I promised updates, so here's where I'm at at this point. Just about ready for serious polishing and sight installation after I fill the screw hole in the top-strap where someone drilled it for a scope mount (I assume). Anyone know of a source for a barrel band front sight please let me know.

First a look at the left side before work began:



And the cylinder before work began:



Top strap showing the screw hole before work began:



Barrel, receiver and cylinder have been draw-filed and are just about ready for lots of polishing:

Photos of the various tools used in the process would be nice too...

I've draw filed octagon barrels and done a lot of draw filing of flat surfaces when hand machining parts, but draw filing a round surface...

One more thing. I take it that that is one of the older Rugers and it has the steel grip frame.

Keep going...You are generating a lot of interest in this project.

Not that hard to do. Just make light, full length strokes and make sure you slightly overlap each pass with the same pressure to ensure that you are keeping the surface rounded. It's the only way I've found to remove rust pits and deep scratches without leaving dips and waves in the surface.

As for tools...screw-specific screwdrivers, a hacksaw, good files of various cut patterns, a vise and lots of emery cloth to this point. Barrel was cut square with a jig I rigged up and then filed perfectly square using hardened steel plates to maintain angle. Polishing will be done with a polishing wheel mounted on a salvaged electric motor I've used for more years than even I care to count.

Looking good SSL...as Bushy said...plenty of interest in this project mate.

Cheers, Vince

Bushmaster wrote:

One more thing. I take it that that is one of the older Rugers and it has the steel grip frame.

Sorry...I forgot to address this question. The grip frame is aluminum since this is a "New Model" Blackhawk made (according to the serial number range) in 1975. I'm going to try Brownells Aluma-Hyde II but if I don't like the looks or durability my son's friend runs a powder-coating business and he can do a gloss black for $10 at most. We'll just have to see how the Brownell's works. I could just replace it with a steel grip frame and blue it, but since I want a "hiking" gun and I don't intend to use "magnumized" loads I would like to keep the weight down as much as possible for comfort's sake.

I got tired of the "paint" chipping off my aluminum grip frame and ejecter housing so I...........

I agree. I guess I should have also mentioned that I will be replacing the ejector housing with a steel one. Should help keep the weight forward where I prefer it.

With the 6 1/2" barrel you don't have to worry about forward weight. In fact, for me, it's too nose heavy. It just does not balance as well as my Colt with the 4 3/4" barrel.

Nice Blacky Bushy. So nice in fact yer prolly not gonna miss that Colt roller..... so send it my way.

Oooops- forgot.

Please.

Right...Give it to you...Right... My sides are starting to hurt...

Aw, comon, I said please!

Bet all the screws are tight too, like the Redfield's, from being locked down correctly *cough-never uses it-cough*.

There is no loktite on the colt though it came from the colt factory with red loktite. That was 45 years ago...I only use loktite if I have a stuborn screw that just won't stay tight. Like the Screw on my Model 19 rear sight that mounts the sight to the top strap.

Copy that...just funnin' with ya. I like that Colt of yers and may get one some day...

Back to the Ruger thread.

Rugers rock!

Oooooh Stovey - That is one fine-looking hand cannon. Makes mine look like a poor man's gun.

Marty...If you need information or help in building a gun . There are at least three people, that I know of, that do just that.

Stovey
SingleShotLover
AND
FNuser

Maybe more, but........