Ruger Blackhawk convertable
- Thread starter Handyman
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I have the 5.5 in. 45 version. Its throat dimensions were off with both cylinders (.450), but that problem is easily rectified by sending them off to cylindersmith.com. If you don't shoot cast much, that may not matter that much. With cast, however, it helps to have proper throat dimensions. I use the 45ACP cylinder for inside shooting during winter months, and the 45 COLT for hunting and plinking in the Summer. The 45 Colt in the blackhawk can be loaded to 44 mag potential, and with this ability, makes this a very usable gun. I've had mine only 9 months or so and find that I shoot it more than all other guns combined. The Ruger can be a bit rough, but with a poor mans trigger job (easily done by you), and opening of the throats, you have an excellent shooter. Cheap leather is available, although I wouldn't use it for concealed carry. The shorter barrel would also be tempting.
Sharps Shooter
Member
It seems to me Ruger builds a couple of them - a .357/9mm convertable and a .45 Colt/.45ACP convertable. Of course there's the .22/.22 Mag Single Six convertable too.
I'm guessing you're asking about the Ruger Blackhawk .357/9mm convertable. Is that right? The one I had was a good enough single action .357 - like all the Rugers I've owned and currently own, it was rugged, dependable and had a mediocre trigger. It wasn't very accurate with 9mm ammo. I always contributed its inaccuracy with 9mm ammo to the fact 9mm bullets are only .355" diameter and I was shooting them through a .357" diameter bore. But thinking back on it now, I suspect it might have had something to do with the long jump a 9mm bullet has to make from its case mouth to the end of the cylinder when said cylinder was designed for a .357 Magnum revolver.
I have a .45 Colt Blackhawk now and love it. It's not a convertable though. IMHO there are better choices for concealed carry.
P.S.
Dr. A beat me to it - my .45 Colt Blackhawk needed a cylindersmith thoat reaming before its barrel quit leading up when shooting cast bullets.
I'm guessing you're asking about the Ruger Blackhawk .357/9mm convertable. Is that right? The one I had was a good enough single action .357 - like all the Rugers I've owned and currently own, it was rugged, dependable and had a mediocre trigger. It wasn't very accurate with 9mm ammo. I always contributed its inaccuracy with 9mm ammo to the fact 9mm bullets are only .355" diameter and I was shooting them through a .357" diameter bore. But thinking back on it now, I suspect it might have had something to do with the long jump a 9mm bullet has to make from its case mouth to the end of the cylinder when said cylinder was designed for a .357 Magnum revolver.
I have a .45 Colt Blackhawk now and love it. It's not a convertable though. IMHO there are better choices for concealed carry.
P.S.
Dr. A beat me to it - my .45 Colt Blackhawk needed a cylindersmith thoat reaming before its barrel quit leading up when shooting cast bullets.
I've had several .357/9mm Blackhawks over the years and will probably always have one. I have a few 9mm's around here and like having the ability to share ammo between them. I've not had a problem with accuracy in the 9mm cylinder but then again I'm not all that particular when it comes to groups when I'm shooting it. My only complaint about a .357/9mm Blackhawk is that it's awfully heavy for the caliber. If looking for a trail gun then I'd look for something a bit lighter for any long trails. Great all around gun though and extremely versatile.
cottonmouth
Member
.357/9mm
I have a .357 with a 4-5/8" tube. I love it because it's a strong gun and it shoots good too. If you run out of 38's or 357's swap out the cylinder and go to 9mm.
J.B.
I have a .357 with a 4-5/8" tube. I love it because it's a strong gun and it shoots good too. If you run out of 38's or 357's swap out the cylinder and go to 9mm.
J.B.
CSA 357
Member
COTTONMOUTH, i like that ruger by the way i got a b day coming up soon!
I have the 4 5/8" convertible in .45Colt/.45ACP. In .45 Colt it's a tack driver if I do my part. Although not quite as good with the .45ACP cylinder in, it's still pretty accurate with certain loads and makes a right good defense gun with many of the excellent .45 auto rds available.
Old 112
Member
"Having had the 45/8" 45 duo, I would recomend that. It balanced very comfortably in my hand. This is just my opinion.
