New Model Super Blackhawk vs. New Model Blackhawk 50th Anniversary .44 Magnum

[mrrick]

I'm considering one of these revolvers, prefer the 50th anniversary model, as I had one of these and foolishly let it get away.

My question is: Are these both equal in strength and able to handle equally strong heavy loads?

 

[Jim March]

Yes, they're "basically the same gun". There MIGHT be a miniscule theoretical strength disadvantage in the flattop as there's a bit less "beef" at the back of the topstrap (MAYBE) but if there's any difference at all it'll be minor.

The most accurate 44Mag SAs Ruger has ever built are the Hunter variants. The Bisley Hunter is in my opinion the best bigbore SA Ruger ever built.

The best midbore "packing gun" SA they've built is the 50th Anniversary 357.

 

[mrrick]

Thanks for the info.

 

[BlkHawk73]

Since it's the cylinder that actually contains the cartridge and therefore accepts all the pressure, wouldn't the cylinder be the main point of strength? After all, the BH and SBH all have the same cylinder frame. Actually, the only real difference is the chamberings and of course the material the gripframes are made out of.

That said, if you can't do what ya gotta do with regualr pressure loads and really NEED the over SAAMI spec stuff, why not simply buy a firearm chambered for a more powerful cartridge? Just curious.

 

[Jim March]

Short term, yeah, it's the cylinder that matters in terms of "instant blowup resistance".

But longer term, it IS possible to slowly stretch a frame without ever blowing the cylinder. But you usually have to let an endshake condition go untreated for a long time...the cylinder rattles back and forth and acts as a "battering ram" on both ends.

In a Ruger though, this is very unlikely unless you let BAD endshake go untreated. Minor gunsmithing can eliminate it.

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The real weak spot of the big Magnum Ruger SAs is the base pin and base pin latch. The pin can jump out under recoil. If you don't notice right away and keep shooting until the base pin comes forward all the way clear of the rear frame hole it fits into, the results can be very bad.

There are two cures, both cheap and user installable: a heavier cross-pin latch spring comes with most of the aftermarket "spring kits" and secures the latch better, or run an aftermarket base pin such as the Belt Mountain $25 pins with a retaining set screw. The stronger cross-pin spring usually cures it, the base pin with set screw *always* does do - and can tighten the action in many cases as the aftermarket pins are tighter and more uniform.

Once this issue is cured, Ruger SAs are unbelievably strong.

 

[mrrick]

The only time I use full power .44mag. loads is in my Desert Eagle, which will not cycle with less than full power loads.

In my model 29 I stick to light to medium loads as I have not hunted with it, just targets and plinking.

I'm not great fan of heavy blasting away, just like moderate, comfortable shooting. Of the 60+ rifles I have, not one is a magnum, (recently sold my 416 Rigby). Probably my 7mm Mausers get the most use. I do have the standard battery of handgun magnums, .357, .41 and .44, but believe that "less is more" when it comes to loads.

For defence, 45ACP is my standard, usually regular ball ammo.

Jim, thanks for the info on base pins, I always learn something new here.

Regarding the Rugers, just was curious about any differences they had.