While I sort of sit on the sidelines waiting for some of the S&W price insanity to subside, I have looked at other types of guns that previously really had little appeal to me. Single action revolvers is one of those that has peaked my interest. The quality of the Old Model Blackhawks is excellent and while the style and grip feel certainly isnt for everyone, I do find a weird throwback attraction to them. Here's a few of my favorites so far: 3 screw .357 (1972), Flat Top .44 (1958), 3 screw .45 Colt Brassy (1971). Anyone else broadening their horizons as of late?

ALL..my single actions are Ruger......ALL my double actions are S&W.....enough said. Have owned and used both for a long long time.

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S&W Accumulator

Hey flundertakeR, Nice collection of old Blackhawks you have there.

I've always loved the Ruger SA's. Have had my old 7.5" Super Blackhawk since 79 and put thousands of round through it over the years, mostly full power loads until I broke down and started reloading for it last year. Taken a few whitetail and expended countless roundS plinking/punching paper with it. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Ruger SA line. My SBH is ridiculously accurate, has a sweet trigger pull and digests hot loads with ease. Currently in the market for a 4.6" version as well as a 4.6" inch Blackhawk in 45 colt.

Be well.

Colt single action derivatives are fun and desireable in their own right.

They will work in sd situations in good circumstances.

However, they aren't a first choice for SD.

The problem isn't accuracy or power: it is speed.

Even that wouldn't be an issue if we all hit well with the first shot and if all that might be important is the first shot.

Unfortunately , few if us can be confident in the first shot: even if it's the most important.

I gave up on them 45 years ago for any serious purpose.

They are fun and nostalgic in any event.

all I have currently is this little guy

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

I have five Ruger SAs, two Single Sixs and a Super Blackhawk that are
old models and a Bisley and Vaquero that are .44 mag new models.
I actually have seven if I count my two Old Armys. I prefer the old
three screw actions but there are many variations of the new models
that are attractive that just were not available as old models. A 4 5/8"
stainless Super with the unfluted cyl and round trigger guard may
find it's way to my house some day.

Ruger single actions and there double actions are good solid quality guns.
For strength tiger is number one. For looks, for value, for centuries of history behind the name s&w is it too. Great for factory loads.

I prefer my Rugers to have a big paragraph of warnings stamped into them.

I'm kidding, of course. Those are great looking revolvers. I learned to shoot with my dad's 3 screw .41 Magnum as a kid in Alaska. He liked to let me shoot it in front of his friends, because I could shoot it better than any of they could!

One I had that went to a very good friend

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

I love my Ruger single actions! Here is my Vaquero 44 Magnum with 7-1/2" barrel.
Probably the strongest built handguns from the factory that don't require a 2nd mortgage, LOL.

I have Ruger single-actions in 44 Mag and 45 Colt / 45 ACP. I don't get along very well with the classic plowhandle grip. Not that I want to sell them, but they don't really float my boat.

Having loved the 44 Special since I bought my first Model 24, a Blackhawk Bisley caught my eye at Cabela's a few months ago. The grip felt great and the 4 5/8" barrel seemed right - and, it's in 44 Special. I well understand "you snooze, you lose" so I did not go take a nap. I didn't even lay the gun down until after I said "I'll take it."

It shoots well and fits me well. It's build quality is much better than my older new models. Later, I learned it was one of Lipsey's special runs. Sure glad I didn't snooze.

I've owned ten Ruger single action revolvers over the years. All were very well made, accurate and supremely reliable guns.
My current stable includes a 10.5 inch Single-Six 22LR/22 MAG, an old three screw 5.5 inch Single-Six (unconverted)22LR/22 MAG, 4.75 inch Blackhawk Convertible 45 ACP/45 Colt and my favorite a 5.5 inch Blackhawk Flat-top .44 Special from the first run of 2002. I love the 44 on the smaller .357 Mag frame. The newest of my Ruger revolvers, it also has the best fit and finish!

The three screw Single-Six

The 10.5 inch Single-Six wearing a wonderful old set of Herrett's Shooting Master grips!

4.75 inch New Model Blackhawk Convertible 45 ACP/45 Colt also wearing Herrett's Shooting Master grips.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

Gentlemen

Thank you for sharing your personal Rugers. There's nothing better than a little single action fun.


Hopefully a new Single Seven will soon join my accumulation.

After I read about the release of the new model I got on the list for one when they arrive at the LGS.

Now the Single six will have company in the safe.



