First Single Action

[pittspilot]

Have a bunch of double action revolvers, but feel that I need a single action to round out the collection.

After a bunch of research, I think I'm going to go with Ruger Blackhawk Stainless .45 Convertible. I already have double action revolvers in both calibers. I just can't decide between the two barrel lengths. 5.5 or 4.62?

So I wanted to get some thoughts. Good choice for a first single action? And what barrel length?

Thanks,

 

[rcmodel]

4 3/4" is more convenient in a holster if you plan to ever set down in a car seat or something.

I never got too hot over the 5 1/5", as is doesn't offer much more sight radius over the 4 3/4" and is less handy to carry.

If I go long, I go 7 1/2".

Besides, the 4 3/4" just looks like a SA should look to me..

rc

 

[back40]

i'll echo everything rc said. 4 3/4 just looks right and is more handy. if you want longer sight radius and more velocity, go all the way with 7 1/2.

 

[J-Bar]

Blackhawks are an excellent choice for a single action revolver. They are built to last, American made, and Ruger customer service is tops.

I have 4 Ruger Old Model Vaqueros, which is just a Blackhawk with fixed sights, and all four have the shorter barrel. Never regretted my choice.

 

[BCRider]

While I agree with RC on the short to 7.5" I prefer the looks of the 5 1/2 just because the barrel is not the same length as the ejector. But I freely admit that this is just me. If the 7 1/2" is just longer than you want then just look at the two shorter versions and pick the one that seems more "right". Because other than looks there's precious little to pick from unless you get into match shooting where the draw from the holster is under the clock. Only THEN is that silly little bit of stub on the barrel an issue.

 

[GyMac]

For years, the only length I could tolerate on a SA was 4 3/4 or, in Ruger's case, 4 5/8 inches. Now I find myself drawn to the 5 1/2 inch length.

 

[hipoint]

I really like my 4 5/8 blackhawk. To me, it's just right, but for you, eh... whatever you like. I have a couple other ruger single actions and the little bit of barrel that sticks out past the ejector bothers me on a purely visual level. I wish they were all the same size.

I can't really imagine much of a practical difference unless you're 1. carrying it all day or 2. practicing fast draw. Both of these were already mentioned, I'm only reiterating that I don't see any difference beyond that... That extra 7/8 of an inch will get a tiny bit more oompf out of a given round, but I bet it would be hard to measure.

 

[7mmb]

You should be aware that the special edition stainless 45 Blackhawk Convertible is built on the medium flattop frame and cannot handle hot 45 Colt "Ruger-only" loads. If you have no intention of shooting them then get it, it would be a great gun. If you want to shoot the barn burners you'll need to step up to the large framed regular production Blackhawk, which is a blued only proposition. Personally, I like the looks of blued better and it does clean up easier than stainless. I also like shooting the heavy stuff occasionally so I would still go with a 5.5" large frame convertible in blue. There was no medium frame stainless option when I got mine though.

 

[556by45guy]

My SuperBlackhawk is my favorite gun. It's a SS 5 1/2" 44mag.

 

[Haxby]

For a 44, 6 1/16 is perfect. Should be just right for a 45, too.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

One of my favorite revolvers is an original 5.5" Ruger Vaquero in .45 Colt. I agree the 4 5/8" barrel is easier to carry but I like the 5.5" best for shooting at the range. If just feels right to me.

I also have 2X New Vaqueros in 38/357 which are great revolvers too. They are also have 5.5" barrels. Whichever barrel length you choose I feel you made a good choice in the 45 Convertible and the adjustable sights on the Blackhawk will help keep you on target when shooting the different cartridges.

 

[Dnaltrop]

I picked up a used .45 Convertible Blackhawk ('87 ish manufacture) 4 5/8 and it rapidly displaced my M&P as my primary CCW. (although the M&P still rides along as my BUG until I pick up a second Blackhawk and a double- shoulder rig)

Draws well, with both hands, great weight, wonderfully accurate, fits snugly against my rib cage in a vertical Shoulder rig, and will eat just about any non-suicidal load I care to feed it.

As others have said, not every Ruger can eat "Ruger Only" loads, and I rarely surpass a moderate +p in my handloads, although those commercial Buffalo Bore 300 grain wrist-snappers have tempted me once or twice.

It is fun to keep a few "unpleasant" rounds in reserve, I don't sneak them in on friends,(That's a Jerk move in my book) but a few are "brave souls" who will attempt them after they see me launch a few. Really does show you who knows how to control recoil.

Here's the shot from the shop on the day I picked it up, Great plum coloring here and there, but most visible on the loading gate... It may be considered a flaw, but it's just plain beautiful to me... wish the gun was ALL plum. Only modification I've done is curving the spring slightly (Not big on just unhooking one leg) Dropped the trigger pull just a smidge, and it's perfect.

Grips are Sambar Stag, and it's not something I would have invested in on my own, but came pre-installed by the prior owner. (Whom I see once in a while in the Shop I usually frequent, so if he'd sold me a bad gun, he would have gotten an earful)

Reloading , (or being stinking rich) is Mandatory with big bores however, If you aren't already that is.

 

[bannockburn]

I have quite a few single actions with the 5 1/2" barrel, but my favorite one is the 4 5/8" length. Just like the look and balance of the shorter barrel.

 

[farm23]

I pretty much have all the barrel lengths up to 7.5 and use them or shoot them. My next one will be 4 3/4 44mag Bisley and then a 3 3/4. As I get older I get shorter and my guns get shorter.

 

[35 Whelen]

For day to day carry I prefer 4 5/8" in fixed sight. But my NM Blackhawk is 5 1/2" as it's only used for shooting targets and, in the future, for hunting so it won't be carried all the time. Too the 4 5/8" models to me just look too busy with their protruding adjustable sights and the large front sight all crammed on to a short barrel...but that's just my opinion.

35W

 

[peacemaker45]

Excellent choice. As to 4 5/8 vs 5 1/2", there's just not much difference. Even among cowboy shooters, they just tend to get lumped together as "short barrels," with the 7 1/2 as "long barrels." Pick the one you like.

Personally, I've got two sets of Blackhawks: 7.5" Supers in .44 Mag and 4.62" .357s, on the medium frame.

 

[Screwball]

I got the 5.5" barreled Vaquero, .45 Convertible in stainless (Davidson's exclusive). Really happy I picked it up, just before the Newtown shooting. I really wanted that setup, and within a week after I bought mine, they were out of stock... along with everything else.

Never been a big single-action guy, but one of those kind of guns I wanted in the collection. Feel it is like a 1911.

 

[il.bill]

.. Good choice for a first single action? And what barrel length?

A Ruger Blackhawk convertible is not just a good choice for a first single action revolver - it is a GREAT choice.

The shorter barrel is more convenient for use with holster carry, but you really just cannot go wrong with either barrel length. Pick them both up and see which one feels better in your hand, and look at them side by side to see which one looks better to your eye.

I prefer the feel of the overall balance of my .45 Blackhawk Convertible with a 4 5/8" barrel - my 5 1/2" barrel Super Blackhawk .44 magnum looks better and less cluttered to me with the barrel extended out past the ejector.

 

[Geno]

I had one of the Rugers in blued steel, with the 7.5" barrel. The balance was wonderful! Of course, in full disclosure, mine was a .44 Mag.

The convertible that my daughter had was a .38/.357/9mm. The convertible, IMHO, is the way to go. I read an interesting article some years back, that when handloaded to max pressures, the .45 Colt is more potent than the .44 Mag. If I were to get one, a .45 ACP/.45 Long Colt would be hard to resist.

If funds allow, I think the best in the world just might be the Casull, in .454 Casull/.45 Long Colt/.45 ACP. Now that is a revolver. Mine was .454 Casull only, and was way too much recoil. At least more than I desired. But to your question about the Ruger, yes, very nice revolver, love single-action, and I suggest a 7.5" barrel.

Geno

 

[M1GarandDeerHunter]

I have a 45 convertable in 4 5/8" . Totally love it! I like the shorter barrel for handyness. Lots of fun to shoot with a 1911. Feed it with 1911 mags for a speed loader.

 

[Meeteetse]

Great guns, I have several Blackhawks, including convertibles, and I will never be without one. I have one 7 1/2" and everything else is 4 5/8". Never liked the in-between sizes. Didn't really improve the sight radius all that much, a little harder to carry and just didn't fit my idea of a cowboy gun. Can't go wrong with a Ruger SA. Personally I would always buy the larger frame guns in blue. They are tougher and I hate stainless. Looks like a pimp gun.

 

[ljnowell]

I always liked the long barreled SA's. When I ordered my Blackhawk I ordered the 7 1/2" gun. After handling and shooting 4 5/8" guns I had to buy one of those too!