Going to show tomorrow..... Want a SA Revolver!

[Nikon Shooter]

Hello All!

I will be attending a gun show tomorrow in Louisville, KY and I have been seriously wanting a SA revolver....

I have read through some older threads looking for information, and have checked price ranges on gunsamerica. I am looking to spend between $300-$500 and am leaning towards a Super Blackhawk Ruger in .44 mag. I have decided almost for certain that I want a .44, but am not dead set on a SBH.

I have never done any sort of rifle/pistol reloading, so I will almost always be shooting factory loads. The primary use for the pistol will be mainly just for fun/plinking and maybe, just maybe to take along on a whitetail hunt.

I REALLY like the looks of the SBH .44 mag Hunter model with the Bisley grip, but I do not intend to put a scope on this pistol, and like I said, I am not buying it to be set up as a hunting rig, so.........

The next thing is bbl length. I really leaning towards the 7.5" bbl, but the shorter 5.5" is also appealing..... Any significant reason to chose one over the other? Also, anything shorter then 7.5" bbl will not have an unfluted cylinder, no??? Again, any significant reason why one is better then the other?

I have never owned anything larger then a .357 mag, but have shot many .44's and I am pretty certain that I need one..... I would also like to hear opinions as to whether I may be better suited with another caliber..... Perhaps a .45?? Or, maybe a BH in .357??

Many thanks in advance for any help/opinions! I have tried to do my homework, but seem to have only confused myself even further.... lol

Thanks again!

 

[Preacherman]

First of all, welcome to THR! Nice to have you on the board.

Now, as to the gun: I'd like to suggest that you should NOT buy a gun at this point. There are simply too many variables to sort out. For example:

1. Which style of grip suits you best - the standard Colt SAA type, as on the regular Blackhawk, or the Bisley grip? How about sights - I'm assuming you want adjustable sights, but there are fixed sights out there too in Ruger's Vaquero models.

2. You haven't decided on barrel length yet. The 7½" is great for higher velocities and a longer sight radius (with iron sights), but is more difficult to pack. The shorter barrel is handier, but has a shorter sight radius, which might affect hunting use. I know you said you weren't planning on mounting a scope, but what about a red-dot sight?

3. You still have questions about caliber.

I'd recommend that you try to shoot guns belonging to friends, or range rentals, or something like that, until you've been able to sample what's available. Also, check out the advantages and disadvantages of various calibers. When you've gained some actual hands-on shooting experience, and have decided on the caliber that will best suit you, then you'll be in a better position to buy the right gun.

 

[Old Fuff]

I second Preacherman. If I was going to buy a .44 Magnum single action I wouldn't consider any revolver except the Ruger. In this caliber/cartridge they have all of the others beat. I'd also go for the adjustable rear sight as it's much easier to get zeroed with any particular load.

That said, the 7 1/2" guns are more accurate for most shooters and offer slightly better performance. In this length or longer you get an unfluted cylinder.

The 4 5/8 and 5 1/2 inch lengths come with a fluted cylinder. They are easier to carry around and make excellent back-up guns for woodsmen, but the longer length is probably better as a primary hunting six-gun.

Many people like the Bisley style grip for better recoil control. Others prefer the older "cowboy" saw-handle shape. This is something you'll have to work out for yourself by handling the different models.

It is much better to buy the right gun the first time and keep it, then end up taking it back to trade for something else. Take your time and look at all of your options. Then jump.

 

[Josey]

I strongly suggest Ruger myself. I would look at the three different grips from Ruger. The regular SAA style, the Bisley and the birdshead. The SBH in 44 Magnum Hunter with Bisley grip is a great revolver. I would give a dual cylinder 357 Magnum/38 Special and 9MM Ruger a hard look though. I like the RVs myself. I have RVs with 5.5" barrels chambered for 44-40 and faux ivory grips. I use these for CAS, CCW, field and HD. Ruger makes a great SA pistol. I used to have a 44 Magnum but noticed I was always shooting 44 Specials. I settled on the 44-40 as a all around and historical caliber. The 45 Long Colt/45 ACP dual cylinder Rugers are nice also. The choice is yours, the choices are definitely supplied by Ruger.

 

[Jim March]

When you're talking about SuperBlackhawks, the variants with barrels of 5.5" or 4.68" will have a smaller grip frame of the same size as a Blackhawk or Vaquero but in blue steel on a blue gun - blued blackhawks have aluminum grip frames. Stainless guns always have stainless grip frames across all Ruger models.

