Which caliber conversion?

[mikeyd499]

I have an old model .357 Ruger Blackhawk I am planning to have converted. I am leaning toward 41 magnum, but am also considering 10mm with an additional cylinder in 40 S&W. 44 special is also in the running. What do ya'll recommend?

[wv109323]

I would recommend buying the revolver you want in the caliber you decide on. Conversion would be very expensive.

[nseries]

Do it in a caliber that you can't buy off the shelf, new or used. If you look hard enough, you can find 3-screw .44 Specials that someone else converted. ...and if I'm not mistaken, wasn't the 3-screw .41 Magnum on the .357 frame? Either way, you can find 3-screw .41 Magnums if you look.

[joatmon]

I always wanted one in .44 but now as said above you can buy it new(but not with 4 click lock work).
Aaron

[Lloyd Smale]

ive got two. One is a 44 spec and the other a 41 mag. To me the 44 spec gets used hands down more then the 41. It hits just as hard on deer sized game and doesn't have the muzzle blast and noise. If I look at all the revolvers in my safe the 4 44 specials I have are probably the most shot guns I own other then the 9mm black guns.

[Lloyd Smale]

yes you can and compared to the price of a custom old model something like a 44 spec bisley or Blackhawk is a bargin. but theres just something about a gun made just the way you want it. Everyone should own at least one custom revolver in his life.
I always wanted one in .44 but now as said above you can buy it new(but not with 4 click lock work).
Aaron

[Lloyd Smale]

factory 41 mags were all built on the larger 44 frame.
Do it in a caliber that you can't buy off the shelf, new or used. If you look hard enough, you can find 3-screw .44 Specials that someone else converted. ...and if I'm not mistaken, wasn't the 3-screw .41 Magnum on the .357 frame? Either way, you can find 3-screw .41 Magnums if you look.

[mikeyd499]

I agree Lloyd, having a firearm built just for me isa large part of this. I have had off the shelf guns all my life. Now I need fewer gun, but want them to be special and unique.

[contender1]

Personally,,, since I collect OM Rugers,,,, I prefer to see them left in factory condition. BUT,,,,,,,, BUT,,,, it's YOUR gun,, not mine,,, and every time another one is removed from the available ones,,, my collection gets a wee bit more valuable.

That said,,, I'd look at the 40 S&W/10mm conversion. Definitely not an off the shelf item, or one that is often seen. I have a Buckeye Special,,, but it's a NM,,, and a Vaquero 40 S&W & I get a lot of funny looks when I show one of them.
The 44 Spl has been done a lot,,, and now they make a NM variation.
A 41 mag,,, there are factory OM 41's out there already.

[C. Latch]

Trade it for a .44 then have it converted to .41 Magnum.

That's what *I* would do, if cost wasn't an issue.

[Ickisrulz]

Have you looked at the "Jeff Quinn Special" at Clements Custom Guns? For $1100 you get quite a deal (in the world of custom guns that is). I'd go for 41 Special myself.

[bob208]

well I like the old models just the way the came. also in the old model the frame sizes were all the same .357 .41 mag and .45 colt. and yes the small framed old model .45 was where they started the ruger only .45 loads. there was also a old model flat top made in .44 mag. so you could sell that old model and have a good down payment for a gun like you want.

look up skeeter skelton he did some of the conversions you are talking about. they were costly back then.

[Lloyd Smale]

I guess I think of it a bit different. theres only one ruger handgun that ever demanded money enough to call it a collector (other then maybe a serial no. 1 gun. that would be the hawkeye single shot. Old model 357s are still as common as any other single action other then a new model. Maybe if a guy squirrels them away your great great grandchildren might make some money and that's if the world is still going and guns are still legal. I buy a gun to use. Any old model ruger I buy today at 60 years old isn't going up in value more then the cost of living is going to increase by the time I'm dead. Its like base ball card collectors. thousands of them collect cards that are worth maybe a buck and one in a thousand of them collects something that's truly collectable. Now if you were going to cut up a first gen colt saa id be the first in line to scream no! But its just an old ruger. Kind of like calling a 1969 4 door impala a collector car. I had mine done probably a bit over 10 years ago. I paid 200 bucks a piece for them. I think at that time a new one cost about 350. Id bet you can still easily find them for the 500-600 bucks you pay for a new one. Wheres the collectability in that. Nope to me its like taking that 69 impala and sending it out and having a 69 Camaro come back
Personally,,, since I collect OM Rugers,,,, I prefer to see them left in factory condition. BUT,,,,,,,, BUT,,,, it's YOUR gun,, not mine,,, and every time another one is removed from the available ones,,, my collection gets a wee bit more valuable.

That said,,, I'd look at the 40 S&W/10mm conversion. Definitely not an off the shelf item, or one that is often seen. I have a Buckeye Special,,, but it's a NM,,, and a Vaquero 40 S&W & I get a lot of funny looks when I show one of them.
The 44 Spl has been done a lot,,, and now they make a NM variation.
A 41 mag,,, there are factory OM 41's out there already.

