Help Me Decide: Ruger Blackhawk or Beretta 71?

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WVGunman

WVGunman

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No, no, not for self defense . . .

I have a coworker/friend who has easily $50,000 of guns and assorted gear in his basement he wants to get rid of. He has a 1982-vintage Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Mag he will sell me for $300. It has a 7.5 inch barrel and adjustable sights, with some mild finish wear on the cylinder. It also appears to have a non-original shell-extractor rod without a beveled tip that sometimes gets hung up on the cylinder, so that will have to be replaced.
He ALSO has a Beretta Model 71 with a 6-inch barrel and target sights he will part with for $225. (I've read the 71 did not come with this barrel, so maybe it isn't original) Provenance of this gun is unknown, but does have the newer thumb-safety, not the cross-bolt type. It's in great condition, with two mags and the original case.

I really want both, and maybe will get both eventually, but really only have the $$$ to buy one right now. I'm very torn. I have wanted a .357 Mag revolver for YEARS, and I'd love to have another caliber to reload, and cook up some really hot loads. But . . . that would require another significant financial outlay for dies, bullets, primers, etc. I have a "gun budget," and just buying the gun will tap me out for a few months.
On the other hand, the Beretta is a sweet little machine. It's not a true target pistol, but the sights are nice. These guns have a very good reputation for durability and quality workmanship. BOTH guns are great deals--I'm getting the "friend" discount. I plan to use both for target shooting.

What do ya'll think? Which one should I get right now?
 
If I didn't already have a .357 I would get the Blackhawk. There is so much you can do with a gun like this, even if you don't reload. You can start off by target shooting at the range with some mild 38 special wadcutters. Maybe get involved in some cowboy action shooting for competition. It will even do a respectable job hunting for deer sized game if the range is reasonable. And at the point you want to reload it's one of the most versatile and easy calibers to load for. I can't imagine being without a .357 in my collection.

In the end though, you should get both.
 
I only have one Ruger and one Beretta, neither are even similar to those. I only have the Beretta because I’ve never found anyone dumb enough to buy it. So I have to say Ruger, just for the warranty and customer service if nothing else.
 
Huh. Surprised at the consensus so far! Twiki357, what Beretta do you own? I have never owned one, but the 71 seems to have a really great reputation. Is Beretta quality spotty?
 
The beretta 71 is one of the nicest shooting 22's I've ever shot, and $227 with two mags is a great deal. Buy the Beretta and put money down on the Blackhawk.
 
I would go with the Beretta Model 71. It's a steal at that price and the two mags are like icing on the cake. My Model 70S has been super reliable, has great trigger and sights, and is my all time favorite .22LR pistol.
guns2033_zpsab43a617.gif
 
The beretta 71 is one of the nicest shooting 22's I've ever shot, and $227 with two mags is a great deal. Buy the Beretta and put money down on the Blackhawk.
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+1

If you want both get both. If you can't afford both this month use the down payment system ;)
 
If he's willing to set the other aside for you until you build up the money for the other one does it really matter which one you get first?

Either way that's a tough decision. The good news is that if he's the sort of friend that says the other one will be there for when you're ready then you're simply not going to lose either way.

Which I know doesn't help you at all right at the moment... :D

I guess I'd say you should go with the one you have or can get ammo for the most easily. Normally that would be the rimfire. But these days?......
 
I would take the blackhawk I like mine a lot as said above can be used
mild to wild solid gun
 
A 71 is hard to find, and I had a 'target model' with the longer barrel (can't recall if it was a 6" or not) that shot like a house on fire.

A Blackhawk is a great gun, but if you pass on this one, another is easily found; not so with the 71.

Larry
 
If he is a friend, talk him into an installment plan and get both pistols.
 
DT Guy said:
A 71 is hard to find, and I had a 'target model' with the longer barrel (can't recall if it was a 6" or not) that shot like a house on fire.

A Blackhawk is a great gun, but if you pass on this one, another is easily found; not so with the 71.
Click to expand...

Thank you. This is the kind of thing I like knowing in situations like this. I suspected the Beretta was less easily found, as I have literally never seen one for sale before!
 
I've seen a couple up this way for sale. But you're right, they are far from common.

As some of us have suggested if he's a good enough friend and isn't in dire need of the money right away I can't see any issue with getting both. And both would be best.... :D
 
A Ruger New Model Blackhawk with a 7 1/2" barrel likely was not originally a Blackhawk but a Bisley. So far as I know, only the 6 1/2" and 4 5/8" barrels were fitted to .357 Blackhawks.

None the less, a 7 1/2" .357 Magnum is indeed a prize, even if it is a New Model. This could be a custom set-up with a custom made barrel, check to see if Ruger's logo and information is on the barrel.

Bob Wright
 
You buy the Beretta! The Blackhawk is a good gun, but the Beretta 71 is something you don't see these days - a quality .22 pocket pistol. No plastic, no zinc.
 
That is a terrific price on the Beretta. I've been looking for one for a few months and settled for the Israeli import with the faux suppressor which I immediately removed and cost a bit more than what you're looking at. Excellent pistol that hasn't made since the early 70' or maybe even 60's. For that price you may never find that deal again. Probably goes the same for the Ruger, great price. I guess which ever one you'd get the most pleasure out of? Good luck, I hope you end up with both. I also have a New Ruger Blackhawk and it's one of my and my wife's favorite shooters. She wouldn't let me sell it if I wanted to.
 
I'm starting to see this as a clash of cultures, in a way. Think of it like this:

Ruger Blackhawk = American-made, big, loud, powerful thumper = classic Ford Mustang or Chevy Chevelle

Beretta 71 - European, small, sleek, refined = Ferrari or Porsche

Funny thing is ... if money were no object I would buy all the above cars too!
 
Beretta. My brother had one and it's a lot of fun. Looks and feels great! The Blackhawk is a great gun, too, but you'll always be able to find one.
 
Beretta. They are not that easy to find, particularly in good condition, and generally sell for more than what your friend is asking. If you find one, it usually comes with one magazine, and if you can find a spare (factory) magazine for sale, it will probably cost you $100.
 
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