60 Years of the Ruger Blackhawk by Taffin

[CraigC]

Great article by John Taffin on the history of the Blackhawk, with tons of pics.

www.sixgunner.org/60yrsoftheblackhawkp1.html

 

[ROAshooter]

Thanks

Thanks CraigC....a good read!!!

 

[Red Cent]

Thanks!

 

[200Apples]

.
Your timing, sir, is impeccable.

Since there is now in my firearms experience a ready, nay, an eager! reception for exceptional revolvers, that was one thoroughly enjoyable read. Thanks for the link.

 

[BullRunBear]

Craig, Thanks for pointing out that great article. I have half a dozen BHs and they all get plenty of use. The treasure is a 357 with a 3 digit serial number. It's almost as old as I am and is still a great shooter. I should get custom grips for that one.

Jeff

 

[Barry the Bear]

The Tale of some of the finest six guns ever made.

 

[DPris]

Asked him today how he got old enough to have 60 years with the Blackhawks.
His answer: "Worked overtime at it!"
Denis

 

[TTv2]

Page 3:

Lipsey’s ordered more medium-frame Flat-Top New Model Blackhawks including a stainless steel .44 Special and a Bisley Model .44 Special. They didn’t stop there as they also entered in with Ruger to produce Flat-Top New Model Blackhawks in both blue and stainless chambered in .45 Colt with an extra cylinder in .45 ACP. I repeat once again these are medium-sized frames and not for use with some of the heavy loads used in the large-frame Rugers.

So the convertible .45 Blackhawk's can't shoot those "ruger only" .45 Colt loads?

 

[gilgsn]

Almost makes me want to buy one instead of a SAA clone.. How much bulkier is it?
Gil

 

[bannockburn]

CraigC

Fantastic article and photos! Thanks for the link.

 

[drband]

Great read! Thanks!

 

[Tallball]

Thanks for the great link! I started shooting handguns when I got a Single Six about 35 years ago. Ruger SA's are my favorite handguns.

 

[Desertrat357]

Excellent article, and reference material. I've always enjoyed reading Taffin's articles. I sure got a kick out of the old ads for the Blackhawks. I wonder if there are any reprints offered anywhere. I would love to have a couple on the wall in my reloading room.

 

[Kookla]

Yes- thanks for posting this. Taffin is a great writer. I've enjoyed the Book of the .44 a ton.

 

[Armybrat]

Good read!
My first gun was a Ruger Standard .22 auto - Christmas, 1956. The first gun I purchased myself was a new Single Six in 1959. Didn't buy a centerfire Ruger until 1968 - a BH .357 new for $80.
My last purchase was a stainless SBH 5.5" three months ago. The next Ruger on the want list is a stainless NV .357 with the 4.62" barrel.

Wish I still had the old Standard .22 though.

 

[200Apples]

.
I lasted 24 hours... almost 25... while suffering a CraigC/Taffin-induced Blackhawk fever. Truth is, I've been wanting one for years. [/edited]

After turning in some paperwork to complete my latest assignment at work, I've a little break in the action... so, NATURALLY, since my dealer was along the route home and the fact that they are an unusually large Slice of Freedom and Armaments in this otherwise liberal, hoplophobic city that I live in they have a wonderfully varied previously-owned selection of fine firearms. I stopped, said hello, and immediately went a-browsing for a big, honkin', vintage Blackhawk. Can't do that at the local chain store (Cabela's Gun Library, perhaps, or some righteous pawn, but there aren't any here in my town).



Imagine my delight when I discovered a 1964 Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum. It should prove a great companion to my Miroku/Browning 1892 clone chambered thusly. I must wait 10 days to pick it up. Argh.

:-|

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Thanks for the link CRAIG!

That is one fine article.

60 years!?!

Holy cow, I'da lost a trivia question on that!


Todd.

 

[DPris]

The Blackhawks are in no way SAA clones.
Denis

 

[200Apples]

.
Thank you, Denis.

Perhaps "clone" isn't the best word.

"Vastly Improved" might be a better description. You'll have to pardon me; I'm still a bit new at this.

Taffin

Ruger’s first centerfire sixgun was the same size as the original Colt Single Action Army, however there were two major changes. Ruger wisely flat-topped the frame and added an adjustable Micro rear sight matched up with a ramp style front sight. All the flat springs used in the original Colt were replaced with virtually unbreakable coil springs. At the time the .357 Magnum was the most powerful cartridge available and now shooters had a single action sixgun which offered everything they could possibly want. Walter Rogers, an old-time shooter and hunter, said it very well at the time: “Bless Bill Ruger for putting Magnum cartridges in real working sixguns.”

I need to bone up on my wheelgun history. The fact remains I have always wanted a Blackhawk. May this be the first of several. My prior post is edited...

 

[yugorpk]

Almost makes me want to buy one instead of a SAA clone.. How much bulkier is it?
Gil

Much heavier and much bulkier. No comparison really Even the old Vaquero without the flat top and adjustable rear sight are considerably heavier than an SAA. Ive had many of all the above and the BH is built like a tank and will shoot tank rounds. The SAA and its clones will shoot normal rounds and is much lighter and are for lack of a better word much more svelte.

 

[DPris]

200,
By all means enjoy your Blackhawk & many more to come.

I was just noting that not all single-actions are automatically Colt Single Action Army clones.
Denis

 

[gilgsn]

Much heavier and much bulkier. No comparison really Even the old Vaquero without the flat top and adjustable rear sight are considerably heavier than an SAA. Ive had many of all the above and the BH is built like a tank and will shoot tank rounds. The SAA and its clones will shoot normal rounds and is much lighter and are for lack of a better word much more svelte.

Thanks!

Gil.

 

[bannockburn]

200Apples

Nice find! I had one just like it a few years back. I seem to remember it even came with the original red and black box with the gun's serial number on it. It was a thing of beauty!

 

[BSA1]

Personally the New Model Blackhawk and Vaquero are oversize, too heavy and bulky. I have never been able to warm to the adjustable sight new Model Blackhawk. My New Model Vaqueros have had thousands of rounds fired through them and with a minimum of care will probably outlive my kids.

The old Flattops and the current Vaquero are for me the perfect packing pistol. For me there isn't any problems that a cast lead bullet at 1,100 fps can't solve. Well let me rephrase that to say if I can not solve the problem with a cast lead bullet at 1,100 fps then I need a rifle.

 

[tubeshooter]

That was a great read, and the article was very well done. Lots of great pictures, too.


Thanks for the link!