Hamilton Bowen Blackhawk

[Hawgleg44]

I just traded into a 4-5/8" .45 Colt Blackhawk today that the original owner had sent to Hamilton Bowen for some custom work. It's not a full custom, but has some tasteful asthetic and some useful mechanical mods.

Asthetically, it's had the trigger and hammer blued, steel ejector rod housing and grip frame, Colt-style ejector, black powder contour on front of cylinder and Bowen adjustable rear sight.

Then for function, it has an action job and an oversize cylinder pin. Lockup and cylinder fit is amazingly solid.

I have another custom by John Gallagher, also a 4-5/8" .45 Colt, but that one is a Bisley conversion. This one might go back to Mr. Bowen for a Bisley conversion and action job on the new parts.

Hamilton Bowen is a true artist at his craft.

 

[the fatman]

Looks like a nice find.

 

[cellar701]

Nice - I'll bet that thing shoots great!

 

[Rooterpig]

How does your bh shoot? Pretty accurate ?

 

[Lee Martin]

Clean looking 45. Nicely done.

 

[Hawgleg44]

Unfortunately, I haven't fired it yet. I just got home from the surgeon's office now and got a series of shots in my spine. I'm hoping to make it to the range on Saturday and try it out.

It really needs the Bisley conversion, though. Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[David LaPell]

I would only make one change, a set of stag grips would set that thing right off!

 

[jimbo1096]

I have seen several custom revolvers that have the cylinder turn line and always wondered why the cylinder stop timing wasn't part of the tune-up process. Nice revolver in a great caliber and perfect barrel length. Bet it will shoot great.

 

[Hawgleg44]

I've had stag grips on a few S&W K-frames, and while I like the look of them, I hate the feel. When I make a decision on the gripframe, I'll order up a few sets of grips, probably spalted maple. I'll ddefinately order them for my Ghallagher Blackhawk, since that Bisley grip fits perfectly for me.

Accuracy wise? My Ghallagher Blackhawk is simply a Bisley conversion with an action job. It still retains the factory base pin. I tried some Federal HP's in it, and they cut one ragged hole at 50 feet. I'm expecting even more out of this one. I'm going to sandbag them both on Saturday at 25 yards and I'll post the results of the two.

 

[Hondo44]

I have seen several custom revolvers that have the cylinder turn line and always wondered why the cylinder stop timing wasn't part of the tune-up process. Nice revolver in a great caliber and perfect barrel length. Bet it will shoot great.

Jimbo,
For what one pays for Bowen's work I had the same thouhgt. Or at least properly contour the cylinder bolt so it rides down the middle of the approach ramp. That's the 1st thing I do with a new Ruger.