One thing I do now, when doing a check over on a revolver, is do a drop test through each chamber with a jacketed bullet for that cal. gun. This is probably most useful with the Blackhawk 45s. If the chamber mouths are to tight, it may affect my decision to purchase, or what I would be willing to offer.
Also, read the "Sticky" on revolver checkout.
Old 112
One thing I do now, when doing a check over on a revolver, is do a drop test through each chamber with a jacketed bullet for that cal. gun. This is probably most useful with the Blackhawk 45s. If the chamber mouths are to tight, it may affect my decision to purchase, or what I would be willing to offer.
Also, read the "Sticky" on revolver checkout.
Old 112
floridaboy
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I too have the 45/45acp version. Great gun, versatile as hell.
You can't go wrong with one.
You can't go wrong with one.
I have the 45/45 ACP. The ACP part was a waste for me. I have used that cylinder once - to make sure it worked.
Auto loading cartridges make a different set of tradeoffs than revolver cartridges. Mostly auto-loaders have are shorter (to keep grip size down), and they have a much narrowed power band (they have to cycle the slide reliably) - unless you are willing to change springs, etc. The 45 LC is a much superior cartridge - in a revolver. The 45 LC is a much superior cartridge - in an auto-loader.
An old black-powder cartridge like the 45 LC has a power range that a 45 ACP can only dream of (165gr @ 750fps - 300gr@1300fps). The 45 ACP fits in a magazine that the 45 LC could only dream of. Different engineering requirements.
I bought the convertible thinking that I would shoot a lot of cheap ACP.
But I got into reloading, so I pretty much don't care about ammo prices. The ACP cylinder was a waste of money for me.
Mike
Auto loading cartridges make a different set of tradeoffs than revolver cartridges. Mostly auto-loaders have are shorter (to keep grip size down), and they have a much narrowed power band (they have to cycle the slide reliably) - unless you are willing to change springs, etc. The 45 LC is a much superior cartridge - in a revolver. The 45 LC is a much superior cartridge - in an auto-loader.
An old black-powder cartridge like the 45 LC has a power range that a 45 ACP can only dream of (165gr @ 750fps - 300gr@1300fps). The 45 ACP fits in a magazine that the 45 LC could only dream of. Different engineering requirements.
I bought the convertible thinking that I would shoot a lot of cheap ACP.
But I got into reloading, so I pretty much don't care about ammo prices. The ACP cylinder was a waste of money for me.
Mike
The Lone Haranguer
Member
I have an "old model" .45 convertible, made c. 1972. It is a "collector" for me and does not get heavy duty use, but I would not hesitate to do so if necessary.
Big Boomer
Member
+1 on the Ruger conv.
I have had one (was my first handgun) for about 13 years now and still shoot it more than most of my others.
The 45acp gets a lot of use, my wife shoots this quite a bit and its a nice addition when I have loaded hundreds of rounds for my 1911 and XD. I have the 7.5" bbl and it is extremely accurate.
I can load the colt for plinking lead or massive hunting power. 250 gr xtp at about 1500fps will surely get your attention.
It is very versatile IMO and is one of the best shooters that I own. I also have a single six convertible that is quite nice too.
I would highly recommend adding one to your collection.
I have had one (was my first handgun) for about 13 years now and still shoot it more than most of my others.
The 45acp gets a lot of use, my wife shoots this quite a bit and its a nice addition when I have loaded hundreds of rounds for my 1911 and XD. I have the 7.5" bbl and it is extremely accurate.
I can load the colt for plinking lead or massive hunting power. 250 gr xtp at about 1500fps will surely get your attention.
It is very versatile IMO and is one of the best shooters that I own. I also have a single six convertible that is quite nice too.
I would highly recommend adding one to your collection.
Master Blaster
Member
my 4 5/8" .45 blackhawk convertible fires .45 acp very accurately, it was made in 2004, and purchased lnib by me for $300 2 years ago. Apparently Ruger has figured out the throat diameter thing. I have fired very few .45 colts out of it but they also shoot very well.
Big Boomer
Member
Here's mine that I was talkin bout earlier
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