Advise needed on new purchase

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Whoever hosed it down did a decent job with the paint. If you change the barrel you'll probably need to redo the whole thing. Turnbull would really do that thing Justice!!!
 
I would do with it what you want to do. The cost of converting it, if I read your post right, is switching out the current barrel with the one you already have in .41 mag caliber. I have had barrels switched on a few Blackhawks, the most recent a .44 Bisley that had the barrel cut, very poorly, to 5.5". I found a as new .44 7.5" and paid something like 50 bucks for it. My gunsmith charged me right around a 100 to swap the barrels out. The only step of the convesion I am not sure about is the cost of rechambering the current cylinder to .41 special. If you have the funds, you might find an original cylinder in .357, have that one fit and rebored, thus leaving you the possibility of returning it to factory configuration, although not as it left the factory as it has already been altered. If it were mine, I would convert it. I gave up the collecting part of firearms several years ago and now just do what makes me happy.
After searching H&L I found an original OM 4 5/8 barrel to swap out with notched sight. There are several OM cylinders to be had, have thought about going that route, but as Contender said the OM flat tops are getting almost as rare as hens teeth, at least in good condition. and with this one's excellent mechanics I may pass it on down to someone with a bit more knowhow and deeper pockets to restore to original.
 
And you would probably paint an emoji over Jesus and the disciples faces in The Last Supper painting if given the chance.
Guns are made to function. I enhance them as far as I possibly can for my use. Besides I doubt Jesus looked anything like Michaelangelo's Brother in law. You would probably trash my use of foam blocks on my grips so that the gun actually fits my hand so I don't have to hunt for the dot or the sights every time I have to aim it. Not to mention optics etc. I suppose you probably have a safe full of guns that have never been fired. OMG a scope might mar the rail on my rifle 😲😲😲
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I see no need to restore it,,, as one can buy an original condition (90% +) for way less money than what you would be in restoration. You might break even,,, IF you can find enthusiast that would appreciate a restoration.

Take the $$ have a nice custom whatever floats your boat. The OM 357 flattops are a very nice platform for a custom conversion. Top straps are thinner than the NM, and all the clicks are there…😉 if ya know what I mean.

I bought this gun to use for a platform, it was IMO to nice, I don't care for the XR3 in magnum guns, So I made it mine and I really enjoy it. Just a grip frame change & grips of coarse.
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This is a rough gun that was purchased to convert to 41 Special.
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Got a good start.
Cylinder cleaned up and re-chambered, Cylinder frame got a good start on massage to remove the dings, dents, rust, etc., grip frame massaged, grips finished up, Cerakote.
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Then this Harton custom 41M/41S was offered up FS here on the RF. Jumped on it.
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Was going to sell/ part out the original project, and then decided to keep it and make it a shortie. 41Special
Found a different barrel, shortened it & ERH. SBH Hammer, Still working on getting it done, will post a pic when done.
The 2 together.
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IMO the money is better spent building a custom gun and for what ever reason the Re Blue, Color Case, Mixmaster of parts has better value retention, and we all know right now 41 Special is,,, well "SPECIAL"

Just like the 44 Special was a few years ago… 😎
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Joey; bottom line; it's your gun. It's your money. Do with it what you want. Lots of good advice given here. Personally I would try to restore it to it's original look.
With the like out-of-the-box mechanics of this BH, that is becoming more and more my opinion. Two options on the grip frame, replace or paint. I have a hammer and trigger I can replace these with, strip the cerakote and re-blue it, find some original grips. Do it a little at a time as someone suggested. Or I may do the hammer swap and call it done. Does anyone have a XR-3 gf and original grips they can part with?
 
Wyandot Jim… Yep,,, I like those… /\/\ 😁 /\/\


Joey; "What I am looking for, a beater/bubbafied .357 OM."

What you got,,,,
Strip Cerakote & re-blue.
When your done spending $100's dollars later, that's what you got.

Your gun, Your money, do as you wish.

FWIW: a beater is now $5-600.
 
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I would continue with your project. No matter what you do to return it to original condition, it won't be. Reblues outside of Ruger are frowned upon by collectors too.

And it's not like a properly done 41 special conversion to a 3 screw flattop is worthless. If you tire of it, someone will buy it from you.

Life's too short, create your perfect gun and shoot it to your heart's content. While collecting is a viable and noble pursuit, you're not personally responsible to provide it's next eventual caretaker a profit. This gun fell into your hands and you want a 41 special. Do it!
 
I say it's your gun do as you like with it. What's left of them in original condition should make collectors happy that their samples are rarer? :)
 
Well, I'll say what I would do if it was mine, but that's probably of little value info for you. I have never owned a handgun that has been cerakoted before, and that one looks rather nicely done. I would keep her as is for a while just to see how the finish holds up etc. There is always plenty of time to decide what kind of magic you ultimately want to work on her.
 
I'm in the camp of leave it as is and try to restore it to as close to original condition as possible. I recently did this with a Speed Six that was beat and I'm very happy with the outcome.

That being said it's your gun your call. I'm a 357 guy myself so I don't think I'd want to convert it. I'd restore it within my skill set and find a model that isn't as rare and convert that. Maybe a beater/parts gun if it can be fixed into working condition. At that point it would have lost most of its value so doing a conversion would only help it at that point.
 
What I am looking for, a beater/bubbafied .357 OM.
The biggest issue I see with folks trying to pick up a base gun on the cheap is choosing a gun that has been altered from its original state too far for a simple conversion. This would include cerakoted or plated guns, dremel engraved guns, and guns that have been through a house fire. Rectifying the wrongs inflicted on such a piece often costs far more that if you'd just have bought a good example to begin with.

I just saw such an animal close at auction today. Stainless Super Blackhawk 44. The gun consisted of the frame, barrel, grip frame and cylinder. Gun went for $325 (before taxes and fees), which seems like a good deal, but the new owner will need to source all the internals and an ejector assembly. Unless you've got a pile of parts stashed away somewhere, it'd probably be better to let such a gun pass on by.

Saw a 44 Magnum Bisley a couple months ago too, but I quit watching it as the price was rising and it was missing its hammer and trigger. There are options for replacing those parts, but it's not going to come cheap.

When I'm looking for a base gun, I'm generally looking for the bit's I need to be in good shape. If the rest is rough, that might just help me out on price...

But deals aren't always deals.
 

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