FIL's Super Blackhawk

[oink]

We inherited a stainless Super Blackhawk from my FIL who passed about 10 years ago. It's just been sitting in the closet so I figured it should be shot at least once. We took it to the range and tried out some ammo I made awhile back, Zero 240gr JFP on top of 24gr H110. It had the expected recoil but what surprised me was the pounding it gave my middle finger middle knuckle with the rear of the trigger guard. The gun is all stock. I'm not real experienced with the single actions (I have three now, a 22/22mag and 9mm/.357) but I don't know how I can hold that thing so it would quit pounding the brown out of my middle knuckle???

It was a pretty nice outdoor range in Okeechobee. One I'd never been to, the Okeechobee Shooting Sports Range. Pretty reasonable as long as you didn't need ammo. The aggravation was they wouldn't let me shoot the Blackhawk on the 100/200 yard range and I wanted to zero it at 100 yards or at least see what the drop would be. I think they said no handguns without a brace or optic. I'm not sure now if it was "or" optic or "and" optic but it didn't matter as it had neither. I've no doubt I can get it on paper on a B-27 size target. I was limited to 50 yards. In reality my eyes aren't real good at 100 yards with iron sights anymore anyhow.

Oh well! I guess that was sort of a rant or maybe just a whine.

I'm unsure if this is a lounge topic or as it references a Ruger it gets banished to the "Other guns and knives" sub-forum. Whatever!

[6518John]

I think this would go in Firearms and Knives—Other Brands.

But what I get you in trouble for is NO Pictures of the gun or range trip! That one sounds like a beauty.

I know they are hedious, but they will tame those big handguns of any brand:

Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter Rubber Monogrip Black - Soft OverMolded Rubber - Super Blackhawk Long Barrel and Super Blackhawk Hunter - Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Single Six and Vaquero - Ruger Grips - Handgun Grips - Hogue Products

[Rudi]

A buddy had one of those years ago. I had the same problem with it. Just no fun to shoot. He ended up getting rid of it.

[oink]

Originally Posted by 6518John

...But what I get you in trouble for is NO Pictures of the gun or range trip!...

Sorry, I didn't take any pics. I can take and post one of the gun but it just looks like a 7.5"? stainless Super Blackhawk:
Google has good pics of the range: Okeechobee Shooting Sports Range - Google Search

Originally Posted by 6518John

I know they are hideous, but they will tame those big handguns of any brand...

Yep, those are ugly but they look like they would work. They would keep the middle finger below the trigger guard. Might make for more muzzle flip as the gun would be held higher in the hand.

[VictorLouis]

Those Hogues are the cheap fix.
The pricey fix is to buy a spare grip-frame
that does not have the sharp, squared guard.
Whole gun should roll-back nicely in your hand,
and arguably be the most pleasant magnum
you will ever shoot.

[oink]

You can get a grip frame without the square back trigger guard?

[gwpercle]

There are ways to get around the knuckle busting SBH frame so don't give up on it just yet .
The first thing to try are new grips ... black rubber doesn't look fancy but go a long way to improve the shooting experience .
Hogue and Pachmayer both make oversized grips that fill in the spot that raps the knuckle ... they look ..."ugly" but work "beautifully" !
If you like the feel , similar profiled custom wood grips can be purchased . A company called Herrett's can make a custom set from a tracing of your hand ... those are top shelf !
Gary

[hittman77]

The knuckle bite with the Super’s is common.

Many say to adjust your grip higher and/or tighter, or try those super ugly rubber grips or even change the grip frame.

Mine don’t get shot very often and when they do it’s not 100 rounds so, I live with it. Sometimes put a band-aid on that finger or wear a glove.

Good luck playing with what works for you. And congrats on having that family heirloom.

[Fishinfool]

I am one of those rare guys who don't get bit by that squared off trigger guard on the SBH, and like the longer length compared to the standard XR-3 type grip frame. I even took a 4 3/4 inch SBH with the round trigger grip frame and converted it to a square back. Ruger sells both types grip frames separately for aftermarket installation, along with the Bisley style. They are not a simple bolt on though, they require fitting with a file and sand paper.

Rubber grips also work very well, and several makers, including Hogue, make over size wood grips that fill behind the trigger guard like the rubbers do, and also work well and look better. You will get muzzle flip whatever grips you use - nature of the beast with a SA grip frame.

Attached a picture showing the three main types of Ruger grip frames, along with a round trigger SBH with Hogue's for comparison. Most people find the Bisley type to be the most comfortable for dealing with heavy recoil.

