Need customizing help, suggestions, thoughts..a bit long...

[msp2640]

Gents - I need to bounce a few ideas of those who have tread this path before or help guide those who have. I've spent many, many hours reading here and learning a great deal of info about Ruger SA's. This obviously will not be a full blown custom revolver, but rather a "fancied up" production version, somewhat guided by budget. I've been planning/ thinking about having an unconverted Old Model SBH (shooter version) slightly customized to my tastes for the range and perhaps some woods carry. I've somewhat settled on the starting point to be a 5.5 version with the fluted cylinder and rounded trigger guard. My first question, since I have don't have this revolver in my safe yet, is, should seek out an actual 5.5 version vs a 7.5 version (which seem to be far more available) and have the barrel, cylinder and trigger guard modified - I'm not well versed as to the collectability of the shorter version or the cost to modify the longer barreled version. My other desired changes would be to have the action tightened up, tuned, barrel set back, throats reamed, forcing cone recut or basically any required changes to the base firearm, to make it a better shooter. I'd like to upgrade to a steel rear sight, banded front sight (ouch) and ejector rod housing. Bevel the cylinder front, swap the base pin for a Belt Mt version, then refinish with a case hardened frame and high polish blue on the remaining. Finally a set of well fitted stags, but only slightly "barky". I have copied Hondo's in depth list of Ruger Gunsmiths and have seen versions of a lot of their work. I'll greatly accept any and all opinions on my ideas, suggested changes, omissions, what to do or not do...basically need some guidance. My basic goal is to have a fancy, but good shooter for anything out to 100 yds or so. I don't really have a time frame on anything, so I certainly don't mind waiting for a year or 2 to get what I'm ultimately seeking, just want to get all my ducks in a row before proceeding - Thanks for your time and expertise - Bill in MA

 

[nvbirdman]

First bit of guidance, the old model supers were not made with a 5.5" barrel, so you'll have to start with a 7.5".
Second, the rounded triggerguard gripframe will be easy to swap, but somewhat difficult to find.
You will not find a fluted cylinder for an OMSB.

 

[nvbirdman]

Correction, they did make the original .44 Blackhawk with a fluted cylinder, don't know if it would fit in the SBH frame.

 

[msp2640]

I was not aware of the limited variations of the SBH in the old model, I guess that throws a slight monkey wrench into my plans. I recently saw a 5.5 OM SBH, apparently it must have had the barrel shortened and if I recall it had a non fluted cylinder, so I didn't pay real close attention to it. NVbirdman, years ago (maybe 30 or so) at a LGS, I saw a pair of original Blackhawks in 44 mag, not consecutive, but somewhat of a matched pair, nicely tuned, but not converted, had nice stag grips and beautiful bluing, cased up in a nice walnut display box. I certainly wish I had bought them, but SA revolvers weren't my interests back then, those were the only 2, 44 Blackhawks I've ever seen in person, so I never gave much thought to using one of those as a starting point. Thanks for the info! I know I could start the project with a newer off the shelf new model in that variation, but do like the older 3 screw lockwork. I may reach out to some of the gunsmiths to see how much it would cost to alter the 7.5 bbl version to the style I like and go from there. Appreciate any other thoughts, comments, etc - Thanks Bill

 

[nvbirdman]

The round triggerguard gripframe would actually be the easiest part. You could put an ad in the classifieds here to swap an OMSB gripframe for one off an Old Army.

 

[Hondo44]

You'll be way ahead in time, money and frustration to find your old model 44 SBH with the barrel already cut and the correct SBH grip frame, they are not that hard to find. It was a popular modification before the new model short barrels were offered by Ruger. Even if it has a non-fluted cyl; that's the easiest to replace.

There are fluted cylinders in 44 Mag floating around both old, but mostly new models. Doesn't matter, they are interchangeable with the usual over all length issue. Get one as long as your gun's cyl ober all length and if too long, you can simply dress it down to fit. Timing is not an issue in 99.99999% of the time.

If you find and old model fluted cyl (only from the 44 Mag Blackhawk flat tops), it will have recessed chambers for the case rims. Again this is irrelevant to interchangeability.

 

[Hondo44]

This is not a 5 1/2", but you can never get the gun, with a brass grip frame and the work done for anywhere near this price.

http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=222345

 

[msp2640]

Jim - Thanks for checking in on this thread, always appreciate your knowledge base on these type of things. I did see that post on the one you mention in the S&S section, a great piece, no doubt, but financially not in the running for anything else, right now. I'm probably 6 months out on a "donor" gun and then some sort of decision on how to proceed. Are you or anyone aware, if the original flat tops 44's had alloy grip frames. After posting on this a few days ago, about never seeing another 44 Blackhawk, I found one for sale here in MA, only have a pair of photos so far and a brief description. Appears original, not mint, uncertain if its converted or not, but based on the pics, it seems like an alloy round trigger guard grip frame, no idea if those were made that way. Asking price is $850 - Any thoughts? - Thanks Bill

 

[princeout]

The OM flattops 44 had alloy grip frames. For an OM with rounded trigger guard and in steel, you need an Old Army grip frame. Chance's gun that Jim linked to is a real bargain for someone looking for brass and stag!
Tim

 

[DeletedMember275]

Most good gunsmiths only charge about $75-100 to flute an unfluted cylinder, so I would just have him do that while he was doing the 'black powder' chamfer.

 

[Hondo44]

Jim - Thanks for checking in on this thread, always appreciate your knowledge base on these type of things. I did see that post on the one you mention in the S&S section, a great piece, no doubt, but financially not in the running for anything else, right now. I'm probably 6 months out on a "donor" gun and then some sort of decision on how to proceed. Are you or anyone aware, if the original flat tops 44's had alloy grip frames. After posting on this a few days ago, about never seeing another 44 Blackhawk, I found one for sale here in MA, only have a pair of photos so far and a brief description. Appears original, not mint, uncertain if its converted or not, but based on the pics, it seems like an alloy round trigger guard grip frame, no idea if those were made that way. Asking price is $850 - Any thoughts? - Thanks Bill

Hi Bill,

Your very welcome.

Yes as princeout posted, the OM flat top 44 mags had the XR3 alloy alum grip frame also. He's also correct that the Old Army BP grip frames are steel, but only the post 1984 blue grip frames are steel (alloy alum from introduction until 1985. They are also all XR3-RED size grip frames. So a great choice for the 44 mag with their extra knuckle room behind the trigger guard.

The $850 price is about top dollar for a very nice OM FT 44 mag, unless of course it's a low number and/or Type 1 early model. Then the price begins to soar.