Blackhawk vs SAA?

Which should I get?

  • Ruger Blackhawk

    Votes: 93 85.3%

  • Uberti SAA

    Votes: 16 14.7%
  • Total voters
    109
  • Poll closed .
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Panzerschwein

Panzerschwein

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Looking at a Ruger Blackhawk vs Uberti 1873 SAA for a first single action revolver, both in .45 Colt.

Thoughts?
 
I just like Ruger Blackhawks. Always have. My 45 Colt Blackhawk I purchased back in the '70s, and it served then as my poor-boy's magnum. I no longer run heavy loads through it because I have several 44s now, but it is tough as nails and will be around long after I am gone.

The only 'smith work ever done on it was to cut the barrel back to a handier 5 inches.

BOARHUNTER
 
My shooting buddy and I were just talking about this today. Since I bought my Cimarron SAA Revolver, I never take my Ruger Blackhawk out any more - the 'Cowboy' gun simply feels better in hand and is more fun to shoot. I detailed stripped, cleaned, and lubed the .45 Colt / .45 ACP Ruger Blackhawk Convertible Revolver and am going to try and sell it.

I load 200 grain LRNFP bullets over 6.1 grains of Trail Boss and shoot the SAA 'clone' better while enjoying it more. As they say, YMMV. The Blackhawk is waaaayyy more versatile. It shoots either .45 caliber cartridge well, can be loaded with significantly more powerful loads for hunting or defensive use, has an adjustable rear sight, can be safely carried with all six chambers loaded, and is, after all, a Ruger. If I sell this one I will probably get another one somewhere along the line if I live long enough. But ... it has been sitting in the safe for over a year while the Cimarron SAA goes out to play at least two or three times a month, punching holes in paper, blowing up water bottles, and ringing steel plates.

If I could only have one SA Revolver, the Ruger Blackhawk Convertible would easily be my choice, but for pure enjoyment (for someone with plenty of handguns) the SAA clone is my favorite.
 
il.bill said:
My shooting buddy and I were just talking about this today. Since I bought my Cimarron SAA Revolver, I never take my Ruger Blackhawk out any more - the 'Cowboy' gun simply feels better in hand and is more fun to shoot. I detailed stripped, cleaned, and lubed the .45 Colt / .45 ACP Ruger Blackhawk Convertible Revolver and am going to try and sell it.

I load 200 grain LRNFP bullets over 6.1 grains of Trail Boss and shoot the SAA 'clone' better while enjoying it more. As they say, YMMV. The Blackhawk is waaaayyy more versatile. It shoots either .45 caliber cartridge well, can be loaded with significantly more powerful loads for hunting or defensive use, has an adjustable rear sight, can be safely carried with all six chambers loaded, and is, after all, a Ruger. If I sell this one I will probably get another one somewhere along the line if I live long enough. But ... it has been sitting in the safe for over a year while the Cimarron SAA goes out to play at least two or three times a month, punching holes in paper, blowing up water bottles, and ringing steel plates.

If I could only have one SA Revolver, the Ruger Blackhawk Convertible would easily be my choice, but for pure enjoyment (for someone with plenty of handguns) the SAA clone is my favorite.
Click to expand...
good point if you have the money buy both of them now with that said I bought two of the heritage big bore revolvers in 45 colt and I just love these pistols and for $380 a piece these are great shooters with cast bullets and they are way nicer than their 22 counterparts!!
 
I had the Blackhawk Convertible 6.5 inch barrel in .357/9mm. In my opinion it was overly big and heavy for the 357 sized cartridge. Didn't handle well and was barrel heavy. I thought the trigger mechanism was overly complicated compared to a SAA, which I understand why,but I have no problem carrying 5 with the hammer down on an empty chamber.
I would like to try a Flat top or a New Vaquero to see if they handle better.

I voted Uberti because I did not care for the Blackhawk I purchased.
 
Find an original "3 screw" Blackhawk. Mine is from 1971 in .357 and still looks and shoots like new. Never had an issue with it...Love the adjustable sights.
 

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About three or 4 years ago I chose the Blackhawk in my Avatar. I have not been disappointed in my decision, but it did make me want a SAA clone, likely a Vaquero. :)
Seriously though it's more of what you want the gun for. Just for fun running cowboy loads the SAA Uberti is a fine choice. If you want/need the adjustable sights and will hunt or push bigger loads the Blackhawk is a clear winner.

-Jeff
 
Blackhawk is better for me. It has adjustable sights and is just slightly larger. I have three. My 45colt/45acp convertible is a very nice shooter. My FiL reloads 45acp for us, so that's what I shoot through it these days. I liked my SAA, but the small fixed sights don't work as well with my aging eyes anymore. My 7.5" Super Blackhawk in 44 magnum is my favorite firearm.

I got a 9mm cylinder for my 357 Blackhawk just the other day and look forward to shooting it this weekend. Just by chance, my FiL finally found a Super Blackhawk Bisley cheap enough for him ($550) and it arrived at our FFL last week. He gets to try out his new toy this weekend, too.

They are brutes. My SBH is from 1970-71 and has obviously been shot a lot. I got lucky and won it for a $399 bid. It still locks up tight and is more accurate than I am.

SAA is fine, but Blackhawk for me.
 
Well it's kind of like asking should I get an old, but good horse or a cow. You could ride both of them but the horse would be the better ride, But then you could milk the cow.
If your going to handload, hunt and target shoot, the Blackhawk would be the way to go. If you just want to have fun, pretend to be a real Cowboy, or have something to hold when watching those old westerns the SSA would be the way to go. The new Ruger Vaqueros are nice too.
 
I’d lean toward the Blackhawk and unless you intend to shoot the high pressure “Ruger Only” handloads, I’d recommend the “Flattop” variant which is built on the same “medium” frame as the New Vaquero.
 
Yes, both single actions, but two totally different guns. The Ruger is the modern version, the Uberti the traditional copy that's the closest to the original.

Personally, I prefer the Uberti, I find the Ruger's outline too blocky.
 
I would pick the Blackhawk if those are the only two choices . I do not like the changes they made last year too the current Uberti revolvers . I guess you have a reason for not including the Vaquero in your choices , that would be my pick . I am glad I got my Uberti SAA before the change .
 
The OP should also look at the Vaquero, superior to the Uberti unless he just has to have case hardened. IIRC, the Uberti has its firing pin mounted on the hammer while the Vaquero has a transfer bar. I would personally opt for the Blackhawk as it has an adjustable rear sight.
 
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