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!!!
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.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.
And you would probably paint an emoji over Jesus and the disciples faces in The Last Supper painting if given the chance.I'm the exact opposite. Half the time I'll be throwing a slide on the mill or the barrel in the lathe as soon as I get home.Anyone can do normal
![]()
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 rifleAnd you would probably paint an emoji over Jesus and the disciples faces in The Last Supper painting if given the chance.
Did you forget a b?All eautimous guns G2. Haven't seen an ugly one in your stable yet!
Yes I did. Thanks much. All better now.Did you forget a b?
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?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.
What I am looking for, a beater/bubbafied .357 OM.
You have a knack for turning them into a work of art!Yep,,, I like those… /\/\/\/\
No such thing as beaters It's ALL GOOD!
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.What I am looking for, a beater/bubbafied .357 OM.