Convert/update 3 screw?

Gather App
Guns.com Vault
LDB

LDB

Blackhawk
Joined
Oct 17, 2012
Messages
708
City & State/Province
Houston suburb
I won a 3 screw .357 on GB. It has not been converted. It is just the gun, no box etc. It is in maybe +/-90-92% condition. Send it in to be converted? The site says they return all the original parts with it. It will only ever be range fun. I don't think I'd worry about loading 6 to immediately fire at the range. So that leads to two questions. The aforementioned send it for conversion? And get it refinished back to 100% while it's there anyway and only costs shipping one-way to do it not round-trip?
 
Last edited:
If you wanted a range gun to play with & wanted to use all 6 chambers,, just buy a NM.
Click to expand...
Yep. Learn to load just like they did when revolvers first came out in the 1800s. Think like you are in 1873, and just picked up your brand new 1873 peacemaker from the hardware store... and need to learn how to load 5 cartridges safely :) . Practice the load 1, skip 1, load 4 more, and from half cock, go to full cock, and lower hammer on empty chamber. Use spent cases to practice... Enjoy!
 
It will be empty except at the range. I don't "travel the land" or anything and won't ever be carrying it. Other than empty to the range. I think I could load and fire 6 at a time just fine there. I'm inclined to leave it alone. That was my initial thought. And then I thought I better check in case there are reasons I'm unaware of that make converting the smart move. But it's easier and cheaper to leave it alone. I like both options. So it will stay as is, barring unexpected surprises when received. And knowing the source that isn't going to happen. What the next caretaker does will be up to them. Now I just have to get ammo ready.
 
Oh, and it's a 1972 unless I misread. 1971-1973 but almost certain 1972. No pics as the GB auction ended last night. I won't have it for a couple of weeks probably.
 
LDB said:
It will be empty except at the range. I don't "travel the land" or anything and won't ever be carrying it. Other than empty to the range. I think I could load and fire 6 at a time just fine there. I'm inclined to leave it alone. That was my initial thought. And then I thought I better check in case there are reasons I'm unaware of that make converting the smart move. But it's easier and cheaper to leave it alone. I like both options. So it will stay as is, barring unexpected surprises when received. And knowing the source that isn't going to happen. What the next caretaker does will be up to them. Now I just have to get ammo ready.
Click to expand...
Sorry, LDB that we all sort of ganged up on you there but tossing that question out on this forum was akin to asking the Christians if they would like a few extra lions added when next sent to the Coliseum........ ;)
 
Just so we have the complete picture . . .

If you sent your gun to Ruger for JUST the “safety conversion” and NOT a complete refinish, you would have a gun as “safe” as a New Model gun, yet capable of being returned to its original action with the returned original internals. The only drawback to this is that when The Factory installs the conversion it also marks the main frame with an “R” on the inside acknowledging the conversion. This essentially removes the gun from the full “original condition” description so important to all of us old timers who care about this . . . as well as reducing the gun’s “value” to collectors and/or serious accumulators.

So . . . it’s up to you. Whichever way you go here, I’d definitely NOT recommend a refinish on a nice gun. JMHO 😁
 
I was "raised" on the old Colt Single Action Army so Loading one, skipping one then loading four more is more or less second nature with me. So much so that when I'm shooting my New Model Ruger I also load them,"five beans in the wheel." That works out two ways for me. One, I won't accidentally load six rounds in an OM Ruger and as most of my ammo is in boxes of 50 rounds it evens out when I'm done shooting.
I used an almost matched pair of Ruger Super Blackhawks as examples when I taught Hunter Ed. One was an OM and the other an NM I went out of my way to explain the difference. The kids caught on pretty darn quick.
When I was physically able to do my mountain and desert hikes my usual handgun was an NM Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 4 5/8" barrel. Even on those hikes it was five rounds and the hammer down on the empty chamber. On the mountains it was usually full power .44 Mags while hikes in the desert called for the first round up to be a shot load in case of an aggressive rattlesnake. Most would give a wide berth but the Mojave Green rattler while not all that common has the reputation to be one of the more aggressive snakes.
If you'd feel happier by doing the conversion I'd say it's your gun, do with it what you will. Personally, for the reasons stated above I'd leave it be as is. Like what's been said, they ain't making them like that anymore.
Paul B.
 
I asked that same question about the conversion on another forum when I first got online 25+ years ago.
The resulting scars on my rear end are just now beginning to fade.

But my two most sentimental Rugers, this 1959 SS and 1968 BH, that I bought new are still unmolested.

IMG_0827.jpeg
IMG_4424.jpeg
 
LDB, good info above and no , I would not send in a 90% gun for "refinish" that little bit can be touched up, a bit of 'TLC' and make it even nicer,,,you would be surprised how easy, simple that can be accomplished,,,,,,,enjoy it.;)(y)
 
LDB said:
Close anyway. May go that last step with a swap to Altamont Santos Rosewood panels.
Click to expand...
Great Idea...and you could just send me those old ones....LOL

(It's amusing, as every Ruger I have bought that had aftermarket grips got them removed and factory ones installed, except for one my Father traded me years ago, a SBH with Pachmayr's on it, just have kinda left it as is for 35yrs+ now)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
1966 Converted 3-screw Blackhawk .357 Aluminum two-tone?
Replies
28
Views
682
Hondo44
H
A
3 screw flat top 357 Blackhawk
Replies
22
Views
912
BryanJ
BryanJ
LDB
OM 3 screw handling question
Replies
19
Views
774
RickBlaine
RickBlaine
Fox Mike
Larger grip?? UPDATE:
Replies
14
Views
505
XUSNORDIE
XUSNORDIE
dobegrant.45
3 screw .41 magnum 1972
Replies
3
Views
317
dobegrant.45
dobegrant.45

Latest posts

Back
Top