Calling the Ruger Blackhawk .45lc experts ...

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leadcounsel

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I'm interested in learning about the Ruger Blackhawk because I have a trade offer for one of my guns. According to the seller, it's a newer model, 6" barrel, and has wood grips. I do not yet have a picture.

Looks like they're around $425 new at Buds Guns.

Looking for any opinions, value assuming it's in 95%+ condition, etc. Also, tell me about the .45 lc ammo... how's the recoil and performance?

I don't have much experience with SAO revolvers, but would like to try them.

Thanks...
 
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Lead,

Look on Gun Broker and local advert for current value. What purpose do you envision? Target and plinking? Also, what are you currently used to for comparison purposes?
 
I am unaware of a 6" barrel on any NMBH. The barrel lengths for the .45 Colt NMBH are 4 5/8", 5 1/2" and 7 1/2". He may mean 5 1/2".

If you can get a few pin gages, take them with you to look at the gun. Some of the slightly older guns have very tight chamber throats and have to be reamed to shoot well. .4525" is the accepted diameter for the throats. If the forcing cone is smooth and the carry up and alignment good, it can shoot well.
 
By "newer model," does that mean a New Model? Would it happen to have an interchangeable .45 Auto cylinder? (Some do, some don't.)

Standard .45 Colt (AKA, though technically incorrectly, .45 "Long Colt"), typically a 255-grain lead bullet at ~800 or so fps, is pretty mild of recoil. Because of its size and strength, you can handload the Blackhawk to equal or surpass the .44 Magnum, or buy "Ruger only" loads from Buffalo Bore, Garrett, etc. Personally I see little reason to do this, but the option is available.
 
I really like SA (that's SA, not SAO!) revolvers for outdoor carry and use, hunting, and that. They are tough, rugged to the max, much harder to hurt than a DA with a crane that swings out and all its hinges. The frames are solid one piece, no plate as with most (other than Ruger) DA revolvers. That gives 'em strength. The Blackhawks can handle amazing loads, .44 magnum style heavy loads (see buffalo bore if you don't handload) if you want fire and brimstone, but are quite easy to shoot with normal .45 Colt and cowboy loads are cream puffs. The gun just sort of rolls in the hand and absorbs recoil. I prefer a single action for heavy calibers for that reason. In the same caliber, my TC Contender with heavy loads HURTS! Those same hot loads are fine in the Blackhawk.

I have DAs for self defense, but when I go hunting with an iron sighted revolver, I grab one of my Blackhawks and my .45 is a dandy for carry when working on my place. Never know when you'll stumble upon a hog down there. I don't own a .44 magnum, don't need one. The .45 does what a .44 would do and with less pressure.

If you don't handload, you might get sticker shock on the ammunition. I mean, there ain't much that DON'T give me sticker shock anymore, I haven't bought factory ammo in so long except for 9x19 and it's getting up there now days. I broke the old Dillon I have set up for 9x19 back out a couple of years ago. But, there are cowboy loads, factory reloads, and such if you look around that can save you money.

Yeah, that'd be a 6.5" or 7.5" barrel, probably. On the .45, mine's a 4 5/8". My .357 is a 6.5".
 
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I don't know about it being worth $425. I picked up a barely used one a couple of years ago so new it had no turn line on it yet. I paid $350 out the door. As far as ammo? Recoil and performance can be whatever you want it to be. One of my favorite loads for introducing new shooters to big bore shooting is a 255gr. SWC with 6.6gr. Universal. I had occasion to shoot a Beretta Cougar 9mm this week and I can honestly say the Beretta recoils more than my .45 Colt light loads. On the other hand, if I need POWAH, I have 250gr. XTP's loaded over 26.0 gr. of 296. If you love recoil, that is the recipe for you.
 
Brand new my neck of the woods 459 bucks, for the 4 5/8 " in .45 Colt (just bought one).

There are several sites that have +P .45 Colt loadings for Ruger, Freedom Arms revolvers and Thompson Centers, some powder and bullet manufacturers also have the +P loading data.

The warnings usually relate :If you want .44 Remington Magnum performance BUY ONE!
I say that statement stands true. If you want a fun shooting large caliber single action revolver that can be hand loaded to near .44 Mag performance for hunting the Blackhawk line is the way to go.

Corbon,Buffalo, and others offer "factory" .45Colt +P ammunition. Can't relate as far as recoil but with hand loads in the 20-22 grs of 2400 behind a 255 grain bullet I would imagine it would be pretty stiff.
Getting back to reality 6.5-8.5 grains of Unique in a 36 oz revolver with plow handle grips
it's more like rock and rool.
 
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I happened to see one of these guns today in the local gun shop; used but in "like new" condition (actually, it may have been close to that "like new" condition) asking price was $375...that is in the midwest, can't speak to pricing in other areas of the country.

I agree on the sticker shock deal; .45 (long) Colt ammo is getting downright pricey...since I don't reload, I have to take this into consideration when looking at a gun like this-
 
I disagree with the philosophy that if want .44 magnum performance then buy one.
The .45 Colt can be loaded to .44 magnum like performance but do it with less pressure. I think that's a mark in it's favor. So much in fact that I ordered a 7 1/2" Blackhawk in .45 Colt on Tuesday. I'm going to pick it up tomorrow afternoon and I'm like a kid waiting on Christmas to get here.
 
Glad you like the new revolver. Fun, ain't it. My 45 Colt Blackhawk is my favorite big bore and the round is VERY versatile.

You may want to investigate reloading both for cost and to add fun to your shooting. Unless you go through mass quantities of ammo, a single stage press (I use Lee Precision gear) will do you fine. Not as fast as a progressive style but fast enough and a great way to learn. Everything you need can be had for less than $100 (except the components) and requires a small foot print if that is a factor.

If this is for target/plinking you can standardize on one powder, I use Unique which is available anywhere that sells powder. 255 grain lead SWC bullets are easy to find and shoot well in my 45s but there are many bullet weights and configurations.

You might not be interested in reloading but I enjoy it. Reloading adds to my enjoyment of the shooting hobby and allows me to shoot more than if I had to buy all my ammo.

Jeff
 
My new Blackhawk

Well, new to me. It's a New Model .45lc. I did well in a trade and got this, the leather holster and belt, and about 250 rounds of .45lc. As I said I took it out shooting and it's a sweet shooter.

The only bad thing is the holster is left handed. Anyone have a right handed one they'd wanna swap for of about equal value?
 
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45 Colt and .44 special are my favorite rounds. They punch big holes in whatever they hit and are quite accurate.

The Blackhawk is a tank and probably the best SA gun for the money. If you want to go old style, you could also look at Ruger's Vaquero line. (Similar to the Blackhawk, but no rear sight -- like the cowboys did it). Also, if you aren't going to fire monster loads, there are plenty of fine non-Ruger guns in 45 Colt.
 
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