Know anything about 50th Anniv. Blackhawk?

[fulloflead]

Does anyone know anything about the 50th Anniversary Blackhawk that's coming out?

Will it be limited and cost more?
Nicer finish?
Will it have the new system where the click lines up with the ejector rod?
Will there be any convertibles?

I'm itchin' for a new Blackhawk in .357/9mm, but this might be worth waiting for.

 

[caz223]

I tried to start a thread at TFL, but it got hijacked.
I can't wait to buy one, heard so many good things about the old ones.
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/News-11-11-2004C.html

 

[OH25shooter]

If that was a real live shootin' DA revolver I'd buy it to be next to my SA version. I wish the Blackhawks were DA.

 

[fulloflead]

OH25shooter,

That's an odd thing to say.
What do you like about the Blackhawk? The toughness? The GP100 is easily as tough.
The weight and balance? Tried a K-frame S&W DA?

 

[fulloflead]

Thanks, caz223.

That link answered all my questions except whether it was going to be a very limited number.

 

[OH25shooter]

fulloflead,

Actually, I do like the toughness, style, feel and with mine the accuracy. I'm not a Ruger revolver (per say) owner. I prefer the S$W 686.

 

[Cosmoline]

IIRC, the old flattop was Skeeter's favorite.

 

[BlkHawk73]

It's only to be made in '05. Like the other annivesary model, I'm guesing it'll be made in quantities that are dicataed by demand. From what I'm seen so far, there's alot of demand so expect a fair number made.

 

[fulloflead]

I wonder if I go to Sportman's Warehouse the first week in January and preorder one if they'll make me pay full MSRP.

But then, maybe we should HOPE to pay MSRP. I imagine the first ones to show up at shops and on GunsAmerica will be asking a premium.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Never, never buy a brand new model when it first hits the shelves. The often small initial shipments are just to get a batch of the new model on the market and therefore have a high demand with little supply. I'm waiting a bit before buying my 2 50th Ann BH's.

 

[Old Fuff]

It costs big bucks to design and tool a new model revolver. Relative few parts could be used from other models, and they for the most part are the least expensive ones. Therefore it is highly unlikely Ruger will produce this revolver for only one year and stop. Expect to see it in the future - most likely chambered to use different cartridges (.44 Special for example) and barrel lengths, finish options, stainless steel - the possibilities are limitless.

So long as they are selling the company will make them. Why quit a good thing?

 

[fulloflead]

Good point. Do you suppose they'd discontinue the current line of Blackhawks like they are doing with the "New Vaquero"?

BUT, if the WERE, why are they not yet marketing a "New Blackhawk" like they are with the "New Vaquero".

 

[Old Fuff]

Ruger is going to watch and see how the mid-frame Blackhawk goes over. The smaller Vaquero is aimed directly at the Cowboy Action Shooting market, and there is every indication that it will be very popular with those customers. The Blackhawk has always been sold primarily to outdoorsman, hunters, and others that like a rugged, can-take-anything revolver at a relatively modest cost. However, unlike the “cowboys†these buyers often want to shoot the hottest loads going. I don’t think the company will rush to discontinue the larger Blackhawks with the possible exception of the .357 Magnum and possibly the .30 Carbine. It should be remembered that the Old Model Blackhawks in .30 Carbine, .41 Magnum, .44 Magnum and .45 Colt were all made using the large .44 size frame. With the possible exception of the .45 Colt I don’t think you’ll ever see the other cartridges in a mid-frame revolver.

 

[fulloflead]

I know what you mean about the hunters liking the heavy loads, but even on the smaller frame, I can't imagine Ruger building a weakling. I'd sure it'll be at least as strong as the S&W 686. I'm guessing the cylinder will be the same as the GP-100.

 

[Old Fuff]

One can safely say that in any Ruger revolver the cylinder’s size and the material (metallurgy) will be carefully chosen to meet all requirements for the cartridge chambered in it. The original Blackhawk was designed around the .357 Magnum cartridge, and it worked well. Custom ‘smiths opened up the chambers to rounds as large as the .45 Colt, but going to anything in the way of heavy loads was not recommended. Ruger’s first prototype .44 Magnum’s were built on the old .357 frame & cylinder, but both were discarded in favor of a larger frame and cylinder that was dimensioned for the .44 Magnum cartridge. Now the company is returning to its mid-sized frame roots by popular demand. The “new†Blackhawk will handle anything in the way of .357 Magnum rounds, but the larger charge-holes in the cylinder will leave thinner walls, and undoubtedly a warning that “standard loads†should always be used.

 

[fulloflead]

Larger charge holes? Thinner walls? Won't they be the same as they were in the originals models in 1955 but with better steel?

Happy holidays!

 

[Old Fuff]

Well the original (mid-frame) Blackhawk's had "top-quality" steel cylinders in the first place. However they were designed around the .357 Magnum cartridge, and I don't believe the factory ever produced them in any other caliber. The .30 Carbine and everything over the .357 in size were built on the .44 Magnum size frame, which at the moment is (or was) what all centerfire Blackhawks and Vaquaros have - the only exception being .32 H&R Magnums built on a modified Single Six frame.

Some pistolsmiths bored out and converted the mid-frame Blackhawks to .44 Special, .45 ACP and .45 Colt. However the cylinder walls were thin and it was understood that these revolvers should not be used with hotter then standard loads in they're respective chambering. The Ruger Company made it very clear that they did not sanction or approve of these conversions, popular though they were.

As I understand it, the new mid-frame Blackhawks and Vaquaros will have a slightly larger cylinder so that they can be chambered in .45 Colt for the Cowboy Action Shooters. However the .45 Colt cartridges the company has in mind is (STANDARD) .45 Colt loads. If someone wants to shoot the .45 Colt magum-level loads in a fixed sight Vaquaro they'd better buy it now while they are still available. For the time being at least, Ruger will continue to make the adjustable sighted Blackhawks and convertable Blackhawks in .45 Colt or .45 Colt/.45 ACP. These of course will be made using the large .44 Magnum sized frame.