Ruger Single Action .44 Magnum - what's the point?

BarbC · Jul 13, 2009

Yesterday, we met up with some friends at the range. The son of our friend brought with him his S&W 500 with an 8" barrel and his Ruger single action stainless .44 mag with a 6" barrel.

The son shot the S&W a few times until his hands could stand no more, and then offered it to me to try. No thanks. I was busy shooting my own stuff and didn't want to mess with that thing and ruin my day.

But later, I shot the Ruger. 3 times. It was a pain to load those bullets into the little porthole, I hated the barrel rise after each shot, and it was a pain to unload the empties and leftover bullets one at a time.

So what's the point of these guns? They are uncomfortable to shoot, they're expensive to shoot, you can't carry them for defense, I wouldn't want one for home defense, they make for a lousy target day at the range, and there are better options to hunt with.

Leonard · Jul 13, 2009

While I prefer a Smith the Rugers are much stronger and better suited for heavy loads especially when equipped with a Bisley type grip and make an excellent hunting gun.

On the other hand I cannot stand an un-handy handgun When the frames get over sized anything larger than an N frame, the barrels get too long and they have scopes on them I would just as soon carry a rifle.

Len

danski · Jul 13, 2009

As a longtime user of single actions (and double action Smiths) it's obvious you are not comfortable with the loading and unloading. Also I've shot thousands of full-power .44s from Super Blackhawks and just "relaxing" the arm lets the gun rise naturally and without pounding your hand.

True, it's old technology but the SA provides one of the strongest, if not the strongest,
platforms for powerful cartridges. Without a speedloader, I find recharging a six-shot
Smith just as laborious as the loading of a SA, which really isn't so troublesome in either case.

When you consider that an awful lot of double action revolvers are used most of the time in single action, the difference between the guns isn't so large.

And regarding ruggedness, the double action won't take nearly the "pounding" by hard usage or heavy calibers as the SA. It is certainly one of the greatest designs for outdoor use, reliable protection and for hunting.

66TAS · Jul 13, 2009

Barb, Barb, Barb,,,,*TAS shakes head*
The single action is possibly one of the most graceful and elegant revolvers in history. The grip is absolutely perfect at doing what it was meant to do. As the gun rises in recoil it rolls back in the hand for the perfect placement to catch the hammer with your thumb and recock as you bring it back down and on target.

Although I'm not a huge fan of the Super Blackhawk, it is the point by which all other big bores, especially single actions, are judged. Strength, good trigger, reliability, innovative....it is king of the big bores.

How can you not love these??

You must look to and embrace the past to fully see the future young grasshopper.

BarbC · Jul 13, 2009

just "relaxing" the arm lets the gun rise naturally and without pounding your hand.

Yes, it was a strange sensation. While the recoil didn't bother me, it was a slow, odd rise, as if the gun had a will of its own.

I guess I haven't yet learned an appreciation of this type of shooting.

Farmer17 · Jul 13, 2009

I love the looks and the "Old West" romance of the cowboy type single actions, but I don't like how they fit my hand and it seems like it takes forever for that long hammer to fall. I used to love practicing "quick draw" with my Hawes .22 SA and its black Buscadero rig, and I eventually got quicker than "greased lightning"!

n4zov · Jul 13, 2009

I shot a Ruger in metallic silhouette competition for several years, and it is well suited for that role too. You can pound thousands of rounds of heavy loads through a Ruger single action without a whimper. Fitted with a good set of hand filling stocks SA's can be very comfortable to shoot. The biggest disadvantage for competition is a slow lock time compared to an N frame S&W, and even with a lot of work, the trigger pull never equals a Smith.

keith44spl · Jul 13, 2009

Ms.C,

Back in the 80s when shooting the steel (IHMSA) you remember the steel chickens a 50m,

the little pigs at 100m, turkeys at 150 and rams at two hundred meters...

I could down 10 rams in a row almost every time with one of those slow to load Rugers
in 44 magnum.

For the handgun hunter or woods bum it's a great tool.

As a defense tool, I can get by with what's at hand...

With all that bein' said, I like SA revolvers and I'm sportin' one as I type this;

A Colt 2nd gen. .44 Special and yes, I have sometimes used some pretty stout loads that some would consider lower end mag loads.

Barb, it's all about down range performance, heavier targets call for heavy hitters...

The big bore magnums are not for every situation and do not suit everyone needs.

Other times, it's just the ticket.

Just another passin' thought.

Su Amigo,
Dave

BarbC · Jul 13, 2009

I must say, while I may or may not ever learn to appreciate this type of shooting, I have a new respect for this type of shooters!!

m657 · Jul 13, 2009

Barb:

I too began competitive shooting at IHMSA matches with those clunky 44 mags.

There's something deeply satisfying about a 200 yard coyote-size steel ram going 'clang-g-g' as it falls....

