[Long_Range_Mauser]

Okay so i have found a couple of guns for the same price. Should I buy a never fired Stainless Taurus Gaucho, or a good condition Blackhawk, Both are .45LC.

[Beagle-zebub]

If you want a Colt-sized revolver for shooting standard and cowboy-level loads, get the Gaucho. If you want a bigger revolver that will soak up recoil and can handle loads with as much power as any .44 magnum, get the Blackhawk.

[Long_Range_Mauser]

can the blackhawk shoot +p loads?

[atlanticfire]

can the blackhawk shoot +p loads?
All day long :cool:

[Long_Range_Mauser]

sweet i think ill get the blackhawk then. But the taurus is so good looking :( indecision sucks

[gazpacho]

You can handload Monster 45 colt loads that approach, if not equal or surpass 44 magnum loads. The Blackhawk can handle those all day long, unlike you wrist. I would describe the Blackhawk as one of those heirloom handguns tat you can use extensively and still pass it to the next generation, and so on and so on and so on.

[atlanticfire]

indecision sucksI do it to myself too when I'm thinking about a new gun (which is pretty much all the time):rolleyes:. Its not always a bad thing though and somtimes I end up with two new guns.:D
But I do love my Blackhawk in .45lc, like was said I can load it with H110 and turn it to a .45 Colt mag.

[Long_Range_Mauser]

and they can be shot SASS too! I hate that looks are clouding my judgement but that stainless finish just keeps catching my eye.

[atlanticfire]

My judgment gets clouded by the name "Ruger" Since it synonymous with "built like a tank". But my opinion is kind of one sided as I don’t dabble in the Taurus market.:rolleyes:

[Long_Range_Mauser]

yeah, so you can make a good hunting load for the blackhawk?

[C-grunt]

With a .45 Colt Blackhawk using Buffalo Bore ammo, I would feel good hunting anything in North America except maybe Grizzlies. But then again it would be a decent Grizzly defense gun.

[atlanticfire]

I've not hunted with my BlackHawk, but I'm sure with some of those hot .45 loads you could. If you get one in .44 that would be more then enough. Well, depends on what game your talking.

[C-grunt]

I have a Super Blackhawk in .44mag. The thing is a cannon and built like a tank. The heavy hunting loads will hurt your wrists before the gun.

[atlanticfire]

Same with my BlackHawk in .45lc. I can push a 240gr bullet to over 1450fps with 27.5gr H100. Feels just about like a .44.
Oh yeah, load data disclaimer and all that.

[Long_Range_Mauser]

I have shot alot of .44s but never a hot .45

[C-grunt]

Once I get set up for reloading this beast, it will be reduced loads. Even the standard stuff from Hornady (200grn at 1400fps) is a bit stout for my tastes, Ha Ha!

[C-grunt]

Mine next to my 3 inch SP101.

Edit... BTW as far as durability goes, my Super Blackhawk was made in 79 and still works like a champ.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm229/killerchase2000/000_0046.jpg

[Long_Range_Mauser]

can you scope a blackhawk like you can a super blackhawk. Okay new question Blackhawk .45 or Super Blackhawk .44mag

[TheEngineer]

The Blackhawk is also available with interchangeable 45LC and 45ACP cylinders...

[Long_Range_Mauser]

can they be bought for used guns

[TheEngineer]

I believe the extra cylinder is available from and has to be fitted by the manufacturer. Check out rugerforum.com--I believe someone there went through the process with good results, but don't take my word for it.

[novaDAK]

Definately get the Blackhawk. Ruger has great customer service if it is ever needed (I've never had to)...the same can't be said for Taurus.

[Beagle-zebub]

Blackhawks can absolutely be scoped.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=81909

[dagger dog]

Do yourself a big favor and buy the BLACKHAWK!

[ArmedBear]

Blackhawk vs. Gaucho? It wouldn't take me two seconds to make that decision. Hell, I wouldn't even have a decision to make.

However, when you find yourself mired in life's dilemmas, it can help to ask yourself, WWED?

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1931220182.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

[ArmedBear]

Okay new question Blackhawk .45 or Super Blackhawk .44mag


Depends on what you want.

It's true that .45 Colt can be loaded really hot, up to and surpassing WWB .44 Magnum loads.

However, whatever hot load you can name for a .45LC, you can find a hotter one in .44 Magnum. It you buy .44 Magnum brass, it's all designed for high pressures. The rim is easier to handle in a press since it's larger than .45LC, and the same size cylinder has more steel around the slightly-smaller .44 case -- that's why Elmer Keith abandoned the .45LC and shifted to the .44 S&W Special as the basis for a new magnum round.

