Ruger Blackhawk Convertible .45AP/.45LC

[highlander 5]

Ruger had a bad habit of cutting their chamber mouths tight like .450". I have a Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt that I had to have the throats opened up to get decent accuracy. The newer versions are better but still a bit tight. I purchased a reamer kit from Browwnell's to open up the mouths on the last Blackhawk I bought in 45 Colt. The kit had a pilot included and using a tap wrench I opened the throats up to .4525. You'll have fun with your Blackhawk and if no one mentioned it you can fire 45 S&W from the revolver as well.

 

[Bassleg]

Guitarguy314,I picked up my 7" in 1985 or so but I don't remember where sorry.

 

[BullRunBear]

I got my Blackhawk 45 convertible second hand almost 30 years ago and have had no problems, even after firing thousands of rounds. The Bud's price you mentioned sounds good but don't forget to add in the shipping and FFL transfer fee. That could bring the cost up to what you would pay in a local gun store. Might be worth checking out.

Like so many others, I suggest you look into reloading eventually, especially for the 45 Colt cartridge. The cost is probably less than you think, especially if you deal with Midwayusa or Cabelas. A basic Lee Single stage press is less than 30 bucks. The other basic tools: a reloading manual (the one by Richard Lee is comprehensive, instructional and inexpensive), Lee powder scoop set, safety scale, powder funnel, hand primer with shell holder, Lee carbide dies, and a tray to hold the cases upright, don't cost much (I would guess under 100 dollars) and are one time purchases. With the possible exception of the hand primer tool, they can all last a lifetime. If you decide to reload for 45acp as well, the only other things needed are the appropriate carbide dies and a shell holder for the hand primer.

If you decide to try reloading, or just get curious about it, chances are your local library has books and manuals available. Also, the reloading forum here on the TheHighRoad has a wealth of information and knowledgeable people.

Hope this helps.

Jeff

 

[PapaG]

Have a 4 3/4 convertible and it is my favorite SA. Shoots great. Had a little contest with #2 son some time back..his rifled, scoped 20 gauge deer shotgun at fifty yards. Five shots with his, five with my Ruger using my CorBon deer loads. I got him, groupwise by a good inch...(my five were inside three inches). I know...a good slug gun should do better than that...but he's taken three deer with three shots in three years so i don't worry.

 

[Racebannon]

The Ruger 45 Colt/45 ACP combo is great. This one has an EPS Patton #5 holster.

 

[340PD]

I had one with target sights and a trigger job. Using 45 long colt handloads it was the most accurate revolver I have ever shot. The .45 acp cylinder was a very close second. Why I sold it I still do not know. I really regret that sale.

 

[SG1]

I picked up a Lipsey's Ruger Blackhawk Flattop convertible .45 Colt/.45 ACP a couple weeks ago. 4.5" barrel, stainless, simulated ivory grips. I love it! I've only shot ACP out of it so far but it instantly became my favorite pistol. I can't wait to try out some .45 Colt.



Had to show it off

 

[BullRunBear]

SG1, That is a great looking piece. If I didn't already have the Blackhawk and a New Vaquero in 45 Colt, I'd be saving up for that one.

Jeff

 

[guitarguy314]

Thanks again for all of the replies guys! So What I am hearing is that the blackhawk is an awesome gun but...sometimes the throats may need to be reamed out.

How will I know if my gun needs reamed out? Could it explode if not properly reamed?
Would ruger ream the throats out? A gunsmith? Who should I get to do the work?

 

[Bassleg]

If you have a problem with your gun if it needs to be reamed Ruger will do it and make it right, that just the way they are.

 

[Lost Sheep]

I have been thinking about buying the above revolver. But I had a few questions, and hope someone here may be able to help me.

1. I have read many 5-star reviews of this gun, but I have also heard a few bad things. Does anyone own one? Have you ever had problems with it?

-----A lot of what I have heard as far as problems go usually had to do with one of the conversion calibers firing oddly. ((Something about the barrel needing to be sent back to Ruger and bored out?)) If it matters, I do not shoot nearly enough to make a reloader cost effective, so only factory loads will be used.

