David Bradshaw Photos Vol XCIII Safari Silhouette Pt. 3

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Lee Martin

Hunter
Joined
Dec 18, 2002
Messages
2,313
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Dan Wesson Arms .445 Super Mag, built at the DWA plant in Monson, Massachusetts. The cartridge represents a vain attempt by IHMSA president Elgin Gates to challenge Dick's Casull's .454 Casull, albeit while holding the excitement to ,44 Mag pressure levels. (Ruger's .357 Maximum is the conceptual father of all the Super Mags.) Cuts in the barrel shroud were necessary for the .445 SM to meet IHMSA Production limit of 4-pounds.

As full house loads issue skull-cracking concussion, most shooters are content to back off the throttle. To shoot the revolver with .44 Mag ammo is perfectly acceptable.



Dan Wesson Arms Super Mag frame features a stretched window and long cylinder originally built for the .357 Maximum. Design principles shared with Ruger Redhawk include 1) "solid" frame——no side plate, 2) modular trigger assembly, 3) crane latches to frame.

Note offset cylinder stop notches. The notch is angled to increase offset. The angled notch requires a beveled cylinder stop, which must be properly sprung and requires close tolerances.



View of big frame Dan Wesson cylinder stop, offset on right side of frame. Fast lock time compliments the top accuracy for which these revolvers are known. Single action trigger may be tuned for a light, clean letoff.



Neal McDonald topples steel chickens at 50 yards with Dan Wesson .445 Super Mag. With three chickens down and two to go, plus a turkey, the former IHMSA silhouetter saves the ram (on left) for desert.



Safari Silhouette Shoot, Fusilier Complex in Arnaudville, Louisiana, 28 May 2016. Most of the shooters...
From left
David Bradshaw——Les Baer M1911 Super Tac .45 ACP.
Joe Hawkins——Ruger old model Blackhawk .41 Mag.
Paul Robichaux——Ruger Blackhawk .357 Maximum.
Keith Phillips——T/C Contender 7x30 JDJ.Keane Zerangue——Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag.
Marcel Bergeron——Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag.
Neal McDonald——Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Mag.
Steve Bernard——Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag.
Garland Frederick——S&W M-686 .357 Mag.
Dale Prejan——Colt Python .357 Mag.



Ruger's answer to Smith & Wesson's Model 29, the Redhawk allegedly sprang on the scene in 1979. However, no Redhawks were around to contest, late summer 1980, the first International Revolver Championship. As Redhawks trickled into the pipeline, silhouetters were quick to realize the Redhawk's single action breaks no lighter than 3.25 lbs., lest the trigger kick forward to catch the double action fly as the hammer falls. No matter, the Redhawk quickly redefined "rugged durability." This Redhawk rides in a home-brewed Louisiana holster, with cowhide to spare. May have been designed by a bull rider. Marcel Bergeron presently drew this Redhawk to topple steel.



Another look at RPM Merrill tip-open single shot with its blasted thumb-depress trigger-block. For many shooters, this is too much like fighting the gun: counter-intuitive to flex/reflex of smooth grip pressure. Iron Sight Gun Works (ISGW) rear sight is notable for consistent repeatable clicks and deep notch. A deep notch allows your eye to glide the horizontal plane of front & rear sights without distortion.



Keane Zerangue takes a round at AR 500 sighter gong, in preparation for shooting the course with his Super Blackhawk .44 Mag, stoked with Hornady 240's





Stainless version of the blued Ruger Super Blackhawk, together with the S&W M-29, the first line revolvers of early silhouette duels. Keane Derange slapped on this pair of Sambar stags by Ajax. Stocks are full from bottom top top, exactly as SA grips should be.

 

David Bradshaw

Blackhawk
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
933
My abiding thanks to Lee Martin and the Rugerforum for getting these pieces posted, and to those who endure to enjoy them.

To corrections:
1) The Ruger .44 held by Marcel Bergeron and later swallowed in a piece of Louisiana cowhide is a Super Redhawk----not a Redhawk.
2) May have left a false impression of stainless revolvers battling for supremacy in the early days of silhouette. In fact, neither Ruger nor S&W had a stainless .44 to throw at the fray. Plain ole polished blue Super Blackhawks vied with polished blue Model 29's for top sixgun honors. That seesaw pounded well into 1979, when the 10-1/2-inch Silhouette Super finally pinned the Smith.
David Bradshaw
 

contender

Ruger Guru
Joined
Sep 18, 2002
Messages
25,142
Location
Lake Lure NC USA
Excellent pics,,, & info,,, once again. And what a crew! It's nice to see everyone holding a firearm,,, in a safe manner too. No Hollyweird here!
 

David Bradshaw

Blackhawk
Joined
Sep 11, 2012
Messages
933
don44.... thank you for the kind words.
Turned out to be a gathering of boys. Which was fine, just as if it was all girls. In the silhouette era of my familiarity, women competed strongly, as evident of photos of the period.
David Bradshaw
 
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