I
first met Bobby Tyler of Tyler
Gun Works walking the aisles of the 2017
SHOT Show in Vegas, where he was carrying around and showing
a custom engraved Ruger Bearcat
Shopkeeper sixgun that he had created. These Shopkeepers
were limited to a total run of 200, with 20 of those to be
beautifully hand-engraved; as our conversation continued, I
learned that he only had one slot left of the 20 engraved
examples, so I immediately put my order in for the last engraved
one available, as well as a non-engraved version. Thus began a
friendship which has transcended the firearms industry; Bobby
has become one of my very dearest friends, and his star has
continued to rise professionally as folks have become aware of
the quality of both the man and his work. Bobby now runs a
full-line custom gunsmithy, does custom finish work for many
manufacturers, employs a staff of engravers, and keeps his fingers
in many other pies; I don't see how Bobby can complete his day
in only 24 hours, but he manages to do all these things while
maintaining a wonderful family life. Bobby
also buys, sells, and consigns gun collections, personally
handling all aspects from appraisal to transportation and sales,
which is a
great service for grieving families who might not know how to
handle liquidating the collection of their departed loved one. Bobby
handled the estate sale of my brother Jeff's sizeable gun collection
(which is now long-sold), and is an integral part of my own estate
planning; this shows the level of trust I have in him.
I
have been blessed over the past few years to be able to buy
several Tyler Gun Works custom guns (article and video links can
be found on our Archive page), as well
as having varying degrees of custom work done by Tyler Gun
Works. At any given time, I usually have at least one gun in his
hands, either for custom
finishing/engraving, custom
work such as caliber conversions, or more mundane general
gunsmithing, but the subject of this article is a pair of Tyler
Gun Works custom Ruger Blackhawk "Flattop" 44 Specials
which are, regrettably, not mine. They are basically two sides
of the same coin: the first being a fully-engraved,
"dressed-to-the-nines" functional work of art, and the second being a more
workmanlike example which is
beautiful in its own right. Both
of these sixguns are based on Ruger's 44 Special New Model
Blackhawk Bisley "Flattop" model with 4-5/8"
barrel, which is available exclusively through
Lipsey's distributors. Already a fine sixgun, Bobby takes these
sixguns in two different, but similar, directions.
We
will begin with the most obvious difference between these two
sixguns: the first is beautifully hand-engraved by Rocky Sharp,
who regularly does engraving for Tyler Gun Works, and has become
one of the most respected engravers in the country. The
engraving is accomplished in the classic American Scroll style,
and pretty much covers the entire surface of the sixgun: frame
(top, sides, and recoil shield); loading gate; ejector rod
housing; barrel (top and sides - bottom of barrel has the Ruger
"Read Instruction Manual" roll mark); cylinder
(rearward of the bolt locking notches and over each chamber);
and grip frame (sides, "shovel head", backstrap, butt,
and bottom of trigger guard). This engraved sixgun is one of the finest
modern examples you will find of the
custom gun-maker's craft. It is a visually stunning, yet practical and functional,
work of art, but is still obtainable by the shooter of average
financial means.
To the Lipsey's-exclusive Bisley 44
Special, Bobby adds a wonderful brass
modified-Bisley style grip frame from Ronnie Wells at RW Grip
Frames. Ronnie Wells has been making custom grip frames for over
30 years, and has made a name for himself in the custom sixgun
market by offering a wide variety of grip frame styles and
materials. For this sixgun, Bobby opted for Ronnie's
"Potato Judge" grip, made from brass. The Potato
Judge, named for the CAS handle
of the gentleman for whom Ronnie originally developed it, is a
modified Bisley grip style, with rounded butt and toe, and some
subtle but noticeably effective changes in angular geometry and
trigger guard shape. The Potato Judge is simply one of the best
and most natural-feeling grip shapes I have ever had the
pleasure of handling.
To
the RW grip frame, Tyler Gun Works has fitted a set of figured
fancy walnut grips. These grips are not just beautiful as only
figured walnut can be; their shape is wonderful, with just the
right amount of palm swell and butt flare to compliment and
maximize the grip frame's handling qualities. These grips are
perfectly fitted by Tyler Gun Works, conform superbly to the
shape and size of my large hands, and also create a stunning
visual compliment to the brass grip frame.
The
sights on this sixgun are significantly upgraded from the
standard Ruger sights. The rear sight is by Hamilton Bowen of Bowen
Classic Arms. Hamilton is the Dean
of modern custom revolver makers, and his "Rough
Country" rear sight is the standard by which all others are
judged. The Rough Country rear sight offers a crisp sight
picture and precise click-adjustments for windage and elevation
in a rugged, reliable package.
