After my usual period of obsessive internet research I bought a stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk with a 4 ⅝” barrel. I wanted this gun mainly for range use, but also possibly for self defense.
The comments and reviews around the internet are all positive. I didn’t find anyone who disliked the gun; though some preferred the Bisely grip frame and hammer. The reliability, durability, accuracy, and finish were always praised. When a gun achieves all of these then the only things left to consider are aesthetics and shootability. The Super Blackhawk certainly has visual charisma, but I wasn’t able to try one out before buying it. I didn’t think this was a risk because I know I’m a much less fussy shooter than many (or most) who comment in this forum. I adapt.
I received the gun on 19 February. The fired shell casing in the box was dated 01 February. So it’s the newest new gun I’ve ever had. The gun was flawless when I opened the box. Ruger does a great job. I did notice some red “stuff” clinging to the loading gate and its opening. I’ve no idea what that is. It wiped off fairly easily.
At the range I had some Georgia Arms .44 magnum 240 grain JFP (claimed 1000 fps) and 240 grain JHP “Deer Stopper” (claimed 1350 fps). Amazingly, I hit my 8” steel plate at 15 yds with the very first shot. Though, after that my hit rate wasn’t so good. Need practice. The JFP recoil was not unpleasant at all. It’s a big thump. The faster JHP rounds were a significantly bigger thump, but not bothersome. I don’t know why so many people complain about .44 magnum recoil. I’m a skinny guy and I’d much rather shoot a Super Blackhawk than a S&W 642. The 642 delivers a stinging smack into my hand every time.
Now for some whines. The shroud around the ejector rod has a sharp edge in the channel where the rod actuator tab (don’t know what that’s really called) rides. So I sliced open the side of my index finger when I ejected the spent casings. It’s so sharp that I didn’t realize I was cut until that moment when I noticed blood on the gun and wondered “Hey, where’s that blood coming from?” Doh! Sandpaper will fix that problem. Also, the ejector rod isn’t long enough to push the brass all the way out. It pushes them about ¾ out where they stick slightly, necessitating picking at them with a finger nail. That is, until I learned the trick of rotating the cylinder slightly past the loading port, pushing down on the ejector rod so that the rim of the casing catches on the loading port, then rotating the cylinder back slightly causing the brass to pop out with some force. Not as complicated as it sounds.
The Super Blackhawk is a very satisfying gun and I look forward to a lot more range days with it.
The comments and reviews around the internet are all positive. I didn’t find anyone who disliked the gun; though some preferred the Bisely grip frame and hammer. The reliability, durability, accuracy, and finish were always praised. When a gun achieves all of these then the only things left to consider are aesthetics and shootability. The Super Blackhawk certainly has visual charisma, but I wasn’t able to try one out before buying it. I didn’t think this was a risk because I know I’m a much less fussy shooter than many (or most) who comment in this forum. I adapt.
I received the gun on 19 February. The fired shell casing in the box was dated 01 February. So it’s the newest new gun I’ve ever had. The gun was flawless when I opened the box. Ruger does a great job. I did notice some red “stuff” clinging to the loading gate and its opening. I’ve no idea what that is. It wiped off fairly easily.
At the range I had some Georgia Arms .44 magnum 240 grain JFP (claimed 1000 fps) and 240 grain JHP “Deer Stopper” (claimed 1350 fps). Amazingly, I hit my 8” steel plate at 15 yds with the very first shot. Though, after that my hit rate wasn’t so good. Need practice. The JFP recoil was not unpleasant at all. It’s a big thump. The faster JHP rounds were a significantly bigger thump, but not bothersome. I don’t know why so many people complain about .44 magnum recoil. I’m a skinny guy and I’d much rather shoot a Super Blackhawk than a S&W 642. The 642 delivers a stinging smack into my hand every time.
Now for some whines. The shroud around the ejector rod has a sharp edge in the channel where the rod actuator tab (don’t know what that’s really called) rides. So I sliced open the side of my index finger when I ejected the spent casings. It’s so sharp that I didn’t realize I was cut until that moment when I noticed blood on the gun and wondered “Hey, where’s that blood coming from?” Doh! Sandpaper will fix that problem. Also, the ejector rod isn’t long enough to push the brass all the way out. It pushes them about ¾ out where they stick slightly, necessitating picking at them with a finger nail. That is, until I learned the trick of rotating the cylinder slightly past the loading port, pushing down on the ejector rod so that the rim of the casing catches on the loading port, then rotating the cylinder back slightly causing the brass to pop out with some force. Not as complicated as it sounds.
The Super Blackhawk is a very satisfying gun and I look forward to a lot more range days with it.
