a very pleasant Blackhawk surprise

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BullRunBear

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I was at the local Cabelas this morning to get some percussion caps. I was shocked they had any on the shelf, they are getting harder to find along with other gun related stuff. Put 1,000 caps in the basket leaving several hundred for others. Then I went into their firearms library.

The room was fairly empty, maybe a fifth of the usual amount of used guns. But one of the few handguns was a 357 Blackhawk, blued, with a 6.5" barrel. (I prefer longer barrels on the Blackhawk.) It looked great, maybe 98% condition. It was selling for under 4 hundred, which I think is a decent price. Turns out it is from 1974. The bore is crisp and shining and the cylinder locks up up like a bank vault. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but hopefully will this weekend, weather permitting.

Lord knows I don't lack for 357 revolvers but have long wanted one in this configuration. It will be fun trying to develop a load that works well in this one and the 357 lever action.

I really didn't expect to find any firearms for a while, so this came out of nowhere as a nice surprise.

Jeff
 
That is a nice surprise. Glad you found it. I love longer barreled single actions. They just look natural that way.

A photo would be nice. :cool:
 
BullRunBear said:
Turns out it is from 1974.
Click to expand...

Howdy

That is right about the time that Ruger redesigned their single action revolvers to include a transfer bar. Does that one have a transfer bar?

I bought my New Model 45 Colt/45ACP Blackhawk brand-spanky new in 1975. 7 1/2" barrel. It has a transfer bar.

plZsbaNdj.jpg




The 44 Mag Flat Top Three Screw Blackhawk at the top of this photo was made in 1958 and does not have a transfer bar. 6 1/2" barrel. The New Model 45 is at the bottom of this photo.

pnR8kF4Nj.jpg




44 Mag Three Screw at the top in this photo. 357 Mag Three Screw from 1962, 6 1/2" barrel at the bottom.

pnLsSkhFj.jpg
 
Great price on the BH....and Driftwood those are (as always) outstanding pics of some fine Rugers. Love the early stocks on that 3-screw, Flat Top. Rod
 
Driftwood, It does have the transfer bar and is stamped new model. If I read the numbers right, it should be the first year for the New Model. Part of the reason I was pleased, besides finding a bargain, is this was the one Blackhawk I didn't have that I wanted. I have a 357 BH from the first year of manufacture but not the longer barrel version. Now I've got Ruger single actions in 22lr, 22 mag,, 32 mag., 357, 44, and 45 calibers. Considering I'm approaching 70, those should keep me busy enough. :D (Almost forgot the Ruger Old Army.)

Thanks for posting those gorgeous pictures.

Jeff
 
I prefer the shorter barrels as well but for the money you sunk into that BH I’d have brought it home post haste. With that 6.5 barrel I’d be lobbing 180 gr hard cast SWC’s at steel all day long at 100 yards.
 
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Not at all lacking for a .357 is a good condition to maintain. I’m getting another one in a couple hours when I meet a guy to trade into a Chiappa Rhino. 357 is in my opinion THE most versatile cartridge that exists. Mild to wild and everything in between, and suitable for most shooters in the recoil department. Similarly, the ruger Blackhawk is one of the most versatile platforms. Plenty accurate for informal target games, fast to draw, easily used for hunting, not to mention that it’s just a gorgeous design and ruger knows good and well how to lay down a nice bluing job. I am envious of you finding such a specimen at such a price. I hope you enjoy the snot out of that thing, and I hope you do your best to try and wear it out.
 
Sounds to me like you bought yourself a lifetime gift. The Blackhawk is a lifetime of service and something you can count on in a tight.
 
Man, smokin deal! The 44mag BH at my cabelas is $750...

I bought a 188x colt DA from mine a few years ago. Needs lock work, but otherwise in decent shape. And the 32-20 matches my 1873. Thats the main reason i bought it. Haggled em down from 400 to 325 or so.
 
"Me too. Approaching 70 that is. In about 2 weeks."

Driftwood, Early Happy Birthday. Your a bit ahead of me. Have you noticed? It took a full year to go from 21 to 22 years old. Going from 68 to 69 seems to take about five minutes. :scrutiny:

Jeff
 
Although I seldom go for heavy loads these days, I like to have the capability. One benefit to the Blackhawk. And those same 180 grain bullets Frulk mentioned work great in an old 357 Maximum T/C Contender. (Handy in case I'm attacked by steel targets at a distance.)

The versatility of the 38 special/357 magnum world is amazing and wide.

Jeff
 
I too would like to know if yours is a three or two screw frame. My 7 1/2" is a 3 screw made in '72 and is in pristine condition. I love that 4 click Colt action.
I'll not send mine in to Ruger for the transfer bar conversion. I like mine the way it is. It has a trigger to die for. 7 1/2", I think.
.357mag blackhawk 3 screw original.jpg
 
If you have the old 3 screw with original lockwork don't change it out. I have my grandfathers single six made in 1961 and he sent it in and had the lockwork updated. The trigger pull is terrible. I got the gun and the box and the original lock parts in a sealed plastic bag. I have gave a lot of thought to switching back to the original parts. I suppose they will still fit and that Ruger didn't modify the frame any.

Its funny this thread was posted. I have over the last few days been looking at a 357 BH on gunbroker. All are priced way higher than what the OP paid. I had a 357 convertible many years ago with the 4" barrel. I want a longer barrel this time around if I get one.
 
ThomasT said:
If you have the old 3 screw with original lockwork don't change it out. I have my grandfathers single six made in 1961 and he sent it in and had the lockwork updated. The trigger pull is terrible. I got the gun and the box and the original lock parts in a sealed plastic bag. I have gave a lot of thought to switching back to the original parts. I suppose they will still fit and that Ruger didn't modify the frame any.

Its funny this thread was posted. I have over the last few days been looking at a 357 BH on gunbroker. All are priced way higher than what the OP paid. I had a 357 convertible many years ago with the 4" barrel. I want a longer barrel this time around if I get one.
Click to expand...
the old parts will go back in just fine.

murf
 
It is definitely the New Model: 2 screw and transfer bar, etc. I do have old models of the Single-Six and Blackhawk for comparison. I like the four click operation but can't say I shoot them better than their modern versions. The trigger is typical for a BH, not especially light but crisp enough for good accuracy.

Jeff
 
murf said:
the old parts will go back in just fine.

murf
Click to expand...

Thanks Murf I just might reinstall them. The trigger with the upgrade is just as bad as all you have ever read about it. I bet my grandfather who was a custom gunsmith was not very impressed with his gun after he got it back. It doesn't look like it has been shot very much at all. And with the tapered front on the frame that tapers to meet the barrel and the drift adjustable rear sight its a cool looking gun.
 
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