The
front sight is a wonderful creation by Fermin
C Garza's Customized Shooter's Resources. Fermin is a close
friend, a Shootist, a
talented machinist, and one of the most knowledgeable sixgunners
I know. From his one-man shop, Fermin offers a great variety of
custom-made sights to fit many different sixguns and situations.
His sights are expertly
machined from solid steel, and offer rugged reliability
tailored to suit the individual shooter's needs. For this
sixgun, Bobby chose Fermin's "2Dogs Custom Mirror"
front sight. The 2Dogs Mirror Sight perfects the concept of the
wonderful old King's Gun Sight Company from over a century ago:
into the sight base is mounted an angled mirror, which reflects
ambient light directly onto the front sight blade, maximizing
available light and really highlighting the sight picture. The
front sight blade is serrated to reduce unwanted glare, and a
brass bead is set into the sight blade to further maximize
visibility. The result of all this is a highly-visible,
glare-free sight that gives a fast and precise sight picture.
This is as good as it gets!
The
base pin is a #5 Style by Belt
Mountain Enterprises; these pins are elegant in appearance,
but enhance function by allowing the pin to be easily grasped,
even with gloved fingers. Our friend Kelye Schlepp of Belt
Mountain makes his base pins very slightly oversized to
eliminate lateral movement of the cylinder around the base pin,
increasing accuracy by aiding in proper chamber / bore
alignment. Available in a variety of styles, a Belt Mountain
base pin is an easy and inexpensive way to improve any
Single-Action revolver, both Ruger and Colt / clones, and is a
welcome component of this Tyler Gun Works sixgun.
The
hammer & trigger on this sixgun are factory stainless steel
Ruger Bisley parts, fitted and tuned by Tyler Gun Works. Along
with the hand-fitting of the hammer and trigger, both of these
sixguns (as do any guns put out by Tyler Gun Works) include
Tyler's Action Job. Bobby specifies a maximum trigger pull
weight of 2 pounds, 8 ounces (2.5 pounds), with a trigger that
breaks like a glass rod; this sixgun's trigger comes in at less
than half that, at 1 pound, 3 ounces, with a perfect surprise
break. Superb.
This
Tyler Gun Works engraved Flattop Blackhawk will shoot as well as
the best guns available from any custom maker - theoretically,
at least. Since neither of these sixguns belong to me, I
abstained from shooting the engraved version in deference to its
eventual owner. But these sixguns are made to SHOOT, and I do
hope the eventual owner will put it to its intended purpose.
There is no reason NOT to shoot a fancy sixgun as long as you
treat it with proper respect and care, and this one will outlast
your grandkids. As my brother Jeff used to say, "Which
would your heirs prefer: a pristine 'Safe Queen', or Grandpa's
favorite old sixgun?".
Build Sheet: Engraved Tyler Gun Works Custom
Ruger® Blackhawk® Flattop 44 Special
The second Tyler
Gun Works custom Ruger Blackhawk "Flattop" 44 Special sixgun
under consideration is much like the first, with some
significant differences in aesthetics and handling qualities.
First, this sixgun has not been engraved, but it is still a
beautiful sixgun in its own right. This does not make the
non-engraved example any less special than its engraved sister,
and it would give up nothing to its counterpart as a shooter.
The non-engraved example also sports a brass
grip frame by Ronnie Wells at RW Grip Frames, but this one is of
a different pattern. Called the "Dealer", this grip
frame is more of the classic "plow-handle" shape, with
significant differences in dimensions and geometry that elevate
it far above the familiar Colt style. The grip shape is longer than
the traditional style, allowing all of my fingers on the grip,
but has a more precipitous drop to the back-strap: imagine
something between the classic 1860 Colt style and the Bisley.
The grip shape feels as good as shaking hands with an old
friend, but it is in the shooting where this grip shape really
shines. I can say that I was pleasantly surprised and impressed
by the Dealer's pointing qualities, and although the 44 Special
is not exactly known for severe recoil, the Dealer grip was a
joy to shoot.
Like the engraved version, Tyler Gun Works
fit the non-engraved sixgun's brass grip frame with a beautiful
set of fancy walnut grip panels. These grip panels are a bit
thinner than those on the engraved example, just as I prefer,
and as on the engraved example, the fit of the grip panels is
absolute perfection. There is something about fancy walnut that
visually stirs the soul, and the contrast of the walnut with the
brass of the grip frame is very pleasing.
The sights on the non-engraved example are
also excellent, consisting of the Bowen Classic Arms Rough
Country rear sight, along with Freedom
Arms' front sight design. These sights are precision-crafted
by Fermin Garza by permission of Freedom Arms, and are not
available directly from Freedom Arms. The front sight blade's rear face is
nearly vertical and serrated to eliminate sun glare, offering a
crisp and easy-to-acquire sight picture. The front
sight design also features the ability to use interchangeable
blades; changing sight blades is an easy task, using a plunger
in the front of the sight base. Replacement blades are available
in a variety of heights and configurations, and are quite
inexpensive.
