Balance

[schloss]

I'm thinking of modifying a Blackhawk, and would like some feedback from those of you that like shorter barreled guns.

I have a 357 with a 4-5/8" bbl BH that I really like. Balances great, just the right size, quick and handy. I also have a 45 with a 5-1/2" bbl, and I'm terrible with it. It doesn't balance as well for me, and I want a way to fix that. I've held short barreled SBH's, and they don't seem to have the same problem. But, I don't want to add 44 to my reloading list.

I've been thinking of changing out the grip frame to steel or brass and cutting the barrel. The 357 carries a little more steel in the cylinder ( - probably the cylinder frame, too?), and I think the barrel is thicker. Would this be a good way to go, or should I be looking at a heavier barrel? Or maybe a longer barrel? Or bigger gripframe?

 

[contender]

Look at where the weight differences are. It's all about balance. Does your 357 have an aluminum grip frame or a steel one? What about your 45? Next, the mainframes are going to be very similar. The cylinders are going to be the same diameter approximately, BUT, due to the bore size, the 357 will weigh a bit more than the 45. The barrels are going to be close in diameter, but the 357 will have a bit more weight than a 45 of the same length. But your barrel on the 45 is a bit longer so it adds back a little weight.
However, the 45 barrel puts the weight in a different position. A bit more forward. Again, a feel in the balance.
Going to a longer or heavier barrel on the 45 will have the opposite effect that you desire.
A question, do both guns have the identical grip frame & grip size & material?
If you have an older XR-3 gripframed 357, and a newer grip frame design such as a XR3-RED, or NXR-3RED etc on the 45, it can have an effect on feel.

My first suggestion is that if all parts are the same, and the ONLY difference is the caliber & barrel length, then find somebody with a 4-5/8" 45 to let you try out. That will give you an idea of what it'll feel like if you start customizing the 45.
Next, if both guns have an aluminum grip frame, maybe adding a steel grip frame to the 45 will make it feel better to you. BUT,, beware, it will add weight, just in a different balance position. This can be good or bad depending upon how you feel with it.

Any options should be the kind you can easily reverse before you start spending a bunch of $$$ on customizing by chopping a barrel or whatever.

 

[Ladobe]

The shorter barrel SA's balance better for me and have the bonus of easy carry. Doesn't matter which cartridge they are chambered for, but I do prefer the OM's over the NM's every day and twice on Sunday.

So my favorite Ruger SA's for hunting have always been the OM BC's/SBC's, OM BH 4 5/8's, OM SS 5 1/2's and NM SBH 7 1/2". I've had NM BH 7 1/2's; NM SSS 5 1/2's and a 9 1/2; NM SBH 7 1/2's and a 10 1/2. But only OM's still live with me, the longest barrel a 5 1/2" SS.

 

[schloss]

Yeah, they're both same-same apart from barrel length. Same grip frame, same grips, same finish, same sights, same in everything except caliber and barrel length.

 

[schloss]

And they are both XR3-RED aluminum.

 

[cellar701]

Kind of puzzling that you feel that much difference based on caliber and 1" of barrel length - but I realize every gun in one's hand is different. Certainly easiest to change out the grip frame to steel or brass (and it is a reversible change) before you chop the barrel.

 

[Sugar River]

Maybe insert some fishing weights between the grips to see if it helps the feel. 5-6 oz is the typical difference between alum GF and steel.

On the other hand, if you're not shooting well with the 45, have you slugged the throats?

Pete

 

[DGW1949]

I'm thinking of modifying a Blackhawk, and would like some feedback from those of you that like shorter barreled guns.

I have a 357 with a 4-5/8" bbl BH that I really like. Balances great, just the right size, quick and handy. I also have a 45 with a 5-1/2" bbl, and I'm terrible with it. It doesn't balance as well for me, and I want a way to fix that. I've held short barreled SBH's, and they don't seem to have the same problem. But, I don't want to add 44 to my reloading list.

I've been thinking of changing out the grip frame to steel or brass and cutting the barrel. The 357 carries a little more steel in the cylinder ( - probably the cylinder frame, too?), and I think the barrel is thicker. Would this be a good way to go, or should I be looking at a heavier barrel? Or maybe a longer barrel? Or bigger gripframe?

If the revolvers you are speaking of are large-frame NM's, here is something that you might want to do before ya go chasing your tail around while trying to get the .45 to "balance";

Locate, borrow, rent, or otherwise find some way to fondle a Colt (or Uberti) SAA in the 4-3/4" barrel length.
If it turns out that you are in agreement with a gazillion other folks in that an all-steel SAA is the best balanced, best pointing SA revolver ever made, you may as well give up on making a big-framed NM Ruger do the same....'cause it can't/won't happen....'cause adding weight to the grip-frame or not, it's impossible. The design perimeters of the "big" NM Rugers simply won't permit it. I know, for I've jumped through all those hoops before. Now, having said that;

Before anyone gets their panties all in a wad, I aint saying that a Colt or Uberti is a better gun. all I'm saying is that they balance/point better than a big-frame Ruger. That and if you happen to agree, you may want to check out the more recent Ruger offerings that are very simular to the old Colt in size, material, and configuration.....which the original NM Blackhawk aint.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

DGW

 

[Hugh]

My 1979 vintage blue New Model Blackhawk .45 Colt has a 4-5/8" barrel. I bought it used, with ivory grips. It felt good in my hands but there was just something about it. So I replaced the ejector rod housing with a blue steel one, and the grip frame with stainless steel. Yep, a little more weight, and the feel and control is just right for me. There may be some who would not have put the steel on.

Edit: Just remembered, I also have a 7-1/2" blue 1979 vintage New Model Blackhawk .45 Colt. Replaced the erh and grip frame with blue steel. Feels much better but not near as good as the 4-5/8".

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

I hold one sixgun in each hand and if I can walk the line toe to heal, they are well balanced.

 

[dougader]

This one comes to mind when "balance" is the question.... 3-3/4" Montado in 45 Colt with a fitted birds head gripframe.

 

[schloss]

DGW1949: I've been wanting to do just that, but the real issue is that I like the balance on the 357, but don't like it on the 45. I'm good with the weight and the appearance. Just wish my 45 balanced as well for me as my 357.

Sugar River: That is a really good idea. I'm embarrassed to have not even thought of something so simple. I'm going to try that.

 

[MOUNTAIN WILLIAM]

If you don't want to swap & fit a stainless grip frame, you could try a set of pewter grips to add some weight to the rear. I don't recall what they weigh but the manufacturer could surely answer that question for you.
http://www.adamsandadamsengraving.com/images/jp0105.jpg
http://www.adamsandadamsengraving.com/

For me the 4 5/8" stainless SBH has the perfect heft, balance and appearance for a Ruger SA. I even gave a 4 5/8" .45 Blackhawk the SBH treatment by adding an unfluted .45acp cylinder and a SBH hammer.