CraigC
Sixgun Nut
In an ironic twist of fate, my latest "packin' pistol" is a large frame .45 convertible Blackhawk. I've always wanted a short barreled .45 convertible and have especially wanted an Old Model .357 converted to .45ACP. This is the next best thing. The stubby .45 is really a great single action cartridge. It does everything standard pressure .45Colt does, only in a much shorter case with less wasted case capacity. That short case means positive, quick ejection of empties and a 1911 magazine can be used as a speedloader. Great for carry or plinking with cheap hardball for those times you don't want to spend an hour or two at the reloading bench.
I knew as soon as I saw the Carryhawk that I would finally get me a short barrel .45 convertible, as I've been threatening to do for years. Differing a little from the standard catalog model with the steel birdshead grip frame, big dot front sight, V-notch rear sight and black nitride finish. Both cylinders are unfluted and the barrel is slab-sided. It was originally announced as a 4" barrel but is actually the standard 4 5/8". My first thought was that the birdshead grip had to go. It just doesn't work for me and I wanted to lighten it as well. Originally I had planned on an XR3-RED take-off from my .41 Blackhawk but since its announcement, Ronnie Wells has begun producing CNC machined Bisley grip frames out of brass and aluminum. I have two on hand and that is what we will end up with. In the meantime, I bolted up the XR3-RED for initial testing, slapped on some buffalo horn grips from my parts box. I've had them for years and think I've finally found a good home for them. I also swapped the steel ejector housing for aluminum and installed an 18lb Wolff hammer spring and 30oz trigger return. Next up, the sights will have to go, in favor of a standard blade front and notch rear. For now, I'm pretty impressed. It's a fun shooter and the weight has been dropped from a chunky 43oz to 38oz. With the aluminum Bisley grip frame, it will be perfectly fine with "Ruger only" .45Colt loads. I'll probably go ahead and roundbutt the XR3-RED grip frame and bead blast it, along with the ejector housing. In keeping with the black theme, I'll probably make a black holster for it as well. Probably also add a Belt Mt. #5 basepin while we're at it.
I forgot to do a before shot, here's a web pic.
I knew as soon as I saw the Carryhawk that I would finally get me a short barrel .45 convertible, as I've been threatening to do for years. Differing a little from the standard catalog model with the steel birdshead grip frame, big dot front sight, V-notch rear sight and black nitride finish. Both cylinders are unfluted and the barrel is slab-sided. It was originally announced as a 4" barrel but is actually the standard 4 5/8". My first thought was that the birdshead grip had to go. It just doesn't work for me and I wanted to lighten it as well. Originally I had planned on an XR3-RED take-off from my .41 Blackhawk but since its announcement, Ronnie Wells has begun producing CNC machined Bisley grip frames out of brass and aluminum. I have two on hand and that is what we will end up with. In the meantime, I bolted up the XR3-RED for initial testing, slapped on some buffalo horn grips from my parts box. I've had them for years and think I've finally found a good home for them. I also swapped the steel ejector housing for aluminum and installed an 18lb Wolff hammer spring and 30oz trigger return. Next up, the sights will have to go, in favor of a standard blade front and notch rear. For now, I'm pretty impressed. It's a fun shooter and the weight has been dropped from a chunky 43oz to 38oz. With the aluminum Bisley grip frame, it will be perfectly fine with "Ruger only" .45Colt loads. I'll probably go ahead and roundbutt the XR3-RED grip frame and bead blast it, along with the ejector housing. In keeping with the black theme, I'll probably make a black holster for it as well. Probably also add a Belt Mt. #5 basepin while we're at it.
I forgot to do a before shot, here's a web pic.
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