Tell me about recent Ruger Blackhawks

[.455_Hunter]

I am a bit confused about current and relatively recent Ruger Blackhawks. I understand the progression of the Vaquero series, but how that translates into Blackhawks is a bit confusing with re-issue of the flattops, etc.

Are there multiple frame sizes?

Do they still use an aluminum alloy frame on the blued guns?

Would a current .45 Colt Blackhawk be similar to a 90's gun, or more like one of the newer Vaqueros with adjustable sights?

Thanks for your input.

 

[murf]

yes, yes and yes.

i am limiting this answer to the 45 colt cartridge (all the 44 magnum chambered blackhawks are large framed, the 357 magnum blackhawk chamberings also come in large (sight eared) and small (flattop) frames).

the large framed blackhawks have "sight ears" on the topstrap and have aluminum grip frames. the small framed blackhawks have "flattop" topstraps and have steel grip frames.

the large frame blackhawks can still do "ruger only" loads, the small framed ones cannot.

you can also go to "ruger.com" and look at the spec sheets of the two blackhawks.

luck,

murf

 

[Crunchy Frog]

Ruger introduced (maybe reintroduced) the “medium sized” cylinder frame with the 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk which also reintroduced the Flattop feature. Steel grip frame, too. That same medium cylinder frame is the basis of the New Vaquero. The New Model Flattop has since been made in .45 Colt (including a convertible), .44 Special and as a .357/9mm convertible. All have the New Vaquero’s “reverse indexing pawl” that makes loading and unloading easier.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Ruger introduced (maybe reintroduced) the “medium sized” cylinder frame with the 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk which also reintroduced the Flattop feature. Steel grip frame, too. That same medium cylinder frame is the basis of the New Vaquero. The New Model Flattop has since been made in .45 Colt (including a convertible), .44 Special and as a .357/9mm convertible. All have the New Vaquero’s “reverse indexing pawl” that makes loading and unloading easier.

So what it sounds like that a full-size, blued Blackhawk in .45 Colt with a steel grip frame does not, or has never existed, correct?

 

[BBarn]

Not sure, but I don't recall any of the larger (full) sized blued Blackhawks made with plowhandle steel grip frames chambered in 45 Colt. To get a steel grip frame in that size, I think you would need to go with a stainless or Bisley (blued or stainless) grip frame.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Not sure, but I don't recall any of the larger (full) sized blued Blackhawks made with plowhandle steel grip frames chambered in 45 Colt. To get a steel grip frame in that size, I think you would need to go with a stainless or Bisley (blued or stainless) grip frame.

Yup- I have .45 Colt examples in a 7.5" Stainless Blackhawk and a 7.5" Blued Old Vaquero. I had an early '00s 5.5" Blued Blackhawk, but the alloy frame turned me off. I found a donor Old Vaquero and the gunsmith tried to swap grip frames, but things didn't work right with the alignment, so they both went down river.

I guess my best blued options are an 5.5" Old or New Vaquero, or a 5.5" Flattop.

 

[CaptHank]

Here is my 45 Colt, 5.5". Yes, is has an alloy grip frame, with the "lock" in the grip frame.