ruger single action revolver questions..

[243_shooter]

Hi Guys,

Just picked up a pair of single action rugers;

1 - 3 screw blackhawk in 357. It's had the transfer bar conversion done, but it also included all the original parts. It's in great condition, and appears to have been fired very little, and never carried. S/N is 30-66xxx.

2 - New model single six. Decent shape but obviously been shot / carried. Includes both .22 and .22 mag cylinders w/ the correct serial numbers. Guns serial number is 62-14xxx.

I'm more interested in the age / value of the blackhawk. I'm sure I probably paid to much for them, but I got them from a nice fellow, and the blackhawk was in way to nice of shape to pass up (I thought).

I'll attatch a couple pics, sorry for the quality, my camera isn't that great, and I'm no photographer.

I can't wait to get out to the range this weekend. I'm also debating on having the original parts reinstalled into the blackhawk. Good / bad idea?

Leo

 

[Majic]

The age you can find on the Ruger's website. The 3 screw would bring no more than $350 around my parts if it had the box and papers. $300 would be the more common price.

 

[J Miller]

243_shooter,

Congrats on a couple of fine revolvers.

I'm also debating on having the original parts reinstalled into the blackhawk. Good / bad idea?

If I had bought that .357, the old action would have been re-installed within minutes of getting it home. I don't like the conversion action for several reasons.

First, you can't get anywere near a decent trigger pull out of it. Due to it's design it requires a lot of trigger travel to raise the transfer bar to the firing pin.
Second, the original Ruger action uses a spring loaded plunger to actuate the cyinder latch. The conversion action uses a Colt type, and according to gunsmiths in central IL, are not as durable as the originals.
Third, safety is in the mind of the user. The Old Model actions are just as safe as the New Models, or the conversions if they are used correctly.

As for re-installing the original parts being a good or bad idea, that's up to you.
For me, it would be.
And they are a piece of cake to put back in. Just buy yourself a quality set of gunsmith screwdrivers so the screws don't get messed up, read the owners manual, (if you don't have one call Ruger and order both the manual for the converted gun, and the original version) and go slowly and carefully.
You might find that your gunsmith will refuse to re-install the original action because of liability factors.

Enjoy your guns.

Joe

 

[243_shooter]

I didn't realize that Ruger listed the serial numbers by year on their website, pretty cool. According to the list the Blackhawk dates from ~1970 and the Single-Six dates from ~1973. Both appear to be as old, or older than myself.

I'll probably reinstall the original blackhawk parts in a bit. Downloaded both instructions manuals from Rugers website as well, looks fairly straightforward. Gives me a good reason to finally order that set of screwdrivers from Brownells that I've been contemplating for the last few months I think it would be a nicer gun configured as it was originally built. Of course I'll follow basic single action safety procedures

Might even take the Blackhawk out hunting this year, depends on how accurate it turns out to be. Hopefully get a chance to sneak out to the range this afternoon and find out

Thanks for the info guys.

Leo

 

[Eskimo Jim]

243,
It sounds like you picked up a couple of nice Rugers.

The Single Six will make a nice understudy for the Blackhawk.

Most people I have heard write about the Blackhawk prefer the Old Model and remember, only load 5 and keep the hammer down on an empty chamber. Load 1, skip 1, load 4 will put an empty chamber under the hammer.

I have an early New Model Blackhawk in 357mag that just doesn't see much range time since I bought a S&W double action revolver. That will change this summer hopefully.

Good luck with them.

-Jim