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.
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.
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.
Nice find. I picked up a flat top in 45 Colt last summer and carry it hunting, hiking and on horseback. Primarily for the same reasons you mentioned. Also less chance of letting off an unintended second shot if I had to fire off my horse and he spooked. It also fits my hand better than the standard model.
Brian… seriously? No knife porn in the pictures??? :jester:
There must be something in the water, because I’ve been hankering for a single-action like yours to play with. I’m going to find somebody trading up at a SASS match, I think.
I got the Single Seven as soon as I say the aluminum frame version. When I have it on the trail I’ve been keeping 32 h&r rounds in it. Lighter and thinner than this one. Hard to choose.
For typical everyday Ammo I use a 240 gr hard cast and 7.5 grains of unique for either gun. I am using bayou Bullets coated Bullets wing good success , no leading and as accurate as any.
My wife carries the Bisley model whilst huckleberry picking with 290 gr hardcast at 1000 FPS. I replaced the base pin and enameled the front sight bright red- very handy and versatile gun. I have a 250 truncated come mold inbound as we speak with which to experiment, I’m looking for a little less recoil (for her) while still retaining decent terminal effects. I’ve read, from Brian Pierce IRRC, that going beyond 250 grains in this cartridge raises pressures faster than velocities
The pin is from Bowen Classic Arms and requires fitting to install- greatly improved the lockup. It also features a screw which sets in a dimple in the barrel making it virtually impossible for the pin to fly out under recoil.
