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Post by bigbore5 on Jul 16, 2022 11:25:09 GMT -5
I've got an old model Blackhawk 357 with most of the rifling worn out. It's taken over 40 years of me shooting it ALOT, plus what the original owner had fired to do it.
Thinking hard about a conversion to 41 or 44 special. Both specials are outstanding in their own right, but I am having trouble deciding between the two. This will be a fun gun more than a hunter. What's your opinion on which is the one to go with?
Also, with the retirement of so many great smiths either already occuring or pending, what smith do you recommend?
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Post by bushog on Jul 16, 2022 11:29:32 GMT -5
Fun… .41 Special Fun and more practical…44sp Fun (another option) .45 auto rim
Kinda’ have a thing for the .45 AR right now…..
I’d send it to Jack as he does a nice job and is value packed plus no 2 year wait…..
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Post by potatojudge on Jul 16, 2022 12:08:32 GMT -5
Of those two I'd pick the 38-40
45 AR is a good suggestion, as it can match original 45 Colt loads and the gun is lighter as a result of the bigger bore.
Easy button is the 44 Special but the 41 is a cool little round
They'll all do a great job, and basically all fill the same role
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Post by CraigC on Jul 16, 2022 12:18:54 GMT -5
To piggyback onto the above, I would also consider the .45ACP and make accommodations for a rimmed option, without the need for a second cylinder, like the AR or Cowboy Special. For me, you need at least one of these in .44Spl to see what all the hubbub is about. Because it truly is perfection in a single action revolver. My first custom was a .44Spl by Jim Stroh and not once have I ever regretted it or thought it didn't live up to the legend. That said, I also vividly remember the Bowen .41Spl from the Taffin article in A/H, years ago. Jack is doing me one similar right now but it will also be a .44Spl. I think my first .41Spl will probably be Colt-based.
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 16, 2022 12:22:22 GMT -5
Well, a conversion to 44 Special doesn’t make as much sense as it once did. Especially when so many dandy 44 Specials are available without the costly conversion. I’m thinking I would consider a different caliber….
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pleadthe2nd
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 946
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Post by pleadthe2nd on Jul 16, 2022 12:28:18 GMT -5
I'm in agreement with 2dogs, 41 special would be my choice of the two you mentioned
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Post by bigbore5 on Jul 16, 2022 13:01:25 GMT -5
I'm really leaning towards the 41 special right now.
What smith does everyone recommend? I'm budgeting $3,500 for the project.
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Post by squawberryman on Jul 16, 2022 13:06:10 GMT -5
What's a 41?
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 16, 2022 13:33:21 GMT -5
I'd recommend Jack Huntington too.
The 41 Special would be my first choice with 45 AR/ACP a close second place.
Too many factory 44 Specials these days for that conversion to make the sense it once did...
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Post by CraigC on Jul 16, 2022 13:50:23 GMT -5
The New Models are nice and I have one but it doesn't really scratch the itch for me. I've always preferred the traditional action of the Old Model so the New Model .44Spl's had no bearing on my decision to build two more OM .44's this year.
Another option worthy of consideration is the .38-40 and perhaps a .40S&W or 10mm auxillary cylinder.
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weiler
.30 Stingray
Posts: 433
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Post by weiler on Jul 16, 2022 13:51:19 GMT -5
Bigbore5 rough guess how many rounds would you say it took to get the old Ruger to this point?
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Post by Encore64 on Jul 16, 2022 16:47:09 GMT -5
I don't suppose there are any bad choices. Customs are all about what the builder has in mind.
More and more I'm liking the 45 Auto Rim. With some of the newer powders, it's a top choice.
Clements built me a really nice one last year. I'm intrigued enough to take it a step farther...
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Post by 2 Dogs on Jul 16, 2022 17:02:36 GMT -5
I remain a fan of the 32-20. In a tight chamber gun brass life is excellent. My own experience shows me the 135 grain GCHP sledgehammer exceeds 1500 fps in the mid frame Gun easily and it’s an exceptional performer on the critters I kill. A caveat, on a big hog, even a medium sized hog, I would go for a skull shot…
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Post by bushog on Jul 16, 2022 17:41:19 GMT -5
I remain a fan of the 32-20. In a tight chamber gun brass life is excellent. My own experience shows me the 135 grain GCHP sledgehammer exceeds 1500 fps in the mid frame Gun easily and it’s an exceptional performer on the critters I kill. A caveat, on a big hog, even a medium sized hog, I would go for a skull shot… The .32-20 will require a custom cylinder which can be done within the $$ limit of the OP but does Jack the price up. The .45 and the .44 can be done with a good takeoff barrel too….saving additional scratch.
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Post by kings6 on Jul 16, 2022 17:52:25 GMT -5
I am prejudiced to the 41 Spevial just to be different. Jack or Andy would be my choice but it would be worth checking on Hamilton’s timeframes as well.
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