....will these models stand up to a steady diet of .357 magnum ?
Durability of the Old model Ruger Blackhawk....
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Outpost75
Member
Mine has.
Wapakfred
Member
My first handgun was a Ruger Blackhawk in .357, purchased in 1968. I still have it after a lot of shooting full house loads and it's still in great shape.
Glenn R. McMannly
Member
No.
If you want to shoot a truckload of hot magnums, then buy a Ruger Blackhawk… oh wait.
If you want to shoot a truckload of hot magnums, then buy a Ruger Blackhawk… oh wait.
Yes they will
AJ
US Veteran
Does the description "Build like a tank" mean anything to you?
Alpo
Member
You notice he specified old model?
The New Model 357 Blackhawk, like all other Blackhawks, is built on the 44 magnum frame. Certainly it'll stand up to any amount of 357.
But the Old Model 357 Blackhawk, unlike all the other Old Model Blackhawks, was built on the smaller frame. The "Colt size" frame. So I suspect that's why he's questioning it - because the physical gun is so much smaller in every way.
I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think the 357 Old Model will stand up to thousands upon thousands upon thousands of full power 357s.
The New Model 357 Blackhawk, like all other Blackhawks, is built on the 44 magnum frame. Certainly it'll stand up to any amount of 357.
But the Old Model 357 Blackhawk, unlike all the other Old Model Blackhawks, was built on the smaller frame. The "Colt size" frame. So I suspect that's why he's questioning it - because the physical gun is so much smaller in every way.
I don't think you have anything to worry about. I think the 357 Old Model will stand up to thousands upon thousands upon thousands of full power 357s.
OP
Yes...that's exactly why I was asking ...good call !
After wanting an Old Model Blackhawk for some time I finally found a very nice unconverted model about a year ago that was made in 1967. No box but showing minimal signs of use .
These replies basically confirmed what I already thought ....that they are very well built.
Wapakfred
Member
I had mine converted, but Ruger also returned all the original parts which I keep in the box. I put Herret stocks on mine for daily use and kept the OEM ones as well.
sousana
Member
My Blackhawk, purchased years back, according to its log has 68,539 .357rounds thru it along with 42,909 38 special mostly of the 130gr fmj variety. Bit back I sent it to Roger for a check up, called em later on said the changed out some parts, added new grips and for $120 offered to make a 9mm cylinder for that gun. Glad I paid the 120. Off topic, but I've since picked up a Cimarron 4 3/4" single action in dual cylinder .357/38 & 9mm. 9mm is a joy to shoot, and with the heft of the Blackhawk, like shooting a 22.
BigMuddy
Member
I have had parts break on every type of revolver I own with ONE exception. That is the Old Model Ruger Blackhawk.
Dan
Dan
Yes they will even though they're built on the medium frame. That's assuming some reasonable level of maintenance and proper handling of course.
In my experience it won't stop shooting. But if you live long enough to ever shoot it enough you might need to ream the cylinder center hole and insert a new bushing if the accuracy deteriorates. In other words cumulative wear.
Rarely a small part may break. But that has more to do with an imperfect part rather than shooting a lot of 357 mag.
The only part breakage I ever experienced was the plunger pin in the base of the hammer that actuates the cylinder stop. And it's the only breakage I've ever had on all my Blackhawks and single sixes in 63 years.
Easily one of the most overbuilt handguns ever manufactured. Feed it warm .357s all day…
I broke my old model .45 Colt - but not by shooting it - I was dry-firing it and the hammer broke in the middle - well into the new models, it was a real challenge to replace the old model hammer though it wasn't real expensive - then again, I only had about $50 in the gun since I traded for it around 1974 or 75.
I had an old Flat top .357 - it didn't seem any worse for wear when I traded it off than when I started shooting it. I don't figure a Blackhawk, even the new smaller flat tops, will suffer from hot loads.
These days, I might suffer but the gun should be fine!
Riposte
I had an old Flat top .357 - it didn't seem any worse for wear when I traded it off than when I started shooting it. I don't figure a Blackhawk, even the new smaller flat tops, will suffer from hot loads.
These days, I might suffer but the gun should be fine!
Riposte
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