New to Me Blackhawk

[Tallball]

I already had a Blackhawk 45 "convertible" and a Single Six. But I have wanted a 357 revolver with a barrel 6" or longer for a while now. I won this one for a $300 bid on GunBroker earlier this week, and it arrived at my LGS yesterday. It has a faint turn line, a few scratches on the grip frame, and a bit of corrosion on the hammer. Mechanically it seems to be 100%. I hope to take it to the range on Tuesday.

I have a question about it. Sometimes I see 9mm Blackhawk cylinders for sale on eBay. I have had people tell me that they always have to be hand-fitted to your specific revolver. Other people have told me that sometimes they work just fine without needing any adjustments. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Armybrat]

Nope, but I'd just like to say you stole that very nice lookin' Blackhawk.

 

[shootniron]

Nice deal!

 

[gotboostvr]

I had that exact same model once upon a time, replaced it with a 4 5/8ths 45 convertible because it suited me better.

Gotta love snapping up deals on gunbroker!

 

[Tallball]

Thanks everyone! The finish is much better than my poor photography skills can show. I should try shooting a shorter one sometime. All of my SA revolvers have been 6" or longer.

 

[bannockburn]

Tallball

Great deal on that Blackhawk! Usually I prefer a 4 5/8" or 5 1/2" barrel but for that price I would gladly accept a 6 1/2" barrel model into my Ruger single action family.







As to the cylinder question I bought a .22 Magnum cylinder for my Single Six from a Ruger collector at a gun show and he did a little work on the cylinder so that it just dropped right in and worked perfectly. He didn't need my gun to fit it in but I don't know if this holds true for a 9mm. cylinder addition to .357 Blackhawk.

 

[lincen]

My 357 Blackhawk is the old three screw model and I was fortunate enough to buy a 9mm cylinder that lined up perfectly. Be sure to measure your existing cylinder and ask for the measurements of the one for sale. They should be within a couple thousandths of an inch. Make sure the 9mm cylinder for sale is for the New Model Blackhawk.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Yes, it is hit or miss whether a new cylinder will fit a particular Ruger. Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I have a pair of Vaqueros and the cylinders absolutely do not interchange.

A bit difficult measuring to determine if a particular cylinder will fit your gun, not exactly sure just what to measure. I suppose you could measure from the face of the cylinder to the rear of the cylinder, but I'm not sure that would really give you the information you need.

Looking at your photo, do I detect the loading gate has a slight purple tint to it? Or is it just the photo? On some of the older Rugers, I mean the old three screws, some of the parts sometimes turned a bit purple over time because Ruger was still perfecting the alloy they used. Ruger collectors refer to it as plum coloring, like the fruit. If I am reading your SN correctly, (it is a little bit out of focus) it appears your Blackhawk was made in 1987, kind of late for a plum loading gate.

This old 44 Mag Flattop Three Screw has a plum colored loading gate.

 

[Tallball]

DJ is spot on, as always.

The seller said it was made in 1987.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

So does the loading gate have a purple hue to it, or is that just the lighting of that photo?

 

[Don357]

I had a 6 1/2" .357mag BH, man did that thing shoot good. I bought a Weaver scope mount for it and put a 4x32 ler scope on it and used and as a tree stand gun deer hunting. It would easily hit a 4" group at 75 yds with cheap (Monarch) 158 gr sjhp. Congratulations on the deal. I paid the same thing for the one I had several years ago. Can't help you with the convertible cylinder try though, always wanted one for mine.

 

[lincen]

Good points about the 9mm cylinder. I should have stated that there is considerable difference between the Old and New model cylinders. BUT, even if it is for the correct model it may not work properly and may well require a trip to the factory for fitting.

 

[Tallball]

I am glad to hear from other Blackhawk fans.

Yes, the loading gate is plum-colored. Maybe it's not the original part?

I am looking forward to shooting it tomorrow. My first firearm was a Single Six, that I shot many thousands of rounds through, so a Ruger SA always feels good in my hand. My most accurate centerfire handgun is my 7.5" BH convertible, and I won't be surprised if this one takes second place.