I 'stumbled on' a convertible Ruger Flattop in 45ACP/Colt today on gunbrokers. Price was too good to pass on. Haven't gotten it yet, but curious if anyone has any experience with it. Anyone know if it will take 'modern' 45 Colt loads?

Thanks!

-bnw

it won't take "Ruger-T/C" loads but it will take the same +P loads that the Colt guns will. I have no actual experience with it but I have one I am finishing up for a customer and I'll post pics when it's done. I'm waiting on a short Sheriffs model base pin from belt Mtn and it's been shortened, new front sight, the ACP chambers have meed modified to also accept 45 Auto Rim and it has custom grips and of course action work.

I bought one last fall. Mine is the 5 1-2 inch model that came out first. It shoots very well with my acp reloads. I lucked into mine shooting the factory LC federal softpoints very well since I dont reload that yet. With the factory ammo I was getting about 3 inch groups at 50 yards so I took it deer hunting a few days. No luck on the deer though.

I got this because I like 45acp revolvers. The flat top size makes it very nimble in the hand. One thing I dont care for are the slick gunfighter grips. They look nice but get very slippery once your hands start to sweat or if you have gloves on. I think I will get a set of the factory black plastic checkered grips.

I really like mine and so far it has shot well with a variety of ammo in both cylinders. There was an extensive article about these a few months ago in the American Reloader magazine which gave the specs how warm you can load for the flat top. Pm me your address and I will send you a copy of the article.

I have one that was given to me by the love of my life for valentines day. It is one of the most accurate big bores I own. I have gotten sub 2 inch groups with winchester lead factory loads at 25 yards. Mine is the 4 5/8 barrel. I have a standard 45 colt load that I use for practice that is my own 255gr WFN over 8.5gr of Unique. It is very mild to shoot and plenty accurate. I have a pic posted of a 12 shot group I fired at 25yards with this load in the gallery. It isnt the best group I have shot with it but I posted it to show the guns potential. As far as the 45acp cylinder....it shoots slightly more accurate than the 45Colt. But only just slightly. I use Federal factory 45acp 230gr FMJ in it and they shoot fine. I have used the gun for targets of opportunity on pest animals. Things like armadillos and skunks out to 30 yards and have great luck. My 50 yard groups look something like 4-5 inches with factory loads in both cylinders. Like Rod said it wont take "full house" loads because it is built on the new vaquero frame and the cylinder walls are considerably thinner than the standard or bisley bhawks. I got the great advice from the more informed on this forum to keep my loads around 1000fps and I would be safe. I personally will adhear to this advice and pass it on now and in the future.

I love mine! The ACP cylinder seem to be a little more accurate.

Great looking piece!! I like the custom work you have had done. Is it a bead blast on the SS frame or did you have it coated with something?

Thank you. Thats Magnaport's Valvet Hone Bead Blasting with engine turning on the Bisley hammer & trigger.

240 that sure is a beautiful pistola

Thanks 480, The new Flattops are handy little pistols. Feels similar to an old Colt, without the sticker shock. And you can shoot all that ACP ammo thats always on sale at the big box stores!

Thanks for the replies! I've done some research on the XR-3 frame and everyone here said pretty much the same thing that I've found elsewhere. It looks like the pistol will do pretty much everything I would want to do with it, including running some big bullets at decent (1,000 fps or so) velocities.

The more pictures I see, the better the pistol looks! Can't wait to get my hands on it.

As far as I can see, Ruger only made 500 of the 5.5" Stainless guns. I wonder how fast they sold out, and if they'll make more???

I still see the blued models often, might have to dig alittle deeper for a stainless model. Check the gun auction sights, might have some luck there.

budsgun shop has some in stock. mine is more accurate out of the box than my Bisley

I got the 5.5" SS flattop today. The grips are slicker than I expected, but I'm sure I'll adjust to it. It's quick the looker, glad I snagged it when I did.

I really like mine. I did change the front sight.

That's really nice, Ken! Is that your sight? I love one of those on my .45 Bisley!

This one is a sight made by Gordon Logan of Taylorsville, N.C.

Really enjoy my blue 5.5" FT convertible. Now I need to get a SS model.

500WE, what is the knife in your photo?