Ruger hammer switch

[PJ Hardtack]

My lady does not like the hammers on her Ruger Flat Top .44 Spl. Blackhawks.

She handled a lady friend's New Model Vaqueros with the lower, longer hammer spurs and liked them.

Are the hammers interchangeable between these models?

[Joespapa]

Don't know if the NMV hammer will fit but the Super Black Hawk hammer will. They will likely require a bit of material  to be removed from the hammer face to function reliably.

[PJ Hardtack]

Thanks for the input.

A 'smith has some NM Vaquero hammers and will be bringing them to a match next week end. We'll find out then and I'll post the result.

[Pettifogger]

What you want in your Ruger Flat Top is the SBH (Super Blackhawk hammer).  This is a very popular mod and 99.99% of the time is a drop in.  If she doesn't like the Flat Top hammer she will hate the New Vaquero hammer.

[PJ Hardtack]

Why is that? Isn't the hammer of the New Model Vaquero longer and lower?

[Pettifogger]

Why is that? Isn't the hammer of the New Model Vaquero longer and lower?

It is certainly longer, but not lower.  That is why the SBH hammer is such a popular mod.

Old Vaquero, Blackhawk hammer profile on the left.  Middle is a New Vaquero.  On the right is the SBH/Montado.

[PJ Hardtack]

Got it! The pics say it all.

I've read that the Montado hammers are unavailable, but I ought to be able to get a SBH hammer from Brownells.

[Johnson Barr]

Occasionally you can find the Super Blackhawk hammers at Midway.

[PJ Hardtack]

The problem is finding a dealer that will ship to Canuckistan. I don't believe that Midway will ship to our "alien nation".

[Pettifogger]

Got it! The pics say it all.

I've read that the Montado hammers are unavailable, but I ought to be able to get a SBH hammer from Brownells.

The Montado and SBH hammers are identical except for the spur cocking surface.  The Montado uses cast in checkering.  The SBH has very deep grooves cut in it.  I much prefer the SBH as you get a much better purchase on the hammer with the grooves.  The Montado can get slippery.

[Sleepy Floyd]

I just ordered 2 SBH Hammers from Midway.  Said about 6 weeks.

[Cliff Fendley]

Why is that? Isn't the hammer of the New Model Vaquero longer and lower?

No, the NMV hammer is much like a SAA hammer. You may be thinking of the SASS edition ones.

[Sleepy Floyd]

My hammers from Midway have arrived.  Now I need to get the COURAGE to take these NMV's apart to install.

S.Floyd.

[Rattlesnake Slim]

Ruger's website has a great video on the complete disassembly of the NMV. Videos link is toward the bottom of the page.

[Sleepy Floyd]

I have watched those videos over and over again, plus a host of others.  But doing the take down the first time is daunting.  Auto motors, tranny's or rear pumpkins no problem.

[Sleepy Floyd]

As much as I have watched the videos, I am letting Johnny Meadows do my springs and hammers.  I chickened out.

[Sleepy Floyd]

Got my Vaquero's back, what a difference.  I can't wait to try them out.

[Sleepy Floyd]

Like day and night.  Much easier to control shooting duelist.

Grammiephx wants hers done now.

S. Floyd