David Bradshaw Photos Vol. LXXVII -S410N Silhouette Super

[Lee Martin]

Indicative of Heel Index grip on Ruger S410N Super Blackhawk, an air gap separates middle finger from trigger guard. One of first shipped 10-1/2-inch .44's. Leupold LER 4x with Leupold mount & rings.



Two point bag rest. For a long barrel, it is imperative barrel nestle front bag. The rear bag tunes Point of Aim.



View from the bottom of a steady two hand hold for the single action. In offhand, weight is borne equally by both hands, with equal hand pressure. This grip works for any position where both hands are used. Including the trunnion, wherein frame/barrel angle snugs a single-point rest. Finger on trigger guard steadies revolver under slippery conditions.



Nanette Workman with champion Silhouette Super and steel pig. Shooting from Creedmoor at 100 meters, Nanette put 5-shots under 3-inches, with 4x5 in 1.5". Photo 1981-82.



Factory 11-degree forcing cone cut smooth and straight. Light wear evident since barrel was set back to eliminate barrel face erosion.



Pardon the lint. Southport .44's have broach-rifled barrels from George Wilson Company in Connecticut. This one started with a .428 groove, which now measures .429. It was rough and fouled badly. Careful stroking with hardwood dowel and JB Bore Paste on cotton flannel eliminated fouling problem.



Durability typical of a Ruger is only enhanced by lubrication. "Silhouette Super" has seen its share. Anti-Seize Compound on ratchet.



David adjusts elevation during a match in 1979 or 1980.



Original hammer on left, replaced for no other reason than to put one with more blue on the gun.



Old hammer, basically as good as new, may one day return to duty. During a trip to the factory,and much to David's chagrin, Ruger replaced cylinder. Accuracy remained excellent



A couple of years ago, David installed hammer & trigger retained from an SRM prototype Maximum. Original S410N hammer has been touched up once, possibly twice, during a rigorous life on the firing line. In short, unexcelled durability in the Ruger part. Engagement surfaces are lubricated along with the rest of the lockwork.



Winter exercise. Trunnion rest over tree limb. Posed photo, as shooting from rest is done with both hands.





Extraction...



Silhouette Super with federal 240 JHP from 106 paces: 5x5=5.5"; 4x5=4.4".



-Lee
www.singleactions.com
"Building carpal tunnel one round at a time"

[jsh]

Well another thanks from me for bringing back a lot of memories. I may have to go dig out my old IHMSA and Silhouette papers.
I picked up a S410N myself earlier this year. This was from an IHMSA mentor of mine. He had purchased it while he was waiting on an FA. I forget the range but is was one of the northern ranges, Oregon ? Any way this gun went to the internationals that year. He got home and his FA had arrived. He shot the 44 FA for a few years before going to a 357. He told me the Ruger had less than 500 rounds through it. He kept it all this time because it shot just as well as the FA did and is one of the most accurate Rugers he ever owned.
I got ticked at SW a few years back and have been switching over to Rugers. The S410N will replace my 10"29. That Smith never did anything but discourage me somthing fierce.
Thanks David and Lee. Always enjoy the good pictures, history and info.
Jeff

[bradshaw]

Jeff.... I do not easily sour on a great brand, not while examples flourish under adversity to close the deal on careful shots. This is my relationship with a fine Smith & Wesson and my relationship with a fine Ruger.

The 10-5/8" Model 29 was Bangor Punta's attempt to prevail on the firing line against the S410N Silhouette Super. Without addressing cylinder float and the longevity issue. The PPC front sight was the wrong mustard for the picnic.
David Bradshaw

[jsh]

David not knocking all of the SW's. I found this place when chasing a 375 super mag, when I stumbled across this fellow with a 375 atomic. Under Lee's advice I tried the first 41 mag I found. It was a SW of course. One of the 657 hunters. An excellent shooter with an ok trigger.
I still have some of my early top break Smiths. Along with my old 19 and 625. Those will stay as most issues with those are operator errors.
Jeff

[cmh]

[bradshaw]

cmh.... thanks for the smiles. Scientists Against Simplicity notwithstanding, the revolver lives.
David Bradshaw

[cmh]

Glad to see it does.....

[bradshaw]

Webber.... looking for some way to answer your question. “What is a HEEL INDEX grip?”

To put it country simple, the heel of the gunhand contacts the heel of the grip. This draws the middle finger away----slightly----from the trigger guard. The middle digit of the trigger finger contacts the trigger guard, taking weight of the revolver onto the trigger finger. Both distal joints of the trigger finger pivot into the trigger.

Break the rules? You bet!

DRY FIRE presents a picture for your brain to SEE MOVEMENT AT HAMMER FALL.

There should be none. Since that is almost impossible, smooth repeatable pressure on the grip with dead smooth squeeze on trigger proves sharpshooting is possible.
David Bradshaw