OT - I performed surgery on my Super Blackhawk

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:41 am

I don't feel that a $500 gun, or a $5,000 gun, should be left stock to help it hold its value if changes can make it better for the shooter. It was born to shoot, and if it doesn't work right as-is, then make it right!
Since I'm too lazy to recreate the entire post, it can be viewed here:
http://single-actions.phpbb3now.com/vie ... f=5&t=1123

jbm1968 · Post by **jbm1968** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:59 am

GREAT WORK!!! I agree with you, Guns are tools and customized guns are the finest tools. Remember that the classic H&H double rifles worth so much today were custom fit to the owners (and still are).

k8bor · Post by **k8bor** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:15 pm

Funny, I did exactly the same thing with (2) blackhawks that I had, a .357 and .41 mag. My hands are sort of smallish, and the corners of the stock grips and frame would bite my hands no matter how I held them, especially the .41 mag. So I did the same thing, but on the aluminum grip frames they have, black semi-gloss rust-oleum did a great job of covering up the metal. I fine sanded the grips to the right shape and finished them with Tru-Oil and they look twice as good as original.

BTW I did use a disc grinder and bench grinder setup to sand and polish the frames, it IS much easier. I ground the frames with the grips mounted on them until I got the shape I wanted, and them took them off and fine sanded and detailed them. That way I got a perfect fit.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:19 pm

Thanks for mentioning the Rustoleum. I've started on My .41 BH as well, and was wondering what to finish it with.

Scott64A · Post by **Scott64A** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:22 pm

I have to admit, as I watched the progression of photos, I started to get a little squeamish.

After you used some sanding blocks and formed the grip panels, it looks very professional!

Good work m8!

dr walker · Post by **dr walker** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:26 pm

Way to go. Looks like you did a fine job.
I'd like to try the brown finishes, ussually reserved for black powder guns.
I think a Super Brownhawk would be cool.
I have used the flat black rustoleum on a rifle with great results and it has held up good.

k8bor · Post by **k8bor** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:27 pm

Homefront,

I'm just wondering how to tackle my .44 mag. hunter. The stainless will be a bit different. I might leave that one for awhile, because my hands fit completely on those, but I sure do like the round corners. Have to think on that one.

I've never been too squeamish about tackling these things either. I figure if the grip frame goes away, the most it can cost is another grip frame. I've done other work to rifles & such too. Never know until you jump in and try. As long as you do a little pre-planning, it should work out all right 99% of the time.

Good show on you anyway. Good looking work.

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 12:45 pm

I've never been too squeamish about tackling these things either. I figure if the grip frame goes away, the most it can cost is another grip frame. I've done other work to rifles & such too. Never know until you jump in and try. As long as you do a little pre-planning, it should work out all right 99% of the time.

Good show on you anyway. Good looking work.

Right on, and thanks!

Dr. Walker, that brown idea is intriguing.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 1:58 pm

Very nice work. Congrats on the finished product.

45-70- · Post by **45-70-** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:44 pm

Very nice job. I have my OM Vaquero setting right here at my desk because I have been planning to do the same thing. I dont care for the sharp corners either.
Looks great.

Slick · Post by **Slick** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:47 pm

That came out looking great! I have the Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter - and it was the Bisley-grip that sold me on buying it - so I feel the same as you do on the "plow-handle" grips not being comfortable..

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:43 pm

I guess they got the name because they "plow" your hand!

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:07 am

Great job Homefront!!!

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 7:27 am

Perfect.

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 8:16 am

That is a great job, well done.
I now have yet another project, thanks

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 9:25 am

Thanks to all, my back needed some patting.
The decision to do this was driven by $. Either spend it on a trade and lose, or buy a Bisley grip frame and lose. So far all it cost me is time and elbow grease, and I'm ending up with what I hope will be essentially the same result.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:05 pm

Looks great, have you shot it yet?

Personally, the only SA's I can shoot worth a darn have the Bisley grip. I'm with ya, that plow handle just don't get it for me.

Rusty <><

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:10 pm

I used to have a 357 blackhawk, many years ago. I hated how the grip shifted in my hand after firing a heavy load. I now have a Ruger stainless security six and much prefer the handle design.

I like what you did to yours, but my personal preferance is towards a Redhawk style grip

homefront · Post by **homefront** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:51 pm

Hopefully I'll try it tomorrow or Sunday.
Speaking of Rugers, my fave as far as grips and fit go is the GP100. I'd love to have a 6" blued, cut down to 5", converted to .41 mag. I wonder if it's doable?

handirifle · Post by **handirifle** » Fri Jan 25, 2008 1:09 pm

I'm told certain guns can handle the extra power and some cannot. I was told the security six can. Don't know enough about the GP to say, and I haven't read it anywhere.

Is the 41 ammo much higher?