Dick's .41 mag

[Double Maduro]

I promised you folks the story on the .41 mag Black Hawk, well here it is.

This fine handgun belonged to my best friend of 26 years, Dick, who died 2 days after Thanksgiving last year. He went to bed and forgot to wake up, the only way he would have preferred going was immediately after saying, "Trust me, I do this all the time.".

Dick liked Ruger single actions and had several; his favorite was a .41 mag Black Hawk. We spent many hours shooting it. We used to take it to one of the local rifle ranges and outshoot the elk hunters sighting in their rifles at the hundred-yard range.

Dick loved this gun and so do I; it is without a doubt the most accurate handgun I have ever shot. But all of that aside, it was my best friends favorite.

Last night I bought it from his widow. Out of all of his guns, this is the only one I felt that I really had to have. I slide it from its holster and I can feel the sun and wind and smell the burned powder from the first time I shot it. More, I can feel my friend looking over my shoulder and smiling. He knew how much I loved his .41. I only hope he knew how much I loved him.

DM

 

[birddog]

Nice post, Maduro. It's amazing how something as simple as a "thing" can be a connection to the past or to a person, or both. I hope someday when I'm gone, my guns fall into hands belonging to someone as appreciative as you; someone who will say "Imagine how many times this gun roared at the rustling of wings...imagine how those dogs looked bouncing around the field..." It isn't good to live in the past, but it is a great place to visit.

 

[absolute0]

You sound like a good friend Maduro, my condolences to you on the loss of your friend Dick.

Shoot that .41 for many more years in good health, I'm sure you'll think of your friend when you do and remember the good times you had together

 

[FXR]

You know, that was one of the finest tributes to a friend I've seen in a long time. I'm sure Dick is cheering you on and saving a few good stories to share when you meet up again.

My respects to the memory of your friend, and best wishes on continued good use of the .41.

Regards,
K

 

[trickyasafox]

sorry for you loss, may the happy memories you have with that pistol only multiply

 

[Missashot]

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. I too have had to deal with the death my best friend, and have a memento of my lost friendship, I know how much that gun must mean to you. I pray that you get to enjoy it for many, many years to come.
Your post about him was one of the most heartfelt tributes that I have ever read. He sounds like he was a great person, and you sound like you are a great friend.

 

[LAH]

Very nice...........sounds like it belongs in your hands.......Creeker

 

[griz]

Nice story. I'll bet he is glad you have it now.

 

[Double Maduro]

Thanks all,

Thanks to those who have expressed sympathy, for the loss of a friend.

Thanks to those who expressed their feelings about friendship.

Thanks to those who shared a personal pain or loss with the rest of us. I know how you feel.

Thanks to those who think the .41 is where it belongs.

DM

 

[GunnyBob]

Here's to Dick, and those like him.

 

[Bob F.]

Here's to Dick, and Maduro, and cousin Mike!

 

[PGroenewold]

Thanks for sharing your memories of a dear friend. I can certainly identify with those feelings. After my father died unexpectedly a few years ago, one of the things I received was his Marlin Model 39 .22 rifle.

Judging by its serial number, he must have been 10 or 11 years old when he bought it. It was a nice rifle for a young farm kid, and I assume he bought it with his own savings.

Whenever I hold this rifle now, my mind drifts back to when I was seven or eight years old, and we would occasionally drive out to the nearby gravel pit to shoot. I remember its surprising heft, and the solid feel of its thick wooden stock. The sharp crack and the scent of burned powder as another round hit its mark. The respect I learned for both firearms and the man who was teaching me. The awe that he trusted a youngster like me to handle such a powerful tool.

I look forward to doing the same for my daughter, and frankly there is no amount of money that would ever convince me to part with this rifle because of what it symbolizes to me. Thanks again for the memories!

 

[kudu]

I have been in your shoes also Maduro, well done.

 

[BigFatKen]

how old?

If you want to see how old it is read this:
serial# year made
1............ 1965
3820 .......1966
6781 .......1967
12272 ......1968
40-00001 ..1969
40-03451 ..1970
40-13852 ..1971
40-18305 ..1972
40-22301 ..1973

I have been very happy with mine since 1973. It is a 1967 model. It is where I learned that if the screws shoot loose, do not use red loc-tite© to secure them. Mine has to stay where it will never need cleaning.




or go here:
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/SE-H-R-Bhawk41.html

 

[22-rimfire]

Maduro: You could have told that story at the funeral and gotten a few tears. I enjoyed it because it says something about the Man, his character, and your friendship. Keep your powder dry.

 

[bigun15]

Sarah Brady and her people want to take it away and melt it. And because of stories like this, we can't let them.