The 7.5" and longer SBHs have the larger "plowhandle" grip frame with a "Dragoon squareback triggerguard". On the original type of Hunter, the grip is also a larger plowhandle but with a round triggerguard - this is of interest to some as the squareback can whack your middle-finger knuckle depending on your hand size and/or hold.

Then there's the Bisley variants - the only one called "SBH" with a Bisley grip frame is the Bisley Hunter, but the Bisley with adjustable sights in 44Mag might as well be a SuperBlackHawk - it just doesn't bear that name. Adjustable-sight Ruger Bisley 44Mags with the 5.5" and 7.5" barrels are very highly regarded by most owners of same, and esp. in the scarce stainless (special production runs) are worth looking for.

Other issues: in my opinion, the 5.5" makes the most sense for 44Mag, at least in the lower 48 for critters smaller than elk/moose. Good 44Mag fodder will get up enough head of steam in 5.5" to take black bear, boar or deer at iron-sight ranges. Yes, you might get a hair more accuracy with iron sights and ranges out past 100 yards with the 7.5" or longer, but draw times are reduced and finding good defensive carry holsters gets rough. If the gun is being carried for "critter defense" (cougar, black bear or boar) that could make a difference.

 

[Nikon Shooter]

First of all, I just wanted to say thanks again for your advice!

I went to the show bright and early this morning (man was it CROWDED!!!) and about 3 hours into it, I run across a dealer with a hugh display that had about any in production Ruger pistol that you would want..... I fondled almost every SA he had on his tables, but one had me hot and bothered from the start, and it ended up being the one I absolutely had to bring home with me....... I also REALLY liked a stainless Bisley .41 mag with 5.5" BBL and adjustable sights...... It was VERY sweet! Perhaps I will pick that one up at the next show!

Anyway, pictured below is the pistol I ended up buying..... In all the excitement, I forgot to buy any ammo, so first thing tomorrow morning I am off to Wally World to pick up a box...... If weather permits, I am gonna give her a try ASAP!

Thanks again!

 

[Josey]

LOL! Wallyworld!? LOL Yeah, RIGHT! Let me know how you come out. I have a few suggestions now. www.eaglegrips.com Get some good grips. You will want Belt Mountain basepin with a lock. You might even consider a free spin pawl. That is a pretty Ruger.

 

[Old Fuff]

Somehow I’m not surprised at your choice. I think you did good. In the future you may want another one with a shorter barrel, but the one you have now will do fine. To start out I suggest you’ll need a good holster, and considering the barrel length you may want to consider a shoulder holster.

Anyway, have fun ….

 

[Josey]

www.epsaddlery.com www.sanpedrosaddlery are good single action holster makers.

 

[Koveras]

Nikon Shooter,

The .41 Magnum you said you liked is a limited run by Ruger for Acusport, and they are getting hard to find. If you really want one, go back and get it. It may not be there by the next gun show.

 

[Majic]

You may have made a mistake in passing on the .41mag if you really want it. It was the least produced model of the Acu-sport series and you may not find it next time or anytime soon.
One good thing about the Rugers, if you aren't satisfied with the grip configuration they all swap with a fair amount of ease.

 

[Jim March]

The Bisley Hunter is a GREAT gun!

The only real "must have" addition is a Belt Mountain base pin that can lock in place...heavy 44Mag recoil can sometimes cause the Ruger pin to jump out, and the BMs are a bit thicker to reduce free cylinder play. $20 or so for the plain head, a hair more but not too crazy for the "number 5" fancy type.

A $35 kit from Power Custom allows you to set up the cylinder to spin both ways with the loading gate open. Neat, and strongly recommended for any SA Ruger carried for personal defense. Not so crucial for a woods/hunting gun bu still useful.

If I recall right, all Hunters come with 1" scope rings. Ruger can sell you 30mm types for that gun at moderate cost.

 

[Nikon Shooter]

Well, I made it to wallyworld today and picked up a box of the only type .44 mag ammo they had (Win. white box 240 JSP). It's all they had, so I paid the $19.96 and went on my way....

