| | Conversion...........................No not that Kind!!!PROJECT In my last post I shared the hog hunting story, and what firearms I was using. This post is about customizing the handgun I spoke of in the last post. I had purchased the Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum with the intention of doing some changes to it. I love this firearm as designed by Bill Ruger who singlehandedly brought back the single-action revolver that had all but passed into oblivion until Bill's design of his Blackhawk in the 1950's. But I've never liked the stock grip on the guns. I have however liked the 'Bisley' grip.
HISTORY With the invention of these repeating handguns (revolvers) in the 1800's by Webley, Colt, Smith and Wesson and the like, also came sporting events devised to showcase the new arms and the skills of those who wielded them. One such event was started in 1859 in Wimbledon (England); a target match replete with Queen Victoria firing the first round to start the event. It was moved to Bisley in 1890, where the National Shooting Centre remains till this day. For the competition, Colt firearms, at the request of their shooting team, altered it's single action revolver of the late 1800's to a target configuation, with special grip, sights, hammer, and trigger. They called the model the Colt Bisley in honor of the event in that English town.
CONVERSION I set out to alter the gun to my liking, and purchased the Bisley trigger, hammer, and grip frame, as well as matched black walnut grip panels. Mind you I have never disassembled this or any other revolver before, save the removal of the cylinder for the purpose of cleaning. I was a bit intimidated with all the pins, screws, springs, etc. that came apart in my hand. Thankfully the internet provided enough schematics and instruction to calm my nerves once again. Having taken the standard trigger, hammer, and grip frame off of the cylinder frame, I began reassembly with the new parts. I got one thing wrong after another, as it must go back together in a particular order. With great frustration and enough time I was successful.
FINISHING I headed to the range to verify I had indeed assembled it correctly as to still be able to ignite a live round. Yes, it still fired! Back to the bench. I say 'back to the bench' because I've only done the 'assembly part'; now the 'fitting & polishing' part must be done. I disassemble again. The grip frame and cylinder frame do not fit perfectly, with about 1/16" that needs to be taken off of the top of the grip frame to make it match. I secure the grip frame in my vise, and begin whittling with a flat file, rematching often so as to not remove too much metal. When each are just about matched I break out the Dremel and it's abrasive wheels. I polish out the file marks where I've been removing metal, as well as the sides of the grip frame that still have not been polished. I also employ the use of my wife's emery board for some hand work. The abrasive wheel and the emery board both produce a brushed finish on the stainless steel that resembles the finish on the rest of the gun. I now reassemble and install the black walnut grip panels. The project is complete. I am amazed with the difference this Bisley grip makes in accuracy and in controlling perceived recoil.
CARTRIDGES My attention will now turn to load development where I will assemble my own combination of brass, bullet, primer, and gun powder to produce custom .44 magnum cartridges for hunting. More to come...
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| | Posted 3/27/2008 4:15 PM - 7 comments
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