OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
Well said. The price is cheaper than MSRP but still, better deals can be found. Do you know if a flattop 45 barrel is the same thread dimensions and exterior diameter as a large frame Blackhawk?
Need advice from serious shooters.
- Thread starter Caballero59
- Start date
The threads on both barrels are the same, per my experience and confirmed by Kuhnhausen. The OD is also the same at the frame, confirmed by measuring several of my personal guns.
If you can find a better deal than Ruger is offering, there is no reason whatsoever to take their offer. A new gun for $750, (just a figure), or a new gun and your old gun for $750. No contest.
Heck- you could always send your old one off to Ronnie Wells and see what kind of monster he could build from it! ( I really want to have him build a 6shot .38spcl Single Six for me…)
If you can find a better deal than Ruger is offering, there is no reason whatsoever to take their offer. A new gun for $750, (just a figure), or a new gun and your old gun for $750. No contest.
Heck- you could always send your old one off to Ronnie Wells and see what kind of monster he could build from it! ( I really want to have him build a 6shot .38spcl Single Six for me…)
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
We're thinking in the same way.
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
It's on the way home. I'll look for a replacement barrel. As thin as the medium frame 45 cylinders are over the notch, I'm not worried about the frame. The cylinder gap didn't change at all so no stretch took place.
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
According to Ruger, they will not service a firearm that was involved in an over-pressure event. It doesn't sound like they inspect to see which parts can be reused. Therefore, the gun is being returned and I'll look for a 45 take-off barrel.
That sounds like the best plan of action.
Ruger always makes the liability-conscious decision. I wouldn't read too much into their refusal to work on the gun. If the offer for a replacement doesn't make economic sense, I would also refuse it.
I also wouldn't pay a gunsmith to install a factory barrel. It's not much more to install a new barrel from premium stock and they will always shoot better. I would also opt for a custom front sight. A .45ACP cylinder could be procured in other ways as well. You could find a .45 take-off or rechamber a .357/9mm or .44Spl cylinder.
Suffice to say that any gunsmith I would hire to do this work would also be capable of determining the integrity of the frame. Which I would feel safe in assuming is just fine.
I also wouldn't pay a gunsmith to install a factory barrel. It's not much more to install a new barrel from premium stock and they will always shoot better. I would also opt for a custom front sight. A .45ACP cylinder could be procured in other ways as well. You could find a .45 take-off or rechamber a .357/9mm or .44Spl cylinder.
Suffice to say that any gunsmith I would hire to do this work would also be capable of determining the integrity of the frame. Which I would feel safe in assuming is just fine.
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
Hi Guys, received the damaged gun back from Ruger. I've been shooting it with the 45 Colt cylinder and no problems. The barrel has a slight ring and I can tell accuracy is off a bit. I found identical 2011 model (1st year production) on GunBroker and grabbed it but I do want to fix this gun. I'm needing several smiths to call who do custom work and may have OEM take-off barrels laying around. I don't plan to replace the ACP cylinder unless one falls into my lap.
I'm thinking of Alan Harton, Bill Fuchs, Ronnie Wells. Can you guys suggest any others?
Thanks.
I'm thinking of Alan Harton, Bill Fuchs, Ronnie Wells. Can you guys suggest any others?
Thanks.
Last edited:
BoggusDeal
Single-Sixer
Tyler Gun Works, Forkin Custom, Gary Reeder, Andy Horvath.
If you're just replacing the barrel with a factory takeoff, you may have a local gunsmith that can do it.
If you're just replacing the barrel with a factory takeoff, you may have a local gunsmith that can do it.
Since ruger let you have it back, it is not in grenade category, so a lgs with a decent rep should be okay.
Known customisers of good report, even better; the bragging rights of The Name to go with the gun's story.
Good luck.
Known customisers of good report, even better; the bragging rights of The Name to go with the gun's story.
Good luck.
I googled GS's in Colorado, several popped up. Don't know where you are but should be one reasonably close.
Bigbore5
Blackhawk
Take off barrels are easy to find. Just call around to some smiths. Gary Reeder usually has them.
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
Will do.
