.