Blackhawk Restyle

[Sharps40]

Okay....no response from the grip supplier....moving out and drawing fire on my own...as usual. Ordered two ruger springs from mid-toodayumhighpriced-wayusa.com. Decided on two as one will likely become a try spring, second is for back up or better design. Here's the ticket....while the product is sourced for the XR3-RED frames, it appears there is no support to cover differences in trigger/frame/springing between the Old Model and New Model/Vaq (this new grip being set up primarily like a New Model/Vaq as reguards sear spring, trigger return spring.)

So. With two springs on the way, I have an idea for spring mod to ensure trigger return and if so, it would leave the weapon fully capable of wearing either of the grips, Brass or Factory Plowshare handle.

If not, I think a slight mod to the factory trigger, a reversible mod, will work fine though likely somewhat less convenient to switch between Brass or Factory Plowshare handles.

 

[Sharps40]

Shot it today. 4" high wif 130g 38s an 8" high wif 125g 357 mags. Rear sight fully down. Good news is taller front sight is inbound. Oh yeah...shoots great. Gonna be wonnerful with either grip or both.

 

[Sharps40]

I think I have this figured out....just waitin on the NMBH trigger return spring. If its long enough, I'll reverse its function from pushing down on the the tail of the NM trigger spur to pushing forward on the old model trigger. If not, I can wind one from straight stock to do that.

Or, after looking at the New Model and Old Model frame, I can insert a spacer in the new model grip frame, where the NM trigger spring would go. Center drill this spacer and install the Old Model trigger plunger and spring, effectively converting the New Model Frame to Old Model configuration.

I'll try the New Model Spring first. If not happy with that, I'll convert the brass frame, in a reversible manner so its useable on both new and old model blackhawks to use the old model spring and plunger.

Meantime I cleaned up and tweaked the front sight dovetail with the try sight in preparation for arrival of a spanky new and taller front sight.

 

[Sharps40]

Lifted from another site, here is what the filler block for conversion of a NM Single Six Frame to Old Model looks like.....NMBH to OMBH could be quite the same.

 

[Sharps40]

While I wait for the springs...some final fitting of the tang on the front of the grip frame that fits into the recess in the action. Just clearance the sides and lowering the height with a bit of hand filing.

And a tour around. The fit in my medium size hands if great....I can wrap the ring and little fingers around the base of the grip, unlike the plowshare grip. I'm liking it.

A little gap up front, will investigate that later. Screws may need to be shortened a whisker, feels like they bottom out just before grabbing with the brass grip.....

Vertical tangs of the brass grip are just a bit taller than the back of the frame....room for fitting.

The grips are a checkered cast composite.....simulating hard rubber and checkered.

Not bad with a 5" barrel.

Just need that spring and the taller front sight to see how its really going to look.

 

[7pt62THOR]

Looks really cool with the "Colt" grip, BUT, you might be right that you need to cut it on down to 3" and lose the ejector rod. EITHER WAY, IT LOOKS AWESOME!

 

[Sharps40]

Yeah, its a hard call on the barrel length...still thinkin.

 

[Sharps40]

The new model trigger return springs are in. So far I'm not happy with them, Rugers replacement springs are poorly wound and bendable. Shoulda bought wolf.

At this point I'm out tomorrow for some fuel line for the truck so I'll stop and see if I can get a chunk of 5/16" key stock for making a plunger well, old model style and mull over whether I want to add a bowen style mod to the old model trigger to use the new model trigger return spring.

But at least I have two trigger return options, both good. I'm kinda leanin toward makin up the old model spring and plunger set up since its much more tuneable and I have excellent quality spring stock I can put in to adjust the pull.

Boy, big difference between 1967 good springs and what I got from the ruger parts house today. Ouch....no wonder folks swap out springs on new rugers....

 

[Sharps40]

Got some work to do this weekend.

Shorten grip to frame screws slightly.....brass frame has more deeply recessed screw head counter bores and the screws bottom in the receiver.

Finalize the trigger return spring mechanism. I will very likely install the filler block and set up a spring and plunger ala OMBH....this seems the best and most tunable trigger assembly.

Finalize fit of the brass grip frame to the receiver, at the rear tangs.

Check the ejector and decide if I want to shorten it and the barrel or roll with 5" of barrel as is. I thinking the gun might look a bet better balanced at 3.5 to 4" of barrel.

 

[Sharps40]

Well, there's no brass key stock within a million miles of North Carolina......guess I'll haveta mail order. But I had some left over aluminum callin out like a helper lookin for a project so, sawed off a chunk a bit over 5/16" square and about 1 1/4" long. Center drilled it......cross drilled it....thinned and tapered it and ...... it fits in as the filler blank to house a spring and plunger to keep the trigger under control.

The center hole I drilled is .190" diameter and the spring I chose is somewhat smaller than that in diameter. Still too long but I'll trim it later after makin up a plunger for the end of it.

For now, the cross pin is undersized. I'll pin it with a fitting piece of drill rod later.

Looking down from above, I tapered the rear down and short. There has to be clearance for the hammer spring and strut and no need to have this hunk of metal in the way. Might be some light fitting later....for now, just the basic install.

Once a plunger is made up, the new trigger filler block will hold it all in place providing the same type of trigger return capability as you can see on the 3 Screw.

And just in case I get real energetic....this here maple is supereyebunger curly.