4 5/8 Super Blackhawk too short?

[Ed Ames]

Lets face it a .44 Magnum revolver is not CC piece. My findings were that barrel of 7.5" produces noticeably less flash than 4&5/8" one, so unless you're going to carry .44 Special cowboy loads in the gun longer barrel is the way to go.

I'm not sure how much of an issue "flash" is for sporting arms.

I have fired a 3-3/4" super blackhawk 44m with hot loads. I can see the "sight radius" argument, or "I just don't like it", but "flash"?

Having shot .44m handguns ranging from 6.5" down to 2.5", I think the classic 4" barrel is ideal...and 4&5/8" is close enough. YMMV.

 

[CraigC]

I wish Ruger would introduce a 4 5/8 inch barrel SBH in a Bisley frame. I do NOT like plow handles with heavy .44 Mag loads. I have shot many friends SBH in plow handle and I could never get comfortable with them. I have XXL to XXXL hands. In a single action, the 4 5/8 is hard to beat.

CraigC, is it hard to convert a plow handle to a Bisley frame and are the Bisley conversion parts difficult to locate?

Me too! My limit is a standard weight bullet at 1200fps with the plowhandle and I don't want to shoot many of those. I played with the short SBH for several years before converting it to a Bisley, which is a huge improvement with heavy loads. I later sent it to Clements to refit the grip frame and do some other sprucing up. I did this back when you could order the kit from Brownells. I don't know about availability now. The parts come fairly rough and it takes quite a bit of work with a file and sanding blocks to get the frame fitted.

I'm not sure how much of an issue "flash" is for sporting arms.

I don't believe it is.

Lets face it a .44 Magnum revolver is not CC piece.

I've been carrying my 629MG for about a month. Carries about like a 4" 1911.

 

[1911Tuner]

I wish Ruger would introduce a 4 5/8 inch barrel SBH in a Bisley frame.

Call'em. They might do one up on special order.

 

[codefour]

CraigC, thanks for the information.

1911Tuner, I never thought to call Ruger direct and ask for one. I will call and see what they say.

 

[murf]

lipseys has a 3.75" barreled one. check it out at ruger.com.

murf

 

[1911Tuner]

1911Tuner, I never thought to call Ruger direct and ask for one. I will call and see what they say.

I don't see why they wouldn't. It's a simple matter of a different grip frame, hammer and trigger that they already have in inventory. Not exactly a custom operation.

 

[onegunred]

A year or so ago I emailed them and asked if they would offer the 5.5" with the Dragoon grip frame and the non-fluted cylinder. I was told he would pass it on, I am still waiting. The email was sent to the president of the company.

 

[murf]

codefour,

you will probably have better luck contacting lipseys, or davidsons to try and convince them to offer that gun.

murf

 

[Archie]

A .44 Magnum with a 4 5/8" barrel isn't the highest velocity revolver you'll find, but it's probably no worse to shoot than many others. It will have somewhat more blast and flash. The determination of 'too much more' is rather subjective.

It will be much easier to holster and carry on a daily (or all-day) outing.

I would think it much more likely to have (on one's person at time of need) than a 7 1/2" barrel revolver.

 

[highlander 5]

I have a 4 5/8 SBH that I sent to MagNaPort to be fitted with a Bisley grip,hammer and trigger action job and ported. Before the work it was a wrist wrencher now it's a lot better handling pistol.