Ruger New Model Blackhawk .357 Experience

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SwaneeSR

SwaneeSR

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Thursday I went to the range with a couple of coworkers. One coworker is wondering what to purchase with his Cabelas points he has been accumulating. He was wondering what handgun to purchase. He does not own any pistols. I suggested we arrange an "expedition" to the range and we pistol owners could provide a variety of different models to try. I have a number of semiautomatic handguns in 9mm and .40SW.

While shooting, I had a chance to try out my coworkers Ruger New Model Blackhawk (.357). I have never shot a single action revolver. I have shot a buddies snubby Taurus .357 which is not exactly enjoyable.

This Blackhawk was amazingly accurate and enjoyable to shoot. Every hole in the paper target touched an existing hole. The recoil was amazingly light and manageable and I was shooting normal .357 rounds. This Blackhawk seemed to be late 1970's or early 1980's vintage.

So I have a couple questions.

Are all single actions pistols this easy to shoot and hit with?
If I am in the market for one, are new Ruger Blackhawks this good?
If older is better, what age should I look for?

Swanee
 
I'm a fan of Ruger revolvers: Single Six from 1962, Blackhawk flattop .357 from 1964, a pair of .45 Vaqueros I used in Cowboy Action shooting, a 2 3/4 stainless Speed Six, old model Bearcat .22. The best handgun group I ever shot was using the Blackhawk, just over an inch at 25 yards.

I know nothing about the newer Blackhawks, but based on my experience I would not hesitate to buy one. Given the opportunity, I would probably look for a vintage one but that's just me. The only downside to my old one is the 6.5 inch barrel. If overs, I would get the 4 5/8 inch barrel. I'm a small guy and the long barrel just isn't handy to carry.

If you end up with one made before Ruger transitioned to the transfer bar "safety" read up on management of older single actions. You should for example always have an empty chamber under the hammer/firing pin. The older Rugers, and Colts/Colt clones load on the half cock notch. The hammer should be moved to be full cock position before lowering on the empty chamber. The easy way is to load one, skip a chamber, load four, cock the hammer all the way and let it down.

Single actions are a hoot. You may end up with more than one.
 
I have a new Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt / .45 ACP, a 10 year old Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum, and my shooting buddy has a new Blackhawk in .357 Magnum / 9x19mm. They all run flawlessly and put the hole in the paper right where you point them.

Jump in and get a new Blackhawk Convertible in the barrel length of your choice, chambered in .357 / 9mm. Whether you are shooting .357 magnum or .38 special from the one cylinder, or 9x19mm from the other, you will NOT be disappointed. If you can find a gently used one at a reasonable price, so much the better. It is hard to go wrong either way, and the convertible models are surprisingly accurate shooters regardless of caliber.
 
The New Models have a different trigger, some like them some do not. I prefere them over the "old model" It is never wrong to land on a Ruger single-action revolver. Neet thing about the .357 Blackhawks is that not only can you shoot .38's like all other .357's, for a minimal fee, you can have a 9mm cylinder fitted thus giving you even more ammo choices.
 
I have shot a few new models.

The convertible blackhawks (e. g. .45 acp or colt) strike me as one of the best values in enjoyable shooting CF handguns. Not necessarily combat arms (though I wouldn't dismiss someone carrying one) but camp, trail, range, and hunting guns. I am sure the 9mm/.357 version is a pushover (in a good way).

But...if I had to buy just one...

I shot a 3.75" Bisley 44. mag that looked like this:
View attachment 724533

That was a sweet gun. You knew the recoil was there but nothing like my .454 SRH. We were shooting gallon jugs at ranges out to 150 yards which means more ranging shots than hits but it was still a blast. At reasonable distances (50 yards or so) I could hit a milk jug every time. If I was forty four guy that would be my go-to gun. I want one in 45 but for you I wonder if they make, or have made, a version like that but in 357?

To answer your questions:
1) Not all, but the quality guns yes.
2) Some people fault the new product for having plastic stocks and the like, but you can get a 2015 BH you would be very happy with.
3) I don't know, but the old models are collected and the prices are high IMO. I can get a brand new convertible for less than Ive seen some old three screw versions.
 
Although I have some fine DA revolvers I prefer single actions and am more accurate with them. They point better for me and I handle recoil better. I have Rugers in 22LR/mag, 32 mag, 357 and 45 colt/acp. They all are more accurate than I am. All but one was bought used. My 357s weren't convertibles so I can't speak to the 357/9mm combo. Haven't heard complaints about the new ones but deals are out there for used if you look long enough.

If you end up liking SA revolvers, don't forget about the cap and ball black powder reproductions. They are affordable, surprisingly accurate, comfortable and just plain fun.

Jeff
 
I have the 50th anniversary model and I've always enjoyed it. It seems to me that the frame or grips changed sizes or shape thru the years so if i'm correct you may favor one more than the other.

I remember a lot of talk about mine having a xr3 frame or something which was different from others????????? I may just be babbling I have a great memory it's just short:)

You wouldn't happen to be swanee from hutch would u?
 
the 50th anniversary is indeed a smaller frame. And I like it a lot more. The bisley grip looks funny to me, but I always like the way in felt in hand. And finally, I seem to recall that there are some accuracy issues firing 9mm out of a 357 barrel because the bore for a 357 is 2 thousandths larger than the bore of a 9mm. But I don't have one, and haven't shot one, it's just what I recall reading one time.
 
