.41 Mag Association

I’ve been studying pictures and reading everything I could find in an effort to gain insight and knowledge before embarking on this journey. Of course, somewhere along the way I picked up copies of Single Action Sixguns, Big Bore Sixguns and Book of the 44. Next came “The Custom Revolver” by Hamilton Bowen. I studied, and I studied some more.

As I pondered the seemingly endless combinations from which to choose I always came back to the same thing, my very own Perfect Packin’ Pistol. Try as I might, the three 44 Specials in the safe are close, but not quite perfect. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my S&W 696 for anything. And my Flat Top Bisley is a terrific companion in the Pennsylvania deer woods. But they’re not Perfect Packin’ Pistols. At least, not to me.

Some time ago I started to collect parts, sometimes based on a vision, sometimes on a whim. First came the Bisley grip frames, hammers and triggers. Then I happened upon an Anniversary .357 Blackhawk. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it but I knew I had to have it….just in case. Things really started to take shape when I acquired an S&W M57 barrel from a member here. Then came the delivery of my Rough Country sights.

Finally, I had all of the pieces, but what to do? No more excuses. It was time go. So I packed up the parts, pointed my Harley west and headed out for LaGrange Ohio and Andy Horvath.

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I decided that a Li’l Ruger in 41 Magnum was my Perfect Packin’ Pistol. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

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Because I was using a ribbed barrel, there was a certain amount of welding and contour work needed at the frame/barrel junction.

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I was a little concerned about whether the XR3-RED grip frame would mate well with my XXXL hands so I brought a set of Bisley parts with me just in case. But they were not needed. The rounded aluminum plowhandle fits my hand perfectly and the reduced weight is a welcome benefit.

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For my eyes, the Bowen Rough Country sights are hard to beat. Very compact but with a superb sight picture.

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A Super Blackhawk hammer rounds out the package, lowering the hammer spur just enough to make for a comfortable reach.

The trigger pull is a work of art, clean, crisp break with none of the typical Ruger creep.

Overall, I couldn't be happier. Now I just need to find some gunleather.
 
I’ve been studying pictures and reading everything I could find in an effort to gain insight and knowledge before embarking on this journey. Of course, somewhere along the way I picked up copies of Single Action Sixguns, Big Bore Sixguns and Book of the 44. Next came “The Custom Revolver” by Hamilton Bowen. I studied, and I studied some more.

As I pondered the seemingly endless combinations from which to choose I always came back to the same thing, my very own Perfect Packin’ Pistol. Try as I might, the three 44 Specials in the safe are close, but not quite perfect. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t trade my S&W 696 for anything. And my Flat Top Bisley is a terrific companion in the Pennsylvania deer woods. But they’re not Perfect Packin’ Pistols. At least, not to me.

Some time ago I started to collect parts, sometimes based on a vision, sometimes on a whim. First came the Bisley grip frames, hammers and triggers. Then I happened upon an Anniversary .357 Blackhawk. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it but I knew I had to have it….just in case. Things really started to take shape when I acquired an S&W M57 barrel from a member here. Then came the delivery of my Rough Country sights.

Finally, I had all of the pieces, but what to do? No more excuses. It was time go. So I packed up the parts, pointed my Harley west and headed out for LaGrange Ohio and Andy Horvath.

View attachment 762559

I decided that a Li’l Ruger in 41 Magnum was my Perfect Packin’ Pistol. I couldn’t be happier with the results.

View attachment 762560

View attachment 762561

Because I was using a ribbed barrel, there was a certain amount of welding and contour work needed at the frame/barrel junction.

View attachment 762562
View attachment 762563
View attachment 762564

I was a little concerned about whether the XR3-RED grip frame would mate well with my XXXL hands so I brought a set of Bisley parts with me just in case. But they were not needed. The rounded aluminum plowhandle fits my hand perfectly and the reduced weight is a welcome benefit.

View attachment 762565


For my eyes, the Bowen Rough Country sights are hard to beat. Very compact but with a superb sight picture.

View attachment 762566

A Super Blackhawk hammer rounds out the package, lowering the hammer spur just enough to make for a comfortable reach.

The trigger pull is a work of art, clean, crisp break with none of the typical Ruger creep.

Overall, I couldn't be happier. Now I just need to find some gunleather.


good for you - getting your dream gun put together!!! :thumbup:
 
A beautiful BH modification! I picked up an old three screw .41 BH 6.5" many years ago and it is my favorite deer hunting revolver. I think the .41 is ideal for whitetail. For carrying I rely on my OM .45 Colt BH; with it's big 265 grain swc at 1160 fps it gives up little to the .41.
 
Andy does such beautiful work.... I have recently read he is no longer working or Rugers...

What loads are you running in the gun?

Bob
 
RKRCPA

That's perfection in a custom Ruger .41 Magnum Blackhawk revolver! Love everything about it! Thanks for sharing.
 
Ok, can't believe I haven't been around in what ? Years ? I'm in and have been since 1981 when I bought my first revolver, a 6.5" 41 Blackhawk, which was made family with a DWA 41 VH8 in 84 or 85. Then added a 5.5" Redhawk (sold the Blackhawk to afford the Redhawk)..which was soon accompanied by a 7.5" Redhawk..... The std 7.5" Redhawk was sold to make room for the 7.5"R model...should have kept it... Bought an OM 6.5" Blackhawk. Then found a 6.5" SW performance center Hunter that just had to come home and made the mistake of selling the DWA to afford the Smith. The 5.5" Redhawk got sold back during 09 to pay bills...:(
If you got lost with all that, I currently have the SW 657 PC model, the Redhawk 7.5"R and the OM 6.5" Blackhawk. Favorite load generally is H110 and a 210 Nosler...whew !
 
