Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk .357

Dave Markowitz · Nov 22, 2006

I am rather pleased with myself. Today, I took my Century G3 clone as trading stock and went over to Surplus City in Feasterville, PA. I knew that SC was running a sale and had a hunch that I'd find something I'd like. My hunch was correct.

Meet my new (to me) Ruger 50th Anniversay Blackhawk .357 Magnum. Unlike regular New Model Blackhawks, it has the old style "flat top" frame and the old "XR-3" grip frame. It has a 4-5/8" barrel. The .357 is now discontinued; Ruger currently makes the 50th Anniversary model in .44 Magnum only.

It's spotless. If it had a box of ammo through it I'd be surprised.

Side view:

Top of barrel:

It came with the original red factory box but it's missing the manual. I'll get another one from Ruger.

I traded in the G3 plus $20 boot.

Cosmoline · Nov 22, 2006

Skeeter would be proud!

Jody Johnson · Nov 22, 2006

I'll bet you really enjoy that "50th"...I bought one several months ago. I shoot it frequently, and really enjoy it.

I carry it in the woods quite often, kind of a go anywhere-do anything revolver.

Jim March · Nov 22, 2006

These are really good guns - the only (so far anyways) adjustable sight "mid frame" guns on the same frame size as the New Vaquero.

All information pertinent to the New Vaq is applicable to the 50th 357. You have a cylinder built with a better process than previous large-frame Ruger SAs, you *can* swap grip frames but it's tricky (you also have to swap mainspring, mainspring strut and "keeper" with regular Blackhawk or "Old Vaquero" parts) and you can drop in any Ruger large-frame SA trigger/hammer/pawl parts.

In my opinion, enough of these were made that if you want to customize it, you can and should. My New Vaq in 357 wears a SuperBlackHawk hammer, custom sights, a spring kit and grip frame mods are next. Any SA that fits your hand perfectly is a joy - if it does so now, cool, otherwise... :evil:

.

Ala Dan · Nov 22, 2006

Dave My Friend-

I own the same weapon as you, the 50th Anniversary Ruger Blackhawk in
.357 magnum. Bought it NIB, and have not had a chance to shoot it just
yet; but that time is coming soon~!

Enjoy

.

Dienekes · Nov 23, 2006

Nice guns. My wife bought one for me last year and suddenly it was 1955 again.

More recently I fell for a stainless New Vaq in .45. Just about a dead ringer for my old SAA and feels exactly the same. And dang, is it purty.

Which probably lets the cat out of the bag about how I feel about polymer guns.

BlkHawk73 · Nov 23, 2006

Nice gun just wish they had longer bbls. Anyways, just a FYI for everyone. Davidson's still has a LOT of these available. This model has shipped this year. Just a finish of remaining stock I'm guessing

Tom C. · Nov 23, 2006

I bought a pair of the new Flattops last year for my wife for CAS. I was pleasantly surprised how well they were made. Nice finish, tight, smooth chambers, only required a little work on the triggers. They shoot very nicely. After the screaming ended, I showed her why I got them for her. She now likes them.

Dave Markowitz · Nov 23, 2006

Thanks for all the nice words.

Jim -- I have no plans to customize it, although if it were possible to rebore it to .44 Special that could be interesting (albeit expensive). It fits me good as-is.

Ala Dan -- You need to go shoot yours. My dad (RON in PA) has one identical to the piece I got yesterday. I've wanted one since I shot his a few months ago. It's a real tackdriver with his handloaded .38 hard cast wadcutters at around 850 fps or so.

Ala Dan · Nov 23, 2006

Greeting's Again All-

Hey Dave here is a pic of mine, bought NIB a'bout three months ago~!

BlkHawk73 · Nov 23, 2006

although if it were possible to rebore it to .44 Special that could be interesting (albeit expensive).

Acyually...David Clementss offers just such a conversion package for a vry reasonable price. The only reaso I've toyed with the idea of getting one of these models is just for such a conversion.

Dave Markowitz · Nov 25, 2006

Range Report

RON in PA and I got the Blackhawk out to the range today. Ammo was Ultramax .38 Special 158 LSWC commercial reloads. (I've shot the Ultramax stuff before and it's worked well for me.)

As expected, the Ruger functions perfectly. Accuracy was pretty good. The piece shoots to point of aim at 21 feet with these .38s. The gun is heavy and so when shooting one-handed I got tired fairly quickly, so groups degraded as I got shakier. Need to build up them arm muscles. It'll be be interesting to run some .357s through it. Recoil with .38s is mild, as you'd figure.

I like the Blackhawk a lot, so I guess it's time to start holster shopping. I think it's going to come with me to the woods next year.

Along with the Blackhawk, I also brought my 1959-vintage Single Six for a brace of Ruger wheelgun goodness. It shoots really, really well with CCI .22 LR Subsonic HPs.

Mad River Frank · Dec 1, 2006

50th Anniv Blackhawk .357

I recently ordered said Blackhawk from Davidson's and await its arrival. I presently own Ruger's .44 Anniversary model and am well pleased with it. Both guns have revved up my return to Ruger.

Mad River Frank

Mad River Frank · Dec 10, 2006

Well, I've got four days before I get to p/u my 50th Anniv Blackhawk. It's hard to be patient.

Greek · Dec 12, 2006

It's a really nice revolver. Very accurate and fun to shoot.

gp911 · Dec 12, 2006

If it's anything like my regular stainless Blackhawk recoil with .38s is a snooze, and .357s make way more noise but still kick lightly. I fell in love with the new flattop in .44 but I hate the abrasive grips. In .357 I'd be fine with them, but in .44 I know I'd want wood on there so they don't chew up my hand.

Soooo, I want the .44 model with wood grips stuck on it.

The .357 model, now that I've shot similar, should be one sweetheart of a gun. Now that I know how sweet a SA .357 can be I am waiting for some recoil junkie to get one of those anniversary models and get tired of it so I can swoop in and get a great gun for a bargain price.

To the original poster, great choice...

gp911

Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk .357

Dave Markowitz

Member

Cosmoline

Member

Jody Johnson

Member

Jim March

Member

Ala Dan

Member in memoriam

Dienekes

Member

BlkHawk73

Member

Tom C.

Member.

Dave Markowitz

Member

Ala Dan

Member in memoriam

Attachments

BlkHawk73

Member

Dave Markowitz

Member

Mad River Frank

Member

Mad River Frank

Member

Greek

Member

gp911

Member

Similar threads