Ruger Black Hawk 357

My grandfather has had one for several decades, and takes great care of it. It still looks brand new after thousands of rounds. With .357 loads, it is dead accurate if you don't flinch. With .38 Spl loads, the recoil is so mild I enjoy shooting it as much as a .22. It is very accurate out to 50 yards with iron sights. (I have not shot past 50 yards very much at all with it)

To be honest, I enjoy shooting it more than my AR, my 9mms.....everything...

I don't think anyone can say how they will hold up in the long run.
They have only made them since 1955, and that isn't long enough to find out how they will hold up.

Only a few other guns I can think of might hold up longer, and they are not SA revolvers.

As for accuracy?
The one I had accounted for several coyotes and other stuff at 50 to 125 yards.
An old washing machine in a ditch on the farm was almost every shot easy at 200.

rc

My 'Liberty' (1976) .357 NMBH with 4 5/8" barrel is never far from me...

The top strap has some minor flame cutting from my younger and more stupid days, but the thing is rock solid, and not alone around here...

Mine is a 1971 model and is one of the most accurate handguns I own.
The action is super smooth and is surprisingly easy to shoot.
Not a good picture of it.

My 6.5in has shot hundreds of hot hunting handloads (and many more standard) rounds without a hitch.

Accurate, durable and not too bad to look at.

Everything you could want in a SA 357.

Blackhawks are known for their brute strength and durability. Occasionally one will turn up that won't shoot, but they're rare and Ruger will correct it when and if it does.

If you want a single-action, it's really hard to go wrong with a Blackhawk.

Strong, get a convertible with extra cylinder in 9mm

Salmoneye said:

My 'Liberty' (1976) .357 NMBH with 4 5/8" barrel is never far from me...

The top strap has some minor flame cutting from my younger and more stupid days, but the thing is rock solid, and not alone around here...

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Salmoneye,

Those are some eyecatching stocks you have on that hogleg. What are they made of if you don't mind me asking?

bought one in 1979 its been shot more than i could count! still going strong!

I have an Old Model 3 Screw that was made back in 1973. It was bought brand new by my brother and now it is mine. No idea how many thousands of rounds through it. Why,....it is barely broken in,...and more accurate than I will ever be.

Great gun, will last a lifetime of heavy magnum rounds and accurate as heck.

I traded a stainless Security Six for mine 20 odd years ago and never looked back. Didn't like the SS for a few reasons, accuracy with .38s being one of them, but the Blackhawk is amazing. I can bench 4" groups at 100 yards with it and shoot 1" all day long at 25 off the bench with .38 or .357, only requires a sight elevation change for .38s. I mostly run HOT .357 in the gun as it's a hunting revolver and it's as tight as ever, VERY strong gun, much more strength than that Security Six which was getting a little loose. It also handles the recoil of hot 180s like they were wadcutter .38s in a K frame.

Salmoneye,

Those are some eyecatching stocks you have on that hogleg. What are they made of if you don't mind me asking?

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Those are Spalted Maple from my wood pile...They have about 8 coats of Boiled Linseed on them so far, aned that is what gives them the amber color...I've got a couple other sets that came from the same chunk of wood, and I have maybe another 5 sets to do out of that chunk...

Here are the last ones I did from a different position on that same chunk...This pic is before I put a half dozen coats of Formby's Tung Oil Finish on them, so they are a tad shinier now, but the color is about the same...

MCgunner:

Are those Mustang Grips in Zebra Wood???

What do I think about my 357/9mm Blackhawk? I love it. I can go to the range with only my Blackhawk and have three choices of ammo. For cheap shooting 9mm. I can load mild 38 specials and shoot them like 22 LR. Then of course the 357 magnum rounds. There isn't a load that my Blackhawk can't handle. For the money I paid for this revolver I think it is the best thing going.
Howard

My "Bicentennial" Blackhawk went through a car wreck before I bought it, and thousands of rounds have gone through it in the meantime. The bluing has carry wear, the bore is frosted (first owner left it in the wrecked car for almost two years without cleaning it), has been carried in freezing rain and desert sandstorms, dropped from horses, and got me through my "I can put HOW MUCH Bullseye behind that bullet?" reloading phase. It is firearm I strap on when I head into the Never-Never, and one of those that sleeps next to my bed.

I don't see how any well-managed household gets by without a Blackhawk.

Ruger blackhawk

el Godfather: I have and old 3 screw I bought in 1972 and it is still just as accurate and tight as when it was new, Can`t belive I have been shooting that gun for 40 yrs but I have and I can`t tell you how many rounds I have put thru it and have never had one problem with this gun. I prefer the 7 1/2 tube, but that is just me. In my opion a Ruger is better than a Colt much stronger. Anf I can buy 3 Rugers for what one Colt costs and you can take them home with you the same day not put on a long waiting list. I still hunt with this old gun and it is very comforting gun to carry on walks in the woods, It has a natural pointing ability for me and I have taken a few Hogs and other varmits with it. You can`t beat a RUGER BLACKHAWK In my opion and it will last you a lifetime. GOOD LUCK TO YOU: ken

I just bought a 357/9 convertible last week, and after only putting a box of 9mm through it I already love it way more than I thought I would. I think my 686 will be spending more time in the safe now so I don't hurt it with the Ruger loads.

after almost 3 five gallon pails of wheel weights,sinse 1976,my liberty modle .357 Blackhawk locks up perfect and is still dead on accurate.biker

You have nothing to worry about with a Blackhawk in any chambering. Strength, longevity and accuracy are unquestionable.

This one's old school. Shot my best ever handgun group with it. If you're going to carry it, I'd suggest the 4 5/8" barrel. I take my 2 3/4" Speed Six if the day will involve horses, jeeps, or a lot of hiking.

Picked up mine a few weeks ago in a trade.

Strength is the last thing I would ever worry about on a Blackhawk 357. The frame is strong enough for the 44 Mag SBH. I have a 6 1/2" "Liberty" 1976 stainless model that will surely outlast me. Accuracy has been very good with the 357 BHs I have owned.

Only issues I've experienced - I bought a new BH 357 in 2003 and the cylinder bores on that gun had deep circular machining marks visible. Pretty shoddy. Although the gun did shoot remarkably well.

MCgunner:

Are those Mustang Grips in Zebra Wood???

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Pretty sure it's zebra wood, but not sure of the manufacturer as I picked 'em up for 10 bucks out of a big box of misc used grips at a gun show. They're REAL comfy, though.