Fire Lapping? Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt

A look at my understanding about fire lapping, to help remedy leading and thread choke in my 45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk.
#brownells #sixguns #45colt #fire #lapping #accuracy #leading

[@alexgman1988]

This is real gunsmithing. Not just slapping the new thing in a glomk. Great stuff buddy!

[@j_c_hunt]

Appreciate the kind words my man!

[@ChristianGrest]

Really interesting...didn't even know this was a thing. Kinda makes me wonder about my revolvers since I shoot a decent amount of lead through them. Seems like this process made a difference for your revolver. Always learning something new. Hope you're having a great week brother! Thanks as always for the video!

[@j_c_hunt]

Do they lead bad?

[@ChristianGrest]

@@j_c_hunt honestly haven’t paid a ton of attention to it. The main one I shoot a ton of lead through is my old pre model 15. Now since I started reloading .44 Special, I have coated lead bullets so I’ll have to pay attention to that on my .44 stuff

[@j_c_hunt]

@ChristianGrest powder coated bullets shouldn’t lead at all is the theory.

[@ChristianGrest]

@@j_c_hunt so my 44s should be good then. I run lead cast 158gr SWC through my .38 religiously. Steady diet of those for many years now

[@j_c_hunt]

@ChristianGrest be worth checking it, and at least getting a Lewis lead remover if you shoot a lot of cast thru it

[@Tom-ki3lq]

I have fire lapped a couple revolvers and several lever actions(Marlins) it has not always improved the accuracy but it has never made it worse. MODERATION is the key more is not necessarily better in this case. Great video thanks for sharing

[@j_c_hunt]

I didn’t want to take this too far either. Appreciate the kind words, and thanks for watching!

[@brucej1000]

Thank you Sir, your posts are very good, please keep it up. I’m a big 45 Colt fan in Ruger Bisley Blackhawk and lever action rifles.

[@mattnewcomb4147]

The main thing with the rugers is that you have to open the throats to .4525 before you try to fire lap. Fire lapping works great! I have a 1911 that has two shiny rings in the barrel at the two constrictions. The whole barrel has light chatter marks from boring and rifling except the two tight spots at the throat and the front of the barrel hood are now mirror polished and really stick out when you look down the barrel. I fire lap all of my lead bullet guns. If the dimensions are good they get only 5 or 10 rounds. If there is a constriction at the frame or under dovetail cuts I have fire lapped up to about 30 rounds. The cleanup difference is amazing. Even if you have a load that doesn't really lead, maybe just a little streak here or there on a rough corner in the barrel, then after as little as 5 fire lapping shots those areas clean up with a tight dry patch. On a factory finished barrel you might need some copper chore boy to cut the minor leading off of the tool marked barrel, but after a few fire lapping shots it just pops right off with a dry patch. If you really lead up a fire lapped barrel, the chore boy will clean it out in a 10 seconds vs 5 minutes on a factory finished, chattered barrel. If you have a barrel that gets copper fouling a few fire lapping shots dramatically reduces the fouling. The smoother surface cleans up much faster. My 30-06 that only shoots jacketed bullets has been fire lapped a few rounds and now one single copper solvent patch cleans up 80 rounds worth of fouling. Before it would take 4 patches plus lots of scrubbing with a bronze brush.

[@j_c_hunt]

I’ve already had the throats opened up to .4525. So this was the next step! Appreciate the info and comment!

[@robertredden4429]

Usually when you fire lap a revolver it will cut the thread choke out with less material removed at the muzzle leaving a slightly choked bore which is really good for lead bullet accuracy

[@MojoMedicineMan]

Impressive 👍

[@j_c_hunt]

Much obliged!

[@mattnewcomb4147]

My 45 Convertible blackhawk went from 3.5" groups at 25 with the Colt cylinder to ANY load shooting 1.5" or less at 25 with several loads that shoot 3/4" at 25. This Blackhawk needed about 24 fire lapping rounds (12 BHN, 320 grit, 600 fps) to get rid of the constriction. The ACP cylinder went from 5" at 25 yards (.4505 throats!, 4515 bore with constriction in frame) down to any load shoots under 2". To be honest, I have not tried any .451 jacketed bullets since getting this cylinder opened up and all my accuracy data is with lead bullets. The worst shooting 2" loads are soft 255 HPs that probably are trying to engrave at the forcing cone at 700 fps after the huge free bore. Any harder lead and 1.5" is really common with the ACP cylinder. I haven't seen anything repeatable under 1" with the ACP cylinder, only the Colt cylinder.

[@j_c_hunt]

Good stuff man! I’m glad to hear of others having improved results. I haven’t shot many jacketed bullets either since having my throats opened up. I’ve pretty well been a cast shooter since then. Appreciate the comment!

[@daleweller5193]

Very interesting.

[@ikocher]

I’ve seen this idea posed for removing rust from a barrel. No idea if that’s a good idea though

[@j_c_hunt]

I’ve seen it too for that, and it might help accuracy in one with rust, but idk if it can help rust that is pitted bad.

[@carycary5824]

Hey J C, if I’m not shooting any gas checked bullets do I need to worry about reaming the throat of the cylinder for accuracy?? I’m not shooting great groups with either lead bullets or jacketed. Any help is appreciated brother!!

[@j_c_hunt]

Yes I’d have it checked. The smaller throats to bore diameter, will still squeeze down jacketed bullets. So if the throats are smaller than the barrels bore, it’ll be “loose” down the bore. Thats my understanding on it.

[@CreasyEQ]

My question is this. Cleaning the excess power burn's from the cylinder rings. With a blued firearm what is the best solvent, to clean it 🤔

[@j_c_hunt]

Cleaning after each string of firing? If that’s what you’re asking, it’s to remove any lapping compound that might be left anywhere after firing.

[@CreasyEQ]

@@j_c_hunt Thank you for reaching back on this subject. It was said cleaning a stainless or matte finished. It's fine to use birch wood clothes to clean the excess power from the cylinder rings. But on a blued stainless Steele. The same technique might tarnish the color in the process❓

[@mattnewcomb4147]

Pure copper pot scrubbing pads like Chore Boy will scrub the fouling off of a blued gun without scratching the bluing. Make sure to bring a magnet in your pocket at the store to test for copper plated steel, which you do not want. Pure copper only.

[@j_c_hunt]

@mattnewcomb4147 good tip. Your comment also reminded me, Brownells used to sell brass wool. I haven’t looked lately, but they(or others) may still sell it. Montana Bullet works has a writing about using it with a patch rod, and it working similar to the Lewis Lead remover for cleaning leading from barrels.

[@CreasyEQ]

@@j_c_hunt Thank you buddy 🤝

[@glennboman4509]

The video would be much more watchable if it wasn’t in your shade!

[@j_c_hunt]

I apologize. Normally I’ve found when I film in the bright sunshine it washes out the film quality. I’ll try to find a better balance of lighting going forward. Thanks for the suggestion.