Need advice on a Ruger 3-Screw Blackhawk, Please...

[Kestrel]

I ran across a Ruger Blackhawk 3-screw in excellent condition. It's a .357 and has a 6-1/2" barrel and has the box and manual. He wants $375 for it. Is this a good price? It's not a flat-top. It looks like the current models, except it's a 3-screw and doesn't have the warning stampings.

Thanks for any help,
Steve

 

[Wil Terry]

THAT WOULD BE A BIT HIGH FOR THIS NECK OF THE WOODS, BUT

If it is truly in NRA excellent condition it is probably worth it as they ain't makin' too many 3-screw RUGERS anymore.
Also, it may look like the NEW MODEL BLACKHAWK 357 but it is a lot smaller in the frame [ the frame is the size of an original COLT SAA frame ] and is a much more dynamic handling 357 sixgun than the NM sixguns. I know where there are three of these in new condition but no boxes that can be had for 360 bucks but haven't sold for three years 'cause there are too many to be had well used but perfectly serviceable for 175 to 250 bucks around here . Me, I buy the old beat up ones for as cheap as I can find 'em for doing cartridge conversions to other cartridges. And don't forget this: a bird in the hand is worth ever so many more in the bush. I never saw a BRINKS truck at a funeral so go buy it and be happy with one of the classic American magnum sixguns of all time.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

If it's in that good of shape, with box, I would pick it up. Yes the price is on the high end, but so's the gun right?

And as noted before: They handle a whole lot different, and have different ergonomics than the new models, and they haven't been made since 1972.

Plus for me, I can't get enough of that 4 stage cocking mechanism.

Not to talk down to you but: If this is your first old model, be very careful about loading all six chambers, all you have to do is bump the hammer hard and BOOM. Not good.

 

[one45auto]

Ben,

Ruger will remedy that design flaw on their old three screw Blackhawks free of charge. Just send them the gun postage paid - or at least that's the way it used to be. He might want to check their website or else give customer service a call, but I'm sure the offer is still in force.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

One45Auto, I know they will, but I don't want them to. I like it:
click, click, snap, click, BANG!!!! Kinda cool listening to all that stuff going on.

 

[mountain_cowboy]

OK, Steve, here's the deal. If it's in excellent shape with the box and papers, buy it. If you can get him down to $350, great. If not, $375's still pretty good. If you just want to shoot it, and don't care about the box, sell it on ebay and recoup $75 of the cost (this is what I did with the last two I bought). Then you've got a $300 Old Model Blackhawk in excellent shape. And for God's sakes, don't send it back to Ruger for the conversion. You've got to pay shipping, of course, and what you'll get back is a gun with a worse trigger and action that's no better than a new model gun you could get for $275, easy.

 

[Kestrel]

Thanks for all the help. I picked it up and it's in supurb condition. I love the old model action - the clicks when cocking, etc. I do wish it had a shorter barrel, though. It turns out the box has tape all around the edges - must have been coming apart on the previous owner.

Looking at the Ruger web site, it looks like it was made in 1971. I have no intentions of sending it back to Ruger - that old action is why I bought it in the first place.

Would having the barrel cut back to about 4-3/4" by Hamilton Bowen be a rediculous thing to do to a mildly collectable gun?

This guy also has an old model Super Blackhawk I'm trying to buy from him. He says if he sold it, he wouldn't take less than $500 for it. Is that high? (It looks unfired and is perfect.)

By the way, is the loading order on these like this: Load one, skip one, load four, cock hammer all the way and then lower it on the empty chamber? I think I read that in a magazine years ago.

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Yep, that's how you load 'em.

Enjoy the new gun!!!!

 

[mrstang01]

Wil Terry,

I've been looking for a beater 3 screw to convert to .44 special, and if you can find them as cheap as you mentioned, I'd love a tip! Around here, they go in the $300 range if you can find them.

Thanks!

Michael

 

[243_shooter]

Steve,

I just paid $350 for one identical to yours, that was built ~1970. No box, no papers. I don't feel I paid to much for it, probably would have paid more. For this area it was a fairly good deal. I've no doubt that I could easily resell it for $400+.

I bought it because I liked the look / feel of the gun, and wanted my first SA. I can't wait to run it through it's paces. If it shoots as good as it feels, then I've got a feeling it won't be the last 3-screw to find it's way into my safe

Leo