BLM

Nice Rugers you have there sir.
I'm done buying the over priced stuff for awhile also.
Maybe the market will come back someday maybe not.
Until then i can buy guns like these for half the price
and have just as much shooting fun.
I've got a number of Rugers and they shoot well and
are built like a tank.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

Who you kidding Chuck ?
I've seen your rummage sale pickups

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Paul,
Wishful thinking i guess.
Just bought a 2nd Gen. Colt SAA in .45Colt, Nickel
I'm tapped out for awhile.

Chuck

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They hold no Quarter

I have some new models but only two old models, a 3 screw .41 mag and .22 mag. I prefer the actions on the old models but they are getting harder to find at least here. I did buy a new model Bisley .41 mag that I like quite a bit. I think I prefer that grip now and if not for the cost would convert some of my standard grips to it.
Some nice looking Rugers pictured here but unfortunately I can't do pictures, might try and remedy that too.

I was reading that my .22 mag only old model was made for only a few years. I suppose the convertible single six put them out of production. Anyone know if they have any special value? Mine is in pretty good shape but has some holster wear.

While I agree that Ruger makes a great single action I love my Taylors Uberti Cattleman in .357.

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My 1st Handgun was a Ruger New Model Blackhawk .357 in 1978 (Still Have It) Also Have Flat Gate Single 6,New Model Single 6 Convertible,Old Model Bearcat & a Early 60's Flattop Blackhawk .44 Magnum

Love Single action Rugers as well as others. Wouldn't want to run into cowboy shooters if I was a bad guy!

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

I like my Rugers.




The .22mag actually has the best trigger, but none of them are bad.

my one and only new model 44

I used to own a single six and regret getting rid of it along with the SA 357. I'm currently looking at a beautiful little Bearcat and after looking at this thread I'll be buying it tomorrow for sure.

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I reckon so

Those are beautiful! I have old and new models but Prefer the old ones.
I have many brands in my safe, but mostly
S&W DAs and single actions. My Smith collection is rivaled
only by my Rugers at about 24 and only their single actions.

My favorite small bores:
.22 Super Single Six before


And after with all steel parts


Single Six I converted to .327 Fed Mag



.256 Winchester Hawkeye, Ruger Blackpowder steel grip frame


Favorite Big Bores:
45 Colt, 5 1/2" original Vaquero, SBH Hunter grip frame


Old model flat top 357 I converted to 44 Spl


New Vaquero Sheriffs in 44 Spl

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I have 3 stainless Blackhawks. 357, 44, 45. And a Bisley vaguero In 44 and a standard vaquero in 45.

Hondo, where did you find an ejector rod that long? Or did you fab it?

Longest Ruger rod I've seen is 4 5/8", like is on that converted Flat-top.

With a 5 1/2" barrel, you would have 3/4" of barrel sticking out, like on this pair of Bisley Blackhawks I had converted to OM actions.



So that 5 1/2" Vaquero with the full-length ejector rod - wow. Different.

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I always take precautions

I've quite a few (too many to post pics, so I'll just list them). My first pistol was a Single Six Convertible bought as my grad present in 1968.

My current ones are:

454 Casull, custom SBH by Gary Reeder, 5.5 barrel
OM BH 357, 4.75 barrel
OM 357 BH, 6.5 barrel
OM 41 mag BH, 4.75
OM 45 Colt BH Convertible, 4.75
OM 44 Mag, SBH 7.5
OM 44 Mag Blackhawk (flattop), 6.5
OM 22 LR Single six, 5.5
OM 30 carbine BH, 7.5
NM 44 Spl BH (Lipsey)
NM 41 Mag BH 4.75
NM 22 Super Single Six, 5.5 (2 of those)
OM 45 Colt Vaquero, 3.5
OM 45 Colt Vaquero 5.5
NM 357 Vaquero (2 of them)

Most have custom grips, etc. All get shot (can you tell I'm a Ruger fan?)

Oh, I also have some Colts and S & Ws in the safe.

I've posted pics of most of these elsewhere but pics upon request.

I like Blackhawks, they are a nice change from DA S&Ws when you can't find anymore models in .41 Magnum.

I have a 6 1/2" Super Single Six and this Super Blackhawk Hunter.......



And some others



KO

I picked up a Single-Six Hunter with a 7.5” barrel and gold dot front sight a few years ago. These are a little harder to find but if you ever come across one, it’s worth taking a closer look. It’s the convertible with both 22 Mag and 22 LR cylinders. Has since become my favorite rabbit gun.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

I have some. I particularly like the old models; I've modified the few new models I have to operate for loading just like the old ones, from half-cock with reverse indexing.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I like Old Model Ruger single-actions. I guess I'm old fashioned. Or set in my ways. Or whatever you want to call it. I've never fired any Ruger single-actions that weren't the old three-screw model. Never even held a "New Model" in my hand.

