44 Special Flattop

[John R.]

This is 44Special Flattop with Cary Chapman grips, and a Tom Threepersons rig with extra fancy floral carving. It's one of my favorite woods guns.

[gcrank1]

So VERY nice! (color me green)

[John R.]

Thanks gcrank1, I decided when I bought the 44 Special, that I was going to get the grips and holster rig I've always wanted. So I broke down and went for it. By the way the guns shoots great. It really likes the 250 gr. Keith bullets from Mt. Baldy bullets.

[gcrank1]

I thought similar when I traded into my Ruger 50th An. 357, so I had www.privatescustomgrips.com make me a pair of light colored stabilized maple burl grips (very much like yours) to contrast with that deep blue.
Funny how a really nice piece suddenly 'needs' more, hey! Ive recently been thinking along the lines of a nice basketweave highride holster, too.........got the belt in black, but dang I like brown.
Ive had a bunch of 44s and they all shot very well, and the reloading was a snap with those straight wall cases. I usually went with low end book loads for the 44 Spl with lead SWC and only kept a few ready in powerup loads for 'whatever'. A wonderful cartridge.

[ratgunner]

Very nice indeed. I've been pondering one for woods carry myself.

[Dusty Wheeler]

Very nice!  When the 44 Flattop first appeared I longed for a Flattop in 45C/45ACP with the 4 5/8" barrel.  I have one now and am very pleased.  Then I picked up the .44 Special too.  I have Flattop-itis!

[gcrank1]

Those big holes likely help keep your revolver weight down, my 357 is one noticeable chunk, but definitely strong enough!

[John R.]

Yeah Dusty I am seriously considering getting the 45 Colt Flattop. If I get the same bbl. length, I can use the same holsters. I have a 45 Colt Bisley with a 5 1/2" bbl. I'm also thinking about picking up a Simply Rugged pancake holster for the Flattop.

[Ken ONeill]

I really like the Lipsey's flattops. I bought a blued .44 Special early in 2009 shortly after they were announced, but sold it this spring, a few months after I found this stainless version. It now wears a Gordon Logan undercut patridge front sight and black micarta grips by Gary Reeder:



This .45 convertible is also a real winner, particularly with the ACP cylinder:

[John R.]

Those are nice Ken, I would love to have one of those convertibles!

[jimster]

Very nice John, I do like the Tom Threepersons rig.  I have the same 44 spl flattop with Cary Chapman grips myself, I'm using a Simply Rugged rig for mine, but I have been looking at the Tom Threepersons rigs for some time now. My flattop .44 spl is the most used single action since I've bought it,  I have a tough time shooting any other single action these days.
And wow...that floral carving on your rig is really nice,  I also like the white stitching, that really sets it all off.  Nice pics! Thanks!

[Mike in Virginia]

My favorite gun on the planet!  I sometimes place mine in a chair adjacent to where I sit on the couch and have conversations with her.  She don't talk much, but lordy when she does, something is getting busted or killed.   

[poorcountrypreacher]

I really like every gun in this thread!


Ken, I've got one of those Lipsey .45 convertibles like yours, but mine has a 5.5" inch barrel. The mid-size frame really fits my hand a lot better than a regular Blackhawk. My cylinders were undersized, so I had them opened it up, but never have done anything about the barrel constriction. It shoots jacketed bullets pretty well, but slings lead bullets everywhere. I've bought all the stuff to fire lap the barrel; just haven't had time to do it.

[ratdog]

i have a 44 and 45 convertable love the 45 colt gee i forgot i even had a 45acp cylinder tell i was reading this the 44 is just plane fun when loaded down . a little like just a little over 44 specials.

[gcrank1]

Preacher, are your cast bullets big enough to fit those new throats?