[bob208]

they are not that common as every one thinks. all the ones you cut up only make mine worth more. I remember buying old model rugers for $72 new in the box. a friend and I went around to all the shops when the new models came out in 73. we bought up all the old stock.

they are collector guns.

[psweigle]

I would not convert a perfectly good ruger to ANYTHING you can already buy. For the money you would put into it, you can just buy one already. If 10mm is what you are leaning to, then I would suggest a new model for that conversion. But in all reality, 41 mag is about the same thing.

[Scorpion8]

I would not convert a perfectly good ruger to ANYTHING you can already buy.

Ditto. Besides, the .357 Magnum version is useful and handy, being able to also shoot .38 Specials, and especially if you can find the 9mm conversion cylinder. If you want a .41 Magnum RBH, buy one. They are plentiful.

[dverna]

Sometimes common sense does not enter into a decision. Most is us worked hard for our money so we do not waste it. But if someone really wants something, I say go for it.

[jonp]

I'd go for 41 Mag but I'm kinda of partial to the first Blackhawks I ever owned.

I'm kinda surprised, Lloyd. I never noticed the muzzle blast to be anything out of the ordinary and I had a couple of barrel lengths.

[gwpercle]

41 Special is a natural !
Can be built on the smaller Blackhawk frame and isn't offered by Ruger.
There was a two part write up on the 41 special in the No. 304 , October 2016 (part I) and No.305, December 2016 (part II) ,issues of Handloader magazine. Revolver conversions , part I and reloading data, part II.
I have a 41 magnum , but going to get some 41 special brass to use for light loads with castboolits . 41 magnum brass is a bit hard for light loads so must be annealed and separated from regular magnum brass. the 41 special brass will be easy to keep separate.
The articles are in Brian Pearce's "From The Hip " columns.
Personally I would never mess with my three screw, it's the first hand gun I ever bought and this girl I met liked to go shooting it with me. I married her in 1973 and we're still sharing the same bedroom . She's a keeper ... If she enjoys shooting , marry her !
Too much sentimental value going on with it .
Gary

[Artful]

Having taken factory guns and bubba'd guns and made them more to my liking - I don't do it for resale, I do it because it make me get more enjoyment out of using them -


I say go for it.

[Boogieman]

The 3 screw 357 Bk was built on a smaller frame than the 3screw 41 BK. I have 1 of each, The 357 cost $68.50 new and the 41 has a s/n in the 5000 range.

[Piedmont]

The downside to converting a .357 OM to .41 mag is the cylinder is a bit short. If you aren't wedded to Keith bullets, or other long nosed bullets, it is no problem. For myself, I'd use a shorter round like .40 S&W, 10mm, .41 spl., .44 Russian, .44 spl., or .45 Schofield. When you can buy a new .44 Spl. Blackhawk over the counter, that one doesn't make as much sense.

Actually I would make it a .40 S&W or .44 Russian (Starline makes the brass).

[contender1]

I respectfully have to disagree with Lloyd,,, in that there are many older Rugers that command "collector" money.
RSSE's bring $6000 & up.
Tri-Color Lightweights, boxed bring $2000
7-1/2" Flattop 44's as well as the 10" Flattop 44's command good money from $1500 & up.
Type 1 Flattop 357's command $1100 in VG condition.
10" Flattop 357's bring $2000 or more. (And their boxes can command that much as well.)
A Ross Variation of the Flattop 357 can bring $1400.
Factory brass grip framed 357 OM, protected ears type will get $1500.
Long Frame Super's can bring $2200.


I could go on & on,,, but there are MANY collectable Rugers.

Yes,, a "common" variation of the OM 357 will NOT command these values,,, and is often used as a base for a custom & conversion. But every time this happens,,, the rest do get harder to find & values go up. And yes,,, I have seen some shooter grade OM 357's sell for an average of $450 in a few places,,, and I also have seen them on dealer shelves for $600 plus.

And if you have an interest in Ruger collecting,,, check out the Ruger Owners & Collectors Society. (ROCS)

Oh,,, and just for kicks,,, I know of a single Ruger,,, rare enough to command over $30,000 last year. And it wasn't a Hawkeye.

[mikeyd499]

Dang, didn't mean to kick a hornet's nest. My OM has no sentimental value to me and it is just a shooter's grade gun. Actually been used quite a bit from the looks of it. It shoots well, but I want something done for me. I don't feel that it is a waste of money, it would be my gift to myself. I cast bullets and reload to be able to shoot more than I could if I had to pay factory cost. I load my bullets on a single stage purchased used. My kids are now grown and I have some extra that I can afford to spend. I guess what I am saying is that I wasn't asking for permission, I was just interested in what calibers others thought would be good. I actually think I will eventually go with 10mm/ 40. 10mm for any future hunting, 40 because I already shoot a lot of it. Yes a new gun would be cheaper, but how much? What's the price of a gunsmith tuned NM 41 magnum today?

