Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag . . .

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Prof Young

New member
I'm looking at a used Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag with a 7.5 inch barrel for five bills.

Please tell me about your experience with yours.

Life is good.
Prof Young
 
My 5.5” barreled SBH is excellent. I did have to change out the grips to Pachmayr’s do to a bit of knuckle slap but other than that it is a very fun gun.
 
Right . . . Super Blackhawk!

Thanks for all the thoughts.

Model12win - I still have a lot to learn. Can you tell me that again in less "revolver" language?

Life is good.

Prof Young
 
Prof Young said:
I still have a lot to learn. Can you tell me that again in less "revolver" language?
Click to expand...

It can't be explained in "less revolver language," because it's a revolver issue.

With modern double action revolvers, to reload you push [something, depending on brand] and the entire cylinder swings out. But the Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk aren't modern double actions, they're quasi-modern single actions.

If you know anything about cowboy revolvers, to reload a Colt 1873 Single Action Army (or any of the Italian clones thereof) you move the hammer to half cock and open the loading gate on the right side of the revolver. One chamber will (hopefully) be lined up with the loading gate, so you can punch out the empty case and insert a loaded cartridge. Simple.

Old Ruger single actions worked the same way. But, when Ruger eliminated direct hammer firing and created the transfer bar ignition system they also changed the loading operation. The new large-frame Ruger's don't have a half cock position. Opening the loading gate releases the cylinder, and you have to manually move it to align a chamber with the gate. If you go too far and miss the alignment -- you can't go back, you have to go all the way around and try again.

Ruger apparently took enough heat over this that the even newer flattop models have a revised loading sequence that is an attempt to overcome the widespread dissatisfaction with the way the Blackhawks have to be handled to load.

There was a recent thread that got into this in some detail:

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=596307
 
I have a 7.5" Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 magnum. It is my favorite handgun out of many. I got mine on a $399 bid, but it took several months to find one that cheap. They are excellent revolvers. Mine is very accurate.
 
I've had two. $500 is a little high. The squared rear part of the trigger guard raps your middle finger hard upon firing, so rubber or wood grips that fill in that part are recommended. Since you aren't accustomed to one type of loading gate or loading procedure it won't matter, you'll just learn the one you buy. In casual shooting it won't matter.
 
First, all .44 Mags are on the same size large cylinder frame ... BH, SBH, Vaquero :) . Assume we are talking about the SBH, but there was the first Old Model large frame flattop BlackHawks from '56 to I think '63. The OM SBH was introduced in '59 with a new grip frame, some protective ears around the rear sight. Of course in '73 the New Model SBH came along. Then there is the 50th Anniversary flattop .44 Mag BH in 2006. One thing about Ruger, you got 'some' variations!

That said, I like my 50th Anniversary .44Mag 6 1/2" a lot... It is my goto revolver when shooting .44 Mag. BTW, it has the loading pawl that lets the chamber line up for easy loading/unloading. Have a 7 1/2" NM SBH also that is ok... But I like the flattop better. No reason other than 'I' prefer it.
 
Targa - My 5.5” barreled SBH is excellent. I did have to change out the grips to Pachmayr’s do to a bit of knuckle slap but other than that it is a very fun gun.
Click to expand...


There is no current production 44 Mag Bisley Blackhawk in a 5.5" barrel, but Lipsey's expressed interest, when I inquired about it. I have the Anniversary Flat Top but there isn't enough grip on the Flat Tops to really control a 44 Mag with a serious load.
 
It's the standard . . .

Yeah, it's the standard Super Blackhawk, not the hunter model.

On line reviews have warned of the squared off trigger guard.

Life is good.
Prof Young
 
Bought it . . .

Went to put some rounds through the 1911 today and looked at the Super Black Hawk again. Katie (the range lady) told me the previous owner had shot 12 rounds and decided he/she didn't like the squared of trigger guard. Because I'm a regular there she offered me the gun for $450 so I went for it. Will let you know how it goes in a week or so.

Life is good.

Prof Young
 
I enjoy mine. Its a 7.5'' unconverted old model. Some don't like the squared trigger guard but I don't have a problem with it. I did have to do some work to equalize the throats and I keep a screwdriver on hand if I'm going to put a lot of rounds through it. The ejector rod housing screw occasionally needs to be tightened. Mine handles full power ammo easily and its really mild with mid level ammo.


Mike
 
The trigger guard has never been a bother to me. Yeah, I got rapped a couple of times, but I learned to adapt.

SBHs are a joy to shoot. No one says you gotta shoot max loads all the time. I tame mine for casual shooting and cast bullets.

My best two loads are with a 250 gr cast SWC and a 260 gr cast hollow point. You can make them shoot any way you want.

My grand eldest daughter loves shooting my cast bullet loads.
 
I owned an 8 inch model and it was a great shot. Now that was all it was for me. The novelty of the single action wore off and the square trigger guard hurt to shoot. I put some rubber grups on it and it became a dream to shoot after that. Now thats where I had a problem. I loved to shoot it with the new grips but it lost what made it a beautiful single action. I bastardized and had to do it because I only enjoyed it thay way. Then I concluded what I realy wanted was a 629. I gave my super black hawk to my cousin and got me a 629! Now that 629 doesnt shoot as well but I enjoy it more. I probably should have kept it for a show off piece but it would have gone to waste in my safe.
 
Enjoy your purchase! I sure enjoy my SBH with a 7.5" barrel. I don't always shoot it with full power loads as a 240 grain hard cast over 9.3 grains of Universal makes a nice fun load.
 
I have a SBH with a 5.5" barrel. The trigger guard never bothered me but the sharp corner at the bottom of the grip frame cut in to the palm of my hand. And I have medium sized hands at best. I added one of the ugly Pacmeyer rubber grips and that made it shootable with any loads.

I have full bore heavy loads but way more mid range and pop gun loads. I like a 240gr lead with just 5grs of Bullseye powder. That lod was accurate in the model 29 I stupidly sold and is accurate in this gun. Plus its just fun to shoot.

I have cast bullets for 30+ years. I use a cast iron skillet to make Pucks of lead that way around 25 pounds. I shot one of the pucks with a full power 9mm round and the bullet buried up to its base. I then shot one of the 5gr Bullseye loads with 240gr lead bullet and it buried in the lead and then cracked the other side with radial splits. Those that like heavy, slow bullets are on to something.:eek:

And at $450 you paid the right price. I bought mine over 10 years ago NIB and paid $425 with the box and paperwork. Worth every penny too.
 
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