Fresh from Jack Huntington

[Professor]

Just came in today. Anaconda barrel Ruger blackhawk.  This is the only longer colt barrel blackhawk that Jack has done. He was very excited about this one when he called saying it was finished. He wanted to name it, so we came up with White Mamba as an ode to the Colt snake guns but a bit fantastical as well. This barrel is very big. It much more aggressive looking than my S&w barrel blackhawk built by Andy Horvath. This barrel reminds me of the old King Super Target ribbed colt saa. Thanks to John Taffin for aythoring an article on a JRH anaconda barrel blackhawk that led me down this path. This gun isnt for everybody but it fits well in my collection.  I really enjoyed conversations with Jack throughout the process. He answers the phone Jack Huntington, Gunmaker. I like that. Jack made the grips of walnut. Action is excellent.  He says he builds hunting guns, so no light tension springs. The barrel is so fat that using the regular ruger basepin was best option as Jack machined a shallow groove under the barrel for it to slide along. Jack has a stash of the long ERH, so that adds a nice look. This gun remains a Ruger blackhawk just with some tweeks and twerks. Probably the only JRH gun I will be able to have built, so Im glad I filled a dream spot in my small collection.  
Some guys will immediately suggest a bisley hammer. I dont care for that option. I have a Harton vaquero that I had him do the bisley hammer on and I think I would prefer the regular hammer but it fills a custom aspect spot in my collection. 
Some will suggest the bisley grip frame. I agree that is a good option but I love the new model flattops as they are. 
I really like the heavy barrel and balance. Will shoot tomorrow and see how it handles. Jack said its one of his favorite builds of recent years, maybe he tells everybody that. 
Took about 6 months on the rebore with Al Siegrist and nearly 2 years with Jack Huntington. 

[kings6]

Neat job! As 2 Dogs told me when I bought his 32-20/327 bisley with the skeletonized hammer “Got to break new ground sometimes!”

[Encore64]

Absolutely Excellent. I love it when people branch out and do their own thing instead of following the pack...

[potatojudge]

I like how that turned out. Jack does a good job blending the barrel rib with the flat top frame. I'd opt for a SBH hammer, but that's my preferred hammer on anything.

Reminds me of the old custom Blackhawks with shotgun or maybe Aristocrat ribs installed, only nicer.

[singleaction]

That is stunning! Thanks for sharing!

[wheelnut]

The lines really work nicely, I bet it will be a great shooter as well.

[Professor]

I decided to try a set of bighorn grips I bought from Sack Peterson last year. I was thinking they would end up on the blackhawk I have at Andy Horvaths shop. I have not been in love with the walnut stocks Jack made. They fit great, excellent quality, but are super thick. I think for stout loads I would prefer them, but for just hanging around enjoying my stuff and regular loads these bighorn really look good. They didnt fit a different stainless nm flattop well enough, but they fit pretty close on this grip frame. I think Im going to leave them on for now. Really activates the cool factor of this gun for me.

[bushog]

Jun 7, 2024 19:15:26 GMT -5 potatojudge said:

I like how that turned out. Jack does a good job blending the barrel rib with the flat top frame. I'd opt for a SBH hammer, but that's my preferred hammer on anything.

Reminds me of the old custom Blackhawks with shotgun or maybe Aristocrat ribs installed, only nicer.

That’s one of the polychoke ribs isn’t it? I bought a couple from Numerich a couple months ago….

They’re kinda hokie but cool….

[Professor]

The first super blackhawk I bought had a polychoke rib. I thought it was neat looking.even had white grips. Looked just like that one shown.

[squawberryman]

The grips, no brainer. No Jack DOESN'T blow smoke. How many guns has any smith made where someone presents them a picture of a gun they made in the past and someone wants them to duplicate it? I'm guessing that ERH was a challenge, and Jack is up for a challenge.

[rWt]

Thank you for posting about this very unique revolver and including such good photos.

I'd like to read more about your collection, including your interest and approach to each handgun, why you selected the gunsmiths to build them, caliber's, etc. Plus, photos!

Perhaps a thread per handgun as you have done here.

Thanks, again!

[Professor]

Jul 6, 2024 5:44:41 GMT -5 rWt said:

Thank you for posting about this very unique revolver and including such good photos.

I'd like to read more about your collection, including your interest and approach to each handgun, why you selected the gunsmiths to build them, caliber's, etc. Plus, photos!

Perhaps a thread per handgun as you have done here.

Thanks, again!

I appreciate the interest. I have used this forum as a jumping off point for my projects. Most of mine are not necessarily full custom, more overhauled. I see something interesting and start the conversation to get it started.

[Professor]

A question of range report came to me about this gun.

It shoots good. JRH knows how to do them. Al Siegrist rebored the barrel to a high standard. It shoots my standard cheap 250gr rnfp powder coated commercial cast bullets as well as all the other custom 45 colt rugers i have. It seems to like my handcast mp 270 saa bullet with powder coat very well as my other mid frame guns do. Have not really accuracy tested. If i can hit 8 to 12" plates over and over at ranges 20 to 40 yds thats most of my shooting.
My biggest limitation is the standard xr3 sized grip frame. I use it well enough, but for consistency the ruger bisley is better for me. I wanted this gun just as it is, so just shoot it and develop a feel for the weight. That is a very heavy barrel. Its bigger round than standard ruger.

[gunsbam45]

Not sure how I missed this one before but glad someone bumped it. That's a cool build, and I love that kind of Bighorn.

[Professor]

Sept 22, 2024 20:42:47 GMT -5 gunsbam45 said:

Not sure how I missed this one before but glad someone bumped it. That's a cool build, and I love that kind of Bighorn.

Its neat. It really has a unique look. To me it seems more space cowboy.