2. I have been looking, and the cheapest that I have found it is 499.99 at Bud's. Does anyone know any other online store that may have it cheaper?

Thanks a lot!

L

The most common accuracy problem with the 45 Colt revolvers (both convertibles and dedicated Colt/Long Colt chamberings) is matching the chamber throat diameters with the forcing cone and bore diameter. The usual cure is to ream the chamber throats, not boring the barrel.

All this is my guess from your post, since I don't know exactly what you have heard, but that is the most common source of accuracy complaint and is based on the history of the 45 Colt cartridge which started out with a .454" diameter bullet, but as the 45 ACP and convertible guns became more popular, the .451" diameter of the 45 ACP has now become the standard. But there is still a lot of confusion about lead vs jacketed and .451" vs .454".

By the way, my 45 Colt/45 ACP Bisley shoots just fine without any modifications. $500 is a GREAT price for a stainless (bought mine used for that) and not bad for a new blued one.

Lost Sheep

Lost Sheep

 

[TennJed]

I have a 4 5/8 blued Blackhawk and have no problems with it at all. I have only shot about 100 roounds of 45acp out of it though (1000+ 45lc). I did not notice any difference at all in accuracy with that 100 rounds.

the reason of the low 45acp count it that it is currenty the only gun I have in 45acp. I bought it to go with my other 45 colt and liked the idea of have the 45acp when I finaly pull the trigger in a 1911

 

[cpt-t]

Ruger blackhawk convertible 45acp/ 45 long colt

GUITARGUY314:
I have been a RUGER fan for maney years and my Son and I have several. We have never had a problem with any Ruger we own. The first Ruger I bought in 1972 found two 2 45LC/ 45ACP pistole at the May`s city drug strore / Gun store in Joplin Mo. I was home on leave from VIET NAM so I brought both of them both a 4 1/2 and a 7 1/2 inch and I took the short barreled gun back to VIET NAM with me, I left the 45 LC cylinder at home. The little gun servied me very well. And so when I got ready to go home a friend ask to borrow it and he said he would return when he came home a few months later. He didn`t make it home so I didn`t get it back, and I have often wondered what happened to it. I hope who ever got it took care of it and is still enjoying it. I nevered replaced that gun but I still have the extra 45LC cylinder in the safe. The 7 1/2 ruger is like an old friend, I have carried it for alest a 100 miles mostley in a shoulder holster. T he only change I have ever made to it was a real nice set of Stag Grips. Back when I still had good eyes and was young I could shoot a ragget hole at 25 yds from a rest and the 45ACP would group about 1 to 2 inches higher than 45 LC. I could`t make a guess how many rounds have been fired thru it. I used it for the Hunter siluitte shoots when I lived in texas. I have plinked with this gun and I have hunted with gun for close to 40yrs, and she is like an old friend. I have shot a lot of varmits and a few hogs and deer whit the gun. Both were the old 3 screw models always carried 5 when hunting. Like I said when I was young and I did my part she would put 6 rounds in a circle about like a golf ball or less. It was always a comforting gun to carry no matter where i was. I can`t belive you won`t just fall for the gun like i did so many years ago and I still feel the same way. Good Luck To You: ken

 

[Gary A]

Cpt-t - that was a fine and bittersweet tale and I'm glad you told it. Thanks.

 

[Dnaltrop]

I've been spending all week ( 3 range trips in rapid fire) making up 25 shot workups with 200 and 250 grain Oregon Trail Cast rounds and getting fully acquainted with my new friend.

Finally went *just* over listed max Jacketed data (not a BIG +p, just one step above the listed value on the Autodisc) and the Universal I was about to abandon because of smoke, finally started combusting fully.

Currently running 9.3 grains under both weights, seemed the best test round from yesterday's series, Just enough snap to make sure you're awake.

I'm not aiming for "Ruger only". just finding where Recoil and accuracy meet comfort for this particular big galoot.

I really am loving this little gun. Off to the Range again with 100 more rounds

It's been a good week.

