Blackhawks?

[waksupi]

I'm in a trade for a Blackhawk. Any general info on barrel dimensions, and cylinder throat sizes?

[9.3X62AL]

44-40's and 45 Colts from a few years back have a tendency to be backwards--throats smaller than grooves. 357/41/44 Mags have all been very good for me dimensionally. Sample population of the latter is 12 examples.

[Bass Ackward]

What vintage?

Sounds like a slight case of anticipation to me. Proof of the taste ...........

[targetshootr]

Yep, the vintage matters and the use you have in mind. I'm fond of the old models but Jim Stroh can modify a new model and make you forget all about the old ones.

[ready_on_the_right]

Would .4501 be out of the ordinary on a .45 Colt barrel?

Mike

[9.3X62AL]

ROTR--

Welcome aboard!

.4501" is a little tight, postwar 45 Colts are supposed to run .451" like the 45 ACP. If the throats are .451" or so, you have the recipe for some accurate shooting. Make sure that the measurement you are getting isn't just the tight spot that sometimes appears under the threads where the barrel screws into the frame. With a tight-fitting jag and patch, you should be able to "feel" a tight spot in the barrel pretty readily as you pass it down the revolver's bore.

[44man]

I take two measurements in a revolver. I put a thick, long piece of micarta on the recoil shield, drop a brass rod down the bore and then slug it. I can pull the slug back out by pulling on the micarta, like two handles. You can upset the slug this way too before pulling it back out.
Then I drive one all the way through for the second measurement. If there is a tight spot, you will be able to see how much.

[ready_on_the_right]

Thanks Guys!

Mike

[Nueces]

44man, that's a nice technique, it's goin' in my 'headbox.'

Thanks, Mark

[9.3X62AL]

Ditto here. Thanks, 44 Man!

[SharpsShooter]

I take two measurements in a revolver. I put a thick, long piece of micarta on the recoil shield, drop a brass rod down the bore and then slug it. I can pull the slug back out by pulling on the micarta, like two handles. You can upset the slug this way too before pulling it back out.
Then I drive one all the way through for the second measurement. If there is a tight spot, you will be able to see how much.

Neat idea, gotta try that.

SS

[44man]

If you expand a slug in the bore, it can be hard to start back out. I use a friend to hold the gun muzzle down on padded wood so I can strike one side of the micarta while I hold the other side. A good piece of oak or other hardwood works too.
Make sure you oil the bore.
Make the rod long enough so you don't slug too deep in the bore, 1/2" is good enough and is easier to get out.
A dowel works good too and if things get stuck, you can keep breaking the dowel out of the cylinder opening so you can just tap the slug all the way through.
It does take a little thought and planning.

[waksupi]

I knew I was going to learn something from you guys!

[Racer X]

Would .4501 be out of the ordinary on a .45 Colt barrel?

Mike

Is it .4501" all the way down the barrel? My Super Blackhawk Hunter 45 Colt (Lipseys Distributor Exclusive) had a minor constriction but overall, the diameter was too big. It slugged .452" under the forcing cone and .4523" at the muzzle.

The throats were all undersized at .449 to .450. I had throats opened to .453 but the gun never shot as good as it should with the oversized grooves.

If you have a constriction under the forcing cone but the rest of the barrel is still .4505 to .451, the barrel may be redeemable by lapping out the tight spot.

[44man]

Racer, .0003" larger is not oversize and means nothing. The proper boolit and load will make that gun shoot better then any of us combined can hold it.
I have to ask if you have the Bisley grip? They are harder to control for top accuracy. A very, very slight change in hold will open a group. Some won't agree but I can't control them.

[ready_on_the_right]

Is it .4501" all the way down the barrel? My Super Blackhawk Hunter 45 Colt (Lipseys Distributor Exclusive) had a minor constriction but overall, the diameter was too big. It slugged .452" under the forcing cone and .4523" at the muzzle.

The throats were all undersized at .449 to .450. I had throats opened to .453 but the gun never shot as good as it should with the oversized grooves.

If you have a constriction under the forcing cone but the rest of the barrel is still .4505 to .451, the barrel may be redeemable by lapping out the tight spot.


I drove a round ball from the muzzle all the way through then mic'd it once I got it out.

Mike

[ready_on_the_right]

P.S. I didn't noticve any particular restriction, but really need to check it all again to satisfy myself.

Mike