"New to Me" Old Model Ruger Blackhawk

[pawngal]

1st centerfire handgun I shot was an old Blackhawk. Belonged to my late hubby so now it is mine. When his health was failing he sold most of his guns and told me to gift a couple of his shotguns to his hunting buddies.
But, he said, "Do not get rid of that Blackhawk"

It is past due for some range time for it.

 

[eveled]

Nice gun OP. I have an old model .357, it is one of my favorites.

 

[992B]

Robert, you done good!! Remember to carry these fine old handguns with an empty chamber under the hammer as a hard blow to the hammer can cause an accidental discharge. They are heavily built like the N frame Smiths and with care and cleaning will last a lifetime or two. You bought that for about $200 less than it would sell for in Ohio. For lead bullet shooting have the forcing cone cut to at least 11 degrees. Gary

 

[RobertJ.]

Nice gun OP. I have an old model .357, it is one of my favorites.

Nice stags! I'll be on the lookout for something similar.

 

[RobertJ.]

Robert, you done good!! Remember to carry these fine old handguns with an empty chamber under the hammer as a hard blow to the hammer can cause an accidental discharge. They are heavily built like the N frame Smiths and with care and cleaning will last a lifetime or two. You bought that for about $200 less than it would sell for in Ohio. For lead bullet shooting have the forcing cone cut to at least 11 degrees. Gary

I paid about $200 less than I would have expected here!

This store is known for outstanding deals. They're pretty new here, and I've become a good customer.

And thanks for the heads up on cast bullets.

 

[eveled]

Nice stags! I'll be on the lookout for something similar.

Thanks, they came from Sacks Peterson. The gun came with wood target grips the consensus was they are Herrets.

 

[Tom K]

I stopped by my LGS last Thursday, and there behind the glass was an old model Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Magnum. The asking price was $325. I had other things to do and couldn't buy it at that moment, but it was all I could think about until the next day, when I went back to see if it was still there. It was! ....

Son, you got a misplaced sense of priorities. This what you shoulda said:

 

[mikeruns]

Nice catch! I have a .357 4-5/8" from 1966 with an original Bianchi flap holster...love the precise 4 clicks when cocking it...a classic outdoorsman's revolver..

 

[DWalt]

For most shooters and in most circumstances, a single action revolver will do anything that needs to be done.

"Then I shot a friend's Bisley framed Ruger. WOW! I've now got a Super Blackhawk in 45 Colt that w thicker grips points like magic in my hands and the smaller Bisley Blackhawk in 44 Special."

The original purpose of the Bisley grip was for target shooting. And it is easy to see why once you have held a Bisley. Surprising that Colt did not adopt it for all of their single action revolvers. It is that much of an improvement.

 

[gwpercle]

Sweet deal on a sweet BH !
I personally like the three screw (unmolested by Rugers new safety) with the aluminum backstrap , triggerguard and ejector rod housing the best !
I got mine in 1972 and we still go dancing !

Gary

 

[Gunhacker]

Nice score!

I have an unconverted last year production OM Blackhawk that's a "convertible" model with the auxiliary 9mm cylinder... hands down, my all time favorite Ruger SA, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I enjoy mine.

Being the commensurate tinkerer that I am with Ruger SA's, I replaced the light weight alloy grip frame (that I despise) with a steel grip frame for a Ruger Old Army BP revolver.

Also part of my "standard" practice is to get rid of the thumb buster hammer by replacing it with a Bisley style hammer.

Dave Clements from Clements Custom Guns makes and installs the Bisley style hammer and wide trigger for the OM Blackhawks.

The grips are from Exotic Grips by Esmeralda.

 

[Drm50]

I don't remember exactly what we paid for SBH in 60s, I think
about $115, a BH was $84, about the same as a S&W M10. I
was a kid working in a grocery store when a couple of my older
buddie's bought Hawes 44 mags, $59.95. Took me awhile to
gather up the cash, I had to have one too. The day came we
went to town to get my Hawes and in the case next to it was the
SBH. I lost interest in Hawes and put my money on the SBH. It
was worth waiting for. It wasn't long before my 2 buddys were
trading off the Hawes for SBHs.

 

[S&WIowegan]

I want an OM .41 mag. It's #2 on my list right now

I have one of these which I bought used many years ago. It has 4 5/8" bbl and a low serial number. When you find one be ready for PAIN if you shoot full-house factory ammo.

My first Ruger was a 3-screw .357 Magnum with a 9mm cylinder also. The gun had a full-length vent rib. I ultimately sent the gun to Andy Horvath for conversion to 44 Special with 4" bbl. and two cylinders bored out to 44 SPL. I haven't shot it in a long time.

 

[model3sw]

Love those Rugers. Still affordable, sweet feel and function, plus, they are so well built.

PS: Keep my secret please from the S&WCA members.

 

[Muley Gil]

I bought one like the OP's revolver. I sent it to Alan Harton down in Houston and he turned it into a 4 5/8" .44 Special.

My dad left me a 4 5/8" Ruger flat top .357 with a three digit serial number.

 

[italiansport]

IMO: You were fortunate in finding an original unconverted one at this price. It would cost considerably more out here. BTW: Don't ever send it to Ruger for service as they will automatically convert it to transfer bar mode and they no longer return the old parts. I should also add that you'll take quite a hit on resale value as well.
Jim

 

[CelticSire]

No, it's not been converted. I just love that clackety-clack!

Just to let you know, if you need any parts for it and you call Ruger, they will check the serial number to see if it has had the safety conversion. If not, they will not sell you any parts for it. Not even a grip frame screw. I have a 3 screw in .30 carbine that I needed a grips frame screw due to one being buggered a little. Called Ruger, and once they checked the serial number, the very nice young lady informed me of their policy and said she was very sorry. No problem, miss, I understand.

 

[dwpmusic]

What a marvelous find and seems at a good price in today's world. I have one exactly like it with the exception of mine having a shorter barrel. Bought it brand new in 1973 for $86.95. Times do change. Marvelous revolver.

 

[RobertJ.]

I lost interest in Hawes and put my money on the SBH. It was worth waiting for. It wasn't long before my 2 buddys were trading off the Hawes for SBHs.

In 1979 my cousin and I both bought Virginian Dragoon .44 Magnums. We both had problems and I was really wishing I had bought a SBH instead.

 

[PALADIN85020]

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Ask me if I like Ruger old model single actions!

John