Blackhawk or Single Six

[Ghostrider_23]

I want to buy a new gun at the next gun show but have been fighting myself over which to buy. I was wondering if any of you can help me with my decission??

I am looking at the Ruger Blackhawk in 9mm/357 with a 5 1/2" barrel.

The other is a Single Six in 22lr/22mag with a 5 1/2" barrel.

If you were in my shoes which one would you get and no I can't get both.

Can you give me some advise as to why one would be better than the other.

 

[Jimmie]

22LR vs. 357????

What do you want to do with the gun? The answer should be pretty clear once you know that.

 

[Reddbecca]

Depends on what you want it for.

The Blackhawk you want can use three different kinds of ammunition, so that leads to a lot of possibilities for both fun shooting and serious work if necessary.

The Single Six fires two different kinds of ammunition, and would in the long run save you a lot of money when it comes to buying ammunition. However it doesn't quite possess the ability to stop a larger target like the Blackhawk will.

 

[YodaVader]

Well I happen to have both - the 5 1/2" Single Six stainless and the 4 5/8" Blackhawk convertable. The Single Six is the one that has been with me the longest , going on 8 years now. During that time it is probably the gun that I have fired the most out of all my guns. It rarely stays home when it is time for the range!

Decent accuracy and just a pleasant gun to shoot any way you look at it. Unless hunting larger game was involved or like a self defense gun for the campsite was part of the deal , I guess I would and did choose the Single Six. You can just shoot that thing a long long time without a lot of expense involved! My 22lr cylinder shoots the cheap Federal Chapions very well. Your pistol marksmanship will improve quite a but as a result. Now the mag cylinder is not cheap to shoot but it gives you a little more power if you need it. I shoot it every once in while but the 22 lr is the one that gets the most use.

You can always add the Blackhawk later like I did. The Blackhawk is fun , don't get me wrong , actually have another in the 6 1/2" length! And may add another in stainless. Also added the Super Blackhawk in 44 mag so I have the single action fever to some degree.

 

[chuck-ia]

I bought a .357 blackhawk last summer, and a couple months ago bought a single six with a 4-5/8" barrel. I guess it all depends on what you are gonna use the gun for. I am actually thinking about trading the blackhawk for another single six. I was impressed by the accuracy of the single six, really cheap to shoot too. chuck-ia

 

[TallPine]

That's sorta like asking if you should buy a half-ton or 3/4 ton pickup

 

[FXWG]

Had a Single six .22lr/.22mag as well as 4 Blackhawks.
The BH's were .357 (x2), .44mag and .45 Colt.
Ranked by fun to shoot are as follows...
1) Single Six (either)
2) .45 Colt
3) .357 mag (loaded with .38's)
4) .44 mag (loaded with .44 specials)
5) .357 mag
6) .44 mag

JMHO

 

[Radagast]

Single Six. It's cheap to feed in .22LR, loud in .22 magnum, capable of taking small game in both calibres, light weight for carrying, accurate enough for minute of rabbit.

 

[Clipper]

I sold my Single Six after I got my .357 Blackhawk convertible, since I could practice cheaply with 9mm, hunt small game with .38 wadcutters (which do less meat damage than .22HPs), and Deer with full-boogie magnums.I just wasn't using the .22...

 

[DMK]

With ammo prices these days? Single Six.

 

[bestseller92]

Both are great guns. Which one to get depends on your needs, and your skill level. If it's your first gun, definitely go .22. If you need a gun to carry in the woods or when hunting, the Blackhawk would be great.

 

[foghornl]

As others have said...depends on what you want to do with said "shootin' iron".

For "Fun Gun" use, small game, cheap practice, etc, the Single Six.

Up to Deer-size hunting, and general walking through the woods carrying, the Blackhawk.

An additional consdieration...the Blackhawk Convertible with the 9MM cylinder gives you even more versatility in ammo choices.

 

[Greek]

I have both.
The Single Six 50th Anniversary (1953-2003) and the Blackhawk 50th Anniversary (.357).
The Single Six is not very accurate with the fixed sights...

 

[Im283]

I have the Ruger SAS .22 LR/.22 WMR with a 6 inch barrel. Best gun buy I have made to date.

It is inexpensive to shoot. A brick of Rem. Thunderbolts can be had for under $10. Mags cost a little more but I will always swap out the cylinders and shoot a dozen or so mags when I go out back to practice. For higher power at a slight cost increase I have used the CCI Mini Mag HP. I think they were about $6 for a hundred. But the Thunderbolts work great even with the sometimes less than quality round you get in a box.

Personally I did not care for the looks of the adjustable sight model and went with the fixed sight. The fixed sight is set for 25 yards I believe. Easy enough to adjust your aim with it as you shoot for different distances.

After practicing with it for a while I am becoming somewhat proficient with it.
And I firmly believe shooting the SAS has helped me learn to shoot better with my other pistols.

 

[alex9328]

Either one is Great.

I own both, shoot both. The critters around the hood hate the Single six with the 22 rounds that have the primer only. Rabbits are taken with the Single Six, 22 short.

The Blackhawk has taken a couple of Deer. I like shooting 38 special out of it, but the 9mm cylinder is just as fun to shoot. Buy bulk 9mm helps a little.

Plinking 22 great!
Defense and hunting 357 Ditto!

I like the longer six inch barrel better on either model.

