Super BlackHawk from 74, anything to know about ahead of time?

[LoonWulf]

So im trading into a Super Blackhawk .44 whos serial dates from '74. I know this is the first year they were made, and the gun looks pretty much brand new.
I also know its not unusual for guns to have updates and changes post release, and Ive never owned, or even shot one of these before. Just wondering if theres anything i should keep an eye on.

 

[RecoilRob]

That's the first year for the 'New Model' with transfer bar and not the old 'three screw' version so it will be safe to load all 6 and carry. Beautiful handguns and great shooters...enjoy!

 

[.308 Norma]

So im trading into a Super Blackhawk .44 whos serial dates from '74. I know this is the first year they were made, and the gun looks pretty much brand new.
I also know its not unusual for guns to have updates and changes post release, and Ive never owned, or even shot one of these before. Just wondering if theres anything i should keep an eye on.

I don't think the Super Blackhawks have changed much since '74 when the "New Model" (with the transfer bar) was introduced. I had a 7.5" inch model, and my wife had a couple of the 10.5" (Super Silhouette) models back in the early '80s. She used them in IHMSA competition. In fact, she still has one of her Super Silhouettes that she shipped it back to Ruger to have rebuilt and a 6" barrel installed after she quit competing. It still shoots great, and the 6" barrel is a little easier to carry around.

Some folks complain about the squared off trigger guards of the Super Blackhawks. They complain the trigger guard bangs their middle fingers. But those folks must have fatter fingers than either my wife or I because neither of us have ever experienced that. And the fact is, in practice and competition, my wife has easily ran over 10,000 full-house 44 Magnum rounds through her Super Blackhawks.
However, my wife did wear a left-handed batter's glove with the trigger finger cut out of it when she shot. The padded palm helped cushion the recoil a bit, and the leather kept the inside of her thumb from being rubbed raw as the Super Blackhawk rolled in her hand when it went off.
Regardless of all that, my lovely wife is 65 years old now, and IHMSA competition using 44 Magnum Super Blackhawks, has left her with a shelf lined with trophies and an arthritic right wrist. But over 10,000 full-house 44 Magnum rounds in three years, fired by a 5'2", 120lb woman is an extreme example.
Never-the-less, if you asked her, my wife would tell you she'd do it all again - no regrets!

 

[LoonWulf]

Thanks guys. My knowledge is sadly lacking in the area of single actions, so i appreciate the info.

Sounds like your wife got alot of good use out of her Sbh, im realy looking forward to playing with the one im getting.

 

[bannockburn]

LoonWulf

I have had a couple of Super Blackhawks over the years and found the factory grips to be very uncomfortable to shoot with. I found that oversized target style grips (like those from Hogue or Herretts), that filled in the space behind the squared off trigger guard made a big difference in the comfort and control that I had when shooting full house .44 Mag loads.

 

[LoonWulf]

Thanks for the tip! This ones wearing the hogue grips, not sure if the factory grips are included, but i figgured id start with what was on there. Id read recoil could be painful with the factory grips, so id already decided to start with .44 specials and the hogues in place. If i can shoot the mags comfortably with the hogue grips ill try a set of factory or similar, as i do like the way they look.

 

[BobWright]

In my opinion the Ruger Super Blackhawk is the epitome of Single Actions. The very early models had serrated triggers while later models had smooth triggers.

Couple of my New Model Supers:







The ones with the blue triggers are the serrated triggers.

They don't come any better!

Bob Wright

 

[LoonWulf]

Beautiful revolvers Bob!

 

[.308 Norma]

I probably shouldn't be telling you this LoonWulf, and I'm not recommending it. A common practice of Super Blackhawk IHMSA competitors used to be: Once they'd had their guns inspected by the judges before a shoot, they'd discreetly step off to the side, take out a little screwdriver, and remove one of the grip panels from their gun. Then they'd simply use the screwdriver to lift one of the legs of the gun's trigger return spring off it's stud, and replace the grip panel.
That little trick lightens a Super Blackhawk's trigger squeeze considerably. Like I say though - I'm not recommending the practice. I'm more or less just offering it as IHMSA trivia.

 

[Jim NE]

I finally bought another SuperBlackhawk after owning one for a brief period about 15 years ago. 10.5" barrels on both guns. The current one I own was made in '82, and I love it. I didn't much like the first one I had because it had all the aftermarket doodads that people tend to put on these guns, the most annoying being the ported barrel. Porting on powerful handguns is a loser because of the noise, IMO. I like a factory original look in most of my guns, too.

My current SBH is quite accurate, but I've shot only .44 Special in it so far. Congrats on the new Ruger...they're great guns!

 

[gotboostvr]

I probably shouldn't be telling you this LoonWulf, and I'm not recommending it. A common practice of Super Blackhawk IHMSA competitors used to be: Once they'd had their guns inspected by the judges before a shoot, they'd discreetly step off to the side, take out a little screwdriver, and remove one of the grip panels from their gun. Then they'd simply use the screwdriver to lift one of the legs of the gun's trigger return spring off it's stud, and replace the grip panel.
That little trick lightens a Super Blackhawk's trigger squeeze considerably. Like I say though - I'm not recommending the practice. I'm more or less just offering it as IHMSA trivia.

I did that on my recently acquired 357 Blackhawk.
It took exactly one pound off the trigger. From 3lbs 10oz, to a wonderful 2lbs 10oz.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Ruger is known for occasionally letting a lemon out the door, especially with cylinder gap. I recently examined an almost unfired 1976 "200th Year" Super Blackhawk with an over 0.012" gap, probably closer to 0.016".