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While I only have a few the Ruger SA revolvers are alot of "Bang" for the buck.
Started with this SS .357 Blackhawk


Which got traded for a 1972 Single six convertible


which needed a companion from the 50's


And finally stumbled into this pair of .357 Birdshead Vaqueros

Oh yeah... the Blackhawks are right along side with my S&W's as my favorite. They lend themselves so well to customizing.

Unconverted (non transfer bar safety as they should be) Old Model 3-screw Blackhawk .357/9mm Convertable: Grip frame... I switched the alloy one with a "in the white" steel grip frame for a Ruger Old Army that I bought from Brownell's.

After fitting and polishing it to the frame I blued it with Brownells Oxpho Blue using the same "boiling water" technique as rust bluing and it
has proven to be very durable for a cold bluing chemical.



The Bisley trigger and hammer are from Clements Customs, grips are Esmerelda. Steel ejector rod housing and a steel Colt "bullseye" style ejector from Brownells.



Next is a New Model Blackhawk .41 Magnum. Swapped the alloy grip frame with a stainless steel grip frame I fitted and polished
out. Ruger Bisley hammer altered to fit in a regular style grip frame, steel ejector rod housing and colt style ejector rod from Brownells,
the grips are figured Claro Walnut made by.... me!

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I traded a much used Python- even- for these little jewels at a recent gun show. They are still unfired ,but if I don't sell them soon that might change.

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Only three, all old models. A Blackhawk, bought through the mail from Parker Distributors (remember them), a Super Single-Six, and my wife's favorite, a Bearcat I bought her for Valentine's Day in '67 or '68. Wish everything I ever bought appreciated like the Bearcat! I believe it was $37.50 plus tax.

Alpo,

Good catch, thanks for noticing. The long, 5" ER, spring and housing is a standard Ruger part supplied on the .357 Maximums and 10" 44 Mag SBHs. Comes in blue and stainless and available from Brownells or Ruger.

For a 5 1/2" barrel it needs shortening of ~ 1/4". And of course a new housing screw hole drilled and tapped closer to the muzzle. When I install them I use a barrel stud instead of threaded directly into the barrel. It's not necessary but I like the extra strength for Ruger only loads.

They work so good to push those long 44 Mag and 45 Colt cases clear out of the chambers. And you can remove the large frame cyl base pin from the gun w/o taking off the housing. I also like the look when the muzzle and ERH are even like the short housings on the 4 5/8" barrels.

And better proportion with the long SBH Hunter grip frame:

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Survival kit


thewelsmn

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Gunhacker,

Very nice, I also like the Bisley parts with standard grip frame and Colt ejector rod/buttons:




Another "massaged" Old Model shorty Kit Gun:

To get a full ejection stroke and to remove pin and cyl with housing in place:

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Jim
S&WCA #819

I'm considering a 4 5/8" Blackhawk 45C/45ACP convertible but was wondering how the accuracy is and how much difference there is between the two calibers? I don't have anything in 45 Colt so would be doing all my shooting with the 45 ACP cylinder.

Same question would apply to the .357/9mm convertible which is another one I've been considering. TIA

Like most I am partial to the unconverted 3 screw models but I do have one of the Lipsey's FlatTop Bisley .44 Specials that I think is the best gun Ruger has built in years. Here's a couple of oldies

Years ago, I used to keep a range bag with a K22, a Ruger Single Six, a Ruger Standard 22 Auto and a 1911 with 22 conversion. I had two purposes in mind. The first was just a fun day at the range with 22s. The second, which ended up being more often the case, was to introduce new shooters to different action styles with 22 ammo. A new shooter could see the difference in the different types of action, from SA/DA and SA revolver, to 22 Auto and the 1911, but with 22 ammo. As the Glock got more popular, I replaced the 1911 with 22 conversion with a Glock with 22 conversion. Again, the purpose was to let a new shooter try different things without the noise, blast and recoil of centerfire ammo. Unfortunately, that range bag is no more as of a couple years ago when 22 ammo went missing from the shelves.

The point is, however, that sometimes, when what you want is not available, it is a good time to branch out to something else. And, shooting new things is fun.

Ditto that. Love my 3-screw Rugers, especially the .44s

Two Old Model Ruger .45s.

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I traded an OM Vaquero on a S&W Model 15. The Vaquero had become a safe queen and, with a couple of exceptions (my dad's Webley), if I can't shoot it, I don't feel a need to hang onto it.

Which reminds me: Next 3-gun match, I need to drag out my M1903.