However, Cost wise you should be able to pick a used single six $175-225 dollar. I have pickup one at $150 and at $200.
The used 357 is a bit higher $250 and up. 9mm cylinder alone $65-$90.

My best advise Cash is King and be willing to walk away and look a couple of table down. I have always waited, and found a better deal later. Moreover do not overlook one which might a lot of finish wear, but is sound. You can aways have it reblued.

 

[Clipper]

I remember an article about a wildcat round called the 44/357 Bobcat that was made to fire in the (rechambered) 9mm cylinder. As I recall, it got around 2000fps with 158gr bullets. I think the dies were available from Speer...

 

[Cosmoline]

I'd go for an old model BH or a new old model BH, but not a new model BH. It's too much steel for the .357.

 

[bakert]

Like alex9328 said "Either one is Great". But I think after getting one, you'll find yourself wanting the other one too. I have the Single Six and a BH in .45 Colt but still looking for a decent used .357 at a good price here locally. Most I've looked at so far were kinda rough.

 

[TallPine]

I'd go for an old model BH or a new old model BH, but not a new model BH. It's too much steel for the .357.

I agree (as usual ) with Cosmoline. If you're going to get a new model BH, then you might as well get a .44 mag or .45 Colt. Same frame size and the larger calibers are actually lighter since there is less metal in them (bigger holes).

I'm not sure, but I think Ruger only made the "50th anniversary" medium frame .357 BH for one year (?). So you would have to find one used, or else find an original "old model" which are going for pretty pennies these days

Myself, if I ever get rich again I want to buy a "new" (smaller frame) Vaquero in .357. It is still overbuilt but not so much as the New Model BH or the original Vaqueros, which were all built on a .44 mag size frame.

 

[Reddbecca]

I've got one of the New Model Blackhawks with a 6.5" barrel. I agree that it's somewhat heavy and seems to be kinda big, even for the .357 Magnum. But then again remember, when the .357 got started out it was used in the massive N-frame by Smith & Wesson.

Overbuilt for factory ammunition, but that means it'll never wear out. Also lets you do some really hot loads safely.

 

[YodaVader]

If you're going to get a new model BH, then you might as well get a .44 mag or .45 Colt. Same frame size and the larger calibers are actually lighter since there is less metal in them (bigger holes).

At least in the case of the blued Blackhawk 357s the gripframes are aluminum and are extremely light gripframes compared to the steel gripframe of the 44 Super Blackhawk in both blued and stainless. My Super Blackhawk 44 is noticeably heavier than my 357 Blackhawk , yes the 44 does have 1" more barrel but it has the "big hole" in the tube.

Regardless, a "heavier" 357 is far more comfortable for me to shoot than any light weight 44 mag. My 6 1/2" 357 Blackhawk weighs less than my 6" Smith 686 and I never heard of the Smith being too much gun for a 357.

My 4 5/8" 357 Blackhawk points and balances for me better than any other revolver I own and is far more comfortable to shoot than the 5 1/2" Super Blackhawk 44 I once owned.

I like the idea of having a 357 that can take magnum loads and the odds are good that it will never shoot loose , at least in my lifetime.

 

[Ghostrider_23]

Answer

I will mainly be using the pistol to terrorize paper. I know the 22lr. would be a better choice for what I want to do, but I don't feel that I get much pleasure from such a heavy pistol shooting only 6 rounds of 22lr. How much of a difference is it in price shooting bulk 9mm as to 22lr????? I was thinking of just using the 9mm cylinder and every now and then shooting either 38 or 357 out of the other cylinder. I don't know I guess I could get some hot loaded 22lr ammo and buy the single six with the 5 1/2" barrel, that would off set the things a bit. Any ideals on what direction to go?????

BTW, thanks for the pictures, it really started to make me think.

 

[Ala Dan]

The Blackhawk Convertible may be very hard too find, so I voted for
the Single Six while you continue too look for the Blackhawk~!

 

[YodaVader]

I will mainly be using the pistol to terrorize paper. I know the 22lr. would be a better choice for what I want to do, but I don't feel that I get much pleasure from such a heavy pistol shooting only 6 rounds of 22lr.

I have never considered the weight of my 5.5" Single Six to diminish shooting pleasure in the least bit and mine is stainless so it has the steel gripframe as well. The blued versions with the aluminum gripframe would weigh even less. The full lugged 22lr Smith 617 in 6" seems to be very muzzle heavy in compairison to any Single Six.

How much of a difference is it in price shooting bulk 9mm as to 22lr????? I was thinking of just using the 9mm cylinder and every now and then shooting either 38 or 357 out of the other cylinder

The bulk 22lr is going to be much less expensive , as example I am pretty sure you can still get the bulk 550 round box of Federal 22lr high-vel for around 10 bucks or so. The 100 round bulk packs of 9mm I used to buy is now like $14 or so. I am talking store bought ammo. There are places where you can order large quantities of 9mm for less but it is still not going to be anywhere near bulk 22lr prices.

Myself , I receive much more satisfaction shooting my Single Six with the 22lr cylinder than my Blackhawk with the 9 mm Cylinder. The level of accuracy is much better with the 22. When I shoot the Blackhawks it is usually with 357 ammo and the accuracy is excellent. For indoor range use I have used 38 Special.

 

[Mr White]

I'd buy a Blackhawk.

Why? Becaue I just bought a Single Six and I don't need two just yet.