Because many useful and interesting chamberings are not offered in production Ruger revolvers, Bowen Classic Arms produces caliber conversions for most any suitable cartridge. Some are base on modifications to existing barrels and cylinders while others require custom-fabricated components. Each conversion includes the necessary barrel and cylinder work, proper markings and rebluing. In most cases, aluminum grip frames will be refitted and refinished. Please specify caliber. Options include any compatible cataloged modifications such as tuning, sights, coloring, etc. Stainless versions usually available as are auxiliary fitted cylinders.

No. RS05 Simple Caliber Conversion Factory cylinders are re-chambered and barrels re-rifled, though in some cases, modified factory barrels may be utilized.

While many caliber conversions will utilize re-bored barrels, there are cases where it is advantageous to utilize a modified factory barrel instead. Quite often, the existing barrel needs to be cut or a longer barrel installed. In order to expedite delivery (our re-boring vendors typically take 30--60 days to deliver) we will substitute a modified barrel in lieu of re-boring and then cut the barrel to the required length and re-sight. We re-contour these to match the existing barrel and then remark in the Old Model style to maintain appearances. In these cases, we'll add cat. no. B300 Shortening Factory Barrel and cat. no. B310 Custom Front Sight upgrade. The same is true where a longer barrel is indicated. Since the barrel must be re-contoured, the original sight will be removed and scrapped and a custom part installed. Installing the sight and cleaning up and polishing after is at least 90% of the cost of cutting and crowning a barrel so costs will be the same as shortening a barrel. Since our custom front sight is taller (to say nothing of far nicer than the factory extruded part), we will not have to perform a pin-in sight conversion. Once all the book keeping is done, the cost of cutting the barrel or adding a longer one and installing the custom sight represents a net increase in cost of $100. This all may sound a bit confusing so don't hesitate to get in touch with any questions.

While this procedure is applicable to nearly any revolver, it is especially suited to Old Model .357, the New Model Flat Top and the New Vaquero medium-frame guns. Typical caliber choices are .38-40, .41 Magnum,.44-40, .44 Special, .45 Schofield and .45 ACP. In most, but not all, cases, the existing front sights will be too short and a pin-in front sight conversion (cat. no. B240) will be necessary to obtain proper sight regulation. Guns factory-fitted by mistake with the .44 sight or conversions to calibers with fast light bullets such as the .40 S&W may not require a taller blade. Where appropriate, aluminum grip frames will be refitted and refinished per cat. no. B452.

RS05 $595

.44 Special New Model Flat Top with numerous options including high-visibility sights, lanyard ring, oversize base pin and cylinder chamfer. (click image for larger view)
A fancy Old Model .44 Special with numerous options including coloring, new sights, Power Custom two-piece grip frame and Roy Fishpaw custom one-piece fancy walnut grips. (click image for larger view)

No. RS06 Cylinder and Barrel Conversion Available for both Old and New Model revolvers (including the Vaqueros), this conversion was developed for small-bore calibers and includes a custom cylinder and barrel fitted with a custom front sight. Typical medium-frame calibers include the .218 Bee, .25-20, .256 Win. Mag. and the .32-20. Large-frame cylinders are long enough to accommodate the .22 Hornet, as well. The .41 Magnum is an excellent choice in the various medium-frame guns since the long cylinder will accommodate potent heavy-bullet loads.

RS06 $1,195
RS06S (stainless) $1,195

.32-20 Old Model Blackhawk with an XR3 grip-frame and vintage hard rubber grips. (click image for larger view)

No. RS06 (2) Cylinder Conversion Designed specifically for the .32 H&R Single-Sixes, this procedure affords a simple, cost-effective conversion to the wonderful .327 Magnum cartridge that utilizes the factory barrel. Includes the necessary custom, long-body cylinder, shortening the barrel extension and re-cutting the forcing cone. The grip frame will be refitted and refinished, if need be, and the receiver and related parts re-blued. Also applicable to both blue and stainless Vaqueros.

RS06(2) $750 Not available until Spring of 2009

RS07(6) 6-shot 'Long Hunter' Caliber Conversion Built to the same mechanical standards as our 5-shot big-bores; for most New Model revolvers (not available for Old Models or Hunter Models) based on the various small, medium and large-frame revolver models. These will utilize standard-diameter, long-body cylinders for appropriate chamberings from .22 Long Rifle to .45 Colt. and will feature recessed case heads for increased dependability. Fluties and black powder cylinder chamfers applied.

Because receiver dimensions vary considerably from gun to gun, a cylinder made to a fixed set of specifications will rarely ever fit properly and have correct chamber-to-barrel alignment. Re-machining the lock cavity, line-reaming the base pin holes, fitting an oversize base pin and installing a bolt bearing block and trigger pivot spacer provide tight, accurate cylinder lock-up. Precise lock-up, in turn, permits line-boring the cylinder. Using special fixtures and tooling, the cylinder holes are located and bored through the receiver ring which affords the best possible chamber-to-barrel alignment. Cylinder bearing surfaces are also re-cut to minimize cylinder endfloat. These procedures keep cylinder movement in any direction to an absolute minimum. Headpace is set at or near SAAMI minimum specs.

Conversion includes a custom round barrel with choice of our traditional custom front sight or the Weigand Combat DX type. Bowen Classic Arms Rough Country rear sights and locking base pins are standard features. New, extra-length firing pins are installed to ensure dependable ignition. Each conversion includes proper markings and factory-quality re-blue (brush finish on stainless guns). Please specify caliber and barrel length and see the relevant catalog numbers for barrel particulars and compatible modifications. A variety of options are also available, including a deluxe tune-up upgrade, coloring, etc. Light-weight and 'Kenai' style guns are also available. Due to the near infinite number of variations, price is by quotation.

No. RS07(6) from $1995. Single-Six versions not available until Spring of 2009