I've wanted a 4 5/8" .44 Super Blackhawk for years, in the past I missed out on two from the used rack at very low price because I decided to "come back the next day". Yesterday while out and about for MLK Day I stopped by the gun store and a new short barreled stainless steel .44 followed me home. I figure it's going to be something to carry when out in the woods but not really hunting.

I can't find a flaw anywhere on it, all the lines are straight, all the edges are finished correctly, the trigger pull is great and they've put the warning under the barrel where it's almost out of sight.

Shooting it today I've found that it's very accurate with both white box Winchester 240gr softpoint ammo and my 320gr SWC over a thimble full of W296 load that I use in my 6" 629. The only problems are:

1) The knuckle on my middle finger is purple, I believe that I need some different grips that fit my paws. Any suggestions?
2) I need a front sight that is taller (the 320gr load hits 8" high at 25 yards with the rear sight bottomed out).
3) I'd like the new front sight with a white line up the center like the XS sights as they seem to fit my 50+ eyes better.

And I need to find a holster. Any thoughts on the Mernickle PS6SAR?

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ps/ps6sar8.html

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

As for the grips, try Pachmar. I have a Freedon Arms in .454 that just beats the bejeezus out of my middle finger without em. I don't like the way they look or the way they particularly feel but they keep the gun from killing me. Without the grips, I can only put 4 or 5 shots through the gun, with them, I can shoot it all day long.....

The taller front sight will need to be a gunsmith fix. I believe that your front sight is silversoldierd in place and not screwed on as the sihoutette model. When you do, the appropriate front sight can be fitted containing an insert. A quick 'smith fix is to remove the front blade and dovetail it's base for an XS dovetail front blade. I've seen this done on a couple revolvers.

John Linebaugh installs this type of sight if you wish.


As for the grip frame eating your finger, the rubber grips will fill in behind the trigger and preserve your knuckle. I personally don't like the rubber retreads so I'll also suggest the wooden versions by Herrett and I believe Hogue makes some wooden "target" stocks that are a bit oversize with the fill in behind the guard.
IF a change of grip panels doesn't cure your ailement, You might consider a Bisley grip frame conversion. ( or trade for a Bisley and have the barrel shortened, 6 or 1/2 dozen, either way) Most folks, not all, find it more comfortable with the heavier recoiling rounds.

quote:

Originally posted by kaytod:

IF a change of grip panels doesn't cure your ailement, You might consider a Bisley grip frame conversion. ( or trade for a Bisley and have the barrel shortened, 6 or 1/2 dozen, either way) Most folks, not all, find it more comfortable with the heavier recoiling rounds.

That would be my suggestion as well.

I've never much liked the feel of the Bisley frame, but I may have to go there if I want to shoot anything more than powder puff loads and the aftermarket grips don't get it.

I like that Linebaugh front sight, it is exactly what I'm looking for, but the XS dovetail may be more in line with my beer budget.

Thanks for the bits of wisdom.

Any holster suggestions?

It's a stainless gun so the front blade should be pinned and easily "swappable". I would call Dave Clements and tell him what you want, your barrel length, loads you plan to use and he will set you up with a new blade pronto. I would suggest one that is .010" wide as well. I have a number of his blades on my Ruger's. Here's one on an Old Model 357 converted to 45 Colt.

That's a nice piece, Boxhead!

Unless you are totally opposed to shooting gloves, Uncle Mike's offers a great glove with extra padding on the knuckle are of the middle finger that tends to get wrapped during recoil. Just for grins I tried my pistol shooting gloves while shotgunning and found them to be quite nice.

Boxhead,

That is a very handsome pistol, I'll keep Mr. Clements in mind if I decide to change out the front sight.

Drewhenrytnt,

None of my local stores has any replacement grips and now I see that there may be an issue fitting Pachmyr grips to a new pistol due to some internal lock. Gloves are looking like an option until I decide what route to take. At least I can leave the nice looking grips on the gun.

I really like the Houge Mono-Grip for heavy recoiling Rugers.

Rick R, if this really is your perfect pistol, why not get grips custom made. I had custom grips made for my FA in 475 Linebaugh. Expensive but worth it for a gun you plan on keeping for a long time.
Peter.

One bit of advice I found with the search function was to put your little finger under the bottom of the grips as you shot. Made it to the range today and tried that along with a thin pair of leather work gloves. BIG difference! I didn't shoot any of the 320gr loads, but 240gr XTPs with a nearly max load of W296 were really pretty pleasant. I believe it's a training issue.

I took a bunch of odds and ends reloads out to try. One load this gun really likes that my Mountain Gun didn't was a 240gr XTP with 12.0 grains of Unique. The Unique load doesn't have the punch of the near max W296 load but it also doesn't have the brilliant muzzle flash or muzzle blast. Three rounds touching at 25 yards is better than I normally shoot from sitting but may have been a fluke too.

