Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Includes all Pre-1973 Old model Single-Sixes, Blackhawks,
Super Blackhawks, Bearcats, Super Bearcats, Hawkeye
and Black Powder Old Army.
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tt66
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:40 pm

Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by tt66 »

I have always been fascinated with the work of Hamilton Bowen and when I had the oppurtunity for this, I jumped as quick as I could.

It started as a 1967 model 357 Blackhawk. I am a 1967 model as well so that was a plus. Bowen changed the cylinder and barrel to .41 Rem Magnum, my favorite caliber. The cylinder has the black powder chamfer and wears the Bowen crest. A standard Ruger .41 barrel and ejector housing were shortened to 4". A new front sight with interchangeable blades was added as well as a Bowen rear sight. It has a Bowen locking base pin. The XR3 RED grip frame was modified with a hidden lanyard pin and the grips are a beautiful pair of walnut crafted by Roy Fishpaw. The grips are marked, dated and serial numbered to the revolver.

To me the most striking feature is the scalloped recoil shield and loading gate. Between that and the 4" barrel, it is a real joy to carry and not to bad to shoot. One of the finer finishing touches is the way he removed the .357 Mag lettering on the frame and replaced it with the correct .41 Magnum designation. It has been shot and has some cylinder rash from riding in a chest holster. To me the cylinder rash is wonderful, now I can carry it as it should be and not worry if it gets another mark or two.

Thank you for letting me share my Perfect Packing Pistol !!
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O M CRAZY
Posts: 836
Joined: Fri May 23, 2014 7:25 am

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by O M CRAZY »

WOW that's quite a package. It looks great. Is it hard to handle with the powerful 41mag.? I find the standard 4 & 5/8" Blackhawk to be a handful.
O M CRAZY
67stingray
Posts: 824
Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2018 7:35 pm
Location: Iron City, TN

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by 67stingray »

That is really a work of art, thanks for sharing. I'm with O M Crazy there I imagine it's more fun to look at than squeeze the trigger on.
Bennett
Last edited by 67stingray on Wed Apr 28, 2021 7:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Any day without learning is a day of backing up.
flattop44
Posts: 2351
Joined: Tue May 06, 2014 2:31 pm
Location: Alabama

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by flattop44 »

Bowen is truly a Master, that is one fine Ruger you have. Thanks for letting us see it.
Bill
RocDoc
Posts: 653
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 4:19 pm
Location: E Idaho, N Texas

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by RocDoc »

Can you explain the 'hidden lanyard pin'?
tt66
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2021 1:40 pm

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by tt66 »

My regular hand load is 7.5g of Unique with a 210 LSW, so recoil is not that bad. Although I wouldn't want to shoot it at the bench all day

As far as the pin, it is pretty neat.
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Tenpoint
Posts: 46
Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2016 7:25 pm
Location: Gainesville, Virginia

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by Tenpoint »

Love it!
Bowen is a Master...
Lanyard pin is a very handy touch. Might do that myself on next project.
Thanks for sharing pics!
Tenpoint
RocDoc
Posts: 653
Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2014 4:19 pm
Location: E Idaho, N Texas

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by RocDoc »

Very clever idea, thought the rolled-up lanyard was a bore snake in the pic. Thanks for explaining.
AZ Gunrunner
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:22 pm

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by AZ Gunrunner »

Man o man that is beautiful. I love the. 41 mag and load similar to you. Thank you fur sharing. Stay safe.
1911shiner
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:20 pm

Re: Bowen Perfect Packing Pistol

Post by 1911shiner »

Very nice!
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