Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk .357

[Dave Markowitz]

I picked up this Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk in .357 w/4.62" barrel several years ago from a LGS. It was "used," still in the original red plastic box, but missing the papers. It's claimed that Ruger paid more attention to fit and finish on the 50th Anniversary Blackhawks and I believe it. The action on this one is very smooth.

I haven't shot it much, largely because the OEM grips act like cheesegraters on my hands if firing loads more powerful than .38s. (It's not evident in these pics but the OEM plastic grips are checkered.) Last week I ordered a set of smooth rosewood replacements from Ruger that I'm hoping should make it more comfortable to shoot. Anyhoo, I just got around to taking some pics and will get some more after the new grips arrive.

 

[Charles S]

Super nice revolver. I always liked that barrel length in a single action revolver. It, often, is hard to find. Most people seem to like the longer barrels.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Thanks. It's a good length for a packing sixgun.

 

[Manny]

I had a chance to buy one of those at a smoking good deal once and passed. One of the very few guns I regret NOT buying.

 

[BullRunBear]

I have one and they are nicely made and smooth. I think the barrel length is perfect for carry. The grips haven't given me trouble but I use 38 specials most of the time. I've got a 357 Redhawk to use when I want to shoot full house loads.

Jeff

 

[Bearhands]

I've got the same...(and it's very accurate). I love shooting both 38's and 357's... I can't wait to see your new grips! I don't really mind the "cheesegraters" it came with but I'd like something a bit more "cowboyesque" to make it feel a lil more "mine".

 

[bannockburn]

Dave Markowitz

I thought the same exact thing when I bought my Flattop .44 Special; the grips not only felt like they were a cheese grater the black plastic seemed pretty "cheesy" too! First thing I did was order a set of Ruger's rosewood grips. Fit perfectly and made the gun look and feel a whole lot better. Later I ordered a set of American Holly grips from Private's Custom Grips as I like how ivory colored grips go so nicely with a blued gun.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Nice looking .44!

 

[bannockburn]

Dave Markovitz

Growing up I was a big fan of Skeeter Skelton and his great affinity for the .44 Special, along with revolvers chambered for that cartridge for that matter, must have rubbed off on me!

 

[PabloJ]

Ruger did make some unique revolvers. One day I have seen one with Chesnut leaf on top strap?. It was limited edition revolver chambered for the 10x25mm pistol cartridge. It had extra polish and very deep bluing on it. I did not buy it because I didn't want to spend $1200. It sold w/in a week.

 

[CraigC]

Ruger seems to have done a better job on all the new flat-tops and New Vaqueros compared to the standard models. Better polishing, better fit & finish, better triggers and smoother actions.

Ruger did make some unique revolvers. One day I have seen one with Chesnut leaf on top strap?. It was limited edition revolver chambered for the 10x25mm pistol cartridge. It had extra polish and very deep bluing on it. I did not buy it because I didn't want to spend $1200. It sold w/in a week.

Limited run of 38-40/10mm convertibles done for Buckeye Sports back around 1990. There was also a .32-20/.32H&R version. Similarly, they did a .44-40/.44Mag convertible Super for Williams around the same time.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

I'd love to have a Blackhawk in .44-40 to go with my Cimarron 1873 Sporting Rifle.

 

[Speedo66]

Ruger did make some unique revolvers. One day I have seen one with Chesnut leaf on top strap?. It was limited edition revolver chambered for the 10x25mm pistol cartridge. It had extra polish and very deep bluing on it. I did not buy it because I didn't want to spend $1200. It sold w/in a week.

It was a limited edition by Buckeye sports and the leaf is their logo. Buckeye leaf?

There is a Roy Roger's limited edition for sale here in .38-40/10mm, but who knows what the reserve is: http://www.gunbroker.com/item/563365134

 

[bannockburn]

Dave markowitz

Years ago my first Vaquero was a .44-40. It was the only one the gun shop had with a 4 5/8th" barrel. Great gun but had to sell it some time later for cash to cover some needed expenses. It would have been perfect to go with your Cimarron Model 1873 Sporting Rifle.

 

[texagun]

They are excellent guns. I put faux ivory grips on mine. They fill out my hand much better resulting in better groups.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Purty!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

My .45 Colt hurt with those stupid black checkered grips too.

I replaced them with the exact grips that bannockburn has in the bottom photo above, the American Holly from Private Schultz. They are smooth and quite a bit wider than the factory grips, so I imagine they will absorb the recoil of heavy loads much better. Sadly they've been on my revolver for over a month and I've yet to fire a round with them on.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

The new grips arrived today. I like the feel of these much better.





Hopefully I'll get to shoot it this weekend.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

The 50th Anniversary .357 is one of my favorite versions of the Blackhawk. When I got into cowboy action shooting in 2010, CDNN Sports was selling them for $369. I passed them up in favor of a pair of New Vaqueros that I thought looked more "cowboy". They were a lot more expensive, too. Later on I got a chance to try a lady shooter's pair of Anniversary Models; the sights were much easier to pick up. I kicked myself for a while for not picking up the Blackhawks.

I don't know why Ruger doesn't make the .357 flattop a regular catalog item. There is a distributor exclusive .357 convertible model available now, but you are paying extra money for the 9mm cylinder whether you want it or not.

Enjoy!

 

[bannockburn]

Dave Markowitz

The new grips look great and will be a whole nicer on your hand. A great gun all the way around.

 

[AlfonsDeWolf]

Now, those grips look great

 

[Gordon]

I had to have one when they first cameout. I have been shocked to see how much finer finish at least mine has than other newer Rugers I put an old Trapper spring kit in mine I had laying around and now 10 years later it is silky and very light ! [/URL]
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This shot appears I "buffaloed" an hombre with the barrel But just a wrong close up
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