3-screw .357 mag questions

[frontstuffers]

Greetings folks. Well, I just got home from the local pawn shop where I picked up an "old model" 3 screw, .357 mag. It is definitely a shooter/project gun and not a safe queen. It has a 5 digit seriel number that Ruger's web site tells me was mfg in 1964. The good news is that it it unconverted. Maybe the only good news, not sure yet. :)

Since I am not that familiar with the 3 screws, I have some questions that I am hoping you all can help me with.

It is a 4 5/8" barrel and has an alloy ejector housing and grip frame. Since it was made in '64 I am guessing that this is correct? Also, it has what appears to be a .44 mag wide spur hammer and a wide, grooved trigger. Are these correct for the pistol? I thought that the hammer should be the normal "Blackhawk" narrow type and the trigger should be the old thin trigger or something like the "Old Army" style. The grips are not original but that is not a concern to me at this time. This old gal has definitely been around the block a few times. I am headed out to strip her down and give her a good cleaning. Hopefully I can post some pics later. So, if any of you can shed some light on the hammer, trigger, ejector housing and grip frame the info will be greatly appreciated. Of course a picture or two of one in good original shape won't hurt my feelings either. :D

Thanks in advance for any help and info.

 

[rugerguy]

sounds like a good shooter, nice features but they are NOT from the original gun, seems the alloy grip frame may have been modified to allow for the wide trigger, they most likely did that when they added the wide, 'Super' hammer...see this quite often on shooters....more work to change the alloy frame over to the wide set trigger set up,BUT some guys want the lighter weight, so its a wash....yes, pictures would help as well as the markings on the inside (under the grips) as to the frame type.as long as YOU like it, is all that matters, so don't try and 'second guess" yourself.......I call it the "sum of the total of the parts..." so depending on just what you have into it, you may still 'be ahead'.......

 

[BlackEagle]

Sounds like a Super Blackhawk hammer and trigger were added. The hammer should be pretty easy to sell if you are inclined to do so.

 

[frontstuffers]

Just took it all apart. Yep, definitely a super hammer and trigger. Whoever widened the trigger did a fairly good job, nice and snug with hardly any overages anywhere. I really don't mind the hammer since I have done the same replacement on a couple of Blackhawks. Still, would be nice to have the original. The grip frame is the alloy XR-3 RED version. Even though modified, is that the correct frame? Wasn't sure on that part. As long as it shoots straight I'll be happy at this point. I can look at "fixing" it up later.

Thanks guys for the answers. Much appreciated.

 

[Robb Barnes]

The XR-3 RED would be the correct gripframe for a eared version old model 357. If you wanted a littel more heft, a steel Old Army "should" slide right on as well.

 

[frontstuffers]

Thanks Robb. I wondered about that so while cleaning I took my Old Army stainless grip frame off and tried it. You are right, it matched right up. Now I'll have to keep my eyes open for one. :)

Btw, I just got back from the range, had to try her out. The old gal done herself proud with everything I put through her. She s definitely a keeper. I'll try to up load pics of her and the first target with her. I am a happy camper! :D

 

[BlackEye]

Your gripframe does sound modified to accept the wide trigger. On my OM 41 mag I used a factory Hawkeye grip frame already set up for the wide trigger, aka BlackEye (or Blackhawk married a Hawkeye offspring).

 

[SAJohn]

If you really want an original hammer, I will trade you. :)

A few years ago I bought a very used OM .357 that needed some replacement parts and shims. When I got through working on it I was getting 1/2" groups.

 

[frontstuffers]

Well, I am going to try and add a picture of the old gal. Hope this works.

and a bad pic of the trigger, but you get the idea.

and this is the target I shot today.

 

[contender]

Yep, another worked over Ruger that someone has customized to suit themselves. It appears as if it shoots just fine, so leaving it alone might be the best option.

 

[DGW1949]

"Somebody" bent the hammer-spur upwards, then re-polished it.
As far as the gun itself goes, I aint sure that I'd worry much over "fixing it up". It looks like a nice old shooter to me just like it is.

Perty is as perty does, eh?

DGW

 

[flatgate]

The hammer reminds me of one that I picked up at the Riverton, WY gun show 10 or more years ago.....

I think this one is a standard Blackhawk hammer that's been welded on quite a bit....... :roll:

You've got a great shooter there!

flatgate

 

[Robb Barnes]

Flatgate, that hammer on your gun looks like it was patterned after the
TLA hammers to me. See the similarities?

 

[Hondo44]

Yep a great old shooter! Looks like the front sight blade was modified as well. Your '64 vintage model came with the alloy housing and as has been said, the 3/16" longer-to-the-rear XR3-RED alloy grip farme. These were post c. 1962 changes. A blued steel grip farme and steel ERHsg will eliminate most of the wear on your gun as it did mine below and dampen recoil.

Here's before and after pics of my '57 3 screw that came with the steel ERH and alloy XR3 grip. The Old Army steel grip frame (unblued as yet when I took the pic) and wide trigger were added when I converted it to 44 Spl and 44-40.

 

[frontstuffers]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I appreciate them and they help. I think for right now I'll keep her as is. A little later down the road I may try to restore her. I don't mind the wide hammer as I have put those on a couple of Blackhawks that I have and tend to like the look and feel of them. Since I don't have any other pistols with narrow triggers the wide one isn't to hard to get used to. :) I will look for a steel grip frame like Hondo has, as I have also put them on a couple of my Blackhawks as well and like the feel. All in all I am quite happy with the old gal. She's like me, kind of rough around the edges and not to polished, but she shoots straight and that's good enough for me at this time. Eventually I'll get her all gussied up and then when it's my turn to turn her over to the next caretaker it will give them something to fuss about. :)
And thanks for all the pics, they sure look good and give me something to think about.