Making a .44 Special more special

[Bill in Oregon]

Managed to corner a near-new Ruger Blackhawk flat top, 5 1/2-inch barrel, made in 2010.
I'd like to "make it my own," and am of course considering grips as well as going to the expense of having the frame and hammer color-cased. I don't have much budget for any of this right now, but it is fun to look ahead a bit.

[wvfarrier]

44 special is one of the most underrated calibers. Great for SD and hunting.

[gamekeeper]

Nice.. don't forget the before and after photos when you get round to it..

[AmBraCol]

I've got a 44 Special 7 1/2" flat top with a Bisely grip frame on it. It used to belong to Jeff Quinn. It now wears one of Fermin Garza's long range front sights and gave me a lot of fun shooting targets of opportunity at the Whittington Center last month. Only shot "The Skeeter Load" through it so far and managed to adjust to it fairly well, considering I'd not shot anything over 38 Spl in years. It's a fun caliber in a good sixgun you've got. Dolling it up a bit should come natural. I'd give Bobby Tyler of Tyler Gunworks a call about the color hardening. I've seen some of his work and it's outstanding.

[Old Savage]

44 Spl.s

[Bill in Oregon]

Old Savage, that top gun is a clone of the one I have.
Paul, I will look into Fermin Garza's front sight, not that I can shoot irons that well anymore.
I am thinking of having Snowy Mountain do the case, if and when I can afford it. I was going to put some inexpensive Altamont wood grips on it for the short term, but they are mysteriously out of almost everything on their Web site.

[Old Savage]

I like grips that came on it.

[JOG]

I have a Ruger flat top Blackhawk in 44 spl. with the 4.62 inch barrel.
It's a great shooter! Love the 44 spl.
I did change out the grips for smooth walnut grips.

[GunnyMack]

I put a brass frame on my 41 Blackhawk. I really like the lower CG with that extra weight of the brass. However it needed to be fit, maybe not everyone can handle the amount of work required. I got it from Midway.
However my 44 special Single Six still wears the original frame. Pics PLEASE!

[Blaine]

Way back when, I wish I had gone the Special route instead of .44 Mag.....My handloads are pretty mild.

[Bill in Oregon]

Blaine, you can take it back another generation and get a Bisley clone in .44 Russian, the grandfather of the .44 Magnum. I had a Russian in an Uberti Colt Open Top, and oh what a joy it was to load for and shoot.

[Ray]

Deleted.

[AmBraCol]

Bill, I don't know if you've looked at Fermin's site recently, but he's got quite a selection to choose from. https://fermincgarza.com/shop/ Also, he's glad to work with you to make sure you get the best sight for your eyes. He has his version of the old King mirrored sight and he also does brass bead inserts.

[Larkbill]

You wouldn't do it for the looks, but I have a One Hole on my .45 Colt BH and it has me shooting like I did 20 years ago. Maybe better.

[2ndovc]

Looking forward to the updates and pictures. I wish I'd taken a before picture of my Bowen before it was worked over.

When you're all done, you might be almost as cool as me.



jb

[Bill in Oregon]

Jason, that is one handsome sixgun!

[Scott Tschirhart]

I’m working on a similar project. This gun had a pair of white plastic grips that gave way under a screwdriver. I found some plain Hogues that were a little proud and thick so I sanded them down and found some pretty good wood under there.

[Scott Tschirhart]

I also cut the front sight so I could see it. It shoots ok but not great. Still a work in progress.

[jeepnik]

I haven't looked in a bit but who's doing custom Blackhawk grips in wood these days? Any recommendations.

[Bill in Oregon]

Scott, I'll say you found some "pretty good wood" under those Hogues. Beautiful.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Scott, I'll say you found some "pretty good wood" under those Hogues. Beautiful.

I wish I had a photo of what they looked like before. You never would have known that there was beautiful wood under there.

I need to find a checkering file (thought I had one but I cannot find it) to run some horizontal lines on the front sight.

[3leggedturtle]

2pistols in 2 weeks! I always thought I should have gone with a .44 Sp instead of .45 Auto 15 years ago.

[Ysabel Kid]

Looking forward to the updates and pictures. I wish I'd taken a before picture of my Bowen before it was worked over.

When you're all done, you might be almost as cool as me.



jb

Holy Smokes is that gorgeous!!!

[Scott Tschirhart]

That Skeeter load is still my favorite.

At 25 yards offhand today: