Economic stimulus/Ruger advice

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RickH

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I have decided to do my duty and spend my economic stimulus check on a made in America Ruger revolver.
I am stuck between a GP100, or a .357 single action. I don't really need this gun for anything but fun at the range. I am leaning towards stainless because it might get to go fishing or hunting with me, but blued would be okay too. Barrel has to be 5 inches or greater in the case I take it hunting.
Any thoughts on what would be more fun at the range? Which will have the better accuracy potential? I am also open to advice on the various single action models, would prefer adjustable sights though. Thanks for any suggestions.
 
since you said you want adj. sights I assume the SA will be a Blackhawk.If that is the case 5.5" BH vs 6" GP flip a coin it will depend more on what day of the week they were made as to which is more accurate.
one thing they make the BH with a 9mm cylinder just somthing to think about.
 
Rick, if you can get past the stainless requirements, Ruger made something very special with one particular blackhawk: the 50th Anniversary 357. Blue only, 4.68" barrel only, 357 only.

What's different is that this was built on the "mid size" frame similar to a Colt SAA, making it an adjustable-sight cousin to the New Vaquero 357.

When Ruger set up production on the mid-frames, they took the time to re-think how they build them. Average quality and accuracy are better than the big-frame models (as in, all other Blackhawks from '73 forward, the "Old Vaquero", Bisley and SuperBlackhawk).

The mid-frames are still very strong guns. I compared my NewVaq357 cylinder with that of a GP100 and the NewVaq (same cylinder and frame as the 50th 357) had more cylinder beef than the GP. I run very hot 357 loads through mine with zero problems and excellent controllability - this is a great platform to explore what the 357 can REALLY do.

The 50th 357 also lacks that horrid fake color-case on most of the blue NewVaqs so the bluing is both good-looking and durable with very basic care. Only a saltwater environment would cause me to shy off in favor of a stainless NewVaq or something.

They're widely available new and used, not expensive and don't have to be safe-queened for rarity. Most people didn't understand how cool these are :).
 
Thanks for all the replies!

Jim, I'll see if I can find a 50th to fondle-advice like this is why I love this forum.

Zebra-Nice photo, those grips make my mouth water.
 
I'd go GP100. I want the 4" SS adj sight full lug version though, I maqy buy one this year. Keep in mind I already have a ss blackhawk .357mag 6 1/2" and a 6" 1/2 lug GP 100 as well!
 
Nothing say class more than a fine single action revlver. Those BH's area perfect example. Maybe even look for a Bisley model - even nicer. :)
 
Were it me, I'd go for the GP100 6" (although if you can find the rare and elusive 5" model all power to you. I've been lusting for one for a while now. I think it would be damn near perfect!).

The other option nobody has mentioned yet is a 6" security six. You might like the way it balanced a little better because it does not have the full underlug. This means buying used, but there are some great specimens out there and it'd be damn near impossible to wear one out anyway.
 
I'll third the 50th Ann. single action recommendation. I have a 44 version, which while it has the big frame, is proving to be the most accurate Ruger I own. Maybe they took a little extra care... I don't know, but I sure do like that flat top.
 
Madcratebuilder: that's a GREAT FrankenRuger :). 50th Anniversary 357, with a QPR or MKTech brass bird's-head grip frame and modified Ruger Bisley hammer.

My NewVaq wears a SuperBlackHawk hammer. Ruger SAs respond really well to basic tuning and tweaking, with a huge aftermarket parts base and a lot of cross-compatibility between models.
 
.357 just seems strange in a single action to me. Nothing wrong with it, of course, but I guess it's just not a "traditional" choice.

.357 in a DA, though... now we're talking a combo with some history behind it!
 
As a Ruger stockholder I applaud your wise intentions. I think everyone should do likewise.

As the owner of both a GP and a 50th .357, I can only say they're both outstanding pieces. I do shoot the GP better, though.

The company thanks you and I thank you...
 
Screw history :). The combination works great. In a gun of the same size/strength class as a modern Colt SAA (read: post-WW2) the 357 gives you more raw energy on tap than anything else.
 
Again thank you all for the replies.

Madcratebuilder- nice work, your ideas might cost me extra money, but I forgive you. Maybe I will look at a 50th bisley somewhere down the road?

As for caliber, I love .357, and already stock it. It might not be as nostalgic as some other SA calibers but neither are adjustable sights or a safety that allows you to carry more than five beans in the cylinder.

I'd love a colt, but too much money for me. The Italians also make some nice replicas, but I am not trying to stimulate the Italian economy...this time.

And thanks for no one saying "get both", which I plan to do eventually. I just think it is best to get the 50th now, and the GP later.

Best,

Rick
 
>>Maybe I will look at a 50th bisley somewhere down the road?<<

35 years down the road?

"50th" as applied to any of the Rugers means "50 years after THAT MODEL first shipped" :). The 50th 357 Blackhawk is a fairly close re-creation of the original Ruger centerfire gun period (1955). Only the safety on the new one is significantly different.
 
Thanks for the comments guys. I was surprised how well the bisley hammer fit, other than working the rear profile it was a drop in, and has a nice pull with no creep. My next project is a brass dragon frame for my sbh.
 
madcratebuilder,
Here's my .357/9mm convertible that I put a brass frame on & made a set of grips from a chunk of Oregon Myrtle that I picked up in Reedsport the last time I was in Coos Bay visiting my daughter.
Regards, Hud
 
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Ahh, I thought they had been making bisleys longer than that. Maybe I can look into a different grip fram for this one, or just pick up an original bisley. I am not wild about that roll mark on the cylinder though.
 
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