[Loudenboomer]

A bit of advice I should heed more often. "Sometimes it's best to just ignore the Good Idea Fairy" :)

[psweigle]

Then I say go for it, but post lots of pics!!!!!

[contender1]

mikey,,, PLEASE understand,,, I'm NOT upset or disparaging you in any way. I was pointing out MY personal preferences in not converting an OM,,, but as I mentioned,,, it is YOUR gun to do with as you please. And,,, I tried to convey FULL respect to LLoyd in my reply,,, as I am not upset with him. I just hoped to educate others in the fact that there are many collectable Rugers out there,,,, including in the OM 357 arena.

So,,, no hornets here!!!!!!!! :D :D

Now,, back to your conversion thoughts.

May I suggest you make sure your gun is not of a rarer variation before you do any work on it. My Ross variation is a worn shooter,,, and I am tickled that I even own one. If you PM me,, we can discuss the details of your gun to make sure yours is a mass produced variation.

Next,, you are leaning towards the 41 mag. I currently own 9 OM 41 mags & they are NICE to shoot,,, and pleasant guns to enjoy. They,, like the 357 were built with 4-5/8" & 6-1/2" bbls. By converting yours to a 41,, you will be spending a fair amount of money,,, w/o really getting anything "special" other than the frame size.
And,, since you mentioned your 357 is a convertible,,, I will again pitch the idea of a 10mm cylinder & a 40 S&W cylinder, making the gun a .40 cal. As far as I can recall,,, I've only seen (1) done like this. And it was NICE!!!!!!!!!!! With the 10mm,,, you can upload it safely,, and hunt with it if you desire.With the 40 S&W,, brass is cheap,,, easy to find,,, as are the components for loading either one.
If you go the 41 mag route,,, the bbl will be an easy thing,,,as a custom builder can use a take-off Ruger bbl. Then,,, boring the cylinder will be straight forward,,, and whatever else you have done will be up to your desires. But by going to a 40 cal,,, you will get a custom bored bbl,,, and when it's assembled,,, likely very accurate. It will add to the expense of the build,,, but you did mention you wanted it to be YOUR special gun.

PM me,,, and we can discuss your gun,, as well as I can offer you some other thoughts on custom work & a few folks to talk to about such projects.

AGAIN,,, if you feel I was stirring up a hornets nest,,, it was NOT my intention.

[Lloyd Smale]

you cannot buy an old model 44 special from ruger. You can buy a 44 special the same size. My old model 44 spec conversion by clements is a line boared match grand 4 inch barrel, round butted grip frame, case hardened gun. with a bowen rear sight and a clements post front. Find that in the ruger catalog. Ive got a 4 5/8s bisley 44 spec factory gun too. Neat gun but its not near as cool as the custom. That would be like saying youd never get a custom 3006 built because Mossberg makes one. Or have linebaugh or bowen build you a 475 because FA makes one. don't pm or email me for suggestions though. A custom gun should be what you want with no appolgys, not what someone else suggests
I would not convert a perfectly good ruger to ANYTHING you can already buy. For the money you would put into it, you can just buy one already. If 10mm is what you are leaning to, then I would suggest a new model for that conversion. But in all reality, 41 mag is about the same thing.

[Lloyd Smale]

had a 41 special built but had it done on a single six. If your going to do it on a 357 Blackhawk you might as well do 41 mag.
41 Special is a natural !
Can be built on the smaller Blackhawk frame and isn't offered by Ruger.
There was a two part write up on the 41 special in the No. 304 , October 2016 (part I) and No.305, December 2016 (part II) ,issues of Handloader magazine. Revolver conversions , part I and reloading data, part II.
I have a 41 magnum , but going to get some 41 special brass to use for light loads with castboolits . 41 magnum brass is a bit hard for light loads so must be annealed and separated from regular magnum brass. the 41 special brass will be easy to keep separate.
The articles are in Brian Pearce's "From The Hip " columns.
Personally I would never mess with my three screw, it's the first hand gun I ever bought and this girl I met liked to go shooting it with me. I married her in 1973 and we're still sharing the same bedroom . She's a keeper ... If she enjoys shooting , marry her !
Too much sentimental value going on with it .
Gary

[charlie b]

I almost went down this same path many years ago. I was going with either a .41 Mag or .44 spl with a 5 round cylinder. Barrel was the shorter one. Then someone offered me quite a bit of money for it so I sold it. Got it at a garage sale for cheap in those days ($250). The conversion was going to cost more than the revolver was worth (all the expensive parts are being replaced). I was kinda glad I didn't have to make the caliber choice. I loved the idea of a .41 Mag in a smaller frame gun.

PS Which caliber? The .40/10mm sounds interesting, but mainly cause you already shoot that caliber.