SOMEONE in your club(s) or at the ranges you frequent must have a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk.
I wouldn't be supprised, but if so I've never met them. Now, admittely I tend to be a bit of a loner on the range, just quietly doing my shooting and then leaving and all of my shooting takes place at either commercial or public ranges (no clubs) which doesn't help with socializing at the range.
629's have been scope rail ready for eons.
Hmmm... I've seen photos of 629s with the scope mounted directly to the top strap, which I thought looked kind of cludgy compared to the sleeker mounting systems on the two Ruger Hunters. That rail system on your gun looks kind of cool, though, and I may have to rethink my resistance to scope mounting a 629 after all. Thanks for sharing that!
Another vote for the Ruger Bisley Hunter because of your stated purpose.
It seems the Blackhawk supporters are overwhelmingly in favor of the Bisley version of the big Ruger SA. I guess I definetly need to try and get ahold of one to get a feel for the grip.
If you have to have a Ruger - look behind 'Curtain #4' at a Super Redhawk.
Eh, I'm sure its a fine gun, but I dismissed it early from consideration becuase I find it... well, ugly. Some people may think looks are a silly thing to consider when deciding on a gun, but if the choice is between a good looking gun and an ugly gun, if both are quality made and reliable why not go with the better looking one? I just find the Smith and the Blackhawk far supperiour in appearance to the
Super Redhawk, and to paraphrase an old saying... life is too short to shoot ugly guns!
Thanks again for all the input.