1966 OM 41mag BlackHawk

[weaselmeatgravy]

Just a few clarifications.

1. It depends on what 4 digit SN is on that .41 as to whether there would be a Hawkeye and Deerstalker with the same number since neither of those guns made it into 5 digits (Hawkeye being discontinued around 3300 and Deerstalker being renamed around 3900).

2. Yes, not a rumor that the .45 started shipping in December 1970. I have a couple of 1970 guns, they are not the lowest numbers since those were subscription guns that shipped later. The 1970 .45s were in the low/mid 3 digit range (45-00xxx) - mine are 2xx and 4xx. And the black eagle medallions continued on into 1971, switching over to the glossy silver in about July of that year.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

The OM .45's are listed as 1971 starting with serial number 45-00001. The book; "RENE Guide."
A factory letter would be required to change that.

The current regular RENE Ref lists 00001 to 01000 as 1970

So I guess Chad learned new info since the pocket-sized book went to print.

I don't buy the 1-1000 range for 1970 though. I'm sure it was just an estimate. I think it is more likely that the subscription guns from 1-200 or so were 1971 or later, and that there are most likely only a few hundred 1970-shipped examples. I remember a .45 Blackhawk collector looking for a 1970-shipped gun at some point and I think I sold him one, but I'm not sure on that. I do remember selling him #54 that was not from 1970 (but still wicked cool since it was a palindrome gun including the prefix). And I have a couple other 2 digit and a couple low 3 digit guns that are 1971.

It is likely that 1970-shipped .45 Blackhawks are about as rare as 1956-shipped .44 flattops. Might even be rarer since the .44 flattop started shipping in November.

 

[dobegrant.45]

Congratulations on a great find, I have .44 mags and .45 colts but .41 mag is my favorite and I took my first handgun buck with one.

 

[contender]

Oops,, I stand corrected. The OM .45's may well have had a few shipped in 1970 apparently. Definitely a factory letter would clarify things. My earliest one is a 1971 production.

 

[Chinook3]

Thank You!!! All of you have told me some new things about the Ruger. Very informative. I have several Rugers and have just used them, they are great guns. I have taken several nice bucks with a 44 redhawk, a few years back. This was supposed to be a 44 but I do like the barrel length and I reload so it's going to stay. I would like to get the correct parts and have it returned factory shipped. I guess I need to 10 posts to contact a member. I think this is # 5.
I also have a Bicentennial marked NM .357. That was the one that got me hooked on Ruger's.

Thanks again!!
If you read this MrDeerstalker I'll be contacting you!!

 

[contender]

I'm a handgun hunter myself. And the OM's are superb guns to use.

Yes,, you need a few more posts to be able to use the PM feature.

If you haven't already handled an OM & the "feel" of their action,, you will understand once you do.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I'm pretty sure all the .41's had XR3-RED grip frames, which is what Chinook3's gun appears to have. It is true, as mentioned, that his grip panels are not the proper ussue which would have been walnut.

 

[Chinook3]

Where do you see the red on grip frames? All I see is wood/rubber and black and silver eagle. I took the panels off to clean and lube and yes i think the casting was marked XR3.

 

[mr.deerstalker]

Well take that Tyrone! you got both barrels from WMG and myself! feel the love brother!!! ....good seeing you in Ohio...

 

[JAYDAWG]

Where do you see the red on grip frames? All I see is wood/rubber and black and silver eagle. I took the panels off to clean and lube and yes i think the casting was marked XR3.

Single Action Grip Frames Explained

Much confusion surrounds the Ruger Single Action Grip Frames. Lucky for us, Boge Quinn has graciously allowed us to "link" a page from their gunblast.com web site. https://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

www.rugerforum.com

Check out the above thread. It can be confusing, but all the info is there.

JAYDAWG

 

[contender]

Ohh Scott,,, y'all got me!
And yes,, it was good to visit with you again in Ohio! Glad you were able to make it!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

Where do you see the red on grip frames? All I see is wood/rubber and black and silver eagle. I took the panels off to clean and lube and yes i think the casting was marked XR3.

Quick answer . . . with the grip panels removed you will find raised letters on the inside of the grip frame. Sometimes they can be a little hard to make out, but you should be able to determine if it's just XR3 or XR3-RED.

In detail, the back strap of the XR3 grip frame is a straight line, while the XR3-RED has a slight flare from top to bottom. The rear edge of the grip panels will confirm this.

 

[Johnnu2]

Where do you see the red on grip frames? All I see is wood/rubber and black and silver eagle. I took the panels off to clean and lube and yes i think the casting was marked XR3.

Chinook3, I read somewhere, that the word RED in the stamping XR3-RED stands for "re-design".... it's not a color designation.

J.

 

[Chinook3]

Thanks that makes more sense

 

[hittman]

Single Action Grip Frames Explained

Much confusion surrounds the Ruger Single Action Grip Frames. Lucky for us, Boge Quinn has graciously allowed us to "link" a page from their gunblast.com web site. https://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

www.rugerforum.com

 

[Chinook3]

How difficult is it to put the correct parts in it to make a true OM?

 

[contender]

"How difficult is it to put the correct parts in it to make a true OM?"

Not hard at all if you can read a normal Ruger manual on disassembly & re-assembly. The OM's are quite easy to work on.

 

[Chinook3]

Thats sounds good!! Off to look for a manual!! I think Ruger has them on their website.

 

[hittman]

You Tube helps too

 

[JAYDAWG]

1. It depends on what 4 digit SN is on that .41 as to whether there would be a Hawkeye and Deerstalker with the same number since neither of those guns made it into 5 digits (Hawkeye being discontinued around 3300 and Deerstalker being renamed around 3900).

Of course WMG is correct, I was a bit quick with my comments.
JAYDAWG