 

[C5rider]

@BobWright

That brass-handled SRH sure is purdy, and a three-screw! My SRH is a '70 model, same year I was produced. We're both getting older, as both the firearm, and myself have been "back to the shop" for a few "updates" over the years. Neither one of us still has all of our original equipment- sadly.

One day, I'd love to have one with a brass grip, whether factory installed or after the fact. Either way, we always enjoy your digital version of show and tell.

And for the OP, enjoy that Ruger and of course, pix or it didn't happen.

 

[LoonWulf]

And for the OP, enjoy that Ruger and of course, pix or it didn't happen

24ths when the permit is supposed to be ready, so the guy has a couple weeks to change his mind. I dont think he will tho, and ill post pics when ive got it in hand as required!

 

[bc38]

I probably shouldn't be telling you this LoonWulf, and I'm not recommending it. A common practice of Super Blackhawk IHMSA competitors used to be: Once they'd had their guns inspected by the judges before a shoot, they'd discreetly step off to the side, take out a little screwdriver, and remove one of the grip panels from their gun. Then they'd simply use the screwdriver to lift one of the legs of the gun's trigger return spring off it's stud, and replace the grip panel.
That little trick lightens a Super Blackhawk's trigger squeeze considerably. Like I say though - I'm not recommending the practice. I'm more or less just offering it as IHMSA trivia.

just my experience this did not lighten the trigger all that much and some times the off leg would slide into the coil spring. this would not allow you to cock the hammer.

 

[FROGO207]

I purchased a pair of Blackhawks in 30 Carbine from a guy, that had a leg released on each one and that did not make all that much difference on the pull (I did not measure it). The recoil would hose mine up as well so I reattached things and left them that way.

 

[LoonWulf]

I think ill play with the idea, tho I probably wont shoot it like that, if it can interfere with function.

 

[huntsman]

^ just do a spring swap, I got a spring kit from Midway and it made my Blackhawk a sweet shooting gun.

 

[gotboostvr]

Since mine isn't a carry or hunting weapon, I'll play with it at the range with one leg off. If I have any issues depending on the severity I may set it back on as it was pretty good before I took it off.

I'm thinking I could use a 5.5" Bisely either in 44 or a convertible 45 as a new hunting rig.

 

[Jack B.]

Thanks for the tip! This ones wearing the hogue grips, not sure if the factory grips are included, but i figgured id start with what was on there. Id read recoil could be painful with the factory grips, so id already decided to start with .44 specials and the hogues in place. If i can shoot the mags comfortably with the hogue grips ill try a set of factory or similar, as i do like the way they look.

If you buy some factory grips (which I think look good) don't get rid of the Houge grips till you shoot some full house rounds through it with the factory style grips. That square trigger guard does give some people problems especially if they have big hands.

 

[murf]

for heavy loads with those stock grips, put your pinky finger underneath the grip. that will bring your whole hand down the grip and, hopefully, prevent your middle finger from getting smacked.

with any blackhawk, tighten all frame screws when you get it, and keep em' tight as they easily loosen. make sure the rear sight pivot pin isn't trying to walk out of the frame. clean the whole gun before you shoot it. make sure the base pin doesn't start backing out when shooting heavy loads. some do, some don't.

excellent choice for a handgun. i own a lot of blackhawks (nothing like bobwright, but, for me, a lot).

luck,

murf

 

[LoonWulf]

If you buy some factory grips (which I think look good) don't get rid of the Houge grips till you shoot some full house rounds through it with the factory style grips. That square trigger guard does give some people problems especially if they have big hands.

Yeah ill be looking for comfort over appearance.
Ive got a pretty good flinch with pistols, even my .45 super build which dosent hurt makes me clench/flinch shots low and left if im not paying attention.

 

[Leanwolf]

[QUOTE="Jim NE, post: 10596549, member: 146119" ... I didn't much like the first one I had because it had all the aftermarket doodads that people tend to put on these guns, the most annoying being the ported barrel. Porting on powerful handguns is a loser because of the noise, IMO. ...

[/QUOTE]

I had my Ruger Super Blackhawk Magna-Ported many years ago. Helped tame the recoil with heavy loads and the noise never bothered me. 'Course, at the range, I use ear plugs and muffs.

L.W.

 

[Jack B.]

Follow the advise from murf and make sure you tighten all the screws that are on the gun regularly as they tend to back out after some range time.

 

[adcoch1]

for heavy loads with those stock grips, put your pinky finger underneath the grip. that will bring your whole hand down the grip and, hopefully, prevent your middle finger from getting smacked.

with any blackhawk, tighten all frame screws when you get it, and keep em' tight as they easily loosen. make sure the rear sight pivot pin isn't trying to walk out of the frame. clean the whole gun before you shoot it. make sure the base pin doesn't start backing out when shooting heavy loads. some do, some don't.

excellent choice for a handgun. i own a lot of blackhawks (nothing like bobwright, but, for me, a lot).

luck,

murf

This.... On all points. The finger under the grip frame keeps the D shaped trigger guard from smacking your middle finger, it also positions the hand to let the revolver "roll" up with recoil, and that positions the hammer for the shooting hand thumb to cock it. One handed shooting seems to lessen the recoil feel for me, even on my 5" 44 mag super blackhawk. Remember to hold on, but just tight enough to not drop the gun when it goes off. Just roll with the recoil, it will have a big flash and recoil, but the super blackhawk is really nice to shoot once you figure it out. And if the houge grip doesn't work try factory grips. They are a lot better than a lot of people realize...