Author Topic: Gunsmith recommendation too change Blackhawk barrels? (Read 3547 times)

messer454 · « **on:** September 23, 2008, 09:21:23 PM »

Can anyone recommend a single action gunsmith who is willing to remove and install Blackhawk barrels? I am looking for someone who is good but maybe not high dollar like some of the big names like Bowen and Linebaugh. Thanks for the help.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2008, 01:57:22 AM »

most named gunsmiths dont fool with jobs that small. Its an easy thing to do and any local gunsmith should be able to that. You might want to consider saving the money you were going to spend and buy a barrel vise of your own and doing it yourself. For what the gunsmith will charge you you can buy one from brownells

Swampman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2008, 02:10:27 AM »

Send it back to Ruger.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2008, 10:48:24 AM »

gallagher! If it's worth doing, make sure it's done right. Also a perfect time for any other work.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 26, 2008, 07:34:38 AM »

I am getting ready to try a barrel swap on a Vaquero and a Bisley Vaquero right now myself. I'm going to attempt to make my own barrel vise and do the work myself. Never done it before...but here we go. Ya'll stay tuned, I give progress reports...if I make any(progress that is). Walt

LONGTOM · « **Reply #5 on:** September 26, 2008, 09:26:24 AM »

No problem.
Just take your time and make sure you use a couple pieces of leather between the barrels and the vice jaws.
Mark the barrels and the actions dead center on top as a reference mark for sight line up when you reinstall them.

LONGTOM

messer454 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 26, 2008, 04:26:02 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on September 24, 2008, 02:10:27 AM

Send it back to Ruger.

A not so nice lady at Ruger told me it would cost about $220 in labor to change barrels.

messer454 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 26, 2008, 04:27:39 PM »

Quote from: BlkHawk73 on September 24, 2008, 10:48:24 AM

gallagher! If it's worth doing, make sure it's done right. Also a perfect time for any other work.

Found him recommended elsewhere too after I posted. Thanks, it is going to him.

BlkHawk73 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 27, 2008, 02:27:15 AM »

Quote from: messer454 on September 26, 2008, 04:27:39 PM

Found him recommended elsewhere too after I posted. Thanks, it is going to him.

You'll be pleased. I started using him on quite a few reccomendations and after seeing some of his work. He's done two Rugers fro me thus far and will definately be getting at least two more.

LONGTOM · « **Reply #9 on:** September 27, 2008, 03:47:43 AM »

Gallagher has one of mine right now.
Should be getting close to being done.
I kind of feel like the kid from the country that was just told that the family is taking their monthly trip to town and he can spend his whole quarter at the candy shop! WOW!!!
IS IT TIME TO GO YET?
WHEN ARE WE LEAVING?

LONGTOM

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #10 on:** September 27, 2008, 08:07:45 AM »

I do just what your planning but id buck up and buy a barrel vice. there not that expensive and come in handy. A guy can even buy one and use it for the projects he needs it for then resell it when your done. A vise from brownells will come with various blocks of wood cut for differnt sized barrels. What i do with mine is use lead shims sandwiched between the wood and the barrel to get better grip. Rosin or baby powder help alot too. they come in awfull handy for regulating fixed sighted guns too.

warrior1 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 27, 2008, 05:01:26 PM »

not to wander off the subject, somewhere a guy used a pinetar rag on his barrel for a better bite. you guiys got me going now with talk about changing barrels yourself. mayhaps a call to brownells is in order. dan

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** September 27, 2008, 05:15:50 PM »

Quote from: messer454 on September 26, 2008, 04:26:02 PM

Quote from: Swampman on September 24, 2008, 02:10:27 AM
Send it back to Ruger.
A not so nice lady at Ruger told me it would cost about $220 in labor to change barrels.

Their website says $80.00 labor charge. I just checked it.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 29, 2008, 01:27:46 AM »

OK, I spent all weekend trying to make my homemade rig work...now this morning Ol' hardhead is calling Brownell's.
Lloyd, I agree, I can already see lots of applications for a vise besides changing barrels. Thanks, Walt

44 Man · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2008, 06:39:54 AM »

I and my buddy Mikie, have done several with a homemade wood block. It is bored with a big round hole just a little bigger than the barrel. then cut lengthwise into two halves. We line it with leather to protect the barrel (sometimes a wrap of the old friction tape will give a better bite) then put her in the vise. a 2"x2" through the frame and twist it off. That simple. Like the man said, mark a spot on the bottom of the barrel and frame so it can be re-aligned later. We have also turned the barrel to bring point of aim left or right on a fixed sight gun.
Or you can call the Gun Doctor at 989 875 4781 and have him do it. He has done several for me and a couple of caliber changes too. Either way, good luck to you. 44 Man

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 02, 2008, 12:33:30 AM »

44Man, that just what I tried...with no luck....think my wood was too soft. I tried lead and leather inserts...just not quite enough grip. Anyway when I got home last night, the brown truck had come...what a hunk of metal. At today's price of steel I definately got my money's worth. Wheeler's vise was about twice the size I had expected. Got it all mounted up and ready....tonight we'll find out how she works. Thanks all!!! Walt

LONGTOM · « **Reply #16 on:** October 02, 2008, 02:33:39 AM »

Make sure the 2x2 is nice and square as to keep even presure on the bottom of the frame and more importantly the top strap.
An out of square piece of hard wood could put a bulge in the top strap-A BIG NO NO.
Good luck!