 

[cpt-t]

45lc & 45acp ruger

GARY A: When you get old and fat you are just in the way, and all you have left are just your storys. Thanks for your comments. ken

 

[Master Blaster]

I have one with the 4 5/8" barrel I bought used about 6 years ago its 2002? production, I shoot the .45 acp cylinder all the time, .45 colt hardly ever. But then I load .45 acp on a regular basis. The .45 acp cylinder in the gun is extremely accurate despite the long chambers. Its more accurate in my hands than my Gold Cup National Match.

Go for it you will love it.

 

[guitarguy314]

Thank you guys so much! Thanks so much for sharing your story Cpt-T. I'm pretty much dead set on the blackhawk now. Now all I have to do is save up the money. XD

 

[bill97222]

Everybody is correct... Unlike almost everything in life, the Ruger 45LC/ACP Convertible Blackhawk is no compromise.

Mine fires both cartridges accurately.

I shot a few boxes of factory 45 LC to accumulate cases... then I got to handloading the 45 Colt.

Using 200 gr round nose flat points that I had onhand for my 1911's and 8 grains of Unique I went down to the range.

It's 50 feet... fired the first round... about 3/4" left of point of aim... Fired 2, 3, 4 and 5 into a ragged hole about the size of a quarter.

I'd love to tell you that I typically get those type of results... but that would not be the truth... LOL...

Suffice it to say the Ruger 45 Convertible is a heck of a single action revolver package.

 

[ghitch75]

i sure like mine....not a min's trouble....have a cylinder for my blued 4 5/8" Blackhawk too..

 

[Lucas_Y]

I've had my convertible for only a few years, but it has been a great gun. Blued, 5.5" barrel. I've got a few different loads for it from mild to wild in both 45 colt and 45 acp. Made some stabilized maple grips for it. I'd buy another one without thinking twice.



Usually carry it strong side, opposing my new model vaquero that rides crossdraw.

 

[Doubting Thomas]

I got my 4 5/8" Convertible about 14 years ago; had both cylinders reamed out to .4525.
The .452 cast bullets in ACP lead the bore so other than some jacketted .45 ACP I use .454 cast bullets in the .45 Colt. Between an excellent 2# pull and the nice visible sights it is probably one of my best shooting guns. I load the 250 gr. Keith SWCs with 8.5 grains of Unique which is plenty of power and will shoot into one hole if I let it.

It's a big gun, but with the big holes and alloy grip frame and ejector housing, very light for its caliber. The big old plowhandle grip just soaks up recoil. My .44 Rugers have gotten very little use since I got it. I could get along very well with just this one gun.

 

[Gary A]

It's a big gun, but with the big holes and alloy grip frame and ejector housing, very light for its caliber.

I could get along very well with just this one gun.

Couldn't agree more with either statement. My favorite gun.

 

[Highplainsman]

About a week ago I traded for a Ruger 45 convertible with 7 1/2 inch barrel. Serial indicates it was made in 1980. I went out of the 1911 business preferring to carry my Glock 27 but have quite a bit of 45 ACP on hand and a little 45 colt. I just last evening read Jeff Quinns article on doing a poor boy trigger job on Rugers . I accomplished this on the 45 and a single six in about ten minutes. Makes a world of differance in the typical Ruger (heavy) trigger. I would reccomend Jeffs article to those of you wishing to improve the trigger on your Rugers without spending any money. Also read an interesting article about using 460 Roland reloading data in 45acp cases for your Rugers. Bought this gun and the single six to hopefully enjoy using during my upcoming retirement at the end of the year. Have enjoyed reading this series of posts on the 45 convertible. My thanks to the Highroad Org. for their site.

 

[Highplainsman]

Tried the 45 convertible out at about 12 yds from a rest with both cylinders. Manage a 4 shot almost one hole group with the 45 colt and a 5 shot with the acp. If you arnt impressed with the yardage please take into account that I'm 73 and my eyes and shaky hands arn't what they used to be, plus I have not done this type of shooting in well over twenty years. I do believe this gun is a shooter even if my skills are somewhat lacking.