I like to have a project to do while I watch TV at night. I stay away from the stuff that requires lots of attention to detail, like reloading, and look for the somewhat menial, time-consuming tasks. I got looking at my 5 ½” .45 convertible Blackhawk and decided it could use a little attention.
According to Ruger’s serial number reference, this gun was made in 2000. It belonged to a friend who took good care of it but hardly ever shot it, so it was almost like new. When he offered it to me for a great price a few months ago, I just had to take it. My biggest dislike with this gun is the finish on the grip frame. I’m still contemplating what to do about this—maybe have it redone with Cera-hide, or anodized, or ??? I can see why people like the light weight of the alloy frame Blackhawks. Compared to my anniversary model or my Vaquero, it has a whole different feel to it. On a related note, I was recently considering making it a roundbutt, but I’ve decided against this.
So, what to do with a blued, completely stock New Model Ruger? First, I decided to shine it up with some Flitz polish. It took to this treatment very well. I’m a believer in Flitz. In only a few minutes, it makes a so-so bluing job look MUCH nicer.
Next, I decided to modify the hand so the cylinder will spin freely when the loading gate is opened. I figured taking out the internal parts in the process would give me a chance to clean, lube, and inspect everything, and this modification was just the kind of project I was looking for—not too challenging for an amateur Rugersmith like me to complete in one night.
I followed the directions here:
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/FreeSpin.html
…and it worked great. Now I have a freespinning cylinder.
After that, all I could think of was to work the action for an hour or two. I removed the cylinder because I don’t think it’s a part that needs to be worn in. Then I dry fired it a few thousand times. I didn’t put toothpaste or anything in the works, I just cycled the action over and over while watching some dumb movie. I believe this makes small, gradual improvements to a trigger, although I can’t say whether this one has improved any so far. I sometimes sit and work the action of my SP-101 just to help it smooth out, and I’m sure it’s been dry fired 100 times for every live round it has expended.
Here is how I feel now that I’ve had a chance to handle this gun a bunch and carefully examine it inside and out…
- Ruger’s quality in 2000 was quite respectable. I didn’t see anything troubling or irritating about this gun (except for the crummy looking grip finish mentioned above.)
- The Blackhawk is a very solid, no-nonsense design that I can put my confidence in. It's also a great value--for its price, one of the best guns you can buy.
- A Blackhawk is not difficult to work on. This is not the first time I’ve had a Ruger single action all torn apart, but my experience is pretty limited. I had no trouble, and I feel a project like this can be done by anyone with average mechanical skill and a little patience.
I'm really happy with this gun right now, and the Ruger bug that I caught years ago has grown stronger in me. It is easy to develop an interest in Ruger revolvers and the whole culture surrounding them (you folks here add to that), and to let it become a favorite hobby.
I'll post some pictures later, as I know they are worth 1000 words each.
According to Ruger’s serial number reference, this gun was made in 2000. It belonged to a friend who took good care of it but hardly ever shot it, so it was almost like new. When he offered it to me for a great price a few months ago, I just had to take it. My biggest dislike with this gun is the finish on the grip frame. I’m still contemplating what to do about this—maybe have it redone with Cera-hide, or anodized, or ??? I can see why people like the light weight of the alloy frame Blackhawks. Compared to my anniversary model or my Vaquero, it has a whole different feel to it. On a related note, I was recently considering making it a roundbutt, but I’ve decided against this.
So, what to do with a blued, completely stock New Model Ruger? First, I decided to shine it up with some Flitz polish. It took to this treatment very well. I’m a believer in Flitz. In only a few minutes, it makes a so-so bluing job look MUCH nicer.
Next, I decided to modify the hand so the cylinder will spin freely when the loading gate is opened. I figured taking out the internal parts in the process would give me a chance to clean, lube, and inspect everything, and this modification was just the kind of project I was looking for—not too challenging for an amateur Rugersmith like me to complete in one night.
I followed the directions here:
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/FreeSpin.html
…and it worked great. Now I have a freespinning cylinder.
After that, all I could think of was to work the action for an hour or two. I removed the cylinder because I don’t think it’s a part that needs to be worn in. Then I dry fired it a few thousand times. I didn’t put toothpaste or anything in the works, I just cycled the action over and over while watching some dumb movie. I believe this makes small, gradual improvements to a trigger, although I can’t say whether this one has improved any so far. I sometimes sit and work the action of my SP-101 just to help it smooth out, and I’m sure it’s been dry fired 100 times for every live round it has expended.
Here is how I feel now that I’ve had a chance to handle this gun a bunch and carefully examine it inside and out…
- Ruger’s quality in 2000 was quite respectable. I didn’t see anything troubling or irritating about this gun (except for the crummy looking grip finish mentioned above.)
- The Blackhawk is a very solid, no-nonsense design that I can put my confidence in. It's also a great value--for its price, one of the best guns you can buy.
- A Blackhawk is not difficult to work on. This is not the first time I’ve had a Ruger single action all torn apart, but my experience is pretty limited. I had no trouble, and I feel a project like this can be done by anyone with average mechanical skill and a little patience.
I'm really happy with this gun right now, and the Ruger bug that I caught years ago has grown stronger in me. It is easy to develop an interest in Ruger revolvers and the whole culture surrounding them (you folks here add to that), and to let it become a favorite hobby.
I'll post some pictures later, as I know they are worth 1000 words each.
