Ruger reblue?

FoghornLeghorn · March 21, 2013, 08:15 AM

I'm in the market for an old model Ruger single action, the older "four click" variety.

Question. If I were to score one in need of a reblue, is it possible to have the job done without the loading gate coming out purple?

Also, if I were to completely disassemble the gun and ship only the barrel, frame, cylinder and loading gate to Ruger, would they still reblue it?

I wouldn't want them to arbitrarily replace the internals with their "safe" version lockwork.

GyMac · March 21, 2013, 09:16 AM

Sorry that I can't answer yor questionss, but if I were to have an older Ruger like that reblued, I'd go all-out and have the frame color case-hardened.

Magnum Wheel Man · March 21, 2013, 09:19 AM

Call Ford's refinishing ( my understanding, they are the best in the business ) & see if they have had good luck re-blueing the loading gates

FoghornLeghorn · March 21, 2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

I'd go all-out and have the frame color case-hardened.

Excellent idea. I wonder, if a shop is set up to reblue, is it safe to assume they also do color case-hardening?

Bob Wright · March 21, 2013, 10:04 AM

FoghornLeghorn said, "I say, boy....

Quote:

Excellent idea. I wonder, if a shop is set up to reblue, is it safe to assume they also do color case-hardening?

No. The color case is a highly specialized process. You need to contact Doug Turnbull or Dave Clements. The re-bluing will be an even color.

Here is an old Flat Top worked over by Dave Clements:

Grips are mesquite by Cary Chapman.

I know it is the most logical thing to do, but I have sort of a phobia about returning a gun to Ruger. I prefer to deal with my local gunsmith, Keith Warner, or send the gun to Dave Clements. A local gunsmith will save you about $70 in shipping charges.

Bob Wright

newfrontier45 · March 21, 2013, 10:12 AM

You can't send it to Ruger like that. Send them a partial gun and they will make it whole at your expense. Send them a complete gun and they will do their transfer bar conversion. I would also suggest using a refinishing specialist like Ford's, Accurate Plating & Weaponry or Turnbull. Turnbull actually has a very reasonable Ruger refinishing service consisting of their famous color case hardening of the frame and gate, as well as the hammer and trigger if you so choose.

Bob Wright · March 21, 2013, 10:16 AM

And another thing.........

The grip frame and ejector rod housing are aluminum. I prefer to replace these with steel parts. The grip frame from an Old Army will work, but requires a wide trigger. A New Model can be fitted, and a trigger is available from Dave Clements to adapt the New Model grip frame to an Old Model.

Bob Wright

FoghornLeghorn · March 21, 2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Turnbull actually has a very reasonable Ruger refinishing

Turnbull is about two years behind and isn't accepting any new orders.

FoghornLeghorn · March 21, 2013, 11:04 AM

Bob, is that a 44 mag?

Bob Wright · March 21, 2013, 11:38 AM

Quote:

FoghornLeghorn: Bob, is that a 44 mag?

No, Sir. It's a .357 Magnum.

Bob Wright

dahermit · March 21, 2013, 11:44 AM

Quote:

...I know it is the most logical thing to do, but I have sort of a phobia about returning a gun to Ruger...

If I had a three-screw, it would never to back to Ruger; their policy used to be, and still may be, to replace the original parts with an "upgrade" to a transfer bar system as in the later models. Even though they will return the original parts, the parts will likely be lost. How many converted three-screws have you seen in display cases that still have the original parts with them? For Ruger collector's sake, do not send the fine three-screws to Ruger to be converted. It is a travesty.

FoghornLeghorn · March 21, 2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

No, Sir. It's a .357 Magnum.

You had my heart thumping for a minute. The shells looked to be 44 cal, and I've been looking for one of the old flat top Super Blackhawks that had the barrel shortened, such as was popular back in the day.

I was going to see if you take a blind in one eye watch dog in partial trade.

-Xero- · March 21, 2013, 02:14 PM

Old guns with the blue worn off is called "patina" -- I have a 1958 vintage Winchester Mod. 94 -- mechanically solid, but silvery grey, w/ some honest nicks/scratches on the furniture.

It's GORGEOUS just the way it is. Refinishing most guns brings their value down. If you can find an older Ruger, just leave it the way you find it. Refinish is a mistake.

Bob Wright · March 21, 2013, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Foghorn Leghorn: You had my heart thumping for a minute. The shells looked to be 44 cal, and I've been looking for one of the old flat top Super Blackhawks that had the barrel shortened, such as was popular back in the day.

I was going to see if you take a blind in one eye watch dog in partial trade.

The Super Blackhawk was never a Flat Top, the ribs atop the frame originated with the Super Blackhawk. The Flat Top .44 Magnum was just a Blackhawk.

Just for your pleasure, here is my 5" Super Blackhawk:

And, no. No dogs taken in trade, regardless of their eyesight.

Bob Wright

Waspinator · March 21, 2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Magnum Wheel Man wrote:
Call Ford's refinishing ( my understanding, they are the best in the business )

I just wanted to say that I just checked out their website and I bookmarked it.. the work shown, especially the "Master Bluing", really looked top-notch. If I ever find a gun on the cheap that is a little rough around the edges, I will have to remember that site. Even though I wasn't looking for that type of service, I want to thank your for bringing them to our attention.

