Here is what has become my new favorite single action handgun. Truth be told, I am not really into single actions, but have still managed to acquire more than a few.
This is a Lipseys stainless Flattop Convertible .45 (.45 Colt/ACP).
It’s primary role is as a .45 ACP shooter. to facilitate that, I had the throats cut a little deeper, as my USPSA .45 load has the SWC sitting a bit out past the case mouth, and as such many Ruger revolvers would not chamber the rounds fully.
I had the stainless grip frame swapped for a much lighter aluminum one.
As previously mentioned, throats reamed
The standard hammer was replaced with a lowered Bisley
The base pin is now a Belt Mountain, with set screw, as the factory one would often walk out on me.
Stocks are from Lone Star Custom Grips. They are much prettier in person.
About the only thing left is to install a gold bar or two into the front sight blade for longer range shooting.
I’ve never called a pistol sexy before - but that one sure is a beautiful sample.
I’ve been toying with dipping my foot into Cowboy Action Shooting and researching SAA Colt clones. Is your Ruger a Blackhawk or Vaquero variant? Any info why you choose this setup and intended use would be cool. I’m just learning so I’d appreciate any additional information you’d like to share.
Vaqueros have fixed sights, ie: a groove on the top strap that is used as a rear sight, rather than a separate dedicated sight.
Thanks for the compliments btw.
As for use, mine is purely recreational. Its primary use will be with .45 ACP. I have loaded for .45 ACP for roughly 25 years and have plenty of components laying around. If I was looking at cowboy action shooting, more likely than not, I would opt for .38 special chambered guns, for the reduced recoil and speed in which a person can shoot them. This seems to be the popular route. I can’t hard;y find enough time to shoot USPSA, so the odds of me shooting cowboy action are slim. Plus my daughter shoots Mounted cowboy action, (shooting from horses) so most of my free gunning time is already consumed.
I did not know that they made a stainless convertible and in flattop to boot. I bought a blued 4-3/4 convertible a few years ago that I would love to send to Bowen, but I always wished it was stainless. I haven’t shot it in forever though. If you don’t mind me asking how much over the standard convertible are these?
I feel compelled to contribute to this thread since the OP and I are like minded individuals. I have also been reloading .45 ACP for a long time and have a lot of components.
My submission: Freedom Arms M83 in .454 Casull with a .45 ACP auxiliary cylinder. Due to the line boring of the cylinders, even the .45 ACP cylinder is freakishly accurate despite the long jump the bullet must make to the forcing cone. Also fun in this pistol, and probably also safe with the Super Blackhawk convertible, is using .460 Rowland data in .45 ACP brass. Just make sure to label it so it never finds it’s way into one of your autos.
I cannot recall what I paid for this, but if I recall it was in the mid 500s. I have an older .45 convertible that is on the larger frame, and IIRC it was in the mid 400s, but that has probably been more than a dozen years ago. That old blued short barreled convertible is one that has always struck me as odd. The reason is that it has a good bit of slop in the cylinder play, but for whatever reason it shoots amazingly well. I have a test target from a 50’ indoor range where (sandbagged) I shot i think it was 24 rounds into less than 1.5"s. With the play, i would have never guessed it could shoot that well but it consistently does shoot very well. With Blazer 230 grain ball no less.
Thats a real beauty and as fine as anyone could ever hope to own.
*Edited to add that in my opinion/observation/experience, That FA 83, with 2 cylinders could cover virtually every conceivable use for an outdoorsman who prefers the single action revolver. Add a Rimfire of choice and DONE!
That was my goal when I decided to send it back for the .45 ACP cylinder to be made. At that time I also had the perform an action job and install an over travel stop. I debated having a .45 Colt cylinder made bit I have more .454 brass than .45 Colt and decided against it.
I was surprised how fast the turn around was, only about 3 weeks for all the work. I also talked to the gunsmith and inquired about having an octagonal barrel put on, guy was super cool. Told me he’d do it, but in his opinion the original barrel shoots so well with both cylinders he would leave it on if it were his. I can’t argue with that. As it turns out at 25 yards with even halfway decent reloads the .45 ACP cylinder will cut a ragged hole group off of bags. Even with my dumb ass running the trigger.
I wish FA would make a double action revolver to their standards.
Very nice! My first handgun was a stainless single six I paid $75 for NIB in 1975… I still have it and a SBH Bisley 44 Mag. I have always wanted one of the Ruger convertibles in 45.
My circa 1998 4 3/4" .45 Convertible isn’t a show pony, but very handy and light for its caliber, and the plow handle just soaks up recoil. Had the chamber mouths reamed out, and mostly run cast 250 gr. Keith SWCs, sized .454 through it. VERY accurate. ACPs are a sometime thing, but it does very well with those too. If I miss, it’s my own doing and nothing else. Those stainless Lipsey .45 Convertibles are real lookers, though.
Damn, that is nice. I am seriously considering buying a SAA for my next BBQ gun. Yours is a beaut, and the family heritage just makes it even more special.
Thank you sir. My grandfather owned a hardware store in upstate NY and he ordered it for my father. Firearms run deep in my family, my dad had a .22 at six.
