Well this is my new project..Ruger 44 Mag Elmer Keith Homage

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jringo8769

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 15, 2018
Messages
238
Location
Jamestown NY
Well as some of you know...i got this very nice like new 1961 Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag..6.5" but it had a poorly installed scope mount...directly to the barrel...i was able to buy the gun at a great price due to this....after much research when i was waiting to receive this...i realized i wanted to make this a 4 5/8" like the first Ruger Blackhawk my dad had got me when i was a kid...
little did i know how much this would entail ...but i am very happy so far with the results...see what u think...it has a long way to go and it will be in pieces here very soon as some of the parts are being sent off for work...just all mocked up...God Bless,John

here is what i started with last Easter Weekend....
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here is the barrel i removed...
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here it is all mocked up...
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and here is my inspiration
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Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,040
Location
People's Republik of California
That's a true classic configuration and one Ruger should have made from the get go.

I suspect your mock up uses a different caliber barrel in the 4 5/8" length until you get a 44 barrel correctly configured and installed.

A brass grip frame will serve you much better than the original XR3, Colt size grip, both with its weight and size.
 

jringo8769

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 15, 2018
Messages
238
Location
Jamestown NY
well thank u for the kind words...yes the barrel is period correct 357 type 2 and it is going out to be rebored in 44 mag and i currently like the grips and grip frame but i might in the future add the brass frame and grips...this now also remind me of a Christy Gun works gun both my Father and my Uncle owned in my youth...everyone who has seen in so far really seems to like it as well...i sure wish Ruger had made this configuration back when these were new to everyone...God Bless,John
i will post more info once the barrel returns and i get it all back together again...
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,040
Location
People's Republik of California
Any replacement steel grip frame swapped for the alum alloy will help dampen recoil. There's three steel choices besides the standard Super BH Dragoon:

Same as you have, XR3 size in blue or polished stainless on this New Vaquero:
medium800.jpg


XR3-RED size, in blue or polished stainless on this Old Model mid frame converted to 44 Spl:
orig.jpg


Super Blackhawk Hunter, dragoon size with round trigger guard, stainless only, on this SBH:
xlarge.jpg
 

jringo8769

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 15, 2018
Messages
238
Location
Jamestown NY
well thank u for the kind words and the advice with the grip frame...i agree that i prefer the metal grip frame...i love the grips i have and hope to find a XR3 steel grip frame...i agree it would help and to me...i would prefer it...so if anyone knows of one for sale...please let me know...just needs to be able to be blued...God Bless,John
 

jringo8769

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 15, 2018
Messages
238
Location
Jamestown NY
Hondo44 said:
Any replacement steel grip frame swapped for the alum alloy will help dampen recoil. There's three steel choices besides the standard Super BH Dragoon:

Same as you have, XR3 size in blue or polished stainless on this New Vaquero:
medium800.jpg


XR3-RED size, in blue or polished stainless on this Old Model mid frame converted to 44 Spl:
orig.jpg


Super Blackhawk Hunter, dragoon size with round trigger guard, stainless only, on this SBH:
xlarge.jpg


so any of these will work on my frame...very cool...i thought there was some difference in the trigger assy to make it work...just so i am clear...if i can find a New Vaquero blued grip frame...i can change all of parts over to it and it will bolt on?...no modifications?....
 

Joe in Fl

Bearcat
Joined
Apr 22, 2005
Messages
87
Location
Cocoa, Fl
Do not shy away from SS grip frame if thats all you can find, they can be made
to match made to mach
by a proper gunsmith
 

jringo8769

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 15, 2018
Messages
238
Location
Jamestown NY
well just a few updates....i was able to finally get some more parts and get closer to the end with this one...
here is the beautiful George Lawrence Holster and belt i was able to get...reminds me so much of my youth...
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and i was finally able to make my dream of a Brass frame....really wanted one like Elmer had..but after handling one and the costs...and having these beautiful stag grips i have...i thought there would be no way to make it work...well i think i have found a good solution to make this all work together...i was gifted a Uberti Cattleman brass frame...size is almost identical to a Colt SAA...everything is just mocked up and grips are loose
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God Bless,John
 

jringo8769

Single-Sixer
Joined
Jan 15, 2018
Messages
238
Location
Jamestown NY
well just some more info...i got this all down to my local gunsmith....great guy...i am looking to put a Ruger Bearcat mainspring assy in to eliminate the problem with the original one taking up the space where the grip screw goes...i am leaning very hard at making this a one piece grip gun too and adding the factory medallions to them.....always loved that look with no fasteners...and i think the bearcat spring assy will allow me to make that happen too...
thank u all for the kind words...love the encouragement...God Bless,John

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Muley Gil

Blackhawk
Joined
Oct 27, 2004
Messages
614
Location
Southwest VA USA
jringo8769 said:
Hondo44 said:
Any replacement steel grip frame swapped for the alum alloy will help dampen recoil. There's three steel choices besides the standard Super BH Dragoon:

Same as you have, XR3 size in blue or polished stainless on this New Vaquero:
medium800.jpg


XR3-RED size, in blue or polished stainless on this Old Model mid frame converted to 44 Spl:
orig.jpg


Super Blackhawk Hunter, dragoon size with round trigger guard, stainless only, on this SBH:
xlarge.jpg


so any of these will work on my frame...very cool...i thought there was some difference in the trigger assy to make it work...just so i am clear...if i can find a New Vaquero blued grip frame...i can change all of parts over to it and it will bolt on?...no modifications?....

You need to make a block to contain the spring and plunger that pushes the trigger forward. It has come up before. You should be able to do a search here on the forum to get the instructions.
 
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