Old model Blackhawk rear sight

[PD Gohil]

Just got an 1968 old model Blackhawk in pretty rough shape.got a few questions I hope I can get some. Help on


Reblue or cerakote?
I thought about cerakoting the entire gun, I think it would make it more rugged but don't want to take away from the beauty of a blued gun. Right now I think I want to blue all of the steel and cerakote the grip and ejector housing black. Thoughts?

The only part I have found missing is the entire rear site assembly. I can't come up definitively and say if the rear side housing is the same between the new model and old model Blackhawks. Going through numerich, you have to buy each piece individually, and it still doesn't have the main housing listed just the spring screws and blade. Midway shows an entire rear side available for $16. This looks identical to one that brownells has that list it as fitting the old model Blackhawks as well as new . But it's the only place that does.

RUGER SIGHT ASSEMBLY, COMPLETE, REAR, W/BUMP | Brownells

FITS: Bisley™ Large Frame; Bisley™ Small Frame; GP100®; New Model Blackhawk®; New Model Single-Six®; Old Army™, .45; Old Model Blackhawk®; Old Model ...

www.brownells.com

Next, I'm have great difficulty getting the firing pin assembly out... I drove the pin out completely, and I've tapped on it pretty hard but can't seem to get the recoil plate to move.

And lastly the grips.. I want to get them back to beautiful, but I'm concerned with the brass Ruger logo in them. Is there a trick to taking that out and reinstalling it? Or do you just have to work around it?

Appreciate the help.

Pgohil
WV

 

[Uncle Grinch]

I’m sure you’ll get some answers here, but there may be more info on Ruger forum dot net.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Do you need a pic of an old and new model blackhawk to compare?

 

[PD Gohil]

I've looked at the pictures and they look darn close. I just don't understand why I can't find a replacement site that specifically says it's for the old model three screw design. I may just have to spend the money on a new model sight and if it don't work keep it for later.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Maybe they are the same?

 

[3Ackleys]

I just measured a 3 screw and a new model with a caliper. they are the same, without driving the pin out & removing it from the gun. Painful to see how the previous owner treated such a fine revolver. I would re-blue, just me but cerakote is for the new Ruger wranglers! Too bad you can't send it back to 1968 and run it through the Supper Blackhawk blueing line- used to be craftsmen built factory guns. The top one is a 1970 SBH, then a 41 Mag, & 357. Also my 1968 Single Six convert.

 

[PD Gohil]

Thanks for checking! That is very helpful. Beautiful revolvers you have. 68 was a good year! I agree on the bluing, what was used on the aluminum grip frame? Paint?

 

[rockhound78]

You might think about sending it back to Ruger and have them re-blue it. They might fix it for you too.

 

[3Ackleys]

Thanks for checking! That is very helpful. Beautiful revolvers you have. 68 was a good year! I agree on the bluing, what was used on the aluminum grip frame? Paint?

The aluminum parts were anodized. When they first started making Super Blackhawks in 1955, they had just opened a new plant. The SBH's were the first guns made there. Bill Ruger instructed them to give the SBH's a "super" finish. So the SBH's have the best polish & blueing.

 

[SSL]

In regards to the aluminum parts, you might want to consider replacing them with steel. That way the finish will be the same overall and more durable. Steel ejector housings (be careful to get the right one - two different methods of attaching depending on year) are pretty easy to find and the grip frames are available through various vendors. I replaced both when I "saved" an older .45 Colt Blackhawk (see avatar) and it made a good difference in balance and feel.