Resolved:
I contacted Hamilton Bowen, and while he is not able to take on the job at this time, he offered parts, which was quite kind, and at a very reasonable price. He referred me to Andy Horvath, who I contacted. Andy can do it, and has the appropriate parts, including a barrel that doesn't need refinishing, plus 'correct' alloy ejector housing and related parts. Total job is a very reasonable price, so off it goes to him today. So excited! Andy has quite a reputation with Rugers, it should be great when I get it back.

I will be sure to post pics when I get it back.

 

I have seen some of Andy's work pictured in magazines. I think you will be happy with your revolver when it comes back.

 

I like the look of the sheriffs model conversion, but the cut in the middle of the lettering on the barrel would really bug me.

 

Agreed, and the ejector mounting ear on the frame is still there, too. Plus, it's a pain to eject cartridges without an ejector!

 

Good move, most men stopped carrying snubnose singleactions when DA revolvers with short barrels became available.

 

Greetings,

I feel bad for not following up on this, sorry. I did, indeed, have the work done by Andy Horvath, and it came out superb! The price was quite reasonable in my opinion, too. He supplied a barrel, pre-warning text correct barrel, plus an ejector housing and parts, and refinished the barrel to match the superb refinish my piece had had. I think he must have touched up the action some, in addition to adjusting the cylinder gap precisely.

I haven't replied since the original post because life got in the way - divorce, sale of house, move with new house purchase, retirement, and so forth. I will take pics and post them as soon as I can. I'm thrilled with the result and it's now one of my favorite guns.

 

Looking forward to your pictures. Have you had a chance to see how it does at the range?

Welcome back to the forum. I too was absent for a few years. Similar life events.

John

 

I shot it for the very first time last night. NRA B-3 target at about 25 or 30', I think. 38 SPL case, 148 gn wadcutters over 3 gn of Bullseye (my own reloads). Second shot was a 'spinner,' i.e., dead center in the X ring. (The other shots, well, let's not talk about them. ) Felt really good, nice, crisp trigger pull, no significant flash from the gap. I think Andy must have tuned this up really well when he did the work.

BTW, I just bought another, virtually the same, a year younger, so now I have a pair. Looking for a two holster cowboy rig. The one I want, the El Paso Saddlery Cheyenne rig is a bit out of budget at the moment ($719).

Will try to take some pics today. Thanks for your interest.

 

I’m interested in pics too, but more interested in the turnaround time.

 

Sorry for your "life issues" (been there, done that, didn't want the damn T-shirt), but thanks for the update.
Glad to hear that you happy with the "restoration". OM Blackhawks in .357 (and other calibres as well) are definitely pleasurable and a hoot to shoot.
We're all still waiting for those photos! HINT! Hint!
LOL!

 

interesting

 

O.K., finally, that moment you've all been waiting for! Pics of the revolver after the masterful work of Andy Horvath to convert it back to it's original, as-shipped configuration.

Just to recap, Andy supplied a vintage-appropriate barrel, ejector housing, ejector rod and spring, and reblued the barrel to match the superb finish the revolver already had. The price was very reasonable, in my opinion, and the turnaround was pretty good, too. This one's a 1969 manufactured example. I recently shot it for the first time and the second shot was a "spinner," i.e., dead center "X," which was a thrill. (I won't mention the other shots.). I was shooting my own 38 SPL target loads, NRA load #32, 148g LHBWC over 2.8g Bullseye. My Daddy used this load and I have found it superbly accurate in anything that will chamber it; plus, there's the sentimental aspect to it.

That's an El Paso Saddlery "Shootist" holster; I have both left and right, and also the Shootist rough-out money belt, and also a Rio Grande belt, which I prefer. The Shootist holsters are very high grade, lined, while the Rio Grande holsters are unlined and of lesser finish.

I have since acquired another 4 5/8" OM .357 Blackhawk, made in 1970, so I have a pair, and also just recently a Marlin 1894 in .357. All I need now is a horse and scabbard for the Marlin.

Thanks for your patience.