The grace and simplicity of the SA recoil must have been imprinted those decades ago matches, as none of the bottom feeder games give *me* similar contentedness. Not that I can see that well now with my geezer eyeballs.

Cowboy Action serves well as a substitute. Mild-moderate 44 and 45 loads are quite adequate for THAT game. Perhaps you need a cowgirl hat & a day with the SASS folks to get into the zone....I'd even suggest the Holy Black as additional therapy as remedy for your malady with SA.....

55.2Napco · Jul 13, 2009

Hi Barb

I have both a big Ruger and a wonderful S&W Model 29, the Classic Hunter with full underlug barrel and unfluted cylinder. The difference in handling is amazing with the Smith soaking up recoil and making follow up shots easy.
The Ruger kicks way up and makes it impossible to get a quick follow up shot. But they both get me out to the range, and that is never a bad thing.

Pete

tomhenry · Jul 13, 2009

The Ruger 44 was the only other handgun in that caliber at a time when everybody was looking for a 29-2 w/6 1/2 inch barrel. It was also the only handgun strong enough to use for wildcat development such as the 500 Linebaugh. I remember reading about a gun mag guy shooting the Linebaugh who said his wrist was red from the recoil.

As for it being difficult to load, it's no different than any other single action.

I've had several. I wish I'd kept them.

One I had customized by Trapper Guns w/the barrel shortened to just ahead of the warning. Then had my initials engraved in the frame. Then I traded it. I want it back.

samIam · Jul 13, 2009

Single actions

For general target shooting and messing around I prefer a DA.For hunting and working up loads a SA is the only way to go IMHO.I also like traditional grips over aftermarket.

samIam

gizamo · Jul 13, 2009

Somebody say Ruger?

giz

danski · Jul 13, 2009

Gizamo,

I see your Blackhawk is one of those crappy old three-screws. I'll give you $50 for it.
It's my way of seeing that people don't hurt themselves with those "five"-shooters.
You deserve an updated New Model.

walnutred · Jul 13, 2009

Yeah, on my short list of firearms I should have kept is a Old Model Ruger in 45 Colt with a factory brass trigger guard. It came with box, papers and original receipt. I honestly bought it for the reloading supplies that came with it. Found out after I sold the pistol the brass trigger guard was only offered for about a years and a half. I did get what for then was a premium price for it, $200 in the early 80's was a lot when you could find Standard Model Blackhawks for < $140 easily.

Crazy K38 · Jul 13, 2009

I have never shot one but I think it boils doen to learning how to shoot it, kind of like shooting a semi for the first time after shooting revolvers forever, or visa versa it's just something to get used to

Spotteddog · Jul 13, 2009

I think it's a double edged sword in a way Barb?
Every little boy growing up in the 40's, 50's and 60's could no more go without dreaming of an 1873 SAA, than go without dreaming of girls when a bit older. A dozen cowboy TV shows or movies of the era permanently installed it into the male DNA. Some may have even had relatives extant that used them? That's one edge of the sword. The other is, the Ruger Super Blackhawk has always been built like a bank vault and is rated for testing thermonuclear weapons in. Put the two items together in one package and it's impossible to resist for the male of the species! I've owned the SRSBH for nearly 40 years now and have used it to test every load out of, before risking a 29-2 on them. The SRSBH also has harvested a pooper load of hawg, deer and even a bear or two. Before I cross the river Styx I hope to own a SAA or clone in .44 Special. The SRSBH is a useful strong tool, that has just enough of yesteryears appeal to assure it's survival. FWIW: Everything I said above applies in spades to the lever action rifles and carbines as well!

tops · Jul 13, 2009

To me the best way to carry a big SA concealed is to stick it inside my pants and open the loading gate so it won't fall through. A lot experts reccomend a revolver with a heavy cast SWC for dangerous animals and to me nothing is more dangerous than a 200 lb. gangbanger hopped up on something. My wife says I don't know much but I think a .44 SA is a good defense or offense gun. As for repeat shots (double tap or triple tap), a .44 mag. will triple tap with one shot. Larry

ImprovedModel56Fan · Jul 13, 2009

Although for me a Ruger Super Blackhawk certainly doesn't carry as easily as a Model 29, and I can't draw and fire it as fast (some folks can), for hunting it as least as good a gun, perhaps better. I can shoot just as well SA with a 4.625" SB as I can with a 4" M29, and I can use loads in the Ruger that I would rather not use in the S&W. They (300gr Federal load & 250gr Partition loaded by Winchester) are probably perfectly safe in the 29, but they are not all that comfortable.

Of course, if you don't hunt (or shoot metal silhouettes), it just comes down to one more toy to play with. I'll drink to that.

Ruger Single Action .44 Magnum - what's the point?

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