Who prefers old Ruger vs. new Ruger revolvers

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357smallbore

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I am a great fan and owner of Ruger single and double action revolvers. But only older Rugers.

Single Six Bicentennial model -1976
New model Blackhawk - 1979
New model Super Blackhawk - 1980
Redhawk - 1983
Speed Six - 1981
Security Six - 1979
GP100 - 1989
I don't care for the new stuff Ruger puts out. Revolvers or Semi Autos. But I'll take an older Ruger all the time.
 
I have a '78 Security Six that I purchased new. I have only handled the GP100 a couple of times but have never shot one. Hard for me to do an honest comparison. My guess is I'd love them both equally.
 
For the most part, it's the old model single actions for me....like the lockwork, prefer to load in the old manner, (load one, skip one, load the rest, cock and lower the hammer on an empty chamber). But...then Ruger came out with the Flat Top .44 Specials....albeit, 60 years late....and what shooters...three in the stable now and all will keep a cylinder full in tight <2" clusters from the 25 yd line. And yep...I still load in the old manner.

Triggers on my OM's are generally better than the new ones, but with one side of the trigger return spring off its peg, they're entirely usable. Contrary to what I've read here and elsewhere, the finish (at least on my NM Flat Tops (5) are as good as my OM's.

No comments on Ruger's DA revolver line...I'm a Smith guy and have been for 55 years now.

Here's three of mine that I re-stocked while in Corona lockdown. My 4 digit '66 vintage OM in .41 Magnum, framed by a pair of my .44 Special Flat Tops. Best regards, Rod

3-in-May.jpg
 
Rugers don't do much for me in general (though I do respect them), but if I were to add any to my collection, at the top of the list would be a couple of old three-screw Blackhawks.
 
The only “old VS new” Ruger I prefer are the old model Vaqueros VS the smaller new models. The older ones could handle a much wider variety of ammo pressure levels than the new ones do.

Stay safe.
 
For me, I like Rugers for their utility so I'm not as hung up on looks. I really fancy the new GP100s in 10mm.

For fit and finish, I go to my classic Smiths.
 
I have a '78 Security Six that I purchased new. I have only handled the GP100 a couple of times but have never shot one. Hard for me to do an honest comparison. My guess is I'd love them both equally.
Maybe. I've shot our son-in-law's GP100 a few times. I wouldn't trade my old Security Six for a brand new GP100.:D
Well, except maybe for the fact I've heard I can no longer get parts for my Security Six.:(
 
My wife has a fairly new Stainless Bearcat with adjustable sights. She likes it a lot, she had a custom holster built for it, and she shot a few ground squirrels with it a couple of weeks ago. I think she likes her '76 (200th year model) Single Six better though.;)
 
I like my older Ruger single actions as well as the Six Series (Security, Service, and Speed Six), but I never have cared all that much for the SP101 or the GP100. Love my newer Flattop Blackhawk in .44 Special as well! When it comes right on down to it just about any revolver, Ruger or otherwise, is welcome in my gun safe!
l95v2jb.jpg
 
When I was a cook at a local bar and grill. There was a regular there who,besides to being an energy company executive’s heir, he also successfully sued Ruger for a faulty trigger that when he dropped it it went off and shot him in the ankle and won millions. Biggest coke head I knew.
 
I currently only have 2 Ruger revolvers. An original Vaquero .45 Colt with a 7.5” barrel and a New Vaquero .45 Colt with a 5.5” barrel. I have owned 4 original Vaqueros and 3 New Vaqueros.

I prefer the originals for toughness and strength. I like the New Vaqueros for their handling.

My current original Vaquero will never be sold.
The New Vaquero?...we’ll see.

I like Cowboy Action Shooting but I don’t play by “gamer” rules. I like to mix it up a bit. I also think if you have a quality Sixgun or two you don’t need a dozen of them to play.

Here they are together
8C0C1388-5791-4CEC-99F6-08523772A621.jpeg
 
Those aren't really what I call "older Rugers". To me, those would be 1953-1973 Old Model Blackhawks, Single Sixes and Bearcats. I love Old Models for the way they function, not necessarily because I think they're made better. In fact, I would put any new production New Model against any from the `70's, `80's or `90's.
 
When I was a cook at a local bar and grill. There was a regular there who,besides to being an energy company executive’s heir, he also successfully sued Ruger for a faulty trigger that when he dropped it it went off and shot him in the ankle and won millions. Biggest coke head I knew.

Faulty trigger?????

Was this one of the old Three Screws? Before Ruger redesigned their revolvers and added the transfer bar?

Nothing faulty about the trigger on those, the fault was with a shooter who loaded all six chambers and then dropped it on its hammer.

Ruger lost a few law suits because of this, if you see him again thank him for forcing Ruger to redesign their revolvers to include the transfer bar.
 
Love my two Security Sixes and would buy another if they still made them. My sole GP100 went down the road as it felt like a brick; won't buy another. Don't much like my SP101, it's always shot real low and the sights are a PITA. Probably should've sent it back. Have been tempted to buy a SP101 with adjustable (decent) sights, but don't see the point. Selling the one I have makes more sense.

All of my SA Rugers have the transfer bar, so I guess they're all classed as new. However, the 40 yr old SBH seems no better than the 4 and 5 yr old convertibles. Sure miss the old 3-screw lightly engraved single Six I once had. To me, at the time, that engraving was a negative...stupid kid.
 
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“Stupid kid” stories From y’all make me feel better about my “stupid kid” stories ( sold anaconda for peanuts). We’ve all done them
 
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