[SteelyNirvana]

Been thinking about buying a Blackhawk convertible in .357/9mm w/ the 6 1/2 barrel sometime in the future. Would like to hear about what kinda accuracy I can expect and how others are pleased with the gun. Also, I saw that Ruger is no longer offering the wood grips on this model anymore ( http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=19&variation=.357%20/%209mm%20Convertible&bct=Yes&type=Revolver ), anyone know why?


Thanks

[devildog66]

I think that you will enjoy that. I had a 45/45 acp convertible and I enjoyed shooting it. Not a fan of the alloy lower frame look and "dingability" but that is about the only negative I had with the pistol.

[Bruce H.]

I have a NM Blackhawk 9mm/357 convertible with a 6 1/2" barrel. I love it. It is the most accurate handgun that I own. The only complaint that I have about it is that it is nose heavy. Look on ebay for wood grips. I found some very good bargains on custom wood Blackhawk grips on ebay.

[MMCSRET]

The RNMBH barrel is bored for .357/.358 ammo. Most 9MM is .355/.356, you will find that accuracy with 9MM is somewhat lacking, but superb in 38/357. I build my own 9MM ammo using .358 cast bullets and therefore my 9MM ammo shoots as good as my 38/357. It takes a little engineering on your part to determine just exactly what is required and what your cylinder(9MM) will handle.

[ArmedBear]

9mm and .357 bullets are different in diameter, as MMCSRET says. Even if accuracy isn't too bad, POI can shift pretty dramatically.

Now, if this were a defensive snubby, I'd say, "Who cares? Ammo compatibility is a big plus, and I won't use it past 10 yards anyway." But in a single-action revolver designed to be accurate at decent ranges, and that won't load 6-at-a-time with moonclips, I can't see any reason to use 9mm in it.

.357 Blackhawk is already compatible with .38's, and if you want to shoot it often, IMO the extra money for the 9mm cylinder would be better put towards a reloading press instead.

I have a .357 Blackhawk and I like it. It could use a trigger job, but otherwise it's a flawless revolver for the money. I prefer stainless, but I got the blued one used for a great price...:)

[MMCSRET]

My NMBH convertible has had in excess of 22,000 rounds thru it, mostly 38, but it is fun to watch people when I can break clay pigeons on the back stop at 100 yds with the pipsqueak 9MM. Some people just don't comprehend what a small cartridge can do; and I'm not a big fan of 9MM, thats why I went to work to find its accuracy potential in this big revolver. Very rewarding.

[Hud]

I got a 6.5" .357/9mm a couple of years ago & really like it.

They have an internal lock in the grip frame that has no effect on operation if you choose not to drill the RH grip panel for the key.

I wasn't really fond of the alloy grip frame or the checkered plastic grips.
The grips were too narrow & the chekering felt like holding a double cut mill file, so I fit a brass grip frame & made a set of smooth grips from a chunk of Oregon Myrtle wood.

Like MMCSRET I handload so I can taylor my 9mm for the BH.

Regards, Hud

[ArmedBear]

Where did you get the brass grip frame?

I really like the way that looks!

[Hud]

ArmedBear,

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=9939&title=RUGER~%20SA%20BRASS%20&%20STEEL%20GRIP%20FRAMES

They are cast slightly oversized & have to be fit to the cyl. frame.
Kind of a pain in the butt if you've never done anything like that before.
It took me about 4 evenings of very careful fitting. Once you remove metal, it's kind of hard to put back.
They are not made for the lock (OK with me) so you have to use the older type hammer strut retainer or fabricate one.

Regards, Hud

[ArmedBear]

Fitting metal if you don't have a little machine shop is a pain in the butt if you HAVE done it before.:)

Like you said, if you overshoot, you are holding brass scrap.

I don't have Rugers with the locks. Do the same grips fit the guns with locks and without, assuming you're not interested in drilling the hole anyway?

Thanks for the info.

[BHP FAN]

OH...MY...GAWD!Hud, that is beautiful!

[Hud]

BHP FAN, Thanks!

ArmedBear, "Do the same grips fit the guns with locks and without, assuming you're not interested in drilling the hole anyway?"

Can't speak for all frames or grips, but I tried the walnut grips off of my '79 Single Six on the BH lock frame & they fit.

Regards, Hud

[SGW42]

I just picked up a brand new blued Single Six (same grip frame as the Blackhawk) and it had the internal lock in it. I ordered a set of "'08" rosewood grips from Ruger and I can't tell what would make them "'08." There isn't even a small "indent" on the inside of the rosewood grips (where a hole would be drilled if you wanted) like there is with the standard black checkered grips. So I imagine the pre-lock and post-lock grips are interchangeable.