3-screw Black Hawk … Trash or Treasure $499

[KnightHawk]

That’s a nice flat top Mark!

My 44 flat top sports a 10” barrel, also a 1959.

I’ve always wanted a 44 with a shorter barrel and a 357 6.5 inch barrel. Both would need to be without the transfer bar conversion.

 

[KnightHawk]

I’d buy that right now. Send it to Ruger for the upgrade, they will send you the original parts back.

I would not send it to Ruger for the conversation. Keep it original

 

[Pat Riot]

I’d buy that right now. Send it to Ruger for the upgrade, they will send you the original parts back.

That’s good to know. I know that back in the late 90’s, early 00’s they converted them and did not send the parts back.
Two friend’s of mine had that experience. They were not happy about it.

 

[CraigC]

I've heard quite a few reports of people not getting the old parts back. I'd take them out before I sent one in. Takes five minutes.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I've heard quite a few reports of people not getting the old parts back. I'd take them out before I sent one in. Takes five minutes.

that’s one way to do it. But, I’m just going to leave it alone.

 

[KnightHawk]

Years ago when they offered the conversation, free shipping.
But if you sent a flat top in for ANY repair they would convert it without your permission.

 

[.38 Special]

I actually don’t know much about Rugers SA’s. but learning. More of a Old Colt and Old Smith guy. They also had Besley Grip 45 LC with funny factory engravings with the Grey box. But I didn’t like the transfer bar. $650(i think)


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Semi-trivia: Hamilton Bowen turns these into five shot masterpieces, but the new cylinder requires a bit more space, so the frame opening needs to be enlarged. A common problem is that the serial numbers are too close to the opening, so the gun can't be used for the project. I had to order several, way back in the day, before I found one that was suitable. The general rule of thumb is that there needs to be a credit card's thickness between the numbers and the opening, so I think you found one.

Which is a long way of saying that you should buy this one too.

 

[br549arkie]

I've got one just like it except Ruger walnut grips and a good bit of blueing worn off. I wouldn't even think about selling it for less than 700 bucks. If you want that one you better jump on it!

 

[Mark_Mark]

I've got one just like it except Ruger walnut grips and a good bit of blueing worn off. I wouldn't even think about selling it for less than 700 bucks. If you want that one you better jump on it!

it’s on it’s way! $499 is a steal

 

[br549arkie]

Congrats, looks to be in exceptionally good condition for it's age and yes it was a steal I'd bet it's worth at least twice what you paid for it!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

This Three Screw Ruger Flat Top 44 mag shipped in 1958. Those are the original grips, I would not dream of replacing them. You will notice the finish of the grip frame is not the same as the rest of the revolver because the grip frame is aluminum, and has an anodized coating. Ruger was using aluminum grip frames for many years, it was only with the Vaqueros that came out in 1993 that Ruger put a steel grip frame on both their blued Vaqueros and Stainless Vaqueros. As a mater of fact when I picked up my first Vaquero around the year 2000 I immediately noticed the difference in weight because of the steel grip frame, vs my old Blackhawk that I bought in 1975 with its aluminum grip frame. By the way, I would never dream of sending this one back to the factory for the 'upgrade', which usually results in a stiffer trigger pull. Leave it alone and treat it just like a Colt, load one, skip one, load four more, bring the hammer to full cock and let it down carefully on an empty chamber.

Here is the 44 Mag Flat Top paired with my old 45 Colt Blackhwk that I bought brand-spanky new in 1975. Notice two pins instead of three screws, and of course it has a transfer bar.

Here is my old 45 Colt Blackhawk and the first Vaquero I bought, also chambered for 45 Colt, back around 2000.

Now, let's talk about Bisleys for a moment. This is a real 1st Gen Bisley Colt, it shipped in 1909. It is still wearing its original hard rubber grips. Notice the shape of the grip, how it curls far forward. Notice the trigger is almost all the way back in the trigger guard.

This is Ruger's version of the Bisley grip. Notice it does not curl as far forward as a Colt Bisley grip does, it is much more straight up and down than a real Bisley.

I bought a Ruger 'Bisley' revolver a bunch of years ago when I was starting to shoot Black Powder. I had been told I would need the extra long grip to hang onto it with the stout recoil that full house Black Powder cartridges generate. I brought it to exactly one CAS match, decided I did not need the extra long grip, and sold it. I put the money down on my first Colt, with a plowhandle grip, and have been shooting Black Powder in regular 2nd Gen Colts ever since.

 

[JDeere]

I would not send it to Ruger for the conversation. Keep it original

Yep no way I would send it in. Keep it original. Been carrying 6 in my 3 screw Rugers for over 50 years in a quality holster with no worries. Just have know what your doing. Nothing against transfer bars but if it did not come with one I leave em be...

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I kept mine original also. Not a 44 mag but I love the 4 click Colt action it has. It's a 357 and was my father in laws, we were close right up till he passed and I ended up with his guns.
No one else wanted them. I gave the mother in law fair value for them to help her out. I had her write a receipt for the check and I kept it. Later on, she accused me of taking all his guns and she didn't get a single thing out of it.
I produced the receipt and showed it to all the family members that I paid her fair market value for them to stop any issues that may have been brewing.

