I have trouble leaving stuff alone. I'm always trying to improve the function or appearance of my motorcycles and especially my guns.
I've had this Blackhawk .45 convertible for a few years. It's nothing special, just a standard New Model Ruger, one of millions. As of last month, all I'd done to it was install a Power Custom free spin pawl. To me, this makes them a little easier to load.
Here is the "before" picture:
It shoots fine, but I never cared for the alloy grip frame. Perhaps if it were anodized, like they used to come, I wouldn't mind it. But the paint finish or whatever it is they use now just didn't appeal to me.
So I started looking for a stainless one, and just such an item recently appeared here in the classifieds. I got it in the mail last week and immediately went to work installing it. The fit wasn't perfect, but with a little filing it lined up quite nicely.
Next, I found a stainless ejector housing from another forum member, and some pins to round out the package. I wouldn't mind fitting a stainless cylinder, and I think an unfluted one would look especially nice. But that's more money than I want to spend right now.
I may shine up the stainless parts later. I did a little hand polishing and got them a bit shinier than the factory brushed finish, but less so than a mirror shine.
These are the "after" pics. I realize they're not the best quality images, but you can kind of see how it turned out:
I'm also tempted to come up with some fancier grips--maybe have Patrick Grashorn or Sack Peterson carve up some stag, or perhaps make my own, like the set I made for a Vaquero a few years ago, from bloodwood.
I'm sure happy with the way this Blackhawk turned out. It is, of course, noticeably heavier. I'm okay with that, because I don't carry it much. I find the two-tone look very appealing.
I've had this Blackhawk .45 convertible for a few years. It's nothing special, just a standard New Model Ruger, one of millions. As of last month, all I'd done to it was install a Power Custom free spin pawl. To me, this makes them a little easier to load.
Here is the "before" picture:
It shoots fine, but I never cared for the alloy grip frame. Perhaps if it were anodized, like they used to come, I wouldn't mind it. But the paint finish or whatever it is they use now just didn't appeal to me.
So I started looking for a stainless one, and just such an item recently appeared here in the classifieds. I got it in the mail last week and immediately went to work installing it. The fit wasn't perfect, but with a little filing it lined up quite nicely.
Next, I found a stainless ejector housing from another forum member, and some pins to round out the package. I wouldn't mind fitting a stainless cylinder, and I think an unfluted one would look especially nice. But that's more money than I want to spend right now.
I may shine up the stainless parts later. I did a little hand polishing and got them a bit shinier than the factory brushed finish, but less so than a mirror shine.
These are the "after" pics. I realize they're not the best quality images, but you can kind of see how it turned out:
I'm also tempted to come up with some fancier grips--maybe have Patrick Grashorn or Sack Peterson carve up some stag, or perhaps make my own, like the set I made for a Vaquero a few years ago, from bloodwood.
I'm sure happy with the way this Blackhawk turned out. It is, of course, noticeably heavier. I'm okay with that, because I don't carry it much. I find the two-tone look very appealing.