Post by dave on Aug 27, 2010 22:42:54 GMT -5
I got back into SA handguns about a year ago after a long lay-off. The first one I bought was a NM 44 Special Blackhawk. Couldn't stand the NM action and trigger and sold it without ever shooting it. Replaced that with a very used FT 44 Mag Blackhawk. Someone had treated the grip frame to some variety of nickel finish (looks like Colt's "satin nickel" from the 1970s) and the ERH stud had been re-welded, leaving a scorch or heat mark on the barrel like a big blister. They also replaced the original steel ERH with an AL version (yuck). Here's what it looked like when I got it.
Early this summer I found this Flat-top:
It is nice enough I started casting a critical eye on the more abused one. First I found a Ruger, steel ERH and installed that. Then I lucked into a clean XR-3 grip frame. A trip to Greeley, CO (Grashorn Gunworks) and it came back with a set of fitted elk horn stocks. Then I found a local gunsmith I used to shoot against back in my old PPC days in the 1970s and he agreed to cut down the factory 6-1/2" to a length Ruger should have offered, 4-5/8". He re-installed the factory sight and gave it all a coat of blue to make it uniform. Here's the result:
I'm really pleased with this semi-custom Ruger 3-screw. The action feels like it's supposed to, the proper grip frame and ERH are in place and the finish is close to what the factory put on it. It's ready to send some 245g cast bullets down range. (smiley face goes here)
Dave
Early this summer I found this Flat-top:
It is nice enough I started casting a critical eye on the more abused one. First I found a Ruger, steel ERH and installed that. Then I lucked into a clean XR-3 grip frame. A trip to Greeley, CO (Grashorn Gunworks) and it came back with a set of fitted elk horn stocks. Then I found a local gunsmith I used to shoot against back in my old PPC days in the 1970s and he agreed to cut down the factory 6-1/2" to a length Ruger should have offered, 4-5/8". He re-installed the factory sight and gave it all a coat of blue to make it uniform. Here's the result:
I'm really pleased with this semi-custom Ruger 3-screw. The action feels like it's supposed to, the proper grip frame and ERH are in place and the finish is close to what the factory put on it. It's ready to send some 245g cast bullets down range. (smiley face goes here)
Dave