I just bought a BH .357/38 special/9 mm convertable (6 1/2" barrel) and a 45 Colt/45 ACP convertable with 4 5/8 " barrel. Brought the first one home on 5/16/15 and the second on 5/23/15. Both are brand new. Have shot less than 100 rounds in each (factory and reloads) so far. I really like both of them. I really like the convertable option. I will reload for both guns in all calipers. Just need dies for .357/.38 special and 45 LC. Those will be ordered soon.

Just to add I have also read about the 9 mm option not being accurate due to round being short (greater distance from bullet to barrel) / smaller bullet diameter. So far that is not true for me or my Wife.
 
Last edited:
Are all single actions pistols this easy to shoot and hit with?
If I am in the market for one, are new Ruger Blackhawks this good?
If older is better, what age should I look for?
Click to expand...

Howdy

1. Not all single action revolvers are the same. The Blackhawk you were shooting has a larger frame and cylinder than a typical Colt or colt clone. This means the Blackhawk is bigger and heavier, and will tame recoil better. Also, most replica Colts come with fixed sights, with the old teeny 'V' groove milled into the top strap. Not as friendly to those with less than perfect eyesight as the big adjustable sights that come on a Blackhawk. Don't get me wrong, a SAA or clone in 357 is still a big gun with plenty of steel around the chambers, but it will recoil a bit more with heavy loads than a Blackhawk will.

2. Ruger has recently been marketing some smaller frame Blackhawks, but other than those, all the Blackhawks are pretty much the same. During the early 1970s Ruger switched over to their New Models, that incorporate a transfer bar. There really are no good or bad years with a Ruger New Model, my 45 Colt/45 ACP convertible that I bought back in 1975 is no better or worse than anything made today.

BlackhawkConvertible02.jpg



Prior to the New Models, Ruger single action revolvers had a lockwork very similar to a Colt, other than the fact that flat springs had all been replaced by coil springs. Today they are known as the Three Screw Rugers because of the three screws in the frame. Just like a Colt, these revolvers were loaded with the hammer at half cock, and just like a Colt, they should always be loaded with only five rounds, not six, with an empty chamber under the hammer. This Flat Top 357 was made sometime in the 1960s, I forget exactly when.

FlatTop357_zpsae10bd45.jpg
 
I love my 6.5" .357 in stainless . I bought it used and have no idea how old it is short of it having a transfer bar and "lawyer speak" on the barrel.

It might be my "there can be only one" out in the wild gun.

That said, a 4 5/8" .45 convertible might be my next gun purchase.
 
My only Ruger SA was a stainless Super Blackhawk with the usual 7.5-inch barrel. Very accurate, even in quick pointed fire. Felt recoil was less than for my S&W M-29.

I think you should buy a stainless model. You get steel (not light alloy) hand grip frame and ejector rod housing and all the benefits of stainless.

A .357 Blackhawk is naturally heavier than one in .44 or .45, due to the larger holes in the bbl. and cylinder in larger calibers.

If you want a .357 Ruger, the GP-100 may be a better idea, but if you prefer SA, the Blackhawk is sure the standard in that field.

But be aware that blue Rugers tend to turn a weird plum color as they age. I've read that it's due to inclusion of silicon in the steel formula so they cast the parts better. I think they make .357 Blackhawks in stainless. They'd be on their large frame.

I do think .357 Magnum is the best all-round revolver caliber.
 
But be aware that blue Rugers tend to turn a weird plum color as they age. I've read that it's due to inclusion of silicon in the steel formula so they cast the parts better. I think they make .357 Blackhawks in stainless. They'd be on their large frame.
Click to expand...

Howdy Again

Yes, silicon content did present a problem with the steel Investment Cast Ruger parts a long time ago. The lighting of this particular photo brings it out, it is not as bright as this under normal lighting.

ThreeScrew357Magnum01.jpg


But they solved the problem a long time ago. I bought this Convertible Blackhawk brand, spanky new in 1975. Do you see any plum on it?

BlackhawkConvertible02.jpg
 
No I am not the Swanee from Hutch, although I did live there as an intern in college in the late 80's. I have many friends in that town......

Some good advice and great photos in the thread. Thank you.

I think I am in the market for a SA, I handload so I am thinking .357 or .45LC ...

Thanks again.
 
no. they can be. doesn't matter.

just like any firearm, you can get a lemon. but, most will be just as good as your friends.

i have four and all are accurate, tough and fun to shoot.

murf
 
Never tried a Ruger single action I didn't like. My favorites are the 327 mag, the 10mm-38/40 and the 357-9mm. Shooting the 9mm cylinder is like shooting a 22 including being cheap and accurate. I got the 357-9mm recently so I know they are still being made. Good luck in your search.

SingleActionCenterfire3-A_zps8aa5d9f5.jpg
 
Ruger revolver accuracy has been off and on for me, in my limited experience. I've probably only had a half a dozen Ruger revolvers. Probably 80 or 90 handguns all together. I'm leery of the "amazingly light" recoil claim in a .357 magnum. I'd try an assortment of factory loads before coming to a conclusion about the recoil.

That being said, I do regret getting rid of my old .357 Blackhawk from 30 years ago. It was a fine gun in all respects. But based on my other experiences, I wouldn't buy a Ruger revolver without being able to try it out, first.

I love Ruger semi autos as a general rule, but my love of Ruger revolvers only applies to specific guns.
 
My Blackhawk is the Old Model from 1969 and is a 357 magnum with the 9mm cylinder. My experience is that both have about the same accuracy but the sights may need to be adjusted for elevation when changing between the two cylinders.
 
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