I'll try working up some loads with good cast boolits too and see what the little gun is capable of. So far my plunking load with a commercial cast 240gr and 10gr of Unique in mixed brass was good for a 4" group.

I think I'll just get a front sight that gives some contrast and shoot it for a while before changing anything else.

Peter,

Who would you suggest for custom grips if I decide to change the originals?

Does this revolver have the square trigger
guard?

If it does send it to Hamilton Bowen or Gary Reeder and have it re configured. If Reeder does it, have him add his "gunfighter" grip frame.

What a difference that work made.

If Bowen does it have him install his sight system.

This revolver is a "combo." Bowen did the tuning & barrel shortening and added his sights years ago. I got tired of being beat by the trigger guard and since Reeder is so close to me had him re configure the guard and install his grip frame...a modified Bisley.....no regrets.

Peter,

I was also a bit tongue in cheek with my title. Kind of like the women who find the perfect man and then try to get him to lose weight, cut his beard, change his clothing , learn to like opera or eat more veggies.

This pistol is nearly my perfect packing pistol after I sort out a few issues.

billinthewild,

It's the 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk with the round trigger guard.



I believe you've shown that Bowen/Reeder pistol before and it's one of the guns that have made me less satisfied with my S&Ws and more covetous of a packing size single action.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rick R:
billinthewild,

It's the 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk with the round trigger guard.



I believe you've shown that Bowen/Reeder pistol before and it's one of the guns that have made me less satisfied with my S&Ws and more covetous of a packing size single action.

A wonderful revolver, thanks for the photo. I am surprised it beats you up. Perhaps it is the grip shape. I have found that with my 45 Colt and 44 Magnum revolvers the Bisley grip is much better, for me at any rate. Maybe that's why I found Reeder's work made the revolver so much more comfortable to shoot.

Boxhead is right, your front sight blade should be pinned in. I missed that your SBH was Stainless when I read your post. I apoligize for my inattention.

Replacement blades should be available somewhere, Clemets, Harton, Bowen, or Jim Stroh. You might call XS as well. I don't know but they may have something already that I don't know about.

One load that works for me is a 250 grain Keith over 18.0 of 2400. In a 4" gun runs 1200 fps. It does a lot of work with little fuss.

Bill,
I believe getting my knuckle bruised may have been mainly operator error. I'm sticking with the present grips for now. That's a stock photo from Ruger's website, mine has some laminate grips that are actually pretty attractive.

kaytod,

Thanks for the input and load data, I'll try contacting a few of those guys for a new front sight. That may end up being my only mod if things work out.

At least until my "wants" get to the point that I have to have one of the grip framess like Bill's installed.

quote:

Originally posted by Boxhead:
It's a stainless gun so the front blade should be pinned and easily "swappable". I would call Dave Clements and tell him what you want, your barrel length, loads you plan to use and he will set you up with a new blade pronto.

Did just that today and he quickly figured out what I want/need and said he would get it shipped out in a week or so. He's also sending the appropriately sized drill and a replacement roll pin. Looks like I'm getting the front sight I want.

Thanks to Boxhead for recommending Dave Clements. Exactly two weeks after ordering a front sight one arrived in the mail. Took me about 20 minutes to install it without any drama.



I had asked for a .400" tall sight with a white line up the face and that's what I got. I took it to the range today and found that now I can see my front sight. Always a good thing.

Since I've learned to hold the grip properly the blue knuckle syndrome has gone away. I've settled on a 250 gr bullet at 1,200 fps as my "normal" load and life is good!

Now I'll just patiently wait for Mernickle to send my holster...

That's good news, Rick!

quote:

And I need to find a holster. Any thoughts on the Mernickle PS6SAR?

http://www.mernickleholsters.com/ps/ps6sar8.html

I ordered that model from Mernickle (for a Flattop .44spl with a 4 5/8" barrel) and it recently arrived. I really like the way the holster rides- more of a "pankcake" fit than most low-slung SA holsters. I prefer it to my Tom Threepersons rigs.

Woodhits,

Mine just arrived today, it's more than a month sooner than promised! Good looking piece of leather, can't wait to get it home and try it on for size.

Now to find a suitable field/hunting load for my itty bitty .44 as compared to the behemoth field pieces some of the guys around here pack.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick R:
I've never much liked the feel of the Bisley frame, but I may have to go there if I want to shoot anything more than powder puff loads and the aftermarket grips don't get it.

I'm no expert, but I find the Bisley frame hammers my middle finger MUCH WORSE than the standard frame.

I've been trying for ages to get someone to build me a set of grips shaped like the Hogue standard frame rubber ones for my Ruger Bisley .45 Colt...sure wish Hogue would break down and make some rubber ones for the Bisley, I'd buy those in a flash.

Guess I'm gonna have to drive up the highway 100 miles and go see Gary Reeder....