As on the engraved version, this sixgun also
features Belt Mountain's excellent #5 base pin, hand-fitted by
Tyler Gun Works. The hammer and trigger on this sixgun are
factory stainless steel Ruger Super Blackhawk parts, also
hand-fitted by Tyler Gun Works. Also featuring Tyler's Action
Job and Accuracy Package, the action is similarly superb,
with a crisp and clean trigger pull of 1 pound, 4.5
ounces.
This Tyler Gun Works custom Blackhawk is
everything its engraved sister is, dressed in "work
clothes". Shooting this sixgun was a joy; as mentioned, the
grip shape handled the moderate recoil of the 44 Special like a
champ, and the sixgun is capable of one-hole accuracy. As Col.
Townsend Whelen said, "Only accurate guns are
interesting"; I am sure he would have appreciated this
exceptional sixgun from Tyler Gun Works.
Build Sheet: Tyler Gun Works Custom
Ruger® Blackhawk® Flattop 44 Special
The Cattleman
holster from my pal Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged Holsters in
Prescott, Arizona is ideal for everyday carry and light work
with a sixgun. The Cattleman is tightly molded to the sixgun,
thus offering secure retention, and is available with or without
a hammer thong. The top of the holster is flared to aid in
re-holstering, and the holster rides low on the hip for a
pleasing, traditional appearance; because of these qualities,
the Cattleman has proven quite popular among Cowboy
Action Shooters. The Cattleman is made from highest-quality
leather, available in tan, black, or oxblood. It is available in
either right or left-hand configuration to fit a wide variety of
Single-Action and Double-Action revolvers, as well as many
semi-automatic pistols. Starting at a very reasonable $120.00, a
variety of fancy stamping and carving options are available,
from border stamping to full floral carving; mine features a
large, carved Ruger emblem that looks very cool and modern, as
befits a state-of-the-art Single-Action sixgun. The Cattleman pairs
very well with Simply
Rugged's Chesty Puller Suspension System, which is a rig I
use almost all the time; the Chesty Puller allows any
pancake-style holster to be carried as a chest rig, and is very
comfortable, rugged, practical, and economical, selling for only
$70.00. To accommodate a holster with a conventional belt loop,
such as the Cattleman, a Conventional
Adapter for the Chesty Puller System is available for only
$30.00, which allows almost any holster from any maker to be
used with the Chesty Puller System. This makes Simply Rugged's
Chesty Puller System a very versatile and cost-effective way to
carry almost any holster as a chest rig, and I highly recommend
it.
Astute readers will note that I have not
discussed prices on these Tyler Gun Works custom sixguns; that
is because every custom gun Tyler Gun Works produces is a
one-of-a-kind project, built to YOUR specifications, so pricing
will of necessity vary. I will tell you this much, though: the
price will be less than you'd expect. Contact Bobby Tyler and
let him know your heart's desire; you will be glad you did!
The custom Ruger Flattop Blackhawk 44 Specials from Tyler Gun Works are exemplary of the accomplishments of Bobby Tyler and his crew. They are gorgeous, rugged, accurate, and
surprisingly affordable; nothing short of functional works of Art.
Tyler Gun Works: www.tylergunworks.com
Ruger: www.ruger.com
Lipsey's
Exclusive Ruger New Model Blackhawk® Bisley™ 44 Special
(Ruger Product Info)
Lipsey's Distributors: www.lipseys.com
Lipsey's
Exclusive Ruger New Model Blackhawk® Bisley™ 44 Special
(Lipsey's Product Info)
RW Grip Frames: www.rwgripframes-com.3dcartstores.com
Bowen Classic Arms: www.bowenclassicarms.com
Bowen
Classiv Arms Ruger "Rough Country" Rear Sight
Fermin C Garza's Customized Shooter's Resources: www.fermincgarza.com
2Dogs
Custom Mirrored Sights by Fermin C Garza
Belt Mountain Enterprises: www.beltmountain.com
Freedom Arms: www.freedomarms.com
Order Ammo Online at Lucky Gunner: www.luckygunner.com
PMC Ammo: www.pmcammo.com
Double Tap Ammo: www.doubletapammo.com
Simply Rugged Holsters: www.simplyrugged.com
Simply
Rugged "Cattleman" Leather Holster
Simply
Rugged "Chesty Puller" Suspension System
Simply
Rugged Conventional Adapter for the Chesty Puller System
Lyman Products: www.lymanproducts.com
Lyman
Electronic Digital Trigger Pull Gauge
Boge Quinn
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