Ruger Super Blackhawk 3-Screw Factory Conversion

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AKexpat

New member
I have owned a Ruger Super Blackhawk 3-Screw (S/N 408xx - produced about 1968) since 1985. I have put less than 500 rounds through it (don't know previous history) and many of those rounds were handloaded .44 SPL when I was teaching my (then) young son to shoot it. It has a fair amount of shoulder holster wear (I'll guess it's in about 90% condition) with no rust. The trigger is very nice, especially compared to the lousy trigger on the two NM SB's I have previously owned and let go. The cylinder timing/lockup is very good. I primarily carried it while fishing in the Bush when I lived in Alaska for 35 years: always with the hammer down on an empty chamber (which makes it a 5-shot instead a 6-shot).

I am curious about Ruger's long-time offer to install a new trigger/hammer-block conversion for the pistol.

I am sure it changes the characteristics of the trigger letoff, but I have no experience with a converted SB. I am not worried about monetary worth of the pistol in original condition, but am concerned that the original parts (when put back in the pistol) will not function as well after the conversion.

Any comments appreciated and thanks in advance.
 
If anything it make the trigger a little better, I have a 357 I sent back and had done and I have a 41 mag that hasnt been done yet and I'm not sure I will do it.
 
I believe Ruger still offers the change of the original parts for the new parts, I don't believe Ruger will return the original parts.
Also there's a very good chance the new trigger pull will not be as nice.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
Well, Ruger used to advertise return of the original parts. Maybe not anymore due to liability/litigation these days. Wonder what would happen if I sent it back sans trigger, hammer, and sear? :)

And, yes, I'm afraid the trigger will be mush like most NM SB's I have seen.
 
roughedge:

If anything it make the trigger a little better, I have a 357 I sent back and had done and I have a 41 mag that hasnt been done yet and I'm not sure I will do it.
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Thanks for the comments. When was it done and did you get your original parts returned to you?
 
AKexpat said:
Well, Ruger used to advertise return of the original parts. Maybe not anymore due to liability/litigation these days. Wonder what would happen if I sent it back sans trigger, hammer, and sear?

And, yes, I'm afraid the trigger will be mush like most NM SB's I have seen.
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Remove ALL lock parts (trigger & spring, pawl & spring, hammer, hammer strut & mainspring) and send the rest of the pistol to Ruger - If you call CS with the SN, they will send you a shipping box.

Ruger will accept the cyl, frame & gripframe alone for the safety update, stamping the bottom of the frame with the letter "R", under the gripframe, where the mark will be invisible unless the gun's disassembled.

No mods will be done to the original parts, so the retained lockwork parts can simply re-installed, if desired.

Yes, the new lockwork's trigger pull will most likely be guano.

You should specify whether or not you want any of the original parts touched, for whatever reason.

If your SBH has the rare, longer (than standard SBH) gripframe (see below), I would advise against sending it in at all.

Standard SBH grip, left - rare longer (1/10") gripframe, right


Dsc00077.jpg



.
 
petahW:

Thank you very much for the information!


Per the Ruger Website:

SB Conversion:

We will provide you with a shipping container and instructions. You only pay initial shipping to our factory. We will cover all other charges including return shipping costs.
Click to expand...

LCP Recall:

The retrofit involves installation of an upgraded hammer mechanism at no charge to the customer.

We will send you a shipping label and package with instructions so you can return your pistol to us FREE of charge.
Click to expand...

This info is specified on the same .pdf document.

http://www.ruger.com/safety/announcements.html

I'm curious as to why there are different shipping differences.
 
Had one Super Blackhawk converted, and bought two .357 Magnums that had already been converted. All three are back like God intended.

My conversions had extremely heavy trigger pulls, but the worst part, to me, was the "ratchedy-clackety" action that resulted, plus the unsightly hammer. My Super especially, was prone to skip a chamber when cocking the gun

Know this also, the Super will have a standard hammer spur, there being no low, wide spurt in the conversion units.

By all means, don't let those original parts out of your sight!

Bob Wright
 
If you have had it this long and have been fine with 5 then why change it now? I have a 44mag unconverted and love it, I see no reason to change it now. YMMV but I would just keep it as is, you said you have not been happy with other new guns so.....
 
I have an Old Model 3 screw Blackhawk in .44 Mag. 5 digit serial begining with 1XXXX and a fluted cylinder. When Ruger first offered the conversion I sent pistol to them and had it installed. The gun came back with the original parts in a bag and an extremely heavy trigger pull. I then sent gun back and asked if they could do anything with the trigger. They sent it back to me unchanged.

My trigger pull gage reads up to 6 lbs and I could not trip the hammer when pulling 6+ lbs. on the trigger. Needless to say I couldn't shoot the gun very well with that heavy a pull.

I put the original parts back in and got my sweet 2 lb. trigger back. Conversion parts are presently in a bag somewhere in the back of the safe.
 
This has been a very informative session for me. Thanks to all!

smee78:

If you have had it this long and have been fine with 5 then why change it now? I have a 44mag unconverted and love it, I see no reason to change it now. YMMV but I would just keep it as is, you said you have not been happy with other new guns so.....
Click to expand...

I believe you are spot on. My purpose for this thread was to hopefully confirm that the conversion triggers were pretty much the same as the NM's and the Original Model (OM: not Old Model!) guns were better. For one, I would miss the four clicks upon cocking the hammer.

I guess if one can't get it done in 5 rounds, it ain't gonna happen!
 
I'm curious as to why there are different shipping differences.
Click to expand...
The LCP recall was for handguns that were actually unsafe, due to a defect.

The Single Action recall was just a safety update, to bring the handguns up to 'modern standards'. (There is no defect.)
 
Well, I guess I won't be spending any time or money insofar as this conversion.

As I close, thanks again for all the opinions as I have seen all of the facets that were sent my way. You all are a wealth of knowledge.
 
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