Welding Ruger 4140 top strap

[Ragnar]

Welding experts,

I would like to to hear from folks who have tig welded the top strap of a Ruger Blackhawk revolver. Searching different sites I have found recommendations for filler rods such as Oxweld 32-cms ( now I hear RG-65), and 4130 rod for welding 4140. Advice on fixtures to minimize distortion would be appreciated.

I am fully aware of the liabilities involved.

Thanks,

Ragnar

[SidecarFlip]

In as much as I fiddle with guns a bit, the question begs to ask...How did the topstrap (backstrap) break?

[Ragnar]

It's not a repair. Guys have been welding up the top strap, to turn the gun into a modern " Flat Top Target" model, and adding a very simple adj. sight.

Ragnar

[SidecarFlip]

Why not put a Weigand or a B-Square sight mount on it. The Blackhawk is similar to the S&W medium frame revolver.

I have a 29L .44 mag that I'm setting up for indoor match with handloads (4.5 grains of Unique and 240 grain semi-wad cutters). I don't want to modify the backstrap and destroy th value of the gun so I'm machining a mount that will replace the rear iron sight. The 44 S&W early revolver uses a 2 screw mount.

I'm putting a Weaver rail on it with either an ATN heads up holographic sight or an EOTech.

If I remember correctly, the Blackhawk is the same as the Single Six. I had a .41 years ago,

You are much better with optics, even with no magnification over a peep sight.

[Pin Head]

The hard part will be distortion, not what you weld it with. Minimize the heat. Metal shrinks when you weld it and fixtures won't eliminate this. Mock up the weld on a similar piece of metal and measure the shrinkage. If it is enough to screw up the fit and operation, I would reconsider welding or cut the top strap and lenghten it by the amount of shrinkage before welding.

[SidecarFlip]

Ond thing for sure and that is, once you 'modify' it, It's yours forever. It looses it's value entirely.

Most informed gun buyers (myself included) carefully look over a potential purchase carefully to see what 'modifications' have been done and if the modification can be reversed without devaluing or buggering a piece.

I've seen some really valuable guns devalued by 'modifications'. I just looked at an early Ruger .41 Single Six that the previous owner had buggered the screw heads on. He took a 600 dollar gun to a 50 dollar gun in about 30 seconds.

[vicegrip]

Flip;
As usual I understand your valid point and certainly fully agree in this instance.
Considering the definition of "bugger" in it's language of origination,
consider softening the decree a tad. I once bought a brand new Ruger .357
the pressed metal model. And destroyed it's value (buggered) it the first week.

Skelatelly I have hands that are between medium and large. BUT!
The hide and musculature is so thick I can't get my hand around a grip
on most models, and reach the trigger. SO
This was the perfect selection to modify for my hand.
It's value now is ZIP.
But It fits like a glove.
Sometimes a modification, although puzzeling, even startling,
might have had a valid reason for having been performed.
vg

[SidecarFlip]

Phil...

Grip modification in no way devalues a firearm because grips are generic (to a point). I modify all my grips to fit my shooting style (match target) but I always remove the stock grips and box them before replacing them with grips modified for my particular need.

I have fat, stubby fingers and arthritis so it's important that the grip fits just right. That's also why I always do a trigger job. Stock triggers with the exception of Savage hav a pull that's way beyond accuracy.

Rugers especially have disgusting triggers. I just bought a Ruger .22 Hunter/Target stainleess fluted and put about 300 bucks in the action plus a heads up red dot and custom grips. It's a fine indoor target pistol but in stock trim, it's nothing more than a stainless steel crowbar.

Modifications to a frame, of any consequence, almost always devalue the firearm unless it's artistic engraving or checkring th grips, if wood.

Myself, I always look at any modification with the resale (at some point in time) view.

I'm just about to install a set of Crimson Trace Mil Spec laser grips on a black stainless Sig-Sauer P226, 1911 style .45 semi auto... a customers.

I maybe own 1 gun that I'd keep no matter what and that's my L29 .44 S&W. The rest are for enjoyment and eventual sale. I long for a red dot on the 29, but not at the expense of drilling the topstrap with a third (devaluing) hole to mount a rail. I'm going to machine a full length rail from stainless utilizing a 2 screw mount and remove the oem rear sight and then mount a Leupold pistol red dot. It won't stand magnum loads, but reduced loads for indoor match target is well within the capability of a 2 screw mount.

Guns to me are an investment with guaranteed return. Much better and more stable than the stock market and more affordable than gold plus gold affords no protection from undesireable elements.

[vicegrip]

Understood!
I went beyond grips.

I have two catagories of guns.
One has value redeamable.
The other has funtion as No.1 These are tools.
I do what ever I decide improves funtion.
Cheers
vg

[usmcpop]

...I have two catagories of guns. vg

I have two categories as well. The ones I want and the one that the young one has already glommed off me.

The other night, he did at least bang apart the Browning Hi-Power and put the magazine safety disconnect parts back in the box where they belong.

Sidecar, have you tried a Browning Buckmark .22? I have an older one that was my first .22 pistol. Scary light trigger. Got a Ruger MK II from a friend that needs parts due to wear/neglect and will probably never be the equal.

[Sandy]

Someone elses perception of the value of one of my firearms means nothing to me nor does it's resale value. I sold one firearm when I was about 13 and it still haunts me to this day. They all perform some function other than look pretty and hold a $ value in somebody elses mind.

As said they are tools that were purchased because they feel and perform as I want them to feel and perform or they get modified is some fashion or other. I don't have a need for wall hangers.

[aametalmaster]

I know i would use a mig on it but that would be my first choice since you are just filling a groove. But wire choice would be ER80S-D2 but not sure of the bluing match...Bob