Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 Magnum

[Glock29]

I'm about to purchase my first 44 magnum and I have narrowed my selection to the Ruger SBH. Do I need a 44 magnum? NO. Am I going to add one to my collection anyway? YES. I really don't want to hear comments about what do you need that for, or if you've never had one maybe you should start with something else. I have started with something else - time to move on.

This will be my first single action revolver as well. The dilemma I am now facing is which one to get. I really want the 5 1/2 inch model, mainly because I love the fluted cylinder and I prefer shorter barrels. However, in this particular caliber I wonder if the 7 1/2 inch model would serve me better.

Some things I'd like to know:

• Is the 5 1/2 inch model fairly manageable with 300+ gr loads (I will be shooting heavy loads sometimes)?
• Is the shorter grip frame on the 5 1/2 that much harder to grasp? (I have small to medium hands)
• Would the rounded trigger guard be easier on my knuckles?
• How much difference in perceived recoil between the two?

Intended purpose is mostly just target shooting.

I have not held either one, and it doesn't look like I'll be able to anytime soon - none in my area.

Although I don't currently reload, I am planning to start fairly soon. I'm already reading books and eyeing equipment.

Any and all help is much appreciated.

 

[thunder173]

I have a SBH with 4 5/8 barrel,..I shoot 240 grain loads with it ,...and find that plenty for anything I am likely to run across in the north woods of Michigan. It is my most often carried field handgun, Shooting 300 grain loads could be a handful,..but ,..try it,..ya might like it.

The 5 /12 inch barrel will do nicely unless you plan on unrealistically long shots,....

In either case I would suggest an after market cylinder pin with a set screw locking design,...the factory one tends to walk out with heavier loads. Check Midway Shooting Supplies,...

Reloading for it will help with the cost of shooting,...as factory .44 mags get pricey. I actually run more .44 specials through mine than magnums

 

[DC Plumber]

In 1997 I purchased a RBH with a 5 1/2" barrel for $319 at a Gander Mountain. It was a handful with factory ammo. I was new to handgunning with big bores. I put a Hogue monogrip on it. I could shoot anything and not hurt my little finger anymore. I shot my first handgun deer at 50 yards with open sights with a 180g XTP handload in 1998 with that gun. Then I met a gun guy where I worked. He had a lot of Smith and Wessons. I fell even more in love with Smith and Wesson revolvers after shooting his .44's. I sold my SBH for $200. One of the dumbest things I ever did. I should have kept it and made it the truck gun. It was one solid hammer. I'd buy it back in a new york minute for $200 if I could.

Sorry for the long post, but buy it if you want it. It's a good gun. Plenty accurate and strong as heck.

 

[InkEd]

Get the 5.5" barrel. The longer ones IMHO are only good for hunting.

 

[Live2offroad]

I had the 7.5 in version... I think it looks better with the hooked trigger guard and the unfluted barrel, and it was a blast (so to speak) to shoot..

 

[Smaug]

Well, the longer barrel is clearly going to be better for hunting and target shooting. I have the longer barrel on my Redhawk. It is also nice to have that bit of extra weight when shooting the heavier loads. On the other hand, it gets hard to hold up after a short while, as it is very muzzle heavy, and just heavy altogether.

But I agree with thunder173: I think you'll find that a 240 gr. magnum load is QUITE hot enough for you. If you can shoot a box of them without some pain, I'd be very surprised.

You seem dead set on it, but let me remind you to look into the cost of ammo. Unless you handload, it will cost $35 a box or more to shoot. Can you afford to shoot it enough at those prices to justify the purchase? 44 Special is an option too, but not much less expensive. If you handload, you have a lot more options and a lot lower prices. But that's a big if. Most folks seem to find a way to justify their way out of it.

Lastly, I suggest you look for a used one. Rugers are quite durable, their support is great, and I bet there are a lot of folks who tried one and said: "Not for me, thanks." and took the hit re-selling it. No need for you to also take that hit. Buy a used one at a good price, and if you find that it was a mistake, you don't have to lose your butt.