LONGTOM

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 08, 2008, 12:43:50 AM »

OK, I've given this project a pretty good go and I still haven't broke loose either barrel. I soaked threads in Kroil...applied some(a little) heat to frame over threads...tried lead inserts...leather inserts...talcom powder...used the blocks with 1" hole w/ shims...tried the blocks with .75" hole w/ and w/o shims....tighen the vise down with an 18" wrench, putting almost all I got(which I admit ain't too much anymore) behind her. I haven't moved either barrel enough to adjust the sights as far as I can tell. One gun is close to being new, the other has much more use on it. Running out of ideas here, but not giving up. Walt

44 Man · « **Reply #18 on:** October 08, 2008, 01:39:01 AM »

Wow Hopalong, I don't know what to tell you. I have dealt with one gun that was hard to turn, but with a little more force, it did. The other half dozen that I have dealt with have turned without a lot of effort. If you need to tighten it to bring point of aim where it needs to be, break it loose the other way first, then come back. Can't help you much more than that. I have not run into one that needed heat or any help of any other kind other than the barrel blocks and the 2x2. 44 Man.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2008, 05:13:32 AM »

I'm trying to remove and switch the barrels to the other frame. I.e., put the long barrel on the Bisley and the short barrel on the Vaquero. thanks, Walt

Graybeard · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2008, 10:38:03 AM »

I just GOTTA ask. What's the possibility that you only think you are removing but in fact are making it tighter?

44 Man · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2008, 11:48:27 AM »

Graybeard, I was wonder'n about that possibility but didn't want to ask. 44 Man

warrior1 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2008, 01:49:57 PM »

from the bleachers on a wednesday nite, what about putting a length of pipe over the wrench handle for some additional leverage?dan

LONGTOM · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2008, 02:12:54 PM »

Don't want to sound stupid, and I am sure you did but you did remove the ejector rod and housing didn't you.
I know I know stupid question!
Just trying to cover all the facts.

LONGTOM

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 09, 2008, 12:40:06 AM »

Bill, A very good question...I have an extra 357 blackhawk barrel and it has right hand threads, so I assumed .45's the same...but not absolutely sure.

warrior1, The 2x2 is long enough for leverage, at least so far. The barrel is slipping in the vise.

LONGTOM, Not stupid at all....This ol' coot has pulled some dum ones in his time...but , yes I did remove the ejector rod and housing.

Made one more attempt last night using electrical tape...nope...not as good of a bite as other attempts. Doubt and frustration are beginning to creep up on me just a little.

Thanks Guys, I ain't giving up just yet. Walt

LONGTOM · « **Reply #25 on:** October 09, 2008, 02:23:45 AM »

I knew you did!

Maybe while you are holding pressure on the frame with the 2x2 someone else could give it a good whack with one of those hard plastic mallets.
Maybe the sudden jar along with the pressure might do the trick.
Just grasping for straws here.

Just thought of it!
There is a product called MARVEL MYSTERY OIL that for some reason seems to work when all others fail.
Worth a try!

LONGTOM

jk3006 · « **Reply #26 on:** October 09, 2008, 05:48:16 AM »

If Kroil didn't do the trick, I doubt much of anything else would either.

Quote from: LONGTOM on October 09, 2008, 02:23:45 AM

Just thought of it!
There is a product called MARVEL MYSTERY OIL that for some reason seems to work when all others fail.
Worth a try!

LONGTOM

jk3006 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 09, 2008, 05:49:49 AM »

I bet a pipe wrench would to the job. LOL!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #28 on:** October 09, 2008, 06:50:23 AM »

take out your cylinder and cut the handle off a good heavy shovel and stick one end in the frame where you took out the cylinder and you will have enough leverage to break any barrel loose.

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #29 on:** October 09, 2008, 08:49:18 AM »

Leverage on the frame end isn't the problem.....I'm just not getting enough grip on the barrel with the vise to keep it from turning and I've just about demolished two sets of the wood blocks(which I understood from the beginning are disspensable).

messer454, I owe you an apology sir...I've completely pirated your thread. Had I known this was going anywhere near this far, long ago I would have taken it elswhere.

Thanks Guys, Walt