I keep it and some others of his to honor him. I don't shoot it much though, beautiful gun, but it hurts my middle finger from getting bashed against the back of the trigger guard.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Yep no way I would send it in. Keep it original. Been carrying 6 in my 3 screw Rugers for over 50 years in a quality holster with no worries. Just have know what your doing. Nothing against transfer bars but if it did not come with one I leave em be...

I NEVER carry six in my Three Screw Rugers or Colts.

If you drop it on the hammer spur with a live round under the hammer, there is an excellent chance the tip of the trigger will break off and allow the hammer to go all the way forward and strike the firing pin.

Here are the lockwork parts from my Three Screw 44 Mag Flat Top.

Here are the lockwork parts from a 2nd Gen Colt.

In both photos notice how thin the tip of the trigger is. Even with the hammer at the so called 'safety cock' notch, a strong enough blow to the hammer spur can shear off the tip of the trigger, or the overhanging lip of the notch. Ruger suffered financial losses when they were sued after injuries, and I think at least one death, from shooters who left a live round under the hammer and the gun fired when dropped. That is why Ruger introduced transfer bars way back in the 1970s. Colt shooters have know for over 100 years it is a bad idea to leave a live round under the hammer, apparently not all Ruger Three Screw shooters understand that.

Not saying a Three Screw Ruger should be sent back to the factory for conversion, I would never do that. But I load them the same as I load a Colt. Load one, skip one, load four more, bring the hammer to full cock and slowly lower it all the way to an empty chamber.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I kept mine original also. Not a 44 mag but I love the 4 click Colt action it has. It's a 357 and was my father in laws, we were close right up till he passed and I ended up with his guns.
No one else wanted them. I gave the mother in law fair value for them to help her out. I had her write a receipt for the check and I kept it. Later on, she accused me of taking all his guns and she didn't get a single thing out of it.
I produced the receipt and showed it to all the family members that I paid her fair market value for them to stop any issues that may have been brewing.
View attachment 1222593
I keep it and some others of his to honor him. I don't shoot it much though, beautiful gun, but it hurts my middle finger from getting bashed against the back of the trigger guard.

Try curling your pinky finger under the grip, which should open up a gap of about 1/4" between the trigger guard and the knuckle of your middle finger. That is the way I shoot all my single action revolvers, I never get my knuckle whacked, even with full house 45 Colt Black Powder loads.

 

[CraigC]

I NEVER carry six in my Three Screw Rugers or Colts.

Same here, just not worth the risk.

 

[Jim Watson]

But I load them the same as I load a Colt. Load one, skip one, load four more, bring the hammer to full cock and slowly lower it all the way to an empty chamber.

I was "educated" in that method many times at CAS loading tables. I had long since read Skeeter Skelton about it but it did not suit my needs. I loaded five chambers however they came up, then rolled the cylinder to put the empty under the hammer. This let me know that I had free rotation of the cylinder with no drag from high primers, burred rims, or heavy fouling. I had seen too many sixguns bind up.

 

[Mark_Mark]

To each their own… but I like the tradition cowboy loading. Think it’s cool to load one then skip one, kinda a cool secret handshake with your SAA!

 

[Armybrat]

Definite treasure but it's been refinished. Otherwise, it would be at least double that. I'd definitely buy it.

All the original Blackhawks and Single Sixes had black anodized aluminum "XR3" grip frames.

Yep - my 1959 SS and 1968 BH….

 

[doubleh]

I usually load all 6 chambers in my 3 screw Rugers. I never carry one any more. I only load them up at the range and shoot until empty. Sometimes I will only load five to keep the rows even in the cartridge box. If I am going to shoot the entire box I don't bother with doing 5.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I usually load all 6 chambers in my 3 screw Rugers. I never carry one any more. I only load them up at the range and shoot until empty. Sometimes I will only load five to keep the rows even in the cartridge box. If I am going to shoot the entire box I don't bother with doing 5.

I do the same with .22! load only 1-2 rolls but never a straggler

 

[Gordon]

i like that grip on the SBH!

I swapped up to a early Super Black hawk for belt holster hunting from my flattop
.44. And after first hunt climbing hills in Los Padres national Forest area where I hunted was very sorry I did. The aluminum grip frame and ejector housing and inch shorter barrel made a huge difference between the two in a belt holster for such strenuous hunting following dogs.

 

[Rodfac]

I NEVER carry six in my Three Screw Rugers or Colts.

Same here...in fact, I have a tinge of guilt when I load my new model Rugers with six instead of five.

Load one....skip one....load the rest...a way of life!

Best Regards, Rod

 

[Mark_Mark]

Same here...in fact, I have a tinge of guilt when I load my new model Rugers with six instead of five.

Load one....skip one....load the rest...a way of life!

Best Regards, Rod

I’m start loading my modern Revolvers that way too!!!

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

An interesting thing to think about, my 3 screw BH in 30 carbine has a grove cut into the rear of the cylinder between chambers that allow for letting the hammer down between chambers. The firing pin rests in the grove between chambers.