Ruger Blackhawk

[Pocketrocket]

I had bought a New Model Super Blackhawk last year just to check it out. I've got a few other .44 mags but not a Ruger. It was ok but kinda big and not that attractive due to the big highlighted safety warning. So I sold it. Then I found this Blackhawk locally. An original Blackhawk .44 from '57, a second year model serial number 2835. Unfortunately it's been converted, so not all that collectable. I'm going to take it out in the yard and give it a try this week.

 

[rbrbrb6]

Neat old flat top in the most common length barrel of 6 1/2". I personally hate old models with the transfer bar "upgrade" and put original parts back in any gun I buy that has had the conversion done to it.

 

[gmiller0737]

I got one too 1962 production even with lighter handloads it rapps My Knuckles pretty good I've never fired Full House Loads in it I have a Redhawk for that

 

[Capt. F.]

I got one too 1962 production even with lighter handloads it rapps My Knuckles pretty good I've never fired Full House Loads in it I have a Redhawk for that

Ditto on the knuckle Rapp. About 3 of Elmer’s rounds and I call it a day.
My 6 1/2”.

 

[dsf]

My only Blackhawk flat top - a 357 magnum that carries what's called a "Ross serial number".

FWIW, by accident or by design to create the appearance of greater production, a stretch of Ruger BH revolvers had 2 digits added to their correct 4 digit serial numbers.



I guess folks pay more for them, I got it in Reno just because I like the shorter barrel and flat top.

 

[Capt. F.]

My only Blackhawk flat top - a 357 magnum that carries what's called a "Ross serial number".

FWIW, by accident or by design to create the appearance of greater production, a stretch of Ruger BH revolvers had 2 digits added to their correct 4 digit serial numbers.

View attachment 672505

I guess folks pay more for them, I got it in Reno just because I like the shorter barrel and flat top.

This one my wife bought me three years ago to replace the one I had to sell when I had to go play soldier back in ‘68.
In the box, papers etc. Wish it wasn’t so pretty, I’d shoot it more.

 

[DWalt]

The first big bore revolver I bought was a used Ruger .44 Mag BH. That was back in the mid-60s. It had a 4-digit SN. It was painful to shoot using factory loads, so I did not fire it much, and sold it after four years or so. For some reason the idea of making up light handloads or using .44 Specials did not occur to me back then. I still have a .44 SBH I formerly used for CAS (with light loads). I have not fired it for at least 10 years, should probably sell it.

 

[burneyr]

I love old original flat tops too. Can't resist the mid frame 357s...

 

[Rock185]

Pocketrocket, I've owned Super Blackhawks before with the square back trigger guard and longer grip frame. A good friend had an early .44 Blackhawk just like yours. I shot it one time with Magnum ammo. Nice old guns, but due to the short grip frame, not fun for me.

Seems Ruger people dislike the conversion like Colt people dislike the Series 80 Colts. After all, who would want something as distasteful as a drop safe revolver or semi-auto

My first Super Blackhawk was pre transfer bar. Knowing no better, I used to pack it around the desert fully loaded. To this day, I am thankful nothing hit the Hammer hard or I didn't drop it on the hammer. Our department investigated a death where a guy dropped his old model 357. It hit the deck on the hammer, discharged, he was killed..

 

[paknheat]

I’ll play too. Mine is in .41 magnum.

I love to pop feral hogs in the brainpan with it every chance I get.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Fishinfool]

Congrats on that immaculate 3 screw flat top. Was that an original barrel length? I believe most were 6.5 & 7.5 inch. Yours looks like a perfectly proportioned belt gun.

Early in my handgun "career" I had an original 6.5 inch .44 mag flat top go thru my hands. I liked it, but traded it towards what I thought would be a better whitetail hunting piece - An early new model high polish Super Blackhawk with a longer grip for my big hands, and the new action so I could carry 6. A good choice at the time, but I always missed that flat top.

Back when Ruger introduced the one year only 50th year anniversary new model flat top, I grabbed one. Thicker custom grips made recoil much more comfortable, and it has become one of my favorite all around .44 shooters. Shown pictured with a couple friends.