 

[Prosser]

Buy both.

 

[Sunliner]

If you can shoot a box of them without some pain, I'd be very surprised.

Can you afford to shoot it enough at those prices to justify the purchase?

I bet there are a lot of folks who tried one and said: "Not for me, thanks." and took the hit re-selling it.

if you find that it was a mistake, you don't have to lose your butt.

You did just about everything but answer that guys questions. And after he spent a paragraph telling folks not to talk him out of buying a 44mag you try to talk him out of it. Very funny

To the op I have a S&W 629 six inch and I have a S&W 329pd. The 629 with the longer barrel is really a pleasure to shoot. The shorter barreled 329 seems to have twice the recoil and muzzle blast is much more noticeable. Anyway I like the longer barrel and to me it is just as point-able if not more so than the shorter barrel. That extra sight line really makes a difference when plinking. The 44mag is a laser to fifty yards which is about as far as I can hold a gun steady enough to hit a can or something. Some people say it's a laser to 100 yards but I can't hold my hand that still. The Redhawk looks like a bad ass and I'd like to have one.

 

[Got_Lead?]

If you like the 5 1/2 inch version, it's a fine place to start, you can always pick up the 7 1/2" one later. God only knows I did, I've got 3 of them now. The 5 1/2" super blackhawk is gonna buck pretty good with full house loads. But the good news is that you can load your own to any power level you want, and probably for less than $10 per box, considerably less if you cast your own boolits. I prefer to shoot lighter loads in the lighter guns. I have one of the 50 year commemeratives, with the smaller grip frame (which fits my hand better than the standard blackhawk frame). This model sports a 6 1/2" barrel, I really wouldn't want to fire many full power loads in this gun, but she's a joy to shoot 200 or 245 cast boolits around 900 fps.

Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be such charm shooting single actions, and these Ruger's are built so sturdy, I don't wory about wearing one out. I don't think you'll go wrong either way, and if you don't like that 5 1/2", sell it to me, I don't have one yet.

 

[Usmc-1]

It may not seem like it but the extra 2" in the barrel matters and it does add weight , but shooting is also better , I recently purchased a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag (7.5) and it shoots flawless , though DA , my next "big gun" is gonna be what your looking at , I want a Blackhawk SA , I havent decided caliber , .41 mag , .45 colt or .44 mag , Im hooked on big calibers ( my .45 1911 has 10,000 rounds through it and still strong ) , the .44 probably wont get shot as much as that 45 , but its fun to shoot , good luck and when you get it show some pict !

You really need to go to a show or shop and check out the barrels and the feel for the weapon , theres a big difference!

 

[doubleh]

Personally I would go for the 7 1/2" barrel for just target shooting. Longer sight radius and a little more weight to tame recoil.

I have medium hands and the dragoon style grip frame is about perfect for me. I shot one with a round trigger guard a little. A little was enough for me. It took awhile for the swelling to go down on my middle finger.

 

[Smaug]

You did just about everything but answer that guys questions. And after he spent a paragraph telling folks not to talk him out of buying a 44mag you try to talk him out of it. Very funny

Well, both you and I did comment on barrel length, and tried to be helpful in other ways. You went on to talk about S&W double actions instead of Ruger single actions. Ah well, we're both trying, at least.

 

[CraigC]

Recoil is so subjective, there is no way to predict how it will feel to you. You'll just have to try it. Pick the one you like best and feels the most comfortable. Personally, I find both grip frames to be objectionable for heavy loads and prefer the Bisley over either.

I find most the arguments for longer barrels to be moot. Shorter barrels are louder but I find them to be less wrenching on the wrist. Longer barrels have more leverage. All in all after spending 25yrs shooting them and accumulating three dozen sixguns, I have come to prefer shorter barrels for most purposes. This one started as a 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk and after much trial and error it has evolved into my perfect .44Mag single action. Had to convert it to a Bisley, among other things.




