Ruger Blackhawks

[Driftwood Johnson]

Does anybody have a Blackhawk with a 7.5" barrel? I'm wondering if that's just too long to be practical. Any other thoughts would be appreciated.

What do you mean by 'practical'?

I've had this 7 1/2" 45 Colt longer than almost any of my guns. I bought it in 1975. Never carried it much, it has pretty much always been a range toy.






When I first started in Cowboy Action shooting I was shooting this 7 1/2" 'original model' Vaquero, chambered for 45 Colt. Carried it all day at matches. Not concealed of course.






7 1/2" Uberti Cattleman, 45 Colt. Carried it all day in CAS matches too.






7 1/2" 2nd Gen Colt, 45 Colt. It rides all day in the same holster the Cattleman used to ride in. This one comes to almost all the matches.






Hope to be carrying and shooting this 38-40 1st Gen Bisely Colt sometime next year.






Hope to be doing the same with this 2nd Gen Colt, 45 Colt, next year too.

 

[GoPappy]

What do I mean by "practical"? Well, I've never had a revolver anywhere near that long. So I guess I worry whether I would find it unwieldy to carry and, thus, would wind up usually carrying something else instead.

I know that's subjective, and I'm the only one that can answer that question. But that's why I was seeking other people's opinions based on their experiences.

I do like the idea of a good cross draw holster. This rig would be carried when I'm out hog hunting (or just shooting) with my Marlin 1894. Sometimes, it might be carried solo when I'm in my woods working or going for a walk. I don't do competitive shooting.

 

[MaxP]

What do I mean by "practical"? Well, I've never had a revolver anywhere near that long. So I guess I worry whether I would find it unwieldy to carry and, thus, would wind up usually carrying something else instead.

I know that's subjective, and I'm the only one that can answer that question. But that's why I was seeking other people's opinions based on their experiences.

I do like the idea of a good cross draw holster. This rig would be carried when I'm out hog hunting (or just shooting) with my Marlin 1894. Sometimes, it might be carried solo when I'm in my woods working or going for a walk. I don't do competitive shooting.

I hear ya. 7 1/2 is about the practical limit for me when it comes to field carry (hunting). Beyond that and fast offhand shots become more challenging than necessary- IMHO.

 

[jstert]

the three amigos: 357/38/9, 22wmr/lr, 45lc/acp.

 

[RealGun]

the three amigos: 357/38/9, 22wmr/lr, 45lc/acp.

View attachment 817844 View attachment 817845 View attachment 817846

I have never cared for the look of that grip on a single action, but my 44 Mag flat top is a real problem. Since this Pachmayr will fit its XR3 frame, I decided to order one to try. That is the alternative to as much as $1600 to convert it to Bisley. Yeah, I know, but that was the quote, to include bluing.

 

[MaxP]

I have never cared for the look of that grip on a single action, but my 44 Mag flat top is a real problem. Since this Pachmayr will fit its XR3 frame, I decided to order one to try. That is the alternative to as much as $1600 to convert it to Bisley. Yeah, I know, but that was the quote, to include bluing.

Can I ask who quoted you $1,600.00?????

 

[Reeferman]

I have never cared for the look of that grip on a single action, but my 44 Mag flat top is a real problem. Since this Pachmayr will fit its XR3 frame, I decided to order one to try. That is the alternative to as much as $1600 to convert it to Bisley. Yeah, I know, but that was the quote, to include bluing.

I have a 5.5 inch SBH with round trigger guard and it sucks trying to shoot full 44 magnums. I have a set of Hogue grips that helps somewhat but ugly than a mud fence. Pachmayr doesn’t make an extended one that will fit a round trigger guard. I shot a friends Bisley same barrel length and it was like night and day better.

 

[RealGun]

Can I ask who quoted you $1,600.00?????

No, but it's true. I would let you advise who else to try.

 

[RealGun]

I have a 5.5 inch SBH with round trigger guard and it sucks trying to shoot full 44 magnums. I have a set of Hogue grips that helps somewhat but ugly than a mud fence. Pachmayr doesn’t make an extended one that will fit a round trigger guard. I shot a friends Bisley same barrel length and it was like night and day better.

Yep! My other 44 Mag is a Bisley 6" SBH, which they no longer offer. Solved the problem.

 

[MaxP]

No, but it's true. I would let you advise who else to try.

Jack Huntington will re-shape your existing plow handle grip frame and make a custom set of grips for your hand for considerably less. You can buy a whole new Bisley revolver for less than that quoted amount.

