Old Model Ruger 41 magnum - My custom all arounf sixgun

[Deaf Smith]

I have a nice all around sixgun that I made just for me. It took a bit of tweaking and some different parts to get it just the way I wanted it but now its just the sweetest shooter I own its also the only 41 magnum I own.
 I started with a Ruger old model blackhawk with a 6.5 inch barrel. It had the Ruger transfer bar conversion done to it but came with all the old parts. The first thing i did was to replace the older parts. great idea as the action was MUCH better tham the Ruger installed parts. And I know how to load 5 and leave an empty under the hammer. But the gun was'nt perfect - Yet. Now I started getting the parts together I wanted for my new/old gun. I obtained a SS keith style basepin from belt mountain enterprises, A Bullseye ejector rod from brownells, a old model superblackhawk Hammer from a friend on the new(these are really,really hard to come by) I obtained a set of pachmayr grips and a set of hogue rubber grips and a set ov ivrex grips depends on how they feel when shooting. Once all the parts arriced The assembly started. the hardest was the new hammer. Now the superblack hammer is the same size as the regulat blackhawk hammer EXCEPT for the thumbpiece which is twice as wide and much easier to cock. Once this was installed the basepin was added to the gun replacing the origional pin It took a small amount of fitting but eventually went in. It definately tightened up the gun and cylinder and the stainless keith style added a touch oc class to the gun as did the SBK hammer. the bullseye ejector rod was put on but caused a small problem it was a tad too long to allow dissasembly of the gun for cleaning. It had to be removed and the end stoned until the cylinder could be removed not a lot was required but enough that that cylinder was never coming out until it was done. The new ejector rod makes the gun much easier to unload as the bigger end makes it a simple matter for the thumb top flick out the empties. I tried the ivorex grips for about 50 rounds but quickly took them off and replaced them with the pachmayrs and never looked back. someday I may try out the hogues but for now I am happyn with the pachmayrs. All the pieces had come together now and the gun was done now came the shooting. so I dug out a few boxed of factory and reloaded 41 magnums. Everything had come together nicely and the gun was perfect. Just what I wanted and I needed at the time. It gets 1 1/2" groups at 25 yards which is great by me and it does this with both lead medium loads and hot jacketed magnums. I had the Perfect all around sixgun.
Jim L

[Deaf Smith]

slightly modified Blackhawk in 41 magnum? I managed to buy a second Ruger Practical Holster a full flap holster made by bianchi for Ruger in the early 80's. these holsters were real quality and I buy them when ever and where ever I find them. This one id for a 7.5 inch gun fo the 6.5 will fit nicely leaving only an inch at the botton nothing to worry about . Also since it has a twist release there is no snap to scare game just a quite twist of the button and the gun is free to shoot. the perfect holster. also did I mention its a full flap hjolster for full protection of the gun.
Jim L

[Gun Runner]

D S, I have the NMB 6 1/2 41 mag its my second one . First one got away in a moment of CRS. Mine has the SBH hammer and triger in it, so I have something I can get my thumb on to cock it. My gunsmith put the hammer and trigger in while he was polishing the action. I went to the hogue grips for comfort while shooting. I just got the one ragged hole sight for it, but havant had a chance to shoot it yet, due to work, weather and a couple of emergency home repairs (its been like a beaver colony here - one dammed thing after another). Dont know bout jacketed as all I shoot is cast in it and my 1895ss. Plan on getting the new clylinder pin and putting it in.
Maybe in the next week or so will be able to go shoot a little. Mostly running hard cas 215gr gc swc on top of a handfull of 2400. It amazes the 100 yd rifle shooters when I start plinking out at the same distance. Everybody told me I needed a 44 mag, but I can do the same thing with the 41 mag. I carry mine in a cross draw holster while in the woods, or fishing or gold panning. made up a bunch of snake shot rounds for the Buzz Tails. First two rounds are snake shot, next 4 215 grainers.
Good shooting

Gun Runner

[Deaf Smith]

Sounds like a sweet custom pistol. I currently have a 357 Vaquero with a SS Superblackhawk grip frame on it needs a bit of fitting and I also have a set od stainless SBH hammer and trigger for it as well. After that I plan to add the Keith style basepin and either a stainless Ruger ejector ron or a bullseye to that gun as well. the thing is even with full loads the spur on the SBH grip frame doesnt bother me on the 357 as it does on a 44 and I love the longer feel pf it as well the larger hammer and wider trigger along with the action job will make a real handy 357 Sa sixgun. If I keep this up I will have a hard time desiding which custom sixgun to carry with me as they will all be so fine. Then if I customize a 44 and a 45 I will have a carry gun is all calibers. I already did the 22 single six to an extent putting a stainless steel grip frame on it adding a bit of weight still havent desided on the grips as yet something pretty as recoil is nill on this gun perhaps adjustable sights maybe or just the bullseye ejector rod and keith cylinder rod who knows, its easy to get carried away whren customizing your sixguns.
Jim L

[Sundown Holly]

Now you've made me jealous. I want one.

[Deaf Smith]

Which one do you find so irrestable? I mentioned so many. And I didnt get to the bisley vaquero with the extra 45 acp cylinder.
Jim L

[Sundown Holly]

Hello Deaf Smith, sorry it has taken me so long to respond. The gun I mentioned when I said "I want one" was the .41 Mag old model Blackhawk. I have a New Model SuperBlackhawk, .44 Mag, with a 43/4" barrel that is a nice gun. I like the actions on the old model Blackhawks better, but I must admit that my SBH has an action (factory) that is as smooth and crisp as anything I've seen (all that has been done was I replaced the springs to make cocking ity easier). About the only complaint I have is that the grip from front to back is a bit too long for my hand, especially with full house magnums. The Peacemaker grip fits my hand better. As I get older I find myself more recoil shy. Not that I'm afraid, I just don't like it. A flatter shooting .41 mag with slightly less recoil would be nice, and I would even get into reloading ".41 Specials" as (I think it was) John Taffin once wrote about. In an old Model Blackhawk this would be about as close to perfect as I think I could find and I would be as happy as a duck in water!

[Deaf Smith]

I shoot 7.5 grains of Unique under a 215 hads cast semiwadcutter with winchester primers and My other load is 20 grains of 2400 under either the same cast bullet of a 210 hp or sp same winchester primers. The unique is my every day fun and plinking load my "41 special" if you please and the 2400 is for hunting or other serious bisness(like being in the woods in bear country or when the wild dogs are a problem) I may want to try 18 of 2400 with some 275 grain(these are real heavy weights in the 41) hard cast bullets if I come across some. I just want to try some of the heavyweights some day and see how they shoot. The Superblackhawk hammer on this gun makes cocking it a real wonder and faster shooting is definately possible. The steel grip frame also cutds down on recoil a bit due to the extra weight. the gun is pretty much perfect as is so I plan to keep it for the rest of my life. I have a nice Ruger practical holster to carry it in as well or one of my cowboy holsters will do the job. I even has a shoemaker make me a leather pouch to hold 1 plastic MTM ammo box of 41 magnums so i did'nt have to use bullet loops. Just stuff the loaded box in its pouch & gun in its holster and I am good to go.
Jim L