Like a 5 shot Bisley Blackhawk of some flavor?
Hmmmm?, anyone???

Well, a guy could hope....

I actually spoke to the guys at Ruger about a 5 shot Bisley in .480 Ruger. Their reply was not anytime soon. They said they would have to build a larger frame to handle the cartridge. They said that they were not comfortable with long term durability if they were to have it on the current frame. The rep also stated he wasn't sure if custom pistol smiths were doing any pressure testing in their large bore handguns.

The weak link is the cylinder, so when it is converted to a 5 shot with beefy sidewalls the weak link is eliminated making a 5 shot 480,475 or 510 just a safe as any 6 shot revolver. Ruger won't venture into this because they are looking for sales volume and are quite content with what they already offer. What ever happened to the 5 shot 480 SuperRedhawk Alaskan they started to build and market. Somewhere around 50 were sent to dealers. Surely they pressure tested them before shipping them to dealers. Ruger is the most fickle gun co out there. Apparently, it is more about how many will sell than any safety concern whether it is a 5 shot bisley or a 5 shot Alaskan in 480.

Also there are no strength issues with the 6-shot .480s and .454s. I talked to Ruger rather extensively about a 5-shot .480 Bisley and they will not be building one.

Ruger was probably afraid that people would take the 5 shot Alaskans and use them to build larger calibers on. Just a guess. Don't the custom 5 shot SuperRedhawks use a larger cylinder?

No, it's no larger.

quote:

Ruger is the most fickle gun co out there

Huh?!!!
Let's see I have a Ruger Old Army (in SS no less), a Ruger Single Six (22/22Mag), a Ruger Super Blackhawk in 44 mag, a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt (in SS), a Ruger #1 in 45/70, a Ruger Ultralight in 257R etc. etc. And the other "less fickle" have done exactly what? Ruger single actions have a reputation for strength, and I for one can understand why Ruger would be reluctant to build another platform which someone could/would hotrod.
Peter.

Yea yea yea, I got DOZENS of Rugers...and they are all fine weapons. I also got DOZENS of highly modified Rugers too. When I say fickle....I mean super CAUTIOUS and the fact they are not particulary interested in building anything for smaller or specialized markets. Do they have a custom shop? NO! If it were not for Hornady dragging them along in many new ventures you would not see half the new stuff you do see from them. They are not very innovative either, considering their huge staff and cash coffers.

No need, Woodrow, when Ruger products are overwhelmingly used by custom gunsmiths.

"They are not very innovative either"
Woodrow I am not going to drag this out, but you completely missed my point (Yea, Yea, Yea I have dozens of Rugers too"). Every one of the firearms I listed (except for the Ultralight) were unique and innovative at the time. Every one! No one saw a need for a single action 22. No one saw a need for multiple cylinders. No one saw a need for a modern black powder revolver. No one saw a need for a falling block single shot. Hopefully you get my point, but I suspect not.
Then of course there is the "lost wax" casting process which was "not innovative" yet is used to make Calloway golf club heads.
And, Oh! Ruger has the widest array of firearms in the industry. They continue to be successful despite being savaged by the pack of wolves in the market they serve (Ruger boycott).
Peter.