It is no more or less accurate or comfortable to shoot than its 7½" brother.

 

[BCRider]

I just got my own 7 1/2 Super Blackhawk. So far I've only fired about 18 rounds through it. But I've learned a couple of things.

• Mine has the hooked Dragoon style guard. On about half my shots the gun recoiled back and rotated in my grip (like it's supposed to do) with enough power to leave my middle finger quite sore for the rest of the day. I'm going to look at trying some leather lacing around the rear portion of the guard to act as a bit of padding.
• The 7 1/2 barrel produces a softer but still very powerful recoil compared to my short barrel 4.25 inch Super Redhawk. The longer barrel gives the recoil more of a "THUMP!" feel than the "CRACK!" that the short barrel has. I like it.
• For longer range target shooting or handgun metallic silhouette events the longer barrel should prove a little easier for sighting with the longer sight base.
• Again for longer shots the slightly higher velocity would give a slightly flatter trajectory.
• .44Mag for target shooting IS overkill but sometimes life is about enjoying things just because we can. And .44Mag is certainly fun.

One aspect that I'm looking forward to playing with is using the slower powders and heavier bullets to produce loads that enhance the "THUMP!" sort of recoil over those that produce the "CRACK!" sort of sharp snap to the gun. The fact that the slower powders should also produce some excellent fireball effects is just a grin making bonus. This is the sort of stuff you can only play with if you reload. With the bigger cartridges I truly feel we can't experience all that they have to offer until we mess around with different loadings to suit our own needs and preferences. Heck, I even want to load up some 200 gn black powder loads for soft shooting clouds of smoke.

 

[camar]

Yes, I have a Super Blackhawk(SBH) .44 magnum with dragoon trigger guard and 7 1/4" barrel. The dragoon trigger guard took some getting use to. I had a bloody middle finger for quite a few rounds. I even started with minimum loads and worked up to medium loads-where I stayed.
I am glad I got it because I also fire .44 special. I think I got used to the dragoon trigger guard with this round.
I also have a S&W Model 29 with 6" barrel and full lug. It also gave me a bloody middle finger for only a short while, not like the dragoon trigger guard on the Ruger.

 

[wallerus]

The Super Blackhawk was my first gun and is my favorite. This is my second one bought in 1985. It is blued with the 7.5 in barrel. I have installed a set of Hogue grips (I have big hands) and since I got my 500 I use an uncle mikes shooting glove. I have run up to 325 grain lead and 300 grain XTPs as hot as I can load them. This gun eats anything. I do not recommend smokin 300s for the faint of heart. I will normally shoot it at 100 yards. If I can find a 200 yard range I will shoot hot light bullets to 200. My first reloads were for 44 mag. I don't like shooting special thru my 44's, gums up the cylinders. Just light load mags and be happy. My 44's are my plinking guns, although I have started running alot thru my 41.

You can't go wrong with a Super Blackhawk in my opinion.

 

[bluetopper]

An early congrats on getting your first 44 Mag. It will open up a whole new world to you in handgunning especially if you reload your own cast lead bullets, it did for me. Also I highly recommend the Bisley model.

I now have three 44 Magnums, a 3" and 6" Smith and a Freedom Arms.

My 357 is just about rendered obsolete in my opinion. It never sees the light of day.

 

[ECVMatt]

Recoil is so subjective, there is no way to predict how it will feel to you. You'll just have to try it. Pick the one you like best and feels the most comfortable. Personally, I find both grip frames to be objectionable for heavy loads and prefer the Bisley over either.

I find most the arguments for longer barrels to be moot. Shorter barrels are louder but I find them to be less wrenching on the wrist. Longer barrels have more leverage. All in all after spending 25yrs shooting them and accumulating three dozen sixguns, I have come to prefer shorter barrels for most purposes. This one started as a 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk and after much trial and error it has evolved into my perfect .44Mag single action. Had to convert it to a Bisley, among other things.

