Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 3 screw Old Model Ruger Blackhawks

Saw one for sale recently, probably 85-90% finish, 7½" barrel, .45 Colt. it was for sale for $425. Fair price? I looked on GB and everything else is more expensive.

I know Ruger had a recall on these many years ago to retrofit a transfer bar safety to them. I did not see a transfer bar in the hammer slot, so is this one is likely to be unmodified?

Last, I have squirreled away a Bisley grip frame, which feel better to me than the standard frame. Will it fit this Old Model? I don't really need another .45 Colt. but this one seems reasonable.

Thanks!

$425 for an Old Model in good shape seems like a reasonable price. Or call it a "realistic" price for a shooter grade, folks on gunbroker think any Old Model Ruger is automatically subject to exalted collector status.

I don't believe the Bisley grip would fit since IIRC you'd need a new hammer and possibly trigger as well, but will let others who've switched grips weigh in with more authority on that.

The Bisley grip can be made to fit, but it is a fair amount of work and you'll need a hammer and trigger from Dave Clements. www.clementscustomguns.com

The 45s were the lowest quantity produced in the old models. $425 is a steal for a shooter.
You can still send it to Ruger for the transfer bar refit. But I wouldn't do it, just load 5 and rock on.
The NM Bisley frame can be altered to work, but it's not a simple process.
It would be much simpler to get an Old Model Bisley frame here https://rwgripframes-com.3dcartstores.com
Choice of brass or aluminum.

the transfer bar lockwork ruins the trigger, dont do it.

ruins the trigger *and the value

+100 Like others have said. I'd just load 5 and stay happy.

Patrick,

Here is mine (a 44 Mag) that started life as an OM SBH and still wears its original hammer (though "styled" some) and trigger. Do note the fit of the Bisley grip frame can be quite a ways off as seen below in a Gary Reeder "Custom" conversion (not mine). I have made the pieces to allow the OM internals to work with the NM Bisley grip frame. I believe they are stashed in a drawer in my garage. That is a deal price wise.