Ruger Blackhawk Question

[franconialocal]

I just bought a gently used, very nice .357 Ruger Blackhawk and I went to Ruger's site to do some research on it.

I found that Ruger will do a safety conversion (trigger bar) due to the safety issue of having a live round under the hammer, for free. All you pay is initial shipping and they take care of the rest.

Is there a way to tell if this conversion has already been done?? I would love to know before I try to send it back for no reason. I'm not much of a revolver guy and wouldn't really know what to look for to see if the conversion had been done.

I got a heck of a deal on it and couldn't really say "no" to the price ($300.00) so I bought it. Now I'm trying to do as much research on it as I can. I see that the "New Ruger Blackhawk" had solved this issue, but mine is one of the older "three screw" ones. Any help would be great, thanks!!!

EDIT: By the way, I'm more of a picture guy than a nomenclature guy so a pic. would be great if you had one either with or without the conversion so I can compare. If not....I appreciate the help anyway!!

 

[Floppy_D]

Unload the Ruger, and double check it's unloaded. Now unloaded, slowly cock the hammer, and peek into the opening that the hammer forms as it backs out. There should be a bar, slightly below the firing pin. Proceed to cock the hammer... that bar should rise a bit. Put your non-firing thumb on the hammer to hold it down... slowly pull the trigger... you should see the transfer bar slide up (as to transfer the energy of the hammer to the pin)... gradually let the hammer down.

If a bar didn't appear between the hammer and the pin... then there's your answer, carry 5-up or get it fixed. Either way, congrats on a fine revolver; one of my favorites.

 

[MCgunner]

The offer was made and is still valid for the old pre 1972 (I think) blackhawks that used the Colt like lockwork. New Model blackhawks made since about 72 all have the transfer bar system. Just cock the hammer and see if there's a transfer bar in there. But, if it's a new gun, don't fret, it's got the "new" (nearly 40 year old now) lockwork.

 

[franconialocal]

Thanks, it looks like I'm all set. Yes...mine does already have the transfer bar. So essentially this blocks the hammer from falling enough to strike the pin in the event of a bump/drop but moves out of the way when you fire it?? Great idea and now all I need to do is go and shoot it!! I can't wait!!

Thanks again guys

 

[Gary A]

Actually, the transfer bar moves up and allows the hammer to strike the firing pin by first striking the transfer bar, thus "transferring" the energy to the firing pin. When the transfer bar moves down out of the way, the hammer cannot strike the firing pin due to a cut-away on the hammer. The transfer bar does not block the hammer but, in fact, transfers the energy of the hammer. Congratulations on a great gun. I love Blackhawks.

 

[franconialocal]

Oh, I see (I'm finally home looking at it). Kind of a unique design huh?? Hey...as long as it works!! Looks like Floppy D said the same thing but I 'wasn't listening' (sorry D).

The best part of this wheel gun are the grips. Very nice dark stained wood with a recessed ruger symbol down at the base. They look sharp.

Thanks again for the help guys!!

-Chris

 

[BlkHawk73]

Pk, you've joined the Ruger ranks...CONGRATS neighbor! Peek here: www.rugerforum.com

 

[Gary A]

Enjoy that Blackhawk!

 

[Jim Watson]

Kind of a unique design huh??

Not exactly. Harrington & Richardson had been using the transfer bar on inexpensive revolvers for many, many years before Ruger picked it up.

 

[rcmodel]

If your gun doesn't have three slotted screws through the frame, it hasen't been converted.
It is a New Model to start with, and was made from the getgo with a transfer bar.

The New Model has no screws showing in the frame, and only has two smooth head pins.

rc

 

[BlkHawk73]

If your gun doesn't have three slotted screws through the frame, it hasen't been converted.
It is a New Model to start with, and was made from the getgo with a transfer bar.

The New Model has no screws showing in the frame, and only has two smooth head pins.

As the original post stated: "I see that the "New Ruger Blackhawk" had solved this issue, but mine is one of the older "three screw" ones."

 

[Dave T]

I just bought a new Blackhawk 44 Special. Really nice hand gun...except for the idiot transfer bar lock work. I never had a problem carrying 5 rounds in any of the old Blackhawks I owned, or in the Colt SAAs I had either. This is a lawyer's answer to gun design and in my opinion totally un-called for. YMMV!

Dave

 

[Jim Watson]

While I would not mutilate an Old Model, I would not be offended by a New Model. I would just load her full up and go, being as I don't CAS anymore and would be using the gun for plinking, hunting, or defense (if I felt really weird.)

 

[Virginian]

I like being able to carry my revolvers afield with six rounds in them and not have to worry about blowing a hole in my leg if I get an attack of the clumbsies.
I have had lots of Colts and clones, and still have a couple, and they are fun, and I only load five, but a 20% capacity increase is nothing to sneeze at. I will never have to worry about converting an old Ruger because I wouldn't buy one. Great guns but the transfer bars don't bother me. And when I get an attack of 4 click fever I have the cure for that too.