What’s So Special?
There are many unique features about the No. 5, not the least of which is the locking base pin. This requires the removal of the standard Ruger base pin latching system, welding of the frame, and then installing a pivoting lever locking the pin in place. By releasing a spring loaded plunger it can be swiveled 90 degrees to the left to allow removal of the base pin. Bowen Classic Arms does a masterful job recreating it.
The two Bowen Rugers I have for this article are the very first to be built, with Bob Alford’s being the first as well as the first on a New Model Flat-Top frame. Robb Barnes’ No. 5 is the first on an Old Model, and of course the first with two cylinders. The basic conversion consists of a Ron Power Custom Keith No. 5 grip frame, Bisley-spur hammer and wide trigger, action and trigger tune, Flat-Top Target-style front sight with pinned blade to match the factory Ruger Flat-Top rear sight, proper Keith No. 5 base pin and lever latch, and standard reblue.
Bob Alford’s No. 5 being built on the New Model Flat-Top frame is safe to carry fully loaded with six rounds of .44 Special. It has all the standard features mentioned, with the barrel being a proper pre-warning Ruger address barrel off a .44 Magnum. Cylinder throats measure .429″ and the trigger pull is 31/4 pounds. Bob went for the extra option of ivory grips. Paul Persinger used beautifully creamy mellow looking ivory with the Mexican eagle clutching a rattlesnake in talons and beak just as on the original Keith sixgun.
Robb Barnes added several options to his tribute to Elmer Keith. He also went with ivory grips from Persinger exhibiting the same beautiful creamy texture with a Scottish Highland bull head carved into the right grip panel. Instead of the standard blue for the finish Robb went with the old Colt-style rust blue finish accentuated with nitre blue screws, base pin latch, and trigger and set off with a case-colored hammer.
The barrel work on this one is absolutely stunning as it is an octagonal barrel with a special machined-in surface to accept the ejector rod housing. Instead of the traditional .44 Special chambering Robb went with the other Special, the .41 with a second cylinder chambered in .41 Magnum. Cylinder throats Mic-out at .410″ and the trigger pull on this No. 5 is set at 23/4 pounds. I have several custom Rugers and also two Colt Single Actions from Bowen done back in the early 1990s and they are beautiful sixguns, however these two No. 5 Bowen Rugers are as nice as a sixgun can be without mortgaging the homestead to pay for one.