Super Blackhawk, Sell/trade or have work done?

[vtbluegrass]

I have a Blued Super Blackhawk in 44mag I bought used a couple years ago. It is still in very good condition but I don't used it as much as I would like because of the barrel length of 7.5". I have used it hunting but I it is to big for belt carry and I have quickly decided I don't care for having it slung across my chest or a vertical shoulder holster.

I am thinking something along the lines of 4 to 5.5 inches would be more easily carried and be with me more in the woods. I can't decide whether to sell and or trade to my goal or have a gunsmith take care of the extra length. I definitely want to stay with the 44mag but I am not dead set of staying single action. A Redhawk or if I find the cash a 29 or 629 would be nice too.

I am just looking for some advice that might help me get off the fence.

Thanks

 

[ljnowell]

I dont think that I would spend the money to get that one cut down, but that is just me. I would rather just get a redhawk, or something similar. Sorry I couldnt be of more help.

 

[harmonic]

It's way easier to just sell it for whatever you can get and then buy something more to your liking. Plus it's much, much faster since any gunsmith worth hiring is going to have a backlog.

And if you do the math, it'll be cheaper, too. Because if you cut it down, you're still just going to have a Super Blackhawk, and people won't pay for whatever extras you had done. It'll still only be worth what the SB sells for.

 

[vtbluegrass]

That's the advice I was looking for and the direction I am leaning. No one at my office knows anything about guns except for they have one for deer and one for ducks so I don't have people to bounce ideas off here.

 

[dagger dog]

Having it cut and a new front sight from the Redhawk, the one with the replaceable blade woud be nice, a 4" length would be different , and real handy to carry, custom and semi custom guns are very ,well custom!

 

[Legionnaire]

I agree with harmonic. Far easier to sell or trade it and get what you want. I like the 5.5" SBH, but I also like the 4-5/8 BH. I've had two SRHs--a 9.5" and a 7.5"--and like you, find the long barrels unwieldy. Jack Weigand makes a nifty "no drill" mount for the 5.5" RH if you want a scoped revolver with a more handy barrel length. So I say sell or trade the 7.5" gun.

 

[CraigC]

It really depends on what you want. Yes, it would be easier to just sells yours or trade for a Redhawk but it sure as hell won't be cheaper! It's only about $200 for a barrel shortening job with a custom front sight. By contrast, you'll get maybe $300 from your gun, less if you trade. Then a new Redhawk is about $675-$700. Jim Stroh (Alpha Precision) charges only about $225 to shorten a single action barrel including his beautiful custom front sight base and one interchangeable blade. Clements charges only $135 to shorten a barrel and remount the factory front sight, with his custom front sight it's $175. Go ahead and spend an extra $125 for an action job and freewheel and you'll have the perfect custom big bore packin' pistol. For less than it would cost to sell it and buy a plain Jane factory Redhawk.

Ruger does make a short Super Blackhawk but they're equipped with the standard Blackhawk grip frame which to me, is completely uncomfortable with heavy loads. Which includes anything .44Mag. I had to convert mine to a Bisley, which costs $300 professionally, plus grips.

PS, there's no way to adapt the factory Redhawk style front sight to a single action. There are better options anyway.

http://www.clementscustomguns.com

http://www.alphaprecisioninc.com

Here's one of mine, a short Super that I fitted with the Bisley parts, then had Clements put on the finishing touches.

 

[Legionnaire]

^^ Very nice! Great photo, too!

 

[Kernel]

Want a shorter barrel? Do it yourself.....

The Hobby Gunsmith:

http://www.hobbygunsmith.com/Feature.htm

Normally, the SBH front sight is soldered on. To me, in this article, it looks like they used a Single Six front sight. Maybe six or seven dollars from Brownells. Drill and tap one hole.

 

[rmfnla]

$185 for a SS Super Blackhawk?! Hell, I'd figure out something to do with it, too!