Ruger Flattop .44 - Ever buy a gun that made you shake your head?

[desi2358]

I have heard that Ruger stopped returning the old parts when they did the conversion............ Not sure why but always suspected it was a lawyer thing, afraid someone would re-install the old parts, have an accident then go after Ruger. I did encounter two cases where people came into the store with letters from Ruger stating that the company would NOT return their particular gun (sent in for the update) due to unspecified safety reasons. In it's place Ruger was offering to send them a New Model in whatever barrel length they desired. These people were not happy (one was an inherited gun) and wanted to know if we had any ideas if they could do something about getting their original guns back. I suggested contacting a lawyer as the only option I could think of. I know that one of them settled for the new replacement gun as our store ended up receiving it for him from Ruger.

I've known of a number of cases of manufacturers replacing current production guns due to various issues (including two cases where they flat out stated they couldn't fix it!) but these were the only cases I've actually known of like this. Just one more reason why I would never send one in for the conversion.

 

[gregintenn]

Humans are interesting creatures.

Nice revolver!

 

[Golddollar]

I've known of a number of cases of manufacturers replacing current production guns due to various issues (including two cases where they flat out stated they couldn't fix it!) but these were the only cases I've actually known of like this. Just one more reason why I would never send one in for the conversion.

I had bought a High Standard Victor at an auction and it had a severely cracked frame. Not their fault, I didn't check the gun out well enough. Most likely a prior owner used high speed ammunition in the gun. I sent it back to High Standard and the gun was rebuilt with a brand new frame. Now I have a rarity, a High Standard Victor with a Hamden, CT barrel and a Houston, TX frame.

 

[2152hq]

I've seen the converted3-screw Ruger SA's come back from Ruger with the orig parts included with the converted gun.
It was first done that way and for a long time.
Then for some reason the return of the parts was stopped
,,,then re-instated,,then again stopped.
..and around and around it went over the years.

I take it it's now in the We don't return the old parts mode.

It didn't follow any pattern or sensible changes to anything. Everything was the same. Same old parts removed,,same conversion parts installed.

I can only guess that managment changes maybe even at lower positions like in the Service Dept itself made the decisions along the way.

You could even kind of track the changes in the availability if the older 3-screw parts and their prices once the Net got into full swing and they were being sold and traded on-line.
They'd get scarce for a while and prices would get crazy, you could bet that Ruger had changed course once again.

Ruger like others will keep a damaged gun and simply offer to exchange it for a same or similar model for the customer.
The reason(s) are often stated as one of safety, though that's of little comfort to the customer who simply sent it in thinking it needed a tune up or refinish.
Once they have it in hand, the factory won't often give it up if they see any hint of a safety issue. Not in todays world.
With no more 3-screw Rugers since 72, you'll never get a new one from them of course.
Send them a Ruger '357 Maximum' for any servicing issue, even if it's never even been fired,,and you'll never see it again.

I don't know what they offer you in replacement for that one

 

[Buick]

I returned a service six that had the barrel removed, along with a take off barrel to be installed. Ruger customer service stated the gun was unrepairable and offered me any handgun in their catalog at their cost. I asked for the service six to be returned to me, and they offered me any handgun in their catalog at no charge. I opted for a 3" fixed sight stainless GP100.

 

[Skeet 028]

I bought my first Flattop(first year) in an Arvo Ojalla fast draw rig(patent pending) quite a few years ago. It was owned by a photographer who worked for New Yorker magazine. And yeah..like a Harley if you shot it (or rode it) you had to tighten stuff up from time to time. I sold the fast draw rig on ebay for 10 dollars less than I paid for the whole thing

 

[DWalt]

A Ruger flat top .44 like that one was my very first revolver, but not my first handgun. I bought it sometime in the early 1960s, but I don't remember exactly when, or where I bought it - possibly at an OGCA show in Columbus while I was in college at OSU. It was an early one, and I remember it had a 4-digit SN. I was never exactly enamored with it, and didn't shoot it very much. I bought a box of factory loads when I first bought the gun, but those were somewhat uncomfortable to me, and I fired only a handful of factory rounds through it. I started reloading for it using a Lee Loader, but never handloaded much for it either. I sold it to a friend in 1970, along with the remaining .44 ammo and the Lee Loader, and several other expendable guns, as a way of shedding excess baggage in preparation for a move to another city. I think I sold it for something like $100. Just one of many guns I sold that I shouldn't have.

 

[CA Escapee]

I've got a '59 Flattop .44. Luckily, I haven't had to send it back to Ruger.

A long time ago I bought a used Single-Six Convertible. It only came with one cylinder. (I forget which one it was.) I called Ruger and asked if they could make the other caliber cylinder. They said, sure, but we have to do the conversion, so I sent it off to them.

The new cylinder was $10 including labor. They sent the old parts back, too. It was about the time they were moving to AZ.

 

[Muley Gil]

That looks like a Colt style .45 cylinder, NOT a Ruger cylinder.

 

[s&wchad]

That looks like a Colt style .45 cylinder, NOT a Ruger cylinder.

Thank You!

I looked at it closely after reading your post. Sure enough…

According to Wilkerson's book, it's a post-war old model cylinder for a 2nd generation SAA with a serial number under 80000SA.

 

[double-dipper]

Chad, I hate buggered up screws too!
For 12 bucks I wouldn't think twice about replacing that screw. I would just be happy I found a new one.