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Post by babills on Nov 10, 2023 9:25:26 GMT -5
I just traded into a 3 screw SBH with a 7.5 barrel, looks to be 1971. It has a lot of honest wear on the finish but very minimal rust or pitting. Grips are in good shape, and it shoots fantastic and accurate. Should I send it to Ruger for a refurbish? I know they will convert it but I believe I can take it apart and keep the parts to convert it back. Not sure of collectors value and how it will be affected? Keep original or refurbish? I also thought about a case colored frame and fire blue screws with new sights and and reblue on everything else? Sort of custom? I need help with my decision please! Attachments:
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Post by needsmostuff on Nov 10, 2023 9:32:12 GMT -5
Probably the first thing to do is shoot it.  See if it shoots right and if you can get along with the Dragoon grip. Then you can start to make decisions. |
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Post by babills on Nov 10, 2023 9:42:54 GMT -5
Probably the first thing to do is shoot it. See if it shoots right and if you can get along with the Dragoon grip. Then you can start to make decisions. Already did. Shoots great actually held a 3 in group at 25 yds . which is amazing with my older eye and open sights. I usually can't do that with open sights. |
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Post by bobwright on Nov 10, 2023 10:14:14 GMT -5
I prefer the older look that color case hardening gives a revolver, so I had mine done that way. Also reblued by by gunsmith. My take on any gun work is to keep it out of Ruger's hands once it leaves the factory. This from sending one Super Blackhawk back for rebarreling.  sligthly better photo of my Three Screw:  Bob Wright |
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Post by parallaxbill on Nov 10, 2023 10:34:47 GMT -5
Don't send it to Ruger, and I'd keep it as is and enjoy the heck out of it.
I've got several fine condition old models but rarely shoot them as much as I do my "less fine" examples.
But it's up to you.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2023 11:32:37 GMT -5
Dont send it to Ruger. They mark the cylinder frame where it joins the grip frame with an R if they but the downgrade parts in it. Just shoot the gun and enjoy it as it is.
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Post by seminolewind on Nov 10, 2023 12:08:59 GMT -5
I had my first old model SBH refinished by a renowned gunsmith because it was a messed up dog of a gun. It turned out beyond my expectations and I’m glad I did it. Your gun is not bad, and to me the honest wear on it is a part of it’s character, but I understand your desire to dress it up and make it “yours”. Don’t send it to Ruger and expect to be thrilled when you get it back.
While you are deciding what you want to do with the gun and who you want to do it, make some improvements yourself like 2 dogs rear sight, Belt Mountain base pin, custom grips that fit you, a lighter trigger return spring. Then shoot the heck out of it until it feels like you know the gun and its strengths/ weaknesses. You’ll know what you want to do then.
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Post by babills on Nov 10, 2023 12:23:24 GMT -5
I had my first old model SBH refinished by a renowned gunsmith because it was a messed up dog of a gun. It turned out beyond my expectations and I’m glad I did it. Your gun is not bad, and to me the honest wear on it are a part of it’s character, but I understand your desire to dress it up and make it “yours”. Don’t send it to Ruger and expect to be thrilled when you get it back. While you are deciding what you want to do with the gun and who you want to do it, make some improvements yourself like 2 dogs rear sight, Belt Mountain base pin, custom grips that fit you, a lighter trigger return spring. Then shoot the heck out of it until it feels like you know the gun and its strengths/ weaknesses. You’ll know what you want to do then. Good advice. Everyone is saying to just keep it as is. So some new grips and springs for now. Though it is already pretty smooth. |
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Post by babills on Nov 10, 2023 12:24:31 GMT -5
I prefer the older look that color case hardening gives a revolver, so I had mine done that way. Also reblued by by gunsmith. My take on any gun work is to keep it out of Ruger's hands once it leaves the factory. This from sending one Super Blackhawk back for rebarreling. sligthly better photo of my Three Screw: Bob Wright [br Gorgeous gun sir! |
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Post by bigbore5 on Nov 10, 2023 19:59:41 GMT -5
I prefer the older look that color case hardening gives a revolver, so I had mine done that way. Also reblued by by gunsmith. My take on any gun work is to keep it out of Ruger's hands once it leaves the factory. This from sending one Super Blackhawk back for rebarreling. sligthly better photo of my Three Screw: Bob Wright I like case color as well. So much in fact that I am trying to talk my company owner out of a small furnace that's unused at work so I can start trying to do my own guns |
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jeffh
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,631
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Post by jeffh on Nov 10, 2023 20:25:19 GMT -5
I am a big fan of the conservative aesthetic.
The "adornment" I most appreciate is "honest wear."
I'd leave it alone if it shoots and enjoy the respectable dignity a few scars, wrinkles and some gray hair.
The SBH grip frame is an abomination to me and I would start looking for a replacement post-haste, because I'd plan on SHOOTING it. Call it heresy if you want, but the XR3-RED is perfect in my eyes. I even swapped one for the XR3 on my Flat Top 44 Special. ALUMINUM to boot.
The looks on the faces of the proud new owners of the latest-greatest this or that when what looks like a tired old dog shoots circles around their new toy is priceless too.
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Post by longoval on Nov 10, 2023 20:29:20 GMT -5
Mr. Wright, who does your color case hardening?
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Post by bobwright on Nov 10, 2023 21:17:14 GMT -5
Mr. Wright, who does your color case hardening? All of mine were done by Doug Turnbull. And, just for info, I did not deal with Turnbull myself, but had my gunsmith send the frames to him for the case hardened finish. Bob Wright |
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Post by bobwright on Nov 10, 2023 21:23:52 GMT -5
Mr. Wright, who does your color case hardening? And, since you asked: More of his work, a .357 Flat Top and an ex-.357 .44 Special:  And a pair of .45 Colts:  Bob Wright |
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gustaf
.240 Incinerator
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Post by gustaf on Nov 11, 2023 7:48:04 GMT -5
That gun looks pretty nice. If it was me I would just use it as it is. Just do a little touch up if it bothers you. The proof is in the shooting for me. I sent a 3 screw back to Ruger for a refinish through a gun shop and it came back with a warning barrel which I was not happy with. Also the front sight was canted to the left. The finish and polish were superb as was the timing. So I sent it back and requested a non-warning barrel and a regulation of the sights. They sent it back with a test target and the warning barrel. The sights were corrected and it shot nice tight groups so I learned to live with that warning barrel. This was before Ruger started the conversions to transfer bar. Properly polishing a gun is a skill that has to be done on a regular basis to be good at. I don't know if they still have that kind of skill still doing the returns.
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