RUGER .45 BLACKHAWK 4 5/8" BARREL vs. 5 1/2" BARREL

[jsmosby]

I will be moving to Arizona, and applying for a CCW permit. My sidearm will be a Ruger Blackhawk Colt .45. I have shot one with a 7 1/2" barrel for over 30 years. I need a shorter barrel length for CCW.

Could you please advise me on the advantages/disadvantages of a 4 5/8" barrel vs. a 5 1/2" barrel.

I am concerned that the 4 5/8" barrel may be significantly less accurate at 25 yards. I am also concerned that the 5 1/2" barrel may be difficult to conceal even with a high hip carry.

 

[texagun]

For carry, I would prefer the 4 5/8" barrel by far. Much more comfortable to carry and lighter in weight. I have the same gun with a 4 5/8" barrel and love it...the handling and balance is perfect. I recently read in Handguns Magazine that 80% of "close social-encounters" occur within 9 feet, and 80% of those occur within 3 feet.

 

[jsmosby]

RUGER .45 BLACKHAWK 4 5/8" vs. 5 1/2" BARREL

Thank you for the info. The only reason that I mentioned 25 yards is that in the Trolley Square shooting in Utah, the police officer was shooting at a distance of 40 -75 yards since he was up against a shotgun. While most defensive shootings happen in less than 10 feet, I don't think that you can eliminate the other type if you happen to be a bystander.

 

[gazpacho]

Using full power ammo (just under +P in my reloading manuals) I can hit clay pigeons about 25% of the time at 50 yards. I have a .45 4 5/8 convertible. The same revolver with 45 acp is downright wimpy.

 

[JJE]

I recently got a Mernickle high-ride "concealment" holster for my 4-5/8" Ruger Blackhawk, which barely conceals the end of the barrel with most shirts and coats (I'm 5'-6"). If the barrel was an inch longer, I'd be out of luck. I imagine in Arizona you're going to be in mild weather most of the time, which would make the 5-1/2" gun that much tougher to hide.

Plus, drawing my gun smoothly from the Mernickle belt holster at my right hip is tough enough. An extra inch of barrel would make for a VERY awkward draw. Are you more likely to need quick handling or top accuracy in a CCW gun? I think the 4-5/8" gun (which isn't the handiest gun for CCW) is a much better choice for CCW.

 

[Old 112]

For handling and balance and concealment get the 45/8. I have or have had all 3 lengths, and like them all. Twenty five yard acurracy will not be noticeably different between the lengths. As an aside, when looking at a new or used BH, and you are checking it over for timing and lockup etc., be sure to check the chamber mouths. They should NOT be any less than .450, and .451 or 2 would be better. To tight a chamber mouth(s) will mess up acurracy no matter the length of barrel. A bullet sized at .451 should go through the chamber mouth with Very little resistance. I bought one that had mouths that measured .447 to .448, and it shot patterns instead of groups. Love those Blackhawks, though. Old 112

 

[Dienekes]

Doubt if many of us would know the accuracy difference between the two on the best day. There are a lot of studies going way back that indicate that the accuracy differences between the shortest (down to 2") and longest barrels fired from a rest are not worth worrying about. You do lose sight radius and you may personally prefer one over the other, but in the real world the difference between the 4 5/8" and 5 1/2" would just be personal preference.

And mine is for the 4 5/8" for general handiness--and concealment if I want that too. I'm rather fond of my Convertible.

Even with the wimpy (?) ACP round.

 

[cheygriz]

I guess that if I were limited to these two for CCW, I would get the 4 5/8 incher.

But a "cowboy" pistol for CCW??

It gets downright warm in Arizona! You're gonna get mighty uncomfortable wearing that great big ol' honkin' topcoat needed to conceal it!:banghead:

And I wouldn't worry about 25 yard accuracy. If ya get into a gunfight, there's about a 99.99 percent probability it will be closer to 3 yards than 25.

 

[roscoe]

In Arizona you don't have to conceal it. Just wear it like the old-timers did. I've worn my 5.5" Blackhawk to the Circle K a few times.

 

[jsmosby]

RUGER .45 BLACKHAWK 4 5/8" vs. 5 1/2" BARREL

Thanks for the good advice, gentlemen. I think that you are right about the 4 5/8" barrel being the more practical choice (concealability).

If worn with a long coat (winter in Northern Arizona), the quickest way to access such a revolver would appear to be either by pulling it from: (1) a coat pocket; (2) a cross-draw belt holster with a tightened screw; or (3) a shoulder holster. Otherwise, you're fumbling with unbuttoning a coat, sweeping the coat back, and drawing from a hip holster with a neutral cant.

One possible way to offset the disadvantages of a single-action pistol would be to carry a second piece, perhaps a .44 double-action Bulldog in a shoulder holster. It is, after all, standard police practice to carry a backup pistol.

Any thoughts on these ideas.