I have a BH and SBH, and I prefer the Super Blackhawk hammer and trigger. I also like the Dragoon grip frame on the SBH, though some people here like Old Fuff have me intrigued by the Bisley grip frame.

All told, I'd get, and I did get, the .44, but I doubt anyone has ever cried about purchasing a .45 Blackhawk either.:)

I like my .357 Blackhawk. The gun and the round seem very well matched.

Also of note: I got both the stainless .44 SBH and the blue .357 BH pretty cheap, used, in great condition (I think I have $600 total in both guns). Those two guns, in those calilbers, are relatively easy to find used without paying too much.

[Matt-J2]

Not mentioned yet, is the Blackhawk has adjustable sights, vs the fixed on the Gaucho.

I reckon you've already moved on, but it's good to point out to anyone else potentially reading this.

I've owned a normal Blackhawk(.30 carbine) and now have a Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44. I'm looking to buy more Blackhawks in the future. Also, a New Vaquero or two and a Single Six. I'd call that a ringing endorsement for what I think of Ruger products. :D

I'd go to your local dealer and handle a few. There is a difference between the BH and SBH, and each barrel length balances differently as well.

[ArmedBear]

WRT fixed sights: note that large bore, heavy rounds tend to shift POI pretty dramatically with different loads -- something I found out the hard way a week or two ago. Old Fuff delivered a good explanation of why.

I have a fixed sight Uberti SAA clone, and it's a neat little trail gun in .357. It shoots to POA with standard .357 loads, and it's a bit off with .38 Specials. This is a 4 5/8" .357; a longer-barreled .44 or .45 has a much more dramatic POI deviation.

There are three reasons I'd get fixed sights on a .4X revolver:

1. CAS, CFD, etc. that requires a 19th-Century design for competition.

2. A trail or backup gun for hiking or hunting, where close-range use is all that's anticipated.

3. A historic/replica firearm to be enjoyed as such. Work up a load that shoots where the sights point, and just use that.

[Redhawk1]

Blackhawk.....

[foghornl]

One word:

Blackhawk.

[Long_Range_Mauser]

Okay so Im getting a blackhawk. Not sure on caliber cause he has BH .45 For 350 or SBH .44 for 390

[ArmedBear]

SBH

Are these blue or stainless? Blue guns are all-steel if Super Blackhawk, but Aluminum grip frames if Blackhawk.

What are the barrel lengths?

SBH has a nicer hammer and trigger, and larger grips on 7 1/2" and 10 1/2" guns.

[Big Bill]

No Brainer .... RUGER!

[Redhawk1]

If you reload either will do, but I would lean to the 45 Colt.

[C-grunt]

I like my SBH a lot. I chose the .44 over the .45 Colt just because its A) easier to find, and B) its usually a bit cheaper too.

If you reload then either will do. I dont have my setup for basically anything except .308 right now (and I dont even own one anymore) so until then Im using factory ammo.

[Virginian]

Don't overlook the Stainless Vaqueros in 45 Colt, just to further cloud the issue. Gorgeous, and the old ones are as strong as a Blackhawk, and the new ones are the size of the Gaucho - but are a Ruger !

[Glockman17366]

There's also the New Vaquero Montado which looks pretty sweet. These are stainless steel with a 3½" barrel. I'm pretty sure they're only availible in .45 Colt.
I haven't handled one of these yet, but from the pictures I've seen, the Montado will look outstanding with Bird's Head Grips.

[ArmedBear]

Gorgeous, and the old ones are as strong as a Blackhawk

Which does crap of a lot of good, if you want to shoot hot loads in it, unless you want to do some very difficult sight changing. And then you're stuck with that POI.

Fixed sight single action revolvers look cool, are required for cowboy competition, and slide in and out of a holster well.

But they are not the versatile guns that adjustable-sight single-action revolvers are. Just looked at the little Elmer Keith museum in Cabela's here yesterday. Lots of neat guns.

One thing you'll note about the guns of probably the greatest revolver tinkerer since Sam Colt: they have adjustable sights. Even the Colts. One of the neat guns was one he custom ordered from Colt for his son in .44 Special. One of the custom features? Nice adjustable sights.

[tinygnat219]

Blackhawk. There's a reason Taurus discontinued the Gaucho: they are junk.