Heating and reshaping a Ruger Bisley hammer

COREY

COREY

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So, I have a brace of Ruger Biselys I use for CAS matches. Love the guns, they are tough and point well for me. Problem is I shoot holding the gun with both hands, not gunfighter. When I try to #### the hammer with my support thumb, the hammer comes down into the web of my strong hand.

One gent at the range had SASS Rugers with Bisley like hammers and he swapped them out for normal New Vaquero hammers. I really want to do the same thing for my Bisleys.

I am trying to find New Vaquero hammers for my Bisleys, but another option is to get new Bisely hammers and have them heated and bend the thumb tab up. Anyone know if doing such a thing would affect the temper of the hammers enough that they would not work properly?
 
Should be a localized heating operation that is far enough away from the sear/axle hole portion that it wont make a difference...use a "heat sink" such as a plain ol' apple to protect the important part from heat source.
 
fingers284 said:
Should be a localized heating operation that is far enough away from the sear/axle hole portion that it wont make a difference...use a "heat sink" such as a plain ol' apple to protect the important part from heat source.
Click to expand...
Hmm, never thought of an apple as a hest sink. Neat idea.

Another question for anyone that may know. Are all the Bisley hammers shaped the same? I am finding reading if you swap out a Bisley hammers in a new Baquero, you need to reproduce the "hump" on the back. I am seeing Bisley Blackhawk hammers for sale but no Bisely only hammers or Bisely New Vaquero hammers.
 
Hopefully we're getting closer to being able to buy and see handguns again, and there are new cowboys and cowgirls chomping at the bit to get properly equipped, so maybe you can buy a fresh set and flip these and not have to bubba them? I'd be more comfortable with fresh hammers than heating and bending!

Wasn't aware that the hammer shape was part of shooting one-handed vs two-handed. Maybe you could do a season of gunfighter or duelist?
 
OP,
IF you are going to heat a hammer to bend it.
Remove the hammer from the frame.
Since Ruger parts are investment cast, you need to heat said part white hot or it will crack/break.

K.I.S.S.
Purchase & replace the hammers.
 
DANS40X said:
OP,
IF you are going to heat a hammer to bend it.
Remove the hammer from the frame.
Since Ruger parts are investment cast, you need to heat said part white hot or it will crack/break.

K.I.S.S.
Purchase & replace the hammers.
Click to expand...
I would love to replace the hammers. I do not plan to modify the ones on it, nor heat anything on the gun. However, the profile of the hammers may make it that I can only use Bisley hammers and then heat the replacements to reform. Not my first choice by any means.

I managed to track down a club member that has New Vaquero hammers to test. If they work, I will get a set of those. If not, I guess the buying replacements and heating is the other option.

As for shooting single handed, not high on my to do list. I think k I would just #### the guns with my shooting thumb and take the time loss.
 
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So, I managed to get hold of a set of Ruger New Vaquero hammers to try out. They work much better for weak hand cocking than the Bisleys. Only thing is there is a gap at the back of the hammer and the frame. Just need to make sure I do not get junk down in there and I should be good.

I also ordered a set of hammers from Numrich. They will ship to this side of the border.
 
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