Larry

[oink]

Well I called Ruger. By the way their SN look-up tool indicates it's a 1983 manufacture. Well, the nice lady at customer service said a Bisley grip frame would work but likely requires some professional smithing. However, I'd also need to replace the hammer, trigger and stocks. I'd be into it for about $250 assuming I could bubba smith it. She couldn't advise just how much smith work was required.

I see fleabay has some "oversize" wood grips that look like they would fill the gap behind the trigger guard that are fairly cheap. Unfortunately they also look like they would still be ugly.

If I adjust my grip higher the web of my hand starts to interfere with the cocked hammer.

It's a shame I'm having this issue. However I did have a similar issue with my 629 trail boss and my 69, both of which were resolved with Hogue Bantam grips that are actually smaller than stock but bring the middle finger down a tad. Oddly I never had the issue with my 629-1 6".

I don't even find the recoil to be an issue with the Ruger except for that middle finger knuckle. Otherwise the barrel and weight tame it quite well and I don't get any palm sting like with the 69 when it's wearing the Bantams. Actually with the 69 I think it's more the checkering on the grips that are getting me. I guess I should have gone for the uncheckered ones on that little gun.

[Fishinfool]

Oink - I have a couple pairs of the oversized wood grips. They are bigger than needed, but do fill the critical role of providing a spacer behind the trigger guard. They can be sanded down, and re-contoured to better fit your hand and too look better.

The factory replacement grip frames are a fairly rough casting, and will need to be fit to the gun with some file work and polishing. The good news is that being stainless, there is no blueing to worry about damaging.

Larry

[crazyphil]

Don't know if this will help you, but if we don't try we know it won't.
I have a Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum. Left view
show on left below. Right view 2nd from left.

I shoot Federal 300-Gr. Flat Points out of it because that's what I carry
fir brown bear medicine.

3rd from left is left view of how I grip the gun. 4th from left is a view
from the right.

5th from left is one of it's favorite holsters. A carved model 3100 by
Hunter. The blade is Solingen and I made the grip out of a pick handle.

I have had zero problems such as you describe, so I hope this helps a bit.

Will be back shortly with photos.

[dave1918a2]

My SBH wears factory grips till I plan a lot of shooting, then it wears Pachmayrs.

[k22fan]

I'm not sure why but the dragoon or square guard on 7.5" Super Blackhawks has never bit me. I have not fired bullets heaver than 265 grains in them. If I had the problem my first choice would be replacing the dragoon grip frame with a Hunter grip frame. The Hunter grip frame is identical to the dragoon except the back of its guard is rounded. As a bonus the rounded guard is better looking. Bisley grip frames do not solve the problem for everyone because they have less room between the back of the trigger guard and front strap. I suggest firing a Bisley before buying one. Swapping to a Hunter grip frame will not require replacing any other parts making them less expensive. I put a Hunter grip frame on a stainless .357 Blackhawk just to get room on the front strap for my little finger. New grip frames are proud on all cylinder frames so metal can be removed to make them flush with the cylinder frame. Swapping to a used grip frame usually requires sanding or filing the grip frame and cylinder frame together the get them flush. Also with different models and vintages there are differences in the height of the horns at the top of grip frames. Members Hittman77 and Hondo44 know more about this stuff than I do. If Hittman77 is feeling generous he could post a picture of the 7 1/2" stainless Blackhawk .45 Colt that he put a Hunter grip frame on for me to drool over. A less important excuse would be to show the O.P. a Hunter grip frame.

[Beauetienne]

Hold it with your small finger under the grip.
Mine has the round guard (Bisley) , so no problem, but I've often read of the small finger placement.
Not sure how heavy loads will be handled like this

[k22fan]

Curing my little finger under the shorter standard Blackhawk XR3RED grip fame retarded the revolver rolling in my hand some what with standard .45 Colts loads but I think that method would be futile with standard .44 Magnum loads. That's a cowboy action technique for rapid fire with powder puff loads. I let Super Blackhawks roll as they please. That's what makes them comfortable for me.

[Capt. F.]

Powercustom.com makes a 2 piece Colt style grip frame for Rugers. That would get rid of the square trigger guard and might
solve the problem.

[vonn]

I don’t have large hands so never had a problem but I shoot mine mine with a firm grip but let it ride up upon firing instead of fighting the recoil. The method has allowed me to take multiple hogs at once when jumping a group of hogs
while walk hunting.