5-Shot
Member
For the last several years I’ve found myself shooting single action revolvers more and more. It all started back when one of the big distributors got Ruger to build a 44 special 4 5/8 inch Bisley flat top. I figured that was as close as I would ever get to Elmer’s famous Number 5, so I bought one. It was a fortunate move indeed because I discovered I was one of those who much prefer the Bisley grip (and trigger) to the traditional blackhawk handle. Since then I have acquired a 3 3/4 inch 44 magnum and a 45 Colt 5 1/2, both Bisleys.
During that time a bird’s head Vaquero in 45 acp passed through my hands. It would still be here but for the unseemly antics of a good friend. It is extremely unsettlingly to watch a 70+ year old beg, whine and hold his breath. My friend now owns the bird’s head but I discovered that I really like them.
I slowly reached the conclusion that I really wanted a smaller center fire single action revolver. It looked for the longest time that it would it was going to have to be an Italian import, but a few days ago a Ruger bird’s head 4 5/8 inch Single Seven (327 Magnum) fell into my lap. I couldn’t be more pleased.
As you can see from the pictures it is small and essentially flawless. As usual, I immediately freed up one leg of the trigger return spring and was rewarded with a reliable, light and pretty crisp trigger pull. Timing and lockup are perfect. Thursday was my second trip to the range. As expected, it had shot low on the first outing. A little cautious “sight adjustment” and Thursday I was rewarded with the attached target. It was fired at 15 yards off hand using a 6 o’clock hold and 76 year old eyes. I used some of my 32 H&R reloads consisting of a 98 grain bullet from an RCBS mold and a mid range level of Unique. So far I’ve shot that load, 130 grain Buffalo Bore’s and, out of curiosity, some of my 32 acp reloads. All did fine, and as you would expect, the Buffalo Bore’s landed about inch higher than my reloads.
As you can probably tell, I like my Single Seven a lot. I’m afraid my whimpering friend is out of luck this time. I’m keeping it.
Ed
During that time a bird’s head Vaquero in 45 acp passed through my hands. It would still be here but for the unseemly antics of a good friend. It is extremely unsettlingly to watch a 70+ year old beg, whine and hold his breath. My friend now owns the bird’s head but I discovered that I really like them.
I slowly reached the conclusion that I really wanted a smaller center fire single action revolver. It looked for the longest time that it would it was going to have to be an Italian import, but a few days ago a Ruger bird’s head 4 5/8 inch Single Seven (327 Magnum) fell into my lap. I couldn’t be more pleased.
As you can see from the pictures it is small and essentially flawless. As usual, I immediately freed up one leg of the trigger return spring and was rewarded with a reliable, light and pretty crisp trigger pull. Timing and lockup are perfect. Thursday was my second trip to the range. As expected, it had shot low on the first outing. A little cautious “sight adjustment” and Thursday I was rewarded with the attached target. It was fired at 15 yards off hand using a 6 o’clock hold and 76 year old eyes. I used some of my 32 H&R reloads consisting of a 98 grain bullet from an RCBS mold and a mid range level of Unique. So far I’ve shot that load, 130 grain Buffalo Bore’s and, out of curiosity, some of my 32 acp reloads. All did fine, and as you would expect, the Buffalo Bore’s landed about inch higher than my reloads.
As you can probably tell, I like my Single Seven a lot. I’m afraid my whimpering friend is out of luck this time. I’m keeping it.
Ed
