Blackhawk front sight

[qwert65]

Hi I tried the search engine but got all kinds of off topic stuff So, if anyone knows a thread or an answer please let me know.
My question is how hard would it be to replace the front sight blade on a Ruger blackhawk? I was just given this gun by my brother who for some inane reason filed off the front sight(not completly off about halfway, he says he can draw quicker and still be accurate) Anyway he has moved on to a .44 and as I don't have a revolver and wanted a SA he gave it to me. I figure getting it fixed is cheaper than buying a new one. The barrel length is 4-5/8" if that matters.
Also, does anyone know of any good gunsmiths around independence KS?

 

[Old Fuff]

I don't know about gunsmiths in your area, but fixing the sight blade isn't difficult. First the remaining blade is filed or milled down to the ramp. Then a .125" slot is milled in the ramp. A new, higher blade is put in the slot and crosspinned. The blade can be cut down to an approximate zero for the load/cartridge of your choice, and shaped anyway you like, and then removed and blued. When reassembled you are back in business.

An alternative is to do much the same thing, but dovetail the ramp rather then slot it.

Your brother is... well ... mistaken (I am trying to be kind because this is The High Road). If the revolver is carried in a correctly designed and manufactured holster the size and shape of the front sight will have absolutely no effect on the speed of one's draw.

 

[rcmodel]

You can get a whole new ramp & blade from Brownell's for a New Model Blackhawk for less then $9.00.

I believe it is held on with a single screw, in which case you could easily replace it yourself.

New model"
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/Schematics/SchemMFG.aspx?schemid=721

If it's an Old Model, all bets are off, as they may have been induction silver-soldered on, and you probably can't get a new one anyway.

rcmodel

 

[qwert65]

Thanks for the replies. Old Fluff no offense taken I'm not suprised he was mistaken. my brother is the odd one in the family he once tried to drive from NJ to FL on 20 dollars(thankfully my parents talked him out of it)

 

[Old Fuff]

Concerning front sight ramps...

It is true that the Single Six series of .22 revolvers and some of the heavy-barreled .22 pistols have ramps that are held on with screws. But unsess something has changed recently the ramps on center-fire Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks are silver soldered on. The ramp can be replaced, but refinishing would be necessary later.

There is a possibility that the front sight blade might be pinned in place on Stainless Steel Blackhawks - on this point I'm not sure.

 

[qwert65]

Yeah it is soldered on though the manual shows a screw.Do you think It's something a gunsmith could do? Should I send it back to Ruger? I'm gonna call them tommorow to see if it's even possible to get the part. Thanks again

 

[Big Az Al]

yes it is not hard

The silver solder will discolor the barrel,

So A nine dollar sight, 20 dollars or so to silversolder, and anywhere from 70 to 100 + to reblue and the gun will look like new.

If you are anywhere near Arizona, I would say $109 for the whole job.