Dad's old Super Blackhawk 44 mag conversion

[HandyAndy]

Hello. I recently came into possession of my Dad's 44 mag 7.5" Bisely Super Blackhawk. After shooting it (mostly with .44 Spl ammo) I realized I did not like the Bisely grip. It seems most folk do, but I've never been one to follow the crowd. I contemplated trading it for a .357 Blackhawk, but couldn't do it. This was Dad's revolver and I couldn't let it go.

So I had the bright idea of swapping the grip frame for the regular SBH dragoon style frame. I read through all kinds of stuff online, this forum included to see what was involved. I decided I wanted to do the least amount changes to Dad's gun as possible too. This lead me to making all modifications to the new grip frame.

Any way after much cutting and filing I got everything back together. This was my most elaborate gunsmithing job yet, but it seems to have worked out okay. I'm okay with the little notch at the base of the hammer. It's not all that noticeable. I also made my own grip stocks from poplar, they look a bit like aged ivory at a distance.

One other reason to not make too many changes to the revolver, it's a 1986 model (from the serial number). One of the first Bisely guns, and it has the fluted cylinder. I kept all the original grip parts so I can put it all back like Ruger made it someday. It even had a cool old school aftermarket trigger spring that I reused. Looking forward to shooting it this Saturday.View attachment 56519View attachment 56520View attachment 56521

 

[contender]

Good looking job.
Did you modify the Bisley grip frame or did you replace it?
The easiest thing to do would be to replace the grip frame, the grips, the hammer and trigger.
No grinding or cutting of anything.

 

[nvbirdman]

Good looking job.
Did you modify the Bisley grip frame or did you replace it?
The easiest thing to do would be to replace the grip frame, the grips, the hammer and trigger.
No grinding or cutting of anything.

In the middle picture he shows the Bisley gripframe in the background, and the new GF has the square trigger guard.

 

[HandyAndy]

Good looking job.
Did you modify the Bisley grip frame or did you replace it?
The easiest thing to do would be to replace the grip frame, the grips, the hammer and trigger.
No grinding or cutting of anything.

I saved the Bisely grip frame and grips. I bought the dragoon grip frame used from Nummrich. I did not want to get any deeper into the swap than the grip frame and grips.

 

[Johnnu2]

Looks great to me....

J.

 

[contender]

I can't see pictures very well because of only using my phone until I get internet back. I know that you can't reshape the Bisley frame without major work.
Again, good looking gun.

 

[el caminero]

Hello. I recently came into possession of my Dad's 44 mag 7.5" Bisely Super Blackhawk. After shooting it (mostly with .44 Spl ammo) I realized I did not like the Bisely grip. It seems most folk do, but I've never been one to follow the crowd. I contemplated trading it for a .357 Blackhawk, but couldn't do it. This was Dad's revolver and I couldn't let it go.

So I had the bright idea of swapping the grip frame for the regular SBH dragoon style frame. I read through all kinds of stuff online, this forum included to see what was involved. I decided I wanted to do the least amount changes to Dad's gun as possible too. This lead me to making all modifications to the new grip frame.

Any way after much cutting and filing I got everything back together. This was my most elaborate gunsmithing job yet, but it seems to have worked out okay. I'm okay with the little notch at the base of the hammer. It's not all that noticeable. I also made my own grip stocks from poplar, they look a bit like aged ivory at a distance.

One other reason to not make too many changes to the revolver, it's a 1986 model (from the serial number). One of the first Bisely guns, and it has the fluted cylinder. I kept all the original grip parts so I can put it all back like Ruger made it someday. It even had a cool old school aftermarket trigger spring that I reused. Looking forward to shooting it this Saturday.View attachment 56519View attachment 56520View attachment 56521

The best conversions, are returnable to original spec; mod the heck out of the donor parts, to fit the otherwise untouched original. Needs to be done more often, to gauge by the things i see in pawnshops...

 

[Hondo44]

I would install a super Blackhawk hammer, it feels about the same as a Bisley hammer.
And it will work with the Bisley trigger since I presume you've already lengthened the trigger slot for it anyway.

 

[HandyAndy]

I would install a super Blackhawk hammer, it feels about the same as a Bisley hammer.
And it will work with the Bisley trigger since I presume you've already lengthened the trigger slot for it anyway.

Yes, it would have been less work than altering the new grip frame, but the Bisely hammer spur is lower than the standard one making it easier for me to cock when shooting one handed. I guess I have short thumbs. And I wanted to make as few changes as possible.