Ruger Blackhawk

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Soundtrackzz

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Hey Im looking for a revolver to carry in the woods when hunting or camping. I came across a classified ad for a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 with a 6" barrel. Ive read some reviews and they say they are pretty good. However I want to know what actual owners think. Do they shoot and handle well? Ive never actually owned any gun that large before (12.5" overall lgth), so Im wondering if the balance is a little off due to such a long gun. The guy is asking $450 for it, do you think thats too much? Lastly I'm wondering if its comfortable to carry in the woods all day. thanks

Zach
 
Most every Blackhawk owner, me included, will tell you it's their favorite gun. Fun and easy to shoot, and one of the strongest you can buy. I think about $450 should get you a stainless gun, otherwise it should be more like $300.
 
Yep, my Blackhawk is my favorite gun. I have a New Model Blackhawk in .45 Colt with the 4 5/8" barrel.

Btw, blued Blackhawks can be found for right around $400, give or take a couple bucks, brand new. Stainless is a bit more, but unless it's some special model, a used gun should be a lot less than what he is asking.

As far as balance, it's tough to say. Different things can determine that, such as if it has an alloy or steel grip frame. Mine is alloy and I think the gun feels great.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l231/tvannelli_2006/DSCN1835small.jpg
 
Last May I paid $370-something for my blued 4-5/8" .41 Mag Blackhawk, brand new. It is indeed my favorite handgun.
 
Im wondering if the balance is a little off due to such a long gun.
Click to expand...

LOL

Short barrels are "off", not longer ones.

I prefer longer barrels; they balance quite well. And 6.5" isn't particularly long.

I have a 4 5/8" .357 SAA clone that I like, but it doesn't point as naturally as a longer one. My longest revolver (Super Blackhawk) has a 10 1/2" barrel and it shoots great.
 
Four hundred dollars is way too much for a used Blackhawk. Shop around and I'm sure you can find one for less.

I recently bought a blued NM Blackhawk convertible 9mm/.357 for $350 at a pawn shop and it was in great shape.
 
It's a good gun; one of the best.

The 6" barrel handles fine. Some people prefer it over all others.

He's asking too much for it. You should be able to find a new one at a dealer for the same price or a bit less.
 
I agree with the other posters, $450 is new gun territory. I have a BH .357/9mm convertible. Fine shooting revolver for .38/.357 and not quite as good with the 9mm cylinder. If you like handguns, the BH is one of those you ought to have.
 
I have one in .44Mag with a 4-5/8" barrel. I think it balances fine, and I tried several different lengths before settling on the short one.

Sight radius is short, and recoil is probably worse as it is a little lighter.

However, it is manageable in a belt holster. Longer barrel lengths require a cross-draw or shoulder holster (for sitting), which I didn't want to be limited to.

As others have said, the price is a bit high for a used one.

You didn't say if it was an older Blackhawk of a NM. The NM is better, IMO, as it permits carrying 6 safely. Also, the operation is much simpler, as the loading gate unlocks the cylinder. (No need for a lot of different hammer positions.)
 
I've had a few - right now I've got a 357 in a 5.5" barrel and a 30 carbine in 7.5". The longer barrels feel fine, and I like to shoot them better, but carrying them is problematic somewhat. The 5.5 barrel is all around better, but the longg 30 carbine draws more attention at the range.

A buddy of mine has the SBH in 44 with a really long barrel - he hunts with it, and has killed a couple of deer. He loves it.

I like the colt SA grip frames better, but I suspect if blackhawks had been available in the old west, every one would have carried one. It's a working gun for sure.

I also have a really old single six I've been shooting all my life, so I like the Ruger SA pistols a lot.

You can probably get a brand new BH for $450 though - I was at a gun show last week, and that's about what they were bringing new.
 
Yup, those Ruger SA's are my favorites - Bisley model to be more specific. The longer bbled ones balance better for me than the 4 5/8 models. Don't be afriad to get a used one. They're darn seldom worn beyond use. They should be easily fond on most any dealer's shelves. I've found 'em as low as $265 for a nice used OM one abut usually see them priced in the $300-$350 range used for both blued and stainless.
 
As I said above, I have a SAA clone in 4 5/8" and I like it.

However, the original Colt and Remington BP revolvers had 7 1/2" to 8" barrels, and the original SAA that succeeded them had a 7 1/2" barrel.

The shorter lengths were compromises to allow more compact holster carry, and easier draw. But the SAA was designed to have a 7 1/2" barrel and to handle well with it.

Ruger's 6 1/2" barrel length was chosen deliberately; it doesn't copy any "traditional" single action length. It's what old Bill thought was the ideal length for the gun in .357. A 6 1/2" BH balances very well; the only reason to get the short one is for holster carry.

Also, a drop holster allows easy drawing of a longer barrel than 4 5/8". My 10 1/2", though, requires a crossdraw.:)
 
Great all around sidearm! The .357 is capable of doing about anything you need done. Get some good leather and you are good to go.
 
My blued 357 Blackhawk 6 1/2" is one of the most accurate 357s I have owned. For me my 4 5/8" 357 balances somewhat better but the 6 1/2" is still pretty good. The stainless models will have a steel gripframe and ejector rod housing the blued Blackhawks will have alumnium.

The 50th An. Model is all steel as are the Bisley models of the 357.
 
I don't know what the "gun market" is in your area, but around here, s.w. Idaho, that $450.00 is high. $350/$375 would be about right for it in these parts.

Good luck.

L.W.
 
Had a stainless .357 with 6.5" barrel. I really liked it, only sold it when I was short on cash and needed a carry gun.

Bought and resold mine for $300, with extras. This was in the last couple years, maybe just last year.


gp911
 
I'll agree with the others, the Blackhawk is my favorite handgun. It works just fine, my only complaint is that it took a while to get accustomed to a single action grip.

I got mine for $320.
 
The .357 Blackhawk is a very capable revolver. I currently have 3 Ruger SA revolvers...
a Sherrif's Model .357 Vaquero
50th Year Blackhawk .357
50th Year Single-Six Convertible (.22lr/.22Mag).

The price you quoted sounds a smidge high for a previously owned gun, unless a bunch of 'extras' are in the deal...ammo/holster/belt, etc.
 
I paid $200 each for my Rugers - a stainless ROA NIB, stainless Single Six w/ 5-1/2" bbl, and a well-worn Super Blackhawk w/ 7-1/2" bbl. That battered old .44 is my field carry gun. It's holstered horizontally at the bottom of my day pack - kinda like a scramasax.

I love that old beater!
 
Anybody who has a $300 Blackhawk they no longer need can get in touch with me. lol I want one bad. There's a gun show this weekend and a Blackhawk will be on my list.
 
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