Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertible

[Belgian686]

I have since a few years a Ruger BH, blued version, convertible model with both the .357 and 9mm cylinders from 1976 (33-3xxxx serial number). I had the opportunity to buy a second one, stainless steel this week for a real bargain price. It is also from 1976 (33-1xxxx serial), which I will unfortunately only get in a few months due to the paperwork involved. Both are 'New Models'.

Is there any chance that the convertible 9mm cylinder fits (as a drop-in) to the second gun ? What should I watch for if it 'seems' to fit ?

Thanks and all the best from Belgium - B686

[Muley Gil]

Originally Posted by Belgian686

I have since a few years a Ruger BH, blued version, convertible model with both the .357 and 9mm cylinders from 1976 (33-3xxxx serial number). I had the opportunity to buy a second one, stainless steel this week for a real bargain price. It is also from 1976 (33-1xxxx serial), which I will unfortunately only get in a few months due to the paperwork involved. Both are 'New Models'.

Is there any chance that the convertible 9mm cylinder fits (as a drop-in) to the second gun ? What should I watch for if it 'seems' to fit ?

Thanks and all the best from Belgium - B686

Sometimes they will just drop-in & fit.

[JMD999]

Originally Posted by Belgian686

I have since a few years a Ruger BH, blued version, convertible model with both the .357 and 9mm cylinders from 1976 (33-3xxxx serial number). I had the opportunity to buy a second one, stainless steel this week for a real bargain price. It is also from 1976 (33-1xxxx serial), which I will unfortunately only get in a few months due to the paperwork involved. Both are 'New Models'.

Is there any chance that the convertible 9mm cylinder fits (as a drop-in) to the second gun ? What should I watch for if it 'seems' to fit ?

Thanks and all the best from Belgium - B686

i have a "New Model" BH 357 from the 70's (not sold as a convertible), i bought a stainless 9mm BH cylinder on ebay a few years back, it fit and timed fine (used gauge rod down bbl thru all chambers), the problem i have is the OAL of some 9mm cases wont allow them to be loaded. I think the chamber depth on 2 or 3 chambers needs to be reamed a few thousandths deeper (i'm hesitant about the easy fix -shortening the cylinder by a few thou.) to allow normal function with all sammi spec OAL brass. I dont know if the convertible models had any different tolerances cylinder/frame.
I'll also be interested in other comments. You got me rambling...

[pasound]

A stainless dual-cylinder Blackhawk from 1976? I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Even if the cylinders don't switch, that is a great find.

[mtgianni]

I bought a 9 mm cylinder to put in a non convertible Blackhawk. I needed to shorten it to fit and balance both front and rear clearances. I didn't want to file on the barrel nor remove it to shorten it. I ended up with a good shooter and 0.004" cylinder gap.

Just based on my one experience they may be fitted to the gun. In either case they are fun shooters.

[Sistema1927]

I bought a 9mm/.357 Ruger Blackhawk on the 21st birthday in 1977. I ran some 9mm through it, but accuracy was terrible and the .357 cylinder remained in it until I traded it off some years later.

While is seems, on the surface, to be a good idea, the execution leaves something to be desired.

[Belgian686]

Just in case my first post in not 100% clear : the blued RBH is a convertible, while the stainless one I just bought is .357 only. Here in Europe we unfortunately have only blued convertibles . That's why I wanted to 'fix' this, as the blued one has an alloy frame I do not like so much and it's quite scratched and has a few dings (except for the both cylinders). Stainless is so much easier to keep clean. Besides that, the 9mm and .38/.357 precision out of the blued one is on pair - I am very satisfied about that. I reload both calibers. Further they both have 4 5/8 barrels, which I find esthetically very nice .

Thanks a lot for the positive feedback, as I wouldn't have been tempted to buy a cylinder only (fearing it would not fit at all). Having both guns, I know the 9mm will at least fit the blued version and worst case scenario the blued one would end up as the 9mm only. Sorry about the bad picture - that's all I have.

[Belgian686]

Originally Posted by pasound

A stainless dual-cylinder Blackhawk from 1976? I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Even if the cylinders don't switch, that is a great find.

If you consider I got it for about 300 $ - don't tell or I will be kicked out of here

[Belgian686]

This is the blued one :

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I have this Ruger New Model Blackhawk 10mm/.40 convertible. I put aftermarket stocks on it as the factory stocks fit horribly...


Also this Colt New Frontier .44-40/.44 Special convertible...

[JMD999]

Originally Posted by mtgianni

I bought a 9 mm cylinder to put in a non convertible Blackhawk. I needed to shorten it to fit and balance both front and rear clearances. I didn't want to file on the barrel nor remove it to shorten it. I ended up with a good shooter and 0.004" cylinder gap.

Just based on my one experience they may be fitted to the gun. In either case they are fun shooters.

Thanks for your post, i will take some new measurements (BCG) with 9mm cylinder and see if i have the room to get a nice fit like you. (its been years since i shelved that project). Did you only need to remove from the front of cyl.? did you need to machine "lathe turn" the back of the cyl. as well? (i know we are only talking .005 to .008")
Thanks, Mike

[mtgianni]

No, I only removed materiel from the front.

As a suggestion, establish a base line with the stainless 357 before you start any modifications. You want to make sure that it shoots well enough to follow through.

[bananaman]

Love the convertible idea! Have a New Model Blackhawk in 45ACP/45Colt. works great for me! No moon clips for ACP a +. Bob