50th Anniv. 357 vs. original .357 Blackhawk?

[BullRunBear]

Just curious. I have a 50th Anniversary .357 Blackhawk and love it. It's accurate (for me), comfortable, and good looking. I have never used a 3 screw Blackhawk that was made in the 50s and early 60s. Aside from the transfer bar, I was wondering how they compare for handling and accuracy.

Jeff

 

[hardluk1]

Most i would say are a smoother gun to shoot and at this point of my life i would love to own one again. Had one and wish i still did but i could say that about 3 or 4 more guns.

 

[Hoxviii]

Handling and accuracy are basically the same since they are the same size, shape, weight, etc.

Only difference I can think of is the 3 screw has a true half cock to release the cylinder and a 3 click hammer. On 2 screws the loading gate releases the cylinder and they have 2 click hammers.

As hardluk1 mentioned, the old 3 screws are smoooooth as silk. In my experiences (4 3 screws), spin the cylinder on a clean 3 screw and it'll just spin and spin and spin. Triggers have no creep or stack, just a break.

I'm sure 2 screws can be made as nice as the old 3 screws, but it's the fact that a stock 3 screw is as good as a 2 screw with an action job that keeps me coming back to them.

 

[ArmedBear]

The 3-screws I've handled have the same balance, weight and grip size as the New Models (2-screws).

The feel of the action is different, but I find added value in the transfer bar, personally. Depends what you want it for.

The 50th Anniversary has the New Vaquero grip frame, similar to the Colt SAA and 1851 Navy cap-n-ball. Shorter LOP, smaller all around, only fits one hand.

Handling and balance would be quite different from the other Blackhawks, including 3-screw versions, with larger grip frames.

Which one do you like? Depends on which one you like.

There's a 3-screw at a store down the road with a worn finish for $300. It's been there for a good while without any takers. If you want a 3-screw, buy one. They may be collectible, but they can still be had for a reasonable price.

 

[goodtime]

The three screw (and new model blackhawks) don't have the reverse-indexing pawl like the 50th anniversary models do, which allows the cylinder to spin in either direction. The others allow the cylinder to spin clockwise only when the loading gate is opened.

 

[NELSONs02]

Older blackhawks in my understanding, have the same handling and accuracy but some have been known to have a higher polished finish on em.... look real nice.

 

[Hoxviii]

Finish is hit or miss. I have a 3 screw from 1971 that has uneven rollmarks and some visible machining marks on the exterior. The surface under the bluing looks like it was brushed like stainless, and then blued. Really not much to look at, but it's a nice gun to shoot.

Have a Vaquero that has an absolutely impeccable finish, good polishing, no machine marks- but it doesn't get shot much since the action is rough for my liking and i haven't had a chance to get to it yet.

 

[BullRunBear]

Guys,

Thanks for the responses. What prompted my curiosity was finally getting an Old Model Single-Six recently, circa 1962 or 63. It is smoother and has a better trigger than the new versions I've had a chance to handle. I happen to shoot it better, especially with 22lr ammo than the newer ones, but that might just be this specific gun so I didn't want to generalize.

Turns out I'll be able to make my own comparison tomorrow. I'm taking a buddy to the range. He hasn't shot in twenty years. He has what he thinks is a Ruger Blackhawk .357 from the late 1950s. I'm bringing my 50th Anniversary model for a side by side comparison. (I found this out earlier today and yes, I've already asked him to keep me in mind if he ever wants to sell it.)

Jeff

 

[salvo]

I had the same question, except I have a 1957 Flat Top, so I bought one of the 50th Flat tops. Size wise they are pretty much the same. Ruger did a great job with the 50th I have. I do love the older action and the 57 just has a quality that is hard to pin down & put down.
My advise, don't shoot your buddy's Flat Top, unless you want to end up with both

 

[doctorxring]

.

The 50th Anniversary flat tops have a steel trigger guard and grip
frame. The original flat tops had aluminum trigger guard and grip
frame, just as the current Blackhawks do. The 50th is a few ounces
heavier for the same barrel length.

dxr

.

 

[pogo2]

Three screw Blackhawk from 1968

With all this talk of three screw Blackhawks it seemed appropriate to post a picture of mine, which I bought new in 1968 for about $100. It is a good gun, or I wouldn't have kept it for 40 years. They did a good job on the finish, I think.

 

[Ala Dan]

Never Been Fired

I own a NIB, 50th Anniversary Ruger Blackhawk .357 magnum~!

 

[Armybrat]

Hey Pogo,

I have #122049 - Bought it from my brother in 1968 for $80, and he threw in a basket weave tooled holster & belt.

It's a smooth piece.

Here it is with a few other in my collection (along with the 1960 Single Six that I bought new):

 

[pogo2]

Reply

Armybrat said:

Hey Pogo,

I have #122049 - Bought it from my brother in 1968 for $80, and he threw in a basket weave tooled holster & belt.

I guess yours was manufactured a few hundred guns prior to mine in 1967 or 1968. You always wonder what happened to the other guns made in the same time and place as yours. I bought mine new in a gun store in Annandale, Virginia, as I recall. It has been with me for a long time.

 

[Armybrat]

Mine was bought new in Austin, Texas by my brother. It now resides a few miles north in Round Rock.

 

[Gordon]

I too have a beat up old mid 60s 6" .357 3 screw flat top out in a truck. I have a 3 screw .30 carb 7 1/2" some where in a safe. This 50th Anniversary was meant to run with this crowd however.

 

[Hammer21B]

I too have several 3 screws, 2-357, .30 carbine, and a single six 22/22mag. I've just purchased a new Vaquero. I've been gone with the army so I hav'nt had the time to shoot the new one, but it has a LOT of big shoes to fill. I've shot autos for years in my line of work and own a lot of them. But, old Blackhawks, Colts and SSA in general are my true love. They just feel good.

 

[frankiestoys]

nice group