Seeking advice on custom work

[Cayoot]

I have a 6 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Mag.  I'm just crazy about the gun.  Unfortunately in is Blue Steel (don't get me wrong, I love blue steel and walnut, but I am nervous about corrosion when I have it out all day or over night during the wet trapping season).  I've pretty much decided to have it coated in NP3 by Robar industries (unless someone knows of something better).  I would also like to have it cut down to 5 inches and have an action job done on it.  On top of that, I'm thinking Hi-Viz sights (for the deep woods).  Who do you recommend that I have do this work?  Mag-na-port is here in Michigan...do they do good work?  Is someone better?

Finally, I'm thinking about having it "Taylor Throated".  The accuracy is good now (like all .41 Mags), however I'm always looking to improve.

Or would just having the forcing cone cut to 11 degrees (I shoot Lead SWCs almost exclusively) be just as good?

Any and all advice would be appreciated.

Lloyd...you are the only person I know who has had alot of custom work done...would you chime in also?

[2 dogs]

First, lets talk about how well it shoots. If it is in the 2 inch range at 50 yards, you dont need to fix anything, just tune it up. I have been using Alan Harton in Houston and he can really tune up a Ruger NM. I recommend a Bowen target rear, NOT the rough country, an undercut front sight, a BM #5 base pin, crescent ejector, bp chamfer on the cylinder, and a trigger job with a trigger stop.

Taylor throating is for revolvers that display poor cylinder barrel alignment. For my money, I would instead correct the alignment issues, and install a new barrel.

Coating? How about just keeping a oily rag in your kit?

[Cayoot]

First, lets talk about how well it shoots. If it is in the 2 inch range at 50 yards, you dont need to fix anything, just tune it up. I have been using Alan Harton in Houston and he can really tune up a Ruger NM. I recommend a Bowen target rear, NOT the rough country, an undercut front sight, a BM #5 base pin, crescent ejector, bp chamfer on the cylinder, and a trigger job with a trigger stop.

Taylor throating is for revolvers that display poor cylinder barrel alignment. For my money, I would instead correct the alignment issues, and install a new barrel.

Coating? How about just keeping a oily rag in your kit?

Thanks 2 Dogs...do you have contact info for Alan Harton?  Your recommendations sound very sensible.

As far as cylinder barrel alignment, I don't know how to test for that.

Your thoughts on the oily rag is reasonable, however after being outside all day with temps at zero or below, the gun is pretty frosty inside.  When I come in from the cold I always open the revolver and put it next to the fire for a few hours.  However I know that condensation forms on the inside and I worry about the guts rusting out.  Also, being outside all day (when running a trap line) I have fallen through the ice more than once and submerged the revolver in a creek.  I really worry about the rust eating through the bluing while I'm out.  I really like this gun and hope to pass it down to my grandchildren after I'm gone.

[2 dogs]

Try Harton at 713 907 6031 during business hours.

I live on the Gulf Coast of Texas, so I know about taking a gun from cold to hot weather....those coatings dont get inside the chambers and inside the barrel....you still have to wipe the gun down inside and out....

I had Mike Barranti of Barrantileather.com build me a chest rig to protect my sixguns as much as possible when afield. I think he calls it his South Texas Hunter. Have a look at his website. Keeping the sixgun ABOVE your waist will help when you have to wade thu the wet stuff as well as keeping it under your jacket and close to your body where it wont be exposed to the elements as much.

[Lloyd Smale]

2 dogs gave you some good advice. First dont throw money at problems that dont exist. If your gun shoots welll and doesnt lead get an action job and call it good. any of the good smiths like harton, clements, linebaugh, bowen and even magna port can easily handle that. As to coatings i guess i cant see spending almost 200 bucks to protect a gun thats worth 300. Not unless its an family heirloom and even then id want it to look the way it did when i got it. Use it the way it is and if gets rusty or beat up (which i doubt it will) ruger will reblue it for a 100 bucks.

[Cayoot]

You guys are probably right....I should just get the barrel shortened (Just think 6 1/2 inches is a bit too long for all the carrying on it that I do) and an action job.  I guess I'm being paraniod about the rust.  Maybe I'll save the money and instead send it to Clements for the "Ermie" (or however it is spelled) package on my stainless .45 Colt blackhawk.

I enjoy the .41 so much that I was originally going to sell both my .41 and .45 Colt Blackhawks, then take the money and toss in another $1,000 and get a Freedom Arms in .41 Mag.

However, after spending time on their web site, I can't see that they make a .41 in 5 inch.  Also, it looks like I'd have to order the adjustable sights and action job seperate....looks like a factory new Freedom Arms would still need some customizing work to make it what I want.  Besides, I couldn't even figure out what the gun price is!

There site has a lot of clutter, but no hard data.

If I have to have a gun customized anyways, guess I'll just stick with the Ruger...