OK...here's where I am right now. I am still waiting for a sight ramp from Brownell's since I ordered the wrong one the first time and their mind reader wasn't on duty at the time!

First picture is the before shot for easy comparison. I apologize for the yellowish tint on the second one...having problems getting glare-free pictures. Photography isn't my strong point.



Besides filing out the pits, polishing and blueing, progress includes new steel grip frame, steel ejector rod housing, Bisley hammer (modified to fit frame) and of course Tru Ivory Ultra Antique grips from Bar S Grips.



I still need to disassemble and reassemble it several times to tune the trigger for creep and let-off before I can actually see how it shoots! I'll probably have to start hiding it since my wife has decided that she might just want to take it as her own now.

Wow, SSLover! What a beautiful piece!! Work to be proud of!!!

Bonza!!

That gun do look nice!!
Great restoration mate!!

All I can say is WOWEEEEEE!

What a beautiful job you've done. Love those grips. Quite a polish and blue. Yeah sounds like you better guard that pistola!

Very nice job!

SWEET!!! Looks great .

And I'll start the bidding at a buck and a half !!!


Indoor lighting can be a source of the yellowing effect, try using as much natural light as possible.


Great work.....your doing a fine job !!!

Can I have it when you're finished?

!!!NICE!!! Very nice!

chambered221 wrote:

And I'll start the bidding at a buck and a half !!!

Geez! Last of the big spenders!

Thanks for the lighting tip. I'll try to get more detailed pics later.

I'll give you $50.00 for it when your finished!
Nice work man!

I'll give you $200 but you pay for the shipment and red tape to get it to my hand
(and that might cost ya over $350 )

But at least I am 400% over the last bidder..

Then again, you might not wanna sell it ..

SSS....that is one sweet looking resto. You have done a beautiful job on it mate...especially considering what you had to start with.

Did you have to remove much metal to get rid of the rust pitting mate. I especially like the barrel length...looks awesome. What are you plans for the ejector rod and housing? Are you replacing them with new items?

I look forward to seeing your shoot results...should be pretty good I reckon.

Cheers Vince

Barrel length was chosen to give me a convenient length and weight for day-long carry in the woods without constantly getting in the way. The ejector rod housing was replaced with one made of steel (the old aluminum one is pictured below the gun). The manufacturer's bluing doesn't match the gun well enough for my taste so it will be stripped, polished and re-blued.

There was a substantial amount of metal to remove in some places on the cylinder and barrel in order to eliminate the pitting, some of which was deeper than I first thought. The trick was to keep their appropriate contours so both retained their proper eye appeal. This of course meant that metal had to be remove all the way around and end to end of each piece. Thankfully Rugers are over-engineered and provide plenty of metal to work with without compromising strength.

The aluminum grip frame was a lost cause. By the time I had all of the chemical and corrosion etching removed the trigger guard was paper-thin. Someone in the past had also slightly undercut one of the support "ears" on the original (I assume in an attempt to file out the pitting) and support strength became a factor. That (and the added weight helping to move balance more rearward) was the reason I opted to replace it with the steel grip frame.

I'm looking forward to actual shooting tests too. They will have to wait for the arrival and installation of the new front sight and me having time to devote to them. Looks like we're finally having a break in our weather so any spare time not spent on Mama's lists will be devoted to catching up on a little motorcycle riding (finally!). Shooting may have to take a back seat for a few days!

I have never liked the appearance of the Bisley Rugers, but the bisley hammer used in your application makes a nice touch and probably easier access for the thumb.

I'm not a fan of the Bisley Rugers either, though many love them. I do like the graceful lines of the hammer style though. I don't have small hands, but the high spur on the regular hammer makes me feel as though my hand is out of position when cocking the hammer. The Bisley hammer seems to feel more naturally positioned.

Word of warning to anyone thinking about doing the same...the Bisley hammer will fit, but it does require a generous amount of the rear of the hammer body be removed to fit into the standard grip-frame. Not a big deal but not a "drop-in" either.