Stumpy Joe Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Hello all, I am looking for my second pistol in my SASS rig. I love the feel of the Ruger Blackhawks (old and new). I found this one ... Ruger Blackhawk Flattop 5244 ... and am wondering if it possible to remove the rear sight. If so, does that make the pistol "legal" for SASS shooting? If it doesn't why not? I am in learning / acquisition mode and am very interested in learning. Thank you in advance for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goody, SASS #26190 Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 It is already legal for any category that doesn't specify traditional, fixed sights. Most of the age based categories for example this would be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 The SHB (p. 36) specifies the approved method for conversion of an adjustable-sight revolver to a SASS-LEGAL "Fixed sight" model for categories that require FIXED sights: Quote Ruger Blackhawk and Ruger Old Army adjustable sight frames may be modified by removing the rear sight assembly, welding up the sight cutout, re-contouring the frame top strap, and cutting a new sight notch to replicate Colt SAA or Vaquero frames. The ramp front sight must be replaced with a blade-type in order to be allowed as a fixed sight model revolver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yul Lose Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 17 minutes ago, Stumpy Joe said: Hello all, I am looking for my second pistol in my SASS rig. I love the feel of the Ruger Blackhawks (old and new). I found this one ... Ruger Blackhawk Flattop 5244 ... and am wondering if it possible to remove the rear sight. If so, does that make the pistol "legal" for SASS shooting? If it doesn't why not? I am in learning / acquisition mode and am very interested in learning. Thank you in advance for your help. You can use it the way it is but not in every category. I shoot with quite a few shooters that shoot these with the adjustable sights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bart Solo Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 I know a lot of shooters who just shoot their Blackhawks in age related categories, That way the same gun they carry in the woods finds its way to the line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rex M Rugers #6621 Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 All the welding and grinding that it would take to make a Blackhawk pass muster for the other categories would not be cost-effective at all. Far easier to either use it like it is , or buy the fixed-sight sixguns if you have a hankering to shoot Classic Cowboy , Gunfighter, Duelist , or Frontier Cartridge. Rex Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 A Flattop Blackhawk is pretty close to a collector's piece! I strongly recommend NOT modifying it! Either trade it off or sell it, and buy either an Old Model Vaquero or a New Model Vaquero. I see two cylinders in your photo. What cartridges can your gun shoot? I don't recall any of the Flattops being made with convertible cylinders, unless they were .357 and 9mm. Puzzling...is this a 3-screw or a New Model, which should have the sight-protecting hump on the topstrap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 3 minutes ago, Trailrider #896 said: Puzzling...is this a 3-screw or a New Model, which should have the sight-protecting hump on the topstrap. If it were a 3 screw, it'd have "3 screws" holding the inside guts. The one in the picture has 2 pins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailrider #896 Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 20 minutes ago, Warden Callaway said: If it were a 3 screw, it'd have "3 screws" holding the inside guts. The one in the picture has 2 pins. Hmm! It is interesting that the frame is a Flattop, yet a New Model Blackhawk. With that low of a serial number, it could be a rarity, utilizing a leftover frame, prior to drilling the holes for the 3 screws. That has been done on other guns, notably the transition pieces of the Remington Over/Under Double Derringers between the Third Model (Remington Arms Co.) and the early Fourth Model (Remington-UMC) with no "L" prefix in their serial numbers. You still may have something that would interest early Ruger collectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 Howdy, Take a closer look. That is a later ruger. Long sn with a -. This is NOT an early flattop. This was made around 2010 and in 95% condition might be worth $400 or so. Actually the Vaquero exists because so many pards did ezzactly what he suggests. It is far better to just buy the vaquero and sell the Blackhawk. Or shoot classes where the Blackhawk is legal as is. People who have no clue what its going to cost suggest modifications all the time. Sure its cool to say you have a custom gun but do the math, shop a little........ And remember modifications almost always ruin the collectability of that piece. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warden Callaway Posted April 11, 2018 Share Posted April 11, 2018 3 hours ago, Trailrider #896 said: Hmm! It is interesting that the frame is a Flattop, yet a New Model Blackhawk. With that low of a serial number, it could be a rarity, utilizing a leftover frame, prior to drilling the holes for the 3 screws. That has been done on other guns, notably the transition pieces of the Remington Over/Under Double Derringers between the Third Model (Remington Arms Co.) and the early Fourth Model (Remington-UMC) with no "L" prefix in their serial numbers. You still may have something that would interest early Ruger collectors. They are not particularly rare. I think Ruger made a run of them for 50th anniversary. Then more special runs for big distributers. PS, I did a search of a popular gun auction board for Ruger Flatop and came up with 118. 357, 357-9mm combo, 44 special, 45 Colt, 45Colt-45ACP combo, stainless steel, regular grip and Bisley, in all common barrel length and grip material options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted April 12, 2018 Share Posted April 12, 2018 use it , do not alter it , i never recommend doing that to an original firearm , you can get something else if you move to a category that requires it , Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.