I haven been thinking of doing some tinkering for a long time with my SBH in 44 Mag. I have built a couple of trodishinal black powder firearms and decided to take the plunge. She always shot “OK,” but I wanted a little better. This is what she looked like when I bought her.

First thing was to work on the front sight. I had bought a Marble dove tail from Brownell’s and put on “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly” and just started filing. I thought the move was fitting and was wondering which one out of the three it was going to look like. LOL I have a pretty nice collection of files and just took my time.



I used the 1000 grit sand paper and it worked wonders. I used the jewelers files first and then the paper, but it turned out nice




It is not the "best job," but it is more than functional. I had a very small gap underneath the sight were I filled to much, I filled it with JB wield.
A Marble front sight from Brownell's




(The pictures here were before I reblued her. I was just overzealous! LOL)

I took a Crescent wrench to the front sight because it was a little crocked. I didn’t realize that it turned when I put the JB wield under it. The sight was tight, I had to hammer it in. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t going anywhere… and I don’t think it is going to. It doesn’t help that the barrel is a little off square. But my main objective is to have that nice thin blade square with the back sight.

I did a pour man’s action job on her. New springs in, reverse paw, and I also put the Belt Mount. #5 pin in her. The cylinder was sent off to Rod, it had some bad inconstancies. And the grips are Elk Stag made by Gras Horn

Gras Horn Grips





I also took the advice of the wonderful users we have here and ordered a FA cross draw holster for my SBH! It is wonderful. I can sit down comfortable in a chair/seat and not have any problems. (That means this fat boy can sit down with it… I don’t know if you can or not. LOL) I can tell you from someone who has worked with a lot of leather that is VERY well built and is going to see a lot of field time!

Rod has been instrumental in helping my with this project and I have to give him a very, VERY big thanks. He has spent a lot of time instructing and helping me over the phone as well as the work I have sent him. I have had sever business transactions with him and he as always been extremely professional and first rate all the way. He is also going to be getting a few more projects… but first I need to get the finances together. LOL

It’s not the FA of my dreams, but it will do for know. I don’t know what made the biggest difference but I can tell you that this gun is just shooting one big ragged hole at 25 yards. However, that doesn’t meant I don’t want the FA… Gary really has me thinking of a 454 with a 45LC cylinder right now.

Thanks for looking

Duane

Looking Good TC!

Man that's nice.Looks great.Congrats

TC

I'm intrigued by the small, low profile brass bead. The rear sight appears to be adjusted all the way down onto the base. Its obviously shooting well for you. As I was scrolling down and admiring your work I kept wondering if the factory rear would run out of adjustment before you could bring a group down to where you want it because of lowering the front sight.
I'm a fan of aperature rear sights with a front bead on my rifles, but have never had one on a revolver. Never bothered to replace the blade on any of mine, but have thought about it from time to time. Always wondered if I would run out of adjustment on the rear if I lowered the front.

Renster

You can get different heights of fronts, I've got a bunch on hand I just ordered in and I think I have about 7 different heights and you can also get different height rear blades or even a "V" notch or you can file the existing notch down.

Hmmm...

Thats food for thought Rod...

But my B-E-A-utiful 50th anniversary BK is shooting the Speer GD 270 gr Sp's soooo gooood! Better not fool with that one.
Maybe if I pick up a second hand Ruger this year, I'll experiment with sights for a change.

Renster

Nice work TCMan!

Time well spent! It came out looking good, and she shoots better! You couldn't ask for more!

Renster of N.H., very observant. I am 2 clicks away from being bottomed out but it still shoots fine. I miked the front blade at .345. The closest one offered was .343 and I figured I just came close. The dove tail takes up .1 so what I really needed was .445. (Like the supermag!!!) So next time I will get the .731blade.

Duane

TC,

Whew! That was close. Thats what I mean about only "thinking" of doing it to a revolver myself in the past. Always had a fear that close would end up being too much and then I'd have to do something with the rear sights as well. Oh, I've communicated with Williams in the past about sight changes on my rifles. Sometimes they were right on with what I needed, sometimes I had to send a sight back because they were not correct with the height recommendation, and I'd waste work bench and range time, not to mention ammo(you'd think they knew what they were talking about - they design the sights for cripes sakes!)with a sight I could not bring in to where I wanted. Times like that convince me to "just leave 'em alone". But, I DO LIKE the looks of your brass bead as well as the Firesites that I saw on another thread.
I'll bet you can acquire a very quick sight picture and more precise point of aim compared to a standard wide partridge blade.
I AM intrigued.
Renster

Who rounded the butt?? I like that!

would you believe Stan Debbick, TC bought it from him. I talked to him a year or so ago and I guess since his dad retired he went to doing IT work and doesn't do much hunting or shooting anymore.

100% Right!

I was going to use it as a base piece, but after I really learned what had all been done to it (and the way it shoots at the range) I just want to leave it alone. I did the math and the extra work that has been done to that piece would cost me more than what I paid for it. LOL

Nice job TC!!! Gun customizing is fun.

If I remember right Stan had that gun at the first SWPA Blast & Blab. He did a nice job on it. The bead blasted matte finish is very nice.

TCMan, that looks nice...can't believe you let Rod work on it... Or is he off the MEDs now? LOL

I resemble that remark

Heck...I was with him when he got that gun. Stan made it to the display table before me...that's how he ended up with it. At that same gun show is where I bought my .45LC Hunter model gun for $400. Also snagged a NIB NEF 7-08 rifle for $125!! That was a good day!!

waprod...there's more to that story...we'll have to discuss that over the phone someday.

TC....could you a close up of the grip frame with the panels removed??

Awesome looking guns. Excellent work.
Rick

Nice work TC

I thought I posted a reply yesterday on this post but obviously I didn’t.

Dan not a problem I can do that today. If you want I can even send you a paper drawing/sketch of the grip as well. The grip, I think, makes a noticeable difference in recoil absorption.

Duane