Ruger 44mag

[markman]

I've always preferred to shoot the D/A over the S/A Rugers in the .44 mag, even tho I shot them mostly in the single action mode.

 

[Sean Edmunds]

I loved my Super Blackhawk with 5.5" barrel. It had the round triggerguard. I did NOT like the 7.5" with the square backed triggerguard. Get a Hogue to fill that space.

You obviously have a different use for the gun. For me the 5.5" was perfect for a belt gun. Any longer and I had to take it off before getting in the truck.

 

[Saint Dennis]

I have an old 3 screw SBH with the long barrel and a Bisley Vaquero both in .44 mag. I had to have a SW rear and a Patrige front sight installed on the Vaquero. My eyes could not pick up that silver front sight through the hog wallow for nothing. That being said, the dragoon trigger guard never bit me like some folks. You should try it out and see. The shorter barrel is a lot easier to carry. Elk grips on both and no problems with that end.

 

[Slamfire]

I tried the Pachmayer rubber grips, they were too wide for my stubby fingers. I don’t have a problem with wood grips, but that square trigger guard eats up my support hand.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I've got a 10.5" SBH. Took my first buck with it 33 years ago.

Had trouble with the square trigger guard bashing my fingers. Eliminated the problem by going to the Pachmayr Presentation grips. These grips fill the much of the space behind the square trigger guard and put rubber against the back of the guard.

I like mine, though I don't shoot .44 mag handguns much anymore. Accuracy, with that long sight radius was very good but you had to practice with it to tap its potential. Recoil had to be handled very consistently to achieve good results....but with a load it liked in skilled hands, the gun was rifle-like in its accuracy.

Did a lot of experimenting with handloads when I got it. 24 gr. of H110 or W296 behind a 240 gr. JHP seemed about the best. But it also did well with IMR 4227, Blue Dot and 2400. With use it developed a very nice trigger.

If I bought a SA .44 mag today, it'd be the Bisley BH Hunter. Always liked the Bisley grip.

 

[glockfoo]

I have owned both,still have 44 super blackhawk . Just as I do with all my center fire single action rugers ,I change not the grips with pacmyer presentation grips.This manages the recoil and adds more area to hold onto.
Just my 2cents

 

[murf]

the stock ruger blackhawk grip is sufficient for all calibers except the 44mag and the ruger-only 45lc, imo. i place the pinky finger under the stock when gripping the "stock" gun. this grip places my hand low enough to prevent any contact with the trigger guard.

such is not the case when shooting heavy loads in the 45lc blackhawk, or the 44mag super blackhawk. those guns have the hogue monogrip installed. this prevents a bruised middle finger and bloody trigger finger.

a 357 magnum on the bottom, a 45lc on the top.

murf

 

[44 Mag]

KaBoom!

I have owned a Super Blackhawk single action 44 Mag revolver (7.5" barrel) for several years. Sweet gun, it's like my brother's big 10 cylinder 4x4 Dodge truck. Its nice to look at but to expensive to use. Last time I fired my Blackhawk I was showing off for my friend and forgot to put in my ear-plugs, ended up with blood running out of my ear from a ruptured ear-drum. :banghead: I know!-I know! Don't get me wrong, I own a few Ruger's, 357 revolver, .45 auto and my new/used .44 mag. carbine. My gun's of choice when I go to the range are, my Glocks 17 & 19 (9mm's). Ammo is cheap, guns are very, very dependable and they don't make my ear's bleed. I still take my Blackhawk out to use for weight, when I'm exercising my arm's while watching TV.
If you decide on the Super BlackHawk .44 Mag, I would probably change the grips. The wood grips look nice but they're a little small if you have large hands. I don't think the single action will be an issue for you, each round is a bell ringer! If you like the long barrel, go for it! What the heck! When showing off my collection, my SUPER BLACKHAWK is the first gun I bring out! Remember to protect your ear's!

 

[S.B.]

Not to throw a monkey wrench into this but, why not get a Ruger Redhawk instead? Stronger than a Blackhawk and double action.
Steve

 

[gonoles_1980]

SB not sure, I'm still hem hawing back and forth between the two. There's a 2-$300 difference. Wish I could fire both, but my range only had the Super Blackhawk to rent.