Wow been a little while for me at this page(s). I've been kinda busy. but have bought more Rugers and others. I now have 3 S&W 41 mags 2 57s both 4 inch a 58 an old model BH a new model BH 4 5/8 inch a New in box 6 1/2 inch Blackhawk and the 1894 Marlin.. All 41s of course. Just bought a Marlin 444 and a new 1895 as well as a Ruger BH 357 and a Redhawk 45 Colt also 4 inch. Also got a Kimber Micro 9 with CT grips for a very good price. My wallet is now having withdrawal symptoms....and my wife won't let me have a check book...especially her hideout checkbook.
 
Wow been a little while for me at this page(s). I've been kinda busy. but have bought more Rugers and others. I now have 3 S&W 41 mags 2 57s both 4 inch a 58 an old model BH a new model BH 4 5/8 inch a New in box 6 1/2 inch Blackhawk and the 1894 Marlin.. All 41s of course. Just bought a Marlin 444 and a new 1895 as well as a Ruger BH 357 and a Redhawk 45 Colt also 4 inch. Also got a Kimber Micro 9 with CT grips for a very good price. My wallet is now having withdrawal symptoms....and my wife won't let me have a check book...especially her hideout checkbook.
 
90EE9AD2-53BB-4FAF-A9C7-37FEB2FF9852.jpeg C221D061-0572-4B85-98E0-E07CFE0DC679.jpeg New to the forum and love the 41 mag. I acquired my Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter ( Bisley grip) a few months ago. I’m enjoying finding a hunting and target load for it. I hand load a few rifle and other handgun cartridges but the 41 is my favorite.

Skeet028: Sorry for the quoted text on previous reply, still learning how to reply correctly!
 
Iroquois,....I almost bought one of those Hunter models a few years ago...but decided since I already had a Contender in 44 mag and another in 357 Rem Max I had all I needed to hunt with a handgun. Yours is a neat looking handgun That looks like a Leupold on it too. A very nice scoped combo. Only thing wrong is the stainless steel! LOL. I do like blued steel guns...but must admit for hunting in the weather...Stainless does make good sense. My ol 2nd year S&W 57 shows a little bit of wear and tear but it is my constant companion when up in Grizz country. For the 44 mag a good shooting load is a 240 gr cast bullet with 10.5 gr of Herco. Not hard on the gun or the shooter. I don't recommend mag loads on line. Work up on them from the manuals. Learn to shoot that Ruger well and you will find it is a good 100 yd deer taker....even more from a good rest
 
Iroquois

Nice set-up you've got with your Super Blackhawk Hunter! If I were going hunting with a handgun that would be my choice as well.
 
Skeet028, Bannockburn,

Thanks for the compliments. I’m currently working on a IMR4227 powder and Hornady 210gr JHP load. I started with 18gr, 18.5, 19 and 19.5 last week with no pressure signs. The 19gr shot best at 50 yd test range. I wasn’t extremely happy with the grouping so I going to try 19gr, 19.5 and 20 with a heavier crimp. I think my first test loads were crimped to light and weren’t building enough pressure. I’ll share results later.

Skeet028, I had a 14” Contender in 357 Max, wish I never would have sold it, That piece was a shooter. I like blue on a pistol as well, it’s just classic. For all weather conditions SS is hard to beat!
 
That 14 inch 357 Max is one of the best shooting handguns I have ever had. It is truly a 200 yd deer killer if you can get a good rest. When I hunted deer a lot I used it or a Savage Smokeless powder muzzleloader for all my deer shooting. Gave my daughter the 11-87 slug gun I used to shoot. Last critter I shot with the Contender was a nice Sika deer stag. Easy to carry in the swamp country they live in. That Ruger you have would work there too. The Savage Muzzleloader is an easy 200-250 yard shooter also. They have gotten pricey these days. I may actually sell one of mine. 4227 does need a fairly tight crimp. Some people don't like it but L'il Gun is a good powder in the 41 and 44 mags
 
Charter Arms is coming out with a 41 magnum revolver with a snubby barrel, not sure of the length in late spring 2018.
 
As usual... I'm late to the party. The .41 was the first centerfire pistol I ever fired, only took me 10 years to unlearn all the bad habits I developed shooting that as my first pistol.

I've got a fair amount of .41's, including a '80'ish 4" 57, a 6" Dan Wesson 741, and a Marlin 1894FG. I have had some that I passed on, including an early 657 Classic Hunter that I stupidly sold, and a Ruger 5.5" stainless Bisley that I just could not get to shoot straight.

I went to Wyoming this past summer and was shooting the 1894 at 600yds with a commercial 215grn bullet over IMR4227! ...and the same load in the 4" Smith I was able to hit the 500yd dinger. My regular load is 9.0grn Unique under any 200-220grn bullet, and W296 under some very nice 250grn GC Montana bullets.

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The .41's on my short list are a 58, and another 657 Classic like the one I had... although that is unlikely because of the prices.

Here's the 657... I cry every time I look at it...

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