View attachment 547777


It is no more or less accurate or comfortable to shoot than its 7½" brother.

View attachment 547778

Craig,

Your Bishawk is exactly what I am in the process of putting together. I just purchased the 4 5/8 Blackhawk. I think I have a line on a SS Bisley frame and I have all the other Bisley parts. Now I just need to have up some money to send it off to Mr. Bowen's crew and I will have my dream .44 mag sixgun. What type of grips do you have on your .44?

I agree with your comments on barrel length as well. My largest one right now is a 5.5 Bisley and that is about as big as I will go.

 

[madwell]

I have a blackhawk in 45 with a 7 1/2" so I can't speak to the advantages or disadvantages of a 5 inch barrel. But I can tell you that my black hawk with the 7 inch barrel is laser beam accurate much more so then any other hand gun I own.

 

[CraigC]

Thanks Matt! I farted around with it for a while. Tried the Power Custom half cock kit in it and eventually converted it to a Bisley. Finally sent it off to David Clements for finishing touches. The grips are american holly by CLC. They look great, almost like ivory but I think they're a little too soft. I tend to baby my sixguns and that one's got more dents and dings in the grips than any other. My plan is to eventually have him make another set in antique ivory micarta like these he did for my custom flat-top .44Spl last year.

http://www.clccustomgrips.com

 

[freedom475]

Since Ruger is now calling all 44 mags the Super Black Hawk.. it can be confusing..

The old square trigger guard style (that is still on the 7 1/2") is much more pleasant to shoot than the little Black Hawk grip frame. (This is the same frame as they put on the 22LR single six)

I love my 7 1/2" SBH, but I have never been hit by my square trigger.. some guys just can't shoot it cause it tears them up.

The Bisley is a great grip, but it tends to recoil "Back" rather than "Roll" like the SBH.

I bought a 5 1/2" 44mag BH and took it to the range.. The little grip frame was NO fun to shoot and six shots is all I wanted..a guy walked up and said "That is Nice!".. I sold it to him on the spot.

I Plink with full power 475 Linebaughs...but I won't shoot the 44 mag with the Black Hawk frame. (it is about perfect in the 357mag)

Wow Craig, those are NICE Bisleys!!

 

[CraigC]

I won't shoot the 44 mag with the Black Hawk frame.

Me either! Oddly enough, I find the old XR3 to be more comfortable with heavy .44Spl or low-level .44Mag loads than the XR3-RED the short barrelled Supers are equipped with. 250's@1200fps is my limit though.

 

[FROGO207]

I have a couple older SS 44 MAG SBH's. One with a 7 1/2 bbl and one with a 10 1/2bbl. They are both equipped with Hogue Presentation grips and I use them for long range target shooting/hunting. I agree that the longer barrel is way more accurate and never had any sort of problem with shooting them. However I have not tried any with a shorter barrel so can not advise on your particular choices.

BTW I reload for them both and really enjoy the full house loads. By choosing the propellant carefully I can load for them without punishing my hand any at all.

 

[murf]

i assume from your thread name you can shoot the big boys. won't go into that. welcome to the thr.

the trigger guard is gonna bust ya either way shooting heavy loads. either get different grips or wear a glove. the longer the barrel the slower the recoil. single action recoil rotates the gun around your wrist. the longer the arc radius (barrel length) the slower the recoil (note: the recoil force will be the same just spread out more over time). not much difference between a 7 1/2" and 5 1/2" barrels, though.

again, if you have problems with the "fit" of the weapon, change the grip to suit. there are plenty of different ones out there.

i think you will enjoy either option.

murf

 

[Glock29]

Well I took the plunge. Picked it up today. The lawyer banner is on the underside of the barrel and there is no internal lock (I checked). The grip is on the short side, but seems to fit my hand perfect. Just put 6 rounds of Magtech 240gr SJSP through it. This was my first time shooting 44 magnum. I absolutely love it! Made me wish I had brought more rounds with me.