Ruger New Blackhawk 45 Colt, still strong as ever?

[LivewireBlanco]

Ruger's names have gotten me all messed up. I'm on the fence about purchasing a new New Blackhawk in 45 Colt and intend on feeding it some published Ruger only loads.

My question is, how can I tell which ones can take them and which can't? I've looked one over at the local gun store and it has the protective ears by the rear sight but is that the only thing I need to look for? I just don't want to buy the wrong Ruger.

 

[BobWright]

The New Model Blackhawk in .45 Colt, with the protecting ribs on either side of the rear sight tang, is the original heavy frame gun. The Fiftieth Anniversary Model is a Flat Top and is built on a smaller frame. Both are good with reasonable loads. The older one is the one for "Ruger Only" loads.

Flat Top-go easy. Ribbed-"Fire in the hole!"

Bob Wright

As to Vaqueros, the color cased ones are heavy frames, the all-blue the New Vaqueros.

 

[oldcelt]

New model blackhawk is marked on the left side, New Model Blackhawk.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I'm on the fence about purchasing a new New Blackhawk in 45 Colt and intend on feeding it some published Ruger only loads.

Feel free to jump off that fence.
I have a NM Blackhawk and I've fed it some loads that are borderline insane with no ill effects.
Now I wouldn't do it all the time. I wouldn't want the wear and tear on the gun or my hand. For 90%+ of my shooting needs, 8.5 grains of Unique and a 255 grain SWC does the job splendidly.

But every now and then it is fun to dump 26 grains of H110 behind a 250 JHP or HP though. It is quiet a handful.

THAT LOAD IS WAY ABOVE SAMMI SPEC AND SHOULD NEVER BE USED EXCEPT IN RUGER, FREEDOM ARMS OR T/C FIREARMS. AND MAYBE NOT EVEN THEN. USE THIS DATA AT YOUR OWN RISK!

 

[LivewireBlanco]

Ok cool! I just wanted to make sure I had things straight. With new models, old models, and flat tops I just wanted to err on the side of caution. Thanks!

 

[CraigC]

New model blackhawk is marked on the left side, New Model Blackhawk.

Everything post-1973 is a "New Model". That term does not tell you anything on this subject. The large frame .45 debuted during the "Old Model" era in 1972.

All you need to know is that the only Blackhawk .45 built on the medium sized frame is the new flat-top variation. So far, it has been a distributor special through Lipsey's.

The large frame Blackhawk .45 convertible is still a standard factory offering.

I don't know why this has to be so difficult.

PS, it is worthy of note that not all New Model flat-tops are medium frames. The 50th anniversary .44Mag Blackhawk (2006) and a special run of .41Mag Blackhawks have been built on a large flat-top frame.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

As to Vaqueros, the color cased ones are heavy frames, the all-blue the New Vaqueros.

Howdy

The all blue New Vaqueros have only been made for the last few years. They originally came with the same fake case colors the 'original model' Vaqueros came with. Ruger went to all blue just a couple of years ago after they got tired of all the complaints with the colors.

I bought this pair shortly after they hit the market, around 2005 or 2006.