Quincunx · March 21, 2013, 05:55 PM

+1 on Ford's. Never had a bad experience with them!

GyMac · March 21, 2013, 07:29 PM

Bob's .357 is exactly the gun I had in mind when I mentioned case-hardening. I'd rather have that gun, or his beautiful Super Blackhawk, than any Colt New Frontier.

oldgunsmith · March 21, 2013, 07:58 PM

The gate will blue if you leave it in the solution long enough. How long? Until it's blue.

dahermit · March 22, 2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

The gate will blue if you leave it in the solution long enough. How long? Until it's blue.

The question was likely asked because some of Ruger's early single action loading gates came from the factory with a "purple", rather than blue loading gate. It suggests that Ruger themselves were having trouble getting the gates to take blue. This was discussed at length years ago.

dahermit · March 22, 2013, 10:21 AM

Bob Wright: Oh my God Bob!!! You have some beautyful Rugers.

newfrontier45 · March 22, 2013, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Refinish is a mistake.

Nonsense. Have an old Ruger refinished by a reputable shop and it will be worth every dime you put into it.

Americans are really weird about old guns and "patina". The British have long returned their well used guns to the manufacturer for refurbishing. No one thinks twice about refinishing a $10-$100,000 shotgun. Yet we get all bent outta shape about rebluing a $300 Ruger. Makes no sense to me.

If you have an old Ruger and would be better satisfied with it if it were refinished, by all means, go for it. Rugers are great guns and I own a passel of `e but their factory finishes leave much to be desired. Have yours done in a bright polish by a shop like Ford's or Accurate Plating & Weaponry and you'll have a mighty fine sixgun that looks better than anything Ruger ever produced.

March 21, 2013, 08:15 AM	#1
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 961	Ruger reblue? I'm in the market for an old model Ruger single action, the older "four click" variety. Question. If I were to score one in need of a reblue, is it possible to have the job done without the loading gate coming out purple? Also, if I were to completely disassemble the gun and ship only the barrel, frame, cylinder and loading gate to Ruger, would they still reblue it? I wouldn't want them to arbitrarily replace the internals with their "safe" version lockwork.

March 21, 2013, 09:19 AM	#3
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	Call Ford's refinishing ( my understanding, they are the best in the business ) & see if they have had good luck re-blueing the loading gates __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

March 21, 2013, 05:55 PM	#16
Quincunx Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2005 Location: People's Republic of Maryland Posts: 421	+1 on Ford's. Never had a bad experience with them! __________________ A mind without instruction can no more bear fruit than can a field, however fertile, without cultivation. --- Cicero

March 21, 2013, 09:16 AM	#2
GyMac Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 189	Sorry that I can't answer yor questionss, but if I were to have an older Ruger like that reblued, I'd go all-out and have the frame color case-hardened.

March 21, 2013, 10:12 AM	#6
newfrontier45 Junior member Join Date: February 23, 2012 Posts: 921	You can't send it to Ruger like that. Send them a partial gun and they will make it whole at your expense. Send them a complete gun and they will do their transfer bar conversion. I would also suggest using a refinishing specialist like Ford's, Accurate Plating & Weaponry or Turnbull. Turnbull actually has a very reasonable Ruger refinishing service consisting of their famous color case hardening of the frame and gate, as well as the hammer and trigger if you so choose.

March 21, 2013, 10:16 AM	#7
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,989	And another thing......... The grip frame and ejector rod housing are aluminum. I prefer to replace these with steel parts. The grip frame from an Old Army will work, but requires a wide trigger. A New Model can be fitted, and a trigger is available from Dave Clements to adapt the New Model grip frame to an Old Model. Bob Wright

March 21, 2013, 11:04 AM	#9
FoghornLeghorn Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2011 Posts: 961	Bob, is that a 44 mag?

March 21, 2013, 02:14 PM	#13
-Xero- Junior member Join Date: March 14, 2013 Posts: 51	Old guns with the blue worn off is called "patina" -- I have a 1958 vintage Winchester Mod. 94 -- mechanically solid, but silvery grey, w/ some honest nicks/scratches on the furniture. It's GORGEOUS just the way it is. Refinishing most guns brings their value down. If you can find an older Ruger, just leave it the way you find it. Refinish is a mistake.

March 21, 2013, 07:29 PM	#17
GyMac Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2012 Posts: 189	Bob's .357 is exactly the gun I had in mind when I mentioned case-hardening. I'd rather have that gun, or his beautiful Super Blackhawk, than any Colt New Frontier.

March 21, 2013, 07:58 PM	#18
oldgunsmith Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2013 Posts: 278	The gate will blue if you leave it in the solution long enough. How long? Until it's blue.

March 22, 2013, 10:21 AM	#20
dahermit Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2006 Location: South Central Michigan...near Posts: 6,501	Bob Wright: Oh my God Bob!!! You have some beautyful Rugers.