Here is a plow handle he reshaped. They work like a Bisley without the knuckle banging associated with them. This is a .500 JRH conversion with an octagon barrel.

 

[RealGun]

Jack Huntington will re-shape your existing plow handle grip frame and make a custom set of grips for your hand for considerably less. You can buy a whole new Bisley revolver for less than that quoted amount.

Here is a plow handle he reshaped. They work like a Bisley without the knuckle banging associated with them. This is a .500 JRH conversion with an octagon barrel.

View attachment 818000

Thanks. Note that Ruger does not currently offer a suitable gun, comparable to the 6.5" Flat Tops. In 44 Mag they only work the extremes of barrel length, nothing in between, both more shootable and easier to carry. I have the $200 Bisley conversion kit from Ruger, but the grip frame is raw. So, for me, significant investment could be justified, since, like you, I won't find a gun exactly the way I want it.

 

[MaxP]

Just get the barrel cut down. That's not an expensive proposition. I'm a guy who has spent thousands on custom revolvers, but this stuff is basic, fundamental and rather cheap. I would recommend contacting Jack Huntington (775/355-6898).

 

[RealGun]

Just get the barrel cut down. That's not an expensive proposition. I'm a guy who has spent thousands on custom revolvers, but this stuff is basic, fundamental and rather cheap. I would recommend contacting Jack Huntington (775/355-6898).

I already have a SBH 6.5" Bisley. What I want is my Flat Top more shootable, converted to Bisley. I am not a fan of the cylinders that don't align on the loading gate, so the Flat Top is special and the preferred gun. I have written to Jason Cloessner at Lipseys, suggesting a 6.5" Bisley large frame Flat Top in 44 Mag. I suppose a 45 convertible would be cool too in the same configuration..

 

[CraigC]

That is the alternative to as much as $1600 to convert it to Bisley.

That is crazy, it has to include more than just the Bisley conversion. It cost me less than that for Jack Huntington to convert this .44Mag flat-top to a Bisley, deck the grip frame, fit both ivory and micarta grips, including the ivory slabs and checkering the hammer. The Bisley conversion all bit itself shouldn't be more than $300-$400, including rebluing. Get Jack to do your conversion, grips and action job and it will completely transform the sixgun into something wonderful!

 

[Dframe]

My only Ruger S/A is a slightly modified Montado with a 3 3/4 inch barrel. Absolutely love it. I dislike long barrels, and consider them cumbersome. To each his own.

 

[RealGun]

My only Ruger S/A is a slightly modified Montado with a 3 3/4 inch barrel. Absolutely love it. I dislike long barrels, and consider them cumbersome. To each his own.

What caliber? What ammo? What role would it play? I think hunting and target are going to be with a longer barrel.

 

[Dframe]

Cowboy action loads. CAS, Steel plates, informal target shooting, and plinking. The gun also holds up quite well for defense if needed, with some hotter loads. It's a pure joy to handle and balances perfectly for me.

 

[MidRoad]

Jack Huntington will re-shape your existing plow handle grip frame and make a custom set of grips for your hand for considerably less. You can buy a whole new Bisley revolver for less than that quoted amount.

Here is a plow handle he reshaped. They work like a Bisley without the knuckle banging associated with them. This is a .500 JRH conversion with an octagon barrel.

View attachment 818000

That gun looks incredible. Every gun you post seems to be friggin beautiful. First time I've seen a reshaped plowhandle

That is crazy, it has to include more than just the Bisley conversion. It cost me less than that for Jack Huntington to convert this .44Mag flat-top to a Bisley, deck the grip frame, fit both ivory and micarta grips, including the ivory slabs and checkering the hammer. The Bisley conversion all bit itself shouldn't be more than $300-$400, including rebluing. Get Jack to do your conversion, grips and action job and it will completely transform the sixgun into something wonderful!

View attachment 818015

Love that engraving Craig!

 

[RealGun]

My only Ruger S/A is a slightly modified Montado with a 3 3/4 inch barrel. Absolutely love it. I dislike long barrels, and consider them cumbersome. To each his own.

Enjoy the party, but I believe the Montado is a Vaquero rather than a Blackhawk.

 

[robhof]

Top Lt., and bottom Rt. are my NM Blackhawks, do love my Rugers though, had to have the cylinders throated and some polishing and Wolfe springs, but they're fine shooters now and will go on to the next generation.