 

[CraigC]

A .44Mag Redhawk was my first big bore revolver at age 16. I shot it for a good many years before getting single actions in that chambering and eventually discovered why the Bisley was so popular for heavy loads. A Ruger Bisley, with proper custom grips, is the most comfortable configuration I have ever used (up to .500Max). What is needed is not oversized rubber grips but a set of grips that are properly fitted to both shooter and sixgun. The factory grips are atrocious. They are thin where they should be thick, thick where they should be thin and terribly shaped with sharp edges at the middle finger position. What works best for me is a little more thickness at the top, a little less at the bottom and perfectly rounded. Better than any double action, which transmit recoil straight back into the palm. My Redhawk got traded away long ago and I do not miss it.

Not just a pretty face....

 

[Mark in GA]

I have had both, super Blackhawks and bisley Blackhawks. If full power loads are on the menu, the Bisley gets the job done with much more comfort. Someone mentioned the square back grip on the super Blackhawks. Mine didn't have that because it was the 5.5" model. I have fired one though and it raps the knuckles pretty hard. Didn't care much for it. Love the Bisley.

Mark in GA

 

[Mark in GA]

Oh, and on the red hawks, have had a few of those too. The Super Redhawk has the most comfortable grip, but it is too heavy for any practical use for me. If it can't be carried in a hip holster it gets left in the truck and that's no good.

Had a 5.5" regular Redhawk for a while it it was pretty good. Except the trigger was never very good. I shot the single actions and my 629's better so that's what I kept. If you could get a regular Redhawk with the two-spring trigger set up like the Super Redhawk, GP100, and SP101 all have, I would probably own one.

Mark in GA

 

[Mark in GA]

To Craig , Now that is a fine Sixgun!!!! Love those case-colors! If didn't live on the humid salty coast, mine would look like that. I have to make do with stainless for practical reasons.

I'm Jealous,
Mark in GA

 

[joem1945]

Get Hogue decellerator grips and a pair of shooting gloves. Wood grips are terrible on the hands!!!!

 

[S.B.]

CraigC, and just what would YOU call custom proper fitting grips?
Steve

 

[Arkansas Paul]

It's always a treat when Craig posts pics.
Man, that's purty.

I'm gonna have to shoot a Bisley and see what the fuss is all about. I looked at a Blackhawk Bisley Hunter when I was shopping for a big bore revolver, but it was in .44 mag and I was set on a .45 Colt. I ended up going with the NM Blackhawk and while I don't regret the decision, I do want to try out a Bisley.

 

[CraigC]

Get Hogue decellerator (Pachmayr makes the decelerator) grips and a pair of shooting gloves. Wood grips are terrible on the hands!!!!

Pure nonsense. With the right wood (ivory, stag or micarta) grips you don't need gloves.

CraigC, and just what would YOU call custom proper fitting grips?

I already answered that question. You have to find what works for you. Firstly, they should be properly fitted to the frame with no gaps or overlaps. Some folks like them thinner, some like them thicker.

"What works best for me is a little more thickness at the top, a little less at the bottom and perfectly rounded."

All by CLC...
Claro walnut:


American holly:


Black walnut:


Macassar ebony:



Cary has since stopped taking orders and so I will probably start having Jack Huntington do all my Bisley grips. I handled and shot a .500Max that he had done and they are sublime. I believe this is the one (top):

 

[jr_watkins]

If able....both, and +1 on the bisley for the blackhawk. If you have to pick just one, I'd pick the Redhawk as I really prefer the double action trigger with 44 Mag (unlike so many other posts).
As for grip, I'm lucky as the stock Ruger Redhawk wood grip fits me perfect so I don't need rubber or gloves. Fill the hand, stable in the hand, and you won't have pain or loss of control.
The swing out cylinder of the Redhawk is just so convenient, easy in, easy out.

 

[S.B.]

CraigC, tell them how expensive this process is, please? Pachmayr maybe not but, Herrett's(the only true hand fit grips) are now over $200 for true custom fit grips, Hougue's are around $100 each pair, etc. I recently talked to Herretts about making grips for my old Ruger Blackhawk in .44 magnum and was told to send it in for fitting(6 months wait)?
Steve

 

[CraigC]

$150-$300, depending on maker and material. Not cheap but a small price to pay for a lifetime of shooting comfort.

The Hogue cowboy panels are cheap and an easy experiment to find out if thicker grips are more comfortable for the individual.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I believe there is a big difference between .44 spl and .44 mag.

Yea, there is a big difference between 44mag practice loads and Hunting loads also. I don't think your grasping that concept if you have never shot high end hunting loads in that Redhawk you rented.