Ruger .45 in 4 5/8" or 5 1/2" Barrel?

[RealGun]

I love the look of my 5 1/2 New Vaquero but prefer to carry that length as crossdraw. I do the same with a Ruger GP-100 5 inch. Pulling out that much barrel strong side takes some practice and maybe the flexibility of a young man. Otherwise, you have to carry it gunslinger low on a separate gun belt (not concealed of course).

The picture is a 5 1/2 New Vaquero in a cross draw Triple K holster on a Hunter belt. One shows the full gun. Note that this holster is long enough for a 6" gun.

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[il.bill]

.45 Ruger Blackhawk Convertible 4 5/8" Barrel

Thanks for all the replies and pictures. Several aspects of the choice were mentioned about which I had not thought. The Illinois DNR lists the minimum revolver barrel length for deer hunting at 4 inches, so that is not an issue. Sitting in a vehicle with the Ruger holstered was another thing I had not considered.

I like the looks of both of the barrel lengths, each in its own way. That is obviously the most subjective consideration, along the lines of who is better looking (trying to relate to a variety of reader ages): Gene Tierney or Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Hurley or Jennifer Anniston, Mila Kunis or Katie Holmes?

The 5 1/2" looks a bit sleeker and better proportioned to me, but the 4 5/8" has a meaner bulldog look as one post noted. It was fun to think about the options, but, as so many things often do, it ultimately came down to what was actually available at this time. I just got back from visiting my new revolver at my local dealer - it is a 4 5/8" barrel blued Blackhawk Convertible .45, the one we could get without an indefinite waiting period.

The State of Illinois is concerned that I might do something rash, so I must wait 72 hours before taking possession of my new purchase. I will post a couple of pictures once I can take it home on Saturday.

Thanks again for all the input. I appreciated and enjoyed the replies and posts very much.

 

[Snake Plisskin]

I just got this this really nice used Blackhawk , I like the 4 5/8" ones myself so I am biased.

 

[il.bill]

I just got this this really nice used Blackhawk , I like the 4 5/8" ones myself so I am biased.

Yowza!

You mean they come in differnet finishes, as well as different barrel lengths and calibers? Other than my income limitations, how will I ever know when to stop?

 

[hariph creek]

I prefer the Bisley grip. With the Bisley grip, I prefer 5-1/2". Just feels right.

With a Blackhawk I like the balance of 4-5/8".

 

[Catpop]

I bought my first black hawk in 1975, a 4 5/8" _357/9mm blue. After I got tired of fast draw, I sent it back to ruger and had a 6" fitted for hunting. I also still have the original short barrel. So all is possible, if you don't like it later. I like the longer sight radius for 100 yard stuff. My ruger has digested over 20000 hand loads without even a hiccup!
Good luck

 

[caz223]

I got quite a few of the single action rugers from the late 80s to current production, many finishes, barrel lengths, calibers, grip frames, etc.
I seem to keep coming back to the first one I bought, a 4 5/8" blue .41 magnum.

 

[CraigC]

So all is possible, if you don't like it later.

If you don't like it later you'll have to sell it, trade it or have it shortened by a gunsmith. Ruger doesn't do that any more.

 

[rswartsell]

Craig,

What do you use yours for? I'm contemplating a hog pistol and do see your point about appearance, just trying to make a purely pragmatic decision.

 

[CraigC]

The brushed .44 is one of my favorite sixguns and I use it for everything. As just a packin' pistol for woods bummin', backup while hunting or as a dedicated hunting pistol. It's accurate, well-balanced and handles fast. If it's in iron sight handgun range, it's in trouble.

 

[back40]

Ruger doesn't do that any more.

i've actually gotten mixed signals from ruger on rebarreling. not sure if this applies to actually shortening or not. one person told me as long as the barrel length (in the right caliber and firearm) is in production, they would do it. recently when i called to schedule the work, the tech told me that all barrels are being slated to production only at this time.

4 5/8" is the path i'll take.

 

[rswartsell]

Thanks Craig,

I'm not in a position to customize the frame for a Bisley, and am definitely in Super Blackhawk territory, so I'll live with the plow handle. I think you've convinced me to go 4 5/8 though. Quicker handling is worth big points to me.

I was previously thinking 5.5.

 

[Jaymo]

Mine is a 4-5/8. But, that's just because that was the only .45 convertible in stock.
My .44 Spl Flattop is a 5.5.
I ordered that one from a local FFL. I'd been wanting a Charter Target Bulldog with the 5" Bbl. Then, I saw the Ruger. So, I ordered the Ruger.

I think the 5.5 looks good on the flattop.
I think the 4.625 looks good on the Regular BH.

 

[osteodoc08]

My knock around the woods Blackhawk is a 4-5/8" 41 Mag. Short enough to be compact and long enough for good sight radius. I have them in most common lengths from 4-5/8" to 7-1/2". I prefer the 4-5/8" tube for general utility.

 

[il.bill]

New Arrival - 4 5/8" Ruger Blackhawk

It turns out the 4 5/8" Blackhawk looks just right. It feels great in hand, too.

 

[il.bill]

Family Resemblance

Ruger brothers, or at least cousins.

 

[il.bill]

Six Shooters

Extended Family Portrait

 

[Hanshi]

My RBH .45s were bought way back when they came with three screws. I got a 4-5/8" , which is my favorite carry gun, and a 7-1/2" which is more specialized. I liked the shorty so much I replaced the ejector rod housing and cylinder pin release with stainless steel ones.

 

[Jaymo]

The non-flattop .45 Blackhawk, with it's aluminum grip frame, feels more balanced with a 4-5/8" barrel. Longer than that, and it gets muzzle heavy. The .44 Spl flattop has a steel grip frame and balances well with the 5.5" tube. I'd still like to get a steel grip frame for my .45 BH.

 

[savit260]

I never get tired of seeing this one CraigC. So nice!

 

[CraigC]

Thank you!

 

[il.bill]

It turns out the 4 5/8" Blackhawk looks just right.

Was out yesterday with my shooting buddy and ran about a hundred .45 ACP 230 grain FMJ reloads through my new Ruger Blackhawk. It had plenty of 'pop', ran great, and is more accurate than I with the .45 ACP.

The real revelation came when I loaded it up with some .45 Colt Aguila CAS 200 grain LRN-FP cartridges. It put big old holes in the paper right where it was aimed, with some of the sweetest feeling recoil I have ever experienced. The cowboy loads cost about 92 cents per round for a box of fifty, so I definitely need to get a set of .45 Colt dies and find some 200 grain lead bullets for reloading my new caliber. Lots of powders to choose from so the research begins this weekend.

 

[TennJed]

I have both 4 5/8 and 5 1/2 inch Blackhawks. I like the looks of the shorter one, but I shoot better with the longer one. Both are great guns.

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