Larry

 

[rbrbrb6]

DSF, you need to sell me that Ross gun so I can replace the one I let get away! Burneyr, you were holding out on me when you posted the new model flat top for sale that I bought, You kept the good ones hidden!

 

[Dino44]

A couple of weeks ago I purchased an old model, 44 magnum Blackhawk. Grip frame was changed to Super Blackhawk. Barrel is 4 5/8". I don't know if it was cut or special ordered. Today I took it to the range. This was my first time shooting 44 Mag from a single action revolver. HSM 240 gr 44 special was pleasant to shoot. Hornady 44 Mag 240 gr XTP 1350 fps was not fun. I could not get my support hand, fully wrapped around my right hand, due to the squared trigger guard. Muzzle rise was pretty intense. Muzzle drop dug the squared corner of trigger guard into my fingers. I think the higher bore axis of the single action design makes it harder to control. My 3" N frames are definitely easier to shoot and control with full power ammo. Here is a picture of the Blackhawk.

 

[rbrbrb6]

The barrel has been cut down . The old model flat top 44s came in 6 1/2" as the most common with approximately 1500 of the 7 1/2" and 10" guns.

 

[burneyr]

Burneyr, you were holding out on me when you posted the new model flat top for sale that I bought, You kept the good ones hidden!

Not sure rbrbrb6 - Clements trigger is the equal of an original with one extra round. I wish he wasn't retired as I'd sure like to send him one more.

I have to admit too that the steel grip frame on the 50th guns has a better balance and feel in the hand.

 

[bananaman]

Not a 44 Magnum, but I have a New Model Blackhawk Convertible, 45 cal.
{Colt & ACP} 45 ACP rounds out of it are pretty tame. Bob

 

[TJm15.38]

I would love to have one of those older 3-screw Rugers. Here's my new model Blackhawk flatop in .44 Special purchased in 2019. A really good shooter.

 

[erikpolcrack]

BH in 41 Mag, SBH in 44 Mag. Really like them both. Big hands, but no knuckle-busting. Lucky, I guess.

 

[BillyMagg]

Lovely Grips on those Rugers

Congrats on that immaculate 3 screw flat top. Was that an original barrel length? I believe most were 6.5 & 7.5 inch. Yours looks like a perfectly proportioned belt gun.

Early in my handgun "career" I had an original 6.5 inch .44 mag flat top go thru my hands. I liked it, but traded it towards what I thought would be a better whitetail hunting piece - An early new model high polish Super Blackhawk with a longer grip for my big hands, and the new action so I could carry 6. A good choice at the time, but I always missed that flat top.

Back when Ruger introduced the one year only 50th year anniversary new model flat top, I grabbed one. Thicker custom grips made recoil much more comfortable, and it has become one of my favorite all around .44 shooters. Shown pictured with a couple friends.

Larry

Three great looking six guns, those grips on your Rugers are gorgeous!

 

[BillyMagg]

My Buddy had a long barrel convertible

Not a 44 Magnum, but I have a New Model Blackhawk Convertible, 45 cal.
{Colt & ACP} 45 ACP rounds out of it are pretty tame. Bob

Back when I used to shoot a lot, I shot my best group with his 7 1/2" convertible with the ACP cylinder. Off the picnic table at 100 yards, I had 4 in a 4" group,, now where the other ones went? LOL

I later went out and bought a 5 1/2" stainless Super Blackhawk in 44Mag, it was the most miserable handgun I have ever fired with full house loads, and it never would group with anything I put in it, nor my Buddy, (he loved his Smith and Wesson's and his Ruger Blackhawks).. I sold it to a neighbor who was a master handloader,, he finally gave up on it and sent it down the road.

I later bought an early 4 digit 44 Blackhawk,, I loved that thing, and some heavy 44 lead semi wadcutter's grouped amazingly, I wish I had never sold it, but a gorgeous 45LC/45ACP Colt New Frontier took its place,, it shot fine, but wasn't very slick, so it went down the road as well...