jim in Anchorage
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What's the difference? I looked at the Ruger catalog and they seem the same.
Blackhawk vs super blackhawk.
- Thread starter jim in Anchorage
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243winxb
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Super has larger grip, is one. At least on the older models.
jim in Anchorage
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Guess I should handle the two to feel the difference. I know the grip on my .45 Ruger Vaquero is too small.
Cowhide Cliff
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The New Vaqueros have a SAA style grip. The older Vaqueros had the Blackhawk grip.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Except for the mid-frame Blackhawk and New Vaquero models, the Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk and Vaquero are all built on the same large frame. The 7½" and 10" Supers have the Dragoon style grip frame, which is about a quarter inch LONGER (not larger). The Hunter model has the same grip except with a rounded triggerguard. The 4 5/8" and 5½" Supers have the standard Blackhawk grip frame.
I'm not 100% positive, but I believe the Super Blackhawks all use a steel grip frame while the blued normal Blackhawks use an aluminum one. Stainless steel Blackhawks obviously use a stainless steel grip frame. It makes a few ounces difference.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
SBH has a wide hammer spur too.
rc
rc
243winxb
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http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm Found this. Go to bottom of page for overlay of the grips.
justin22885
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also, super blackhawk has the square back trigger guard i believe
Originally
Mr. Ruger brought out the .44 Mag in the Blackhawk. Friend had one so I can say I have handled one. (Made a chunk when he sold to collector!) THEN Mr. R decided the Blackhawk was not strong enough and discontinued the .44 Mag. Redesign came out with more metal in the area of the rear sight, the Super Blackhawk. Excessive concern? I wonder but it is not my decision. I believe the .41 Mag was available in the Blackhawk. ??? Grips have varied over the years but friend had both .357 and .44 Blackhawks and they seemed about the same. Purchased in the 1950s when they were new. He was a dealer/gunsmith as was his father. Learned alot. Happy New Year.
Mr. Ruger brought out the .44 Mag in the Blackhawk. Friend had one so I can say I have handled one. (Made a chunk when he sold to collector!) THEN Mr. R decided the Blackhawk was not strong enough and discontinued the .44 Mag. Redesign came out with more metal in the area of the rear sight, the Super Blackhawk. Excessive concern? I wonder but it is not my decision. I believe the .41 Mag was available in the Blackhawk. ??? Grips have varied over the years but friend had both .357 and .44 Blackhawks and they seemed about the same. Purchased in the 1950s when they were new. He was a dealer/gunsmith as was his father. Learned alot. Happy New Year.
BobWright
Member
O.K. Class, pay attention:
This is a New Model Blackhawk in .45 Colt. So, I've done a few things to it, added a steel grip frame and ejector rod housing and stag grips, had the thing case hardened per Doug Turnbull, but a Blackhawk still:
When I say a Blackhawk still, I mean it is a Blackhawk yet, not that it produces moonshine or anything like that.
Now this is original version of the Super Blackhawk:
What set the gun apart from the Blackhawks was the .44 Magnum caliber; 7 1/2" barrel; non-fluted cylinder; longer grip frame of steel with square backed trigger guard; protecting ribs on either side of the rear sight; lower, wider hammer spur; wider, grooved trigger; and a high polish deep blue finish.
All Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks larger than .357 Magnum are made on the same frame, the MR-44 frame.
Currently, the only distinguishing feature of a Super Blackhawk now is that is has the beavertail hammer and is .44 Magnum. There are Supers with barrel lengths of 4 5/8" and 5 1/2", and 10" or so. They may, or may not have fluted cylinders. And only the longer barrel models have the Dragoon style grip frame. There are even Supers made in stainless steel!
Incidentally, it was Elmer Keith who suggested using the rear sight ribs. This to keep the rear sight from wobbling when it was raised for maximum elevation, out of the frame mortise.
Bob Wright
P.S. Of the original Blackhawks, the Flat Top models, I believe they were made only in .357 Magnum (MR Frame) and .44 Magnum (MR-44) frame. As I recall, the a change was made in 1963, in which the rear sight ribs were added, and the grip frame changed to the XR3-RED. With the coming of the New Models in 1973, having the transfer bar added, the medium .357 Magnum frame was dropped and only the larger .44 Magnum used for centerfire revolvers, with the exception of the .32 Magnum.
My earliest parts list calls the Single Six frame the R frame, then MR for the mid-sized .357 Magnum, and MR-44 for the largest frame.
This is a New Model Blackhawk in .45 Colt. So, I've done a few things to it, added a steel grip frame and ejector rod housing and stag grips, had the thing case hardened per Doug Turnbull, but a Blackhawk still:
When I say a Blackhawk still, I mean it is a Blackhawk yet, not that it produces moonshine or anything like that.
Now this is original version of the Super Blackhawk:
What set the gun apart from the Blackhawks was the .44 Magnum caliber; 7 1/2" barrel; non-fluted cylinder; longer grip frame of steel with square backed trigger guard; protecting ribs on either side of the rear sight; lower, wider hammer spur; wider, grooved trigger; and a high polish deep blue finish.
All Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks larger than .357 Magnum are made on the same frame, the MR-44 frame.
Currently, the only distinguishing feature of a Super Blackhawk now is that is has the beavertail hammer and is .44 Magnum. There are Supers with barrel lengths of 4 5/8" and 5 1/2", and 10" or so. They may, or may not have fluted cylinders. And only the longer barrel models have the Dragoon style grip frame. There are even Supers made in stainless steel!
Incidentally, it was Elmer Keith who suggested using the rear sight ribs. This to keep the rear sight from wobbling when it was raised for maximum elevation, out of the frame mortise.
Bob Wright
P.S. Of the original Blackhawks, the Flat Top models, I believe they were made only in .357 Magnum (MR Frame) and .44 Magnum (MR-44) frame. As I recall, the a change was made in 1963, in which the rear sight ribs were added, and the grip frame changed to the XR3-RED. With the coming of the New Models in 1973, having the transfer bar added, the medium .357 Magnum frame was dropped and only the larger .44 Magnum used for centerfire revolvers, with the exception of the .32 Magnum.
My earliest parts list calls the Single Six frame the R frame, then MR for the mid-sized .357 Magnum, and MR-44 for the largest frame.
Last edited:
Steve in PA
Member
Super Blackhawk in .44 Magnum on top, Blackhawk in .357 Magnum on bottom.
adcoch1
Member
Slightly off topic question, can the blackhawk round trigger guard be installed on the sbh frame to get rid of the d shape trigger guard?
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Not true, strength was not an issue with the .44 flat-top. The original .44Mag Blackhawk (1956) was built on a larger frame than the .357Mag version (1955). In 1959, they introduced the Super Blackhawk, which was built on the same size frame but with the protective ears around the new aluminum rear sight, longer steel grip frame, unfluted cylinder and wide hammer spur. Both the .44Mag Blackhawk and the Super Blackhawk were made concurrently until 1962.
Frank V
Member
BobWright
That is a beautiful Blackhawk. Thanks for sharing.
I had a Super Blackhawk before the transfer bar, I finally traded it I could not grip it tight enough to keep the square back triggerguard from rapping my knuckle when I shot it. Some like it I don't. It's probably just a case of something that didn't work for me, but I really like the Blackhawk
That is a beautiful Blackhawk. Thanks for sharing.
I had a Super Blackhawk before the transfer bar, I finally traded it I could not grip it tight enough to keep the square back triggerguard from rapping my knuckle when I shot it. Some like it I don't. It's probably just a case of something that didn't work for me, but I really like the Blackhawk
1KPerDay
Member
BobWright
Member
adcoch 1 asked:
All Ruger Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Vaquero and Bisley grip frames are interchangeable.
Super Blackhawk grip frame fitted to .45 Blackhawks:
Super Blackhawk grip frame fitted to a former Bisley:
Blackhawk fitted out as a Bisley:
Some changes require more than a simple grip frame change, however.
Bob Wright
All Ruger Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Vaquero and Bisley grip frames are interchangeable.
Super Blackhawk grip frame fitted to .45 Blackhawks:
Super Blackhawk grip frame fitted to a former Bisley:
Blackhawk fitted out as a Bisley:
Some changes require more than a simple grip frame change, however.
Bob Wright
adcoch1
Member
Thanks Bob, I will do some more research since I love my sbh but can't stand the knuckle wrapping that d shape trigger guard keeps giving me. Btw very informative thread!
BobWright
Member
For whatever its worth, Skeeter Skelton had his 'smith convert the trigger guard of his Super Blackhawk to round style. And if you don't mind stainless steel, the Super Blackhawk Hunter model has the long grip with a round trigger guard.
Bob Wright
Bob Wright
double bogey
Member
Only the 7.5" and 10.5" have the "D" dragoon trigger guard. If you grip with your little finger under the grip, that allows recoil to rotate the gun upwards, and will help keep the sharp corner off your middle finger knuckle. I have only had 2, a 10.5" stainless, and a
4 5/8" stainless, both super blackhawks. In my opinion, the 10.5 is too long, and the 4 5/8 is too short (the short model the ejector is too short to reliably eject empties). they are both gone, if I get another, it will be a 5.5", or a hunter model.That dragoon trigger guard was and is a terrible idea.
I am no expert, so take what I state here as not necessarily fact, but my personal feelings.
4 5/8" stainless, both super blackhawks. In my opinion, the 10.5 is too long, and the 4 5/8 is too short (the short model the ejector is too short to reliably eject empties). they are both gone, if I get another, it will be a 5.5", or a hunter model.That dragoon trigger guard was and is a terrible idea.
I am no expert, so take what I state here as not necessarily fact, but my personal feelings.
BobWright
Member
I, for one, happen to like the Dragoon grip frame. Here on my .44s:
And, three on my .45s:
Bob Wright
And, three on my .45s:
Bob Wright
Frank V
Member
Wow there are some beautiful Rugers here.
Thanks for sharing everyone.
Thanks for sharing everyone.
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