My brother and I finally made it to out to shoot about 5:30 this afternoon, and we run into two friends of ours that were shooting in our spot.... lol So, after some bs'ing, checking out their guns, and sighting in a scope on a Tikka .243 my brother just bought, I was running out of daylight and was only able to shoot the SBH 12 times (my bro shot it 6 times, and one of the friends shot it six times) before it was too dark to see the front site....

Recoil was not even an issue..... I had never shot a .44 with the Bisley style grip, but man, am I glad I got that configuration with the 7.5" bbl. After two shots I had to change my grip due to getting my middle finger on my trigger hand slapped by the trigger guard. After that it was smooth sailing..... Daylight was dwindling, and I only took a few pop cans to shoot at, but I had no trouble hitting them at about 20 yards offhand.

All in all, I am VERY pleased, and cannot wait til I have more time to do the 75-100 YD milkjug test!

I did have a couple more questions on the items some of you suggested..... First, the Belt Mountain base pin.... The suggestion on the "locking type" - Is that the one where you have to drill into the revolver to install, and if so, uh..... can any idiot do it? Also, is it pretty easy to get out for cleaning purposes, etc?

Second, the free spin cylinder thingy (I know I probably don't need it, but I am a gadget freak/tinkering type and it sounds interesting). Is it much trouble to install?

Thanks again to everyone!

P.S. Jim March, the thread you started on TFL where you and others offered advice on how to pick a good revolver really helped when I was at the show on Sat. The only thing I didn't have was a feeler gauge, but by eyeballing/feeling, the cylinder gap looked good to me. Thanks to you and everyone else who contributed that information!

 

[Kernel]

"If I recall right, all Hunters come with 1" scope rings. Ruger can sell you 30mm types for that gun at moderate cost."

--------------------

You said you weren't going to scope it, but.....

If you call Ruger they'll send you new 30mm rings (or whatever size & height) - no charge. Even the shipping is free. The new rings typically arrive in about a week along with instructions on how to return the original rings.

Congrats on the new Bisley. Very good choice IMHO. Sometime soon I hope to add one just like it to my small collection of Ruger single actions. -- Kernel

 

[Josey]

When I put my locking Belt Mountain pins on, I cheated. I backed off the allen head screw and installed the pin. I slowly and carefully tightened the allen screw down until it made contact with the barrel. I then eased in on the tension gently. I unscrewed the screw and pulled the pin out. I was left with a witness mark. I then used a small pin vise drill to put a "spot" dimple on the barrel. I reinstalled and tightened the base pin. It took more time to set up for it than it took to do. I have had my 44s for three years and am very satisfied. The free spin pawl is not too difficult. I would definitely suggest it for a gadget freak!! There are many Ruger improvements found on the CAS sites. www.sassnet.com www.graybeards.com www.sixgunner.com

 

[Jim March]

Well technically, ya, you're supposed to put a little dimple in for the tip of the locking set screw (small hex-wrench screw). What you do is, you put the pin in, tighten the set screw, pull it out and use the ding to line up a small drill.

But...a lot of people just carefully set the screw against the barrel and go with that.

There's another option: on a bone-stock Ruger, the base pin is held in by a cross-pin on the frame which has a spring in it. You take that cross-pn apart with a screwdriver that's been notched in the middle. You can make one yourself with a standard screwdriver bit and a hacksaw or Dremel to create the right screw tip. When you buy a Wolff spring kit for SA Rugers ($17 or so) it comes with a selection of mainsprings, a new trigger return spring and a stiffer base-pin-latch crosspin spring. Most people don't use the latter (or you can get that spring on it's own for peanuts) but it's the OTHER way to solve the base-pin-jump-under-recoil problem.

With a Belt Mountain pin (which usually is better at staying in there even without the set screw due to being a bit bigger) and the Wolff stiffer pin latch spring in place, you probably won't need the set screw at all - at least not in 44Mag. It can be completely backed out and removed from any BM pin.

If you ever have the gun upgraded to a five-shot 454Casull, 475Linebaugh or other handcannon-class setup, you'll want to do a set-screw on the base pin!!! But with any normal 44Mag loads, you might be able to get by with a totally stock setup, and almost certainly do fine with a BM pin and Wolff cross-pin spring. I do however recommend at least upgrading the cross-pin spring, because if the pin DOES jump under recoil, the holes in the frame for the base pin could be damaged. Also, if you run really thermonuclear 44Mags such as some of the Buffalo Bore or Garrett monsters, you better do some upgrading on that base pin jump issue some way or another.