As I said, take-off barrels are not easy or cheap. If the barrel has to be set back a thread and refitted, it's going to cost almost as much as a custom barrel with a much less desirable result.
And don't bother asking Gary Reeder for take-off parts. He will probably yell at you.
And don't bother asking Gary Reeder for take-off parts. He will probably yell at you.
This ^^^
If the gun shoots acceptably I would just leave it be. It would cost less to buy a new to you replacement than to try and fix what ain't all that broke. Pick yer fights ;)
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
I'm going to shoot it some more and assess it's accuracy. I'm not afraid to shoot the gun with the 45 Colt cylinder and as I said, the cylinder gap didn't move at all so the frame didn't stretch. The weak link is the notch over the cylinder on the 45 cal.
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
Question. Since I have two identical flatops, one in perfect condition and one with a ringed barrel and destroyed acp cylinder, could I take the 45 acp cylinder from the good gun and transfer it to the old gun and ship the new gun to Ruger for a new acp cylinder. I've heard they won't make a cylinder unless the gun was originally shipped as a convertible. The new acp cylinder works fine in the old gun with the ringed barrel.
I would call and ask them. There are a couple .45 cylinders on ebay.
Yes.
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
I've been watching those. They are the large frame.
I have a gun that started as a 4-5/8" 45 Colt Stainless Blackhawk that I purchased off Gunbroker, shot it for a while until I discovered it had a very slightly "ringed barrel." I called around looking for a take-off barrel and checked with John Linebaugh, who sold me one for $50.00 shipped. He joked that he had buckets full of them.
I think I will keep the gun just to remember him by. I had always wanted one of his custom 45 Colt 5-shots, but never felt able to spend that much. Now they are double what I thought was too much for me.
I then had a local smith replace that barrel.
I could never detect any difference in accuracy between it & the new barrel, but was always glad he sold me a 5-1/2" barrel as I like the balance better.
I think I will keep the gun just to remember him by. I had always wanted one of his custom 45 Colt 5-shots, but never felt able to spend that much. Now they are double what I thought was too much for me.
I then had a local smith replace that barrel.
I could never detect any difference in accuracy between it & the new barrel, but was always glad he sold me a 5-1/2" barrel as I like the balance better.
Last edited:
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
Really hard to find an oem take-off in 45 cal. What do you think the difference in accuracy is between a custom barrel and an oem Ruger, if any? I know there is a big difference in accurate bolt guns but when you consider the cast bullet inconsistency, short sight radius, barrel/cylinder alignment, etc. Is there any difference at all?
BoggusDeal
Single-Sixer
I believe there can be a big difference. A factory barrel that’s over torqued and you have constriction under the threads may be a lot less accurate than a proper fit custom barrel.
What barrel are you looking for?
What barrel are you looking for?
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
Ruger Flattop 45 blued.
I find that not only are custom barrels made from premium stock (Douglas, PacNor, etc..) more accurate but more consistent and easier to clean. They tend to shoot everything well and the gunsmith installation pretty much guarantees the crown and forcing cone will be perfect and there won't be a constriction at the threads.
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
I can't find a barrel and I'm getting tired of thinking about it. I've been shooting the gun a lot but Ruger told me not to shoot it since there was an over-pressure event. The frame tolerances of endshake and barrel/cylinder gap are exactly the same as before. Would there be ethical issues selling this gun to someone who had a barrel (or could find one) if there was full disclosure? Chopping the frame in two and selling the rest for parts seems ridiculous, all things considered. I have full confidence in the frame and would like to find a barrel.
Last edited:
No ethical issues, if all details are part of the sale. Especially doubly-signed bill of sale with details acknowledged. Havent you had some "offers" from here already? It woudnt scare me, if i could come up with the amount.
Last edited:
OP
Caballero59
Bearcat
No specific offers yet other than I think early one, someone offered to "take it off my hands". It would make a great truck gun or carry can if you're not needing 1.5" accuracy at 25. I'm more of a target shooting though and I like to eliminate variables.
woodperson
Blackhawk
There is your offer from Ruger for credit? That seems to me to be a super easy way to take care of it.
Similar threads
