Shortening a 3-screw Blackhawk barrell

jacotsmith

jacotsmith

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Hi everyone,

I'm seriously considering shortening the barrel on an old 3-screw Ruger Blackhawk to make it flush with the ejector rod. I don't think they made them with 4 5/8" barrels in the olden days, though that's what I prefer. Anyway, I know others have had it done and am wondering if anyone can share their experience with the process, let me know what ballpark I'm in for cost-wise, or if they would recommend any particular gunsmith or method.

Thanks for looking!
 
It's too bad most of the OG smiths have either shuddered or shifted business, as the new custom houses may not understand all the nuances. If i were in your shoes - and ive nearly been there a few times - i'd reach out to Murray Charlton for that kind of thing. One of the only true revolver smiths North of the border.
 
Irunguns now does temporary export to the States for custom work, looks like $200 or so. If you want this done, find someone in the lower 48 and call Irunguns.
 
I’m assuming this is for a .357 which they did make in the 4 5/8” length and there is an old model, flattop on the EE right now. Price is high but it is beautiful and when you consider the cost of smithing your revolver, it is a deal. I would not personally hack up an original old model but if you look around you could likely find a newer barrel in the length you want to fit. If it is a .41, .44, or .45 then I would never recommend shortening the tube.
I really like the old model Rugers and especially the flattops. I would like to find a nice .44 flattop or any of model .45.
 
It's for a 9mm convertible that didn't even come with the 357 cylinder when I got it. I only own 9mm handguns these days, and carbines for that matter. I sold everything else to try to keep my habit somewhat affordable. I don't believe the convertible was made with the short barrel in those days, serial number dates it for 1958. I have owned a few Ruger SA revolvers over the years, as well as other makes, and have always found I preferred the balance of the 4 5/8" models. And this is a shooter not a museum piece. I like to own guns that I enjoy shooting and not worry about getting scratched.

A while back, Barry at Bits of Pieces in Delta shortened a barrel on a semi-auto of mine and I was quite happy with the work; the re-crowning, the reattachment of the front site and the reblueing as well as his fee. I just wondered if anyone else out there had any recommendations.

Thanks for all your replies.
 
You might also ask Peter Riedel at Rusty Wood here in Mission (...rustywood.ca) . Also - and I may be out to lunch here- if Ruger has a compatible 4 5/8" barrel, you could get one ordered in by Location Snapshots (Ruger depot) in Québec. Might have to be ordered via a gunsmith.
 
I had a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 7-1/2" cut back to the length of the ejector rod. Bad Move! Made a beast of a gun even more of a beast! I sold it.
 
I think I recall seeing a similarly shortened Blackhawk on the EE a handful of years ago, which was being sold by CGN member Ardent. May be worth sending him a PM to see who did the work --- he's a craftsman, so may have done the work himself.
 
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