coydog
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 3
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Post by coydog on May 19, 2009 10:45:49 GMT -5
I have a new model blackhawk 45 colt that i would like to slick up i guess thats what you would call it. I wanted to get some advice on what i could do to it and not break the bank . I know somethings are best left to a single action gunsmith but some can be done without sending it off. I read JOHN TAFFINS book and about the poor mans trigger job . Any help you guys could give me? thanks
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Post by TEXASFIVEGUN on May 19, 2009 10:54:41 GMT -5
Take it apart a few times and you will get to know how it works. Get a spring kit in it then deburr the rough spots (sides of trigger, hammer, frame slots, etc.) with stones and FINE wet with oil sand paper backed up with something flat, polish pins, holes, etc. with flitz or similar. If you use flitz, 1000 or finer wet/dry sand paper with oil on it, and fine stones only on the sides of stuff you will smooth and not remove much metal unless you go crazy. Oh yea NO POWER TOOLS!!!
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Post by Mark Terry on May 19, 2009 19:29:27 GMT -5
Springs are a big part of it. See www.gunsprings.com/ or Brownell's and MidWay carry them. Texasfivegun is right about smoothing up the rough edges and surfaces. Think mirror not reshaping or removing serious metal. Use the finest sandpaper you can find and take your time. Don't discount the areas inside the frame where the trigger and hammer bear. You'll notice some lateral play in the hammer and trigger which can be fixed with Power Custom shims if it bothers you. Go slow, clean well, reassemble and test (it is very helpful to have a trigger pull test device) as you go. |
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Fowler
.401 Bobcat
Posts: 3,664
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Post by Fowler on May 19, 2009 20:02:46 GMT -5
Then there re some minimal cost upgrades as well, a Belt Mountain base pin cost $25.00 or so, a Bowen rear sight is about $85.00 and greatly improves the sight picture, and of course a set of grips is always a nice addition that can run from $30 to however daring you want to get. I have been working on a home job Blackhawk for a while now, a little here and a little there and it is coming along nicely...  This pic is from a while ago I am working on a set of walnut grips from scratch right now... |
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coydog
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 3
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Post by coydog on May 20, 2009 9:24:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the help. There are several spring kits to choose from. I dont shoot any kind of comp just general shooting and woods carry. again thanks for the help
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Post by J Miller on May 20, 2009 12:27:49 GMT -5
I guess I'm on the contrary side of this. The New Model BH's don't need all sorts of things to slik them up. Nor do they need spring kits. As a matter of fact, keeping the factory main spring is a good idea if your going to carry the gun in any situation where it might be used for ones defense. Also the newest BH's with the key lock already have a softer mainspring. The action might need some de-burring to make things run smoother and some tweeking of the trigger return spring. You can read about an easy way to do this here: www.cylindersmith.com/triggerspring.htmlLot of folks rush out to buy all sorts of parts to "improve" their Blackhawks without even trying them first. What a waste of money. Why buy parts you don't need? It would better to use the money for ammo and or hand loading components for practicing. All you need do is make sure the sights are straight, and make sure the gun is timed right. You should do that before you buy it. Then take it home and clean it inside and out then go shoot it. Put about 500 rounds through it and you'll be surprised at how much it smooths itself up. By then you'll know if the base pin jumps the latch or how bad the trigger is or isn't and weather or not the throats need reamed. JMHO from shooting Rugers for oh say 30+ years. Joe |
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 1,779
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Post by Aggie01 on May 20, 2009 13:38:12 GMT -5
I bought a Acusport Bisley that someone had put a wolff spring kit in. I took it out. Sure it was soft and silky slick, but the hammer just didn't have that "snap" and the trigger was too light.
Since I have an awful habit of wanting to mess with things, on the past few I have gotten, I polish out "almost" all the machining marks on the hammer and trigger engagement surfaces when I do a SBH hammer swap. That tends to make me happy with it. Then I load it full of snap caps, set a dime on top of the topstrap, and "shoot" while the dime stays put.
I find snap caps are a fantastic way to get a feel for a gun without all the smoke, noise and recoil.
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Post by AxeHandle on May 20, 2009 13:50:39 GMT -5
Years ago I misunderstool the concept of placing a coin on the gun and dry firing.... You are standing that dime on edge aren't you?  Keep the chewing gum in your mouth!  |
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Aggie01
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 1,779
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Post by Aggie01 on May 20, 2009 15:10:23 GMT -5
Years ago I misunderstool the concept of placing a coin on the gun and dry firing.... You are standing that dime on edge aren't you? Keep the chewing gum in your mouth! No, I wasn't but I'm gonna try it once. Probably have to go to a nickel tho . |
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Post by nobearsyet on May 21, 2009 7:56:31 GMT -5
All you need to change parts wise IMO is put a belt mtn basepin in it, change the trigger spring out of for one of the 30OZ from Wolf/WIlson Combat/Whoever, and put an extra power cylinder latch spring in it. Then shoot the heck out of it, It'll slick up nice.
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Post by markreed1 on May 21, 2009 12:01:00 GMT -5
Hi,
What spring kits does everyone recomend? I mostly use the guns on the range and in the field. Thanks for your time and knowledge,
Reed
No fear, No meaness, No envy.
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Post by TEXASFIVEGUN on May 21, 2009 13:00:17 GMT -5
Check out Brownells they have alot of different kits to pick from.
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Post by markreed1 on May 22, 2009 0:35:17 GMT -5
Hi,
My problem is they have to many to choose from. Just hoping to hear from other shooters what they prefer to put in their guns. Thanks for your time and knowledge.
Reed
No fear, No meaness, No envy.
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Post by Stump Buster on May 22, 2009 3:24:32 GMT -5
I installed a steel grip frame, steel ERH, a SBH hammer and Bowen rear sight on this 357 Blackhawk and had it all final fitted and re-blued by Jack Huntington. The price was real good!!! It was (and still is) the most accurate factory Ruger single action I've ever fired, now it's set up just the way I wanted it and neither Jack or I had to play with any of the internal stuff.  With that being said....I have a 1972 OMBH with Dave Clements as I type this getting the full blown treatment!!! Good luck and have fun with whatever you decide to have done on your Ruger!!! Stump |
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Post by nobearsyet on May 22, 2009 7:28:00 GMT -5
I have used the Wilson Combat kits with a fair amount of luck, and one will probably go into both of the current projects.
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Keep the chewing gum in your mouth! 