[DamnedDirtyApe]

Bought this for $200 from a fellah looking for some rifle cash. It's about 20 years old, has around 300 rounds shot through it, and seems to be LN in appearance and tightness. What do you think?

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL14/877946/1594531/19984112.jpg


Question: did Ruger recall some of these in the 80's for a retro-fit transfer bar? The "New Model" imprinted here looks like an afterthought...maybe stamped on there after the upgrade??

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL14/877946/1594531/19984122.jpg

[Jim March]

That's a factory "new model" all right, came original with the transfer-bar safety. Besides the markings, the "two screw" frame is a giveaway...pre-1973 non-transfer-bar guns are referred to as "three screws".

Good gun at a good price. It's been shot only a little, I'd be VERY surprised if it was "loose". Do the checkout anyways of course :).

The biggest complaints for that type gun are:

* The "Dragoon" squareback grip isn't that popular, it wacks some people's knuckles on recoil. If this is an issue, there's a number of alternative grip setups available, with the Bisley-type usually offering the best recoil control.

* It's possible for the cylinder pin to jump loose under recoil, if you use very stout loads. There's two cures: a heavier spring for the cross-pin that holds the cylinder pin in place, or a new cylinder pin with a set-screw in it to anchor it down. The Belt Mountain replacement pins will set you back about $25, they tend to "tighten" the cylinder play, they have the set screw and they're user-installable. That'd be my choice.

We have a thread going on upgrade parts for Ruger SAs that started on TFL and continues here via a link at the last post. Worth looking over:

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=80872

[JBP]

I recently picked one up over at auctionarms.com for $205. Was not going to get into a bidding war but was not going to let it go for $200. Ive had it out to the range one time & was very pleased with it. I normally shoot my scoped SRH off a rest but I fired 100 rounds of 240FMJ through the SBH off hand and it was very accurate with minimal recoil. A definite keeper.

[Kahr carrier]

Congrats on you new SBH 44.:)

[DamnedDirtyApe]

Thanks for the replies, all.

Jim March - that's not a link, it's a LIBRARY!! I'm looking forward to reading that over the next few cold winter nights. Thanks.

I shot some 240 gr SWC over 6.2 Bullseye reloads yesterday. Gun shoots a foot high at 25 yards with these. I think it might be set up for 75-100 yards, but it was too cold to tinker with sights. This gun is very fun to shoot.

Also picked up and installed a Hogue Monogrip that seems to significantly improve stability and "grippiness." I thought the wood grips were a little slippery and squirmy yesterday.

C'mon, warm weather!

[Gila Jorge]

That slipperyiness is a postive during heavy recoil and the gun rolls with recoil as opposed to the straight back of a Smith & Wesson. That's why I really like the dragoon style grips. My heaviest loads are shot in a gun much like that.

[Jim March]

Some good news: there's a LOT of elevation adjustment available on that rear sight. An inch at 25 yards should be no problem to dial in.

Most people sight sixguns at 25 yards, and then for longer ranges use Elmer Keith's technique, raising the front sight in the rear channel enough to "lob" the rounds. Much practice is required of course :). Keith used to draw individual horizontal white lines across some of his front sights, to be able to repeatably get the elevation right for known ranges.