Who can I get.......

[5of7]

To sell me and install a SBH Dragoon style grip frame and a Beasley hammer on my new model 5-1/2" .45 caliber Blue BH? And what would be the approximate cost?

I would not want the current grip frame or the grips or the hammer returned to me, so would that lighten the cost load?

 

[G2]

Your Location????

 

[BlkHawk73]

I use Gallagher for all my grip frame fitting/finishing. If I recall correctly, labor runs around $80. I always supply the parts and retain the take-off parts.

 

[5of7]

Your Location????

SW lower Michigan.

 

[Cracker-American]

I have never changed a hammer out but I have removed and replaced the ones on my blackhawks several times. Unless I am missing something it should be pretty easy to do your self.

And I bought a SBH Dragoon frame from the classifieds here on the forum and installed it myself on my .45 Blackhawk. A little more difficult but start to finish in a little more than an hour.

 

[5of7]

I have no doubts about switching the hammer...IF the beasley hammer is indeed compatible with the NM regular BH, but the fitting of the grip frame may be a little more than I would want.

What exactly is involved in fitting a grip frame to the cylinder frame?

 

[Short Barrel]

The Bisley hammer has a larger hump on the back,so won't drop into an SBH gripframe,without modifying but is otherwise compatible and of course,having the Bisley gripframe solves the hump problem.Fitting the gripframe normally would also involve blueing or re-blueing it.Sorry I don't have a name for you but about any decent revolver smith who also blues,should be able to handle it.

The grip frame is first installed on the gun and often the flat sides,where it meets the gunframe,are a tad wider and need to be reduced,by filing.Then,where the "ears" meet the gun frame,either side of the hammer,these need to be filed down slightly to match the gun frame.On a SS gun,you could file and sand while it is attached.

For a blued gun,you would scribe,remove the gripframe,file,reattach and check.Repeat the process till all matches up.Then the gripframe needs reblued.New gripframes are cast slightly oversized so this fitting can be done.A used gripframe would have been already fitted to someones gun and you might get lucky and have it fit your gun or be close.If it happens to be slightly smaller than your gun,the filing would have to be done on your gun's cylinder frame to achieve fit.

I believe,new grip frames for blued guns come rough cast and in the white.

 

[5of7]

OK thanks, that explains the process and since I would not be able to blue the grip frame, it would be better to just ship the whole works to a reputable smith and have him do the fitting.

As to the hammer, I suppose the regular SBH hammer would be OK too, so I can just go with that.

If I retain the original aluminum grip frame and the hammer, how much would I be able to sell them for to recoup some of the expense of doing the work that I have in mind? And if I do these things, wouldn't I have the same thing as a SBH when I get done? 8)

 

[Short Barrel]

5of7,if you use the SBH hammer on the Bisley gripframe,you will have a big,unsightly gap in the frame,behind the hammer hump,due to the Bisley hammer having a larger hump.It is big enough that I would worry about debris getting in there.I like the SBH hammer but if were me,I would install the Bisley hammer if changing to a Bisley gripframe.Either trigger should work.

The original gripframe should be steel,not aluminum and I bet you would have no trouble selling it or the hammer.I haven't done much of that so hopefully someone will chime in with a value.

 

[5of7]

I did not plan to use a Beasly grip frame, what I want is a SBH Dragoon style grip frame.

I have also decided that if the Brealy hammer is a problem at all, I would just use a regularSBH hammer as it has a wider spur than the regular BH hammer. Am I right about the SBH hammer having a wider spur?

 

[flatgate]

Am I right about the SBH hammer having a wider spur?

Yup.

flatgate

 

[Short Barrel]

Sorry,I got off track there about the Bisley frame.Yes,the SBH hammer will work well and is actually my favorite.And as for selling the aluminum gripframe,I have seen them listed for $70-$80.Not sure if that is high or low?

 

[EDK]

I'd suggest looking on various auction sites for a used blue SUPER BLACK HAWK grip frame...with a little luck, it won't need fitting or refinishing. I bought several and got lucky. There WAS one on gunbroker started at $60 lately. REMEMBER you will also need larger grips for the new grip frame.

You can buy a factory new SBH hammer...Midway or Brownells have them from time to time. BUT the trigger pull will probably need attention; I've got several guns that I did the switch on and they required a trigger job. IF you have money to burn, you could also get a POWER CUSTOM kit with a BISLEY hammer and appropriate trigger.

Your used grip frame with worth $50 or more; grips another $10+

 

[5of7]

Thanks a lot guys, this info helps a lot..... 8)