Ruger Forum

cprher · September 4th, 2012, 02:05 PM

Yes, my "Lipsey" Bisley Flattop (5.5") in 45 Colt / 45 ACP will arrive Friday, courtesy of Hamilton Bowen and Paul Persinger. Several months ago I sent Hamilton a Lipsey Flattop Blackhawk after learning that the Bisley version, if it ever came out, may be as much as two years away. I have a Lipsey Bisley Flattop in 44 Special (5.5") that Hamilton and Paul slicked up for me and I wanted a matching pair in both calibers. The grips Paul did are a bright white micarta on a deep blue finish. Very striking. The conversion alone cost around $500 so I doubled the cost of the weapon and with the extras I asked Hamilton to do it comes out to about $1500 total. Not a bad price really for a custom gun. I'd already test fired the gun at 50 yards with my standard 45C load - 255 grain RN FP lead bullet by Laser Cast over 8.5 grains of Unique in a Starline case and a Federal Large Pistol primer. Very accurate and a lot of fun to shoot. Good power but it doesn't beat you up. Pictures will be posted of both this weekend, along with the "new" 357 Maximum I recently picked up. Unfired with original box and papers.
Keith

Chuck 100 yd · September 4th, 2012, 03:27 PM

Way cool !! I just had my dealer put a .45 SS Convertible flat top on order for me last week.
He said they are on back order but thats OK. Someday I will get a call and have another new toy.

Enjoy!!

cprher · September 8th, 2012, 06:50 AM

Here are the two Ruger Flattop Bisleys, a 44 Special Bisley and a 45 Caliber Lipsey that Hamilton Bowen just converted to a Bisley for me. Both are fitted with Paul Persinger White Micarta grips. I had Hamilton deck the frames before sending them to Paul. It allowed him to provide me with a truly seamless fit. My goal was to make them both look like exceptional versions of a factory gun. The Lipsey 44 was already that, but I think Hamilton did a superb job of making the 45 match its twin.

Even on very close inspection the two are indistinguishable except for caliber. Bowen's fit and finish of the Bisley grip frame (a Ruger part) is every bit as close as Ruger's own on the 44. What I find amazing is how good Ruger has gotten in that department, approaching Freedom Arms in its level of quality.

Here is the 357 Maximum I picked up recently. New and unfired in its original box with the manual and warranty, and the original wrapping papers as well. The box is in superb condition as well. The gun is one of only a few 100% guns I've ever owned. I'll probably end up selling it to some collector who is looking for something really special. I have no intention of ever firing it.

Enjoy!