Super Blackhawk .44 "three screw"

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Remander

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I'm no SA expert, but I saw a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 in the old "three screw" version for $499 at a pawn shop today.

It looked like a new revolver. VERY clean. Obviously, it was not new to be three screw. According to the clerk, it had not received the new safety mechanism; all original. Looked as if fired very little, if ever.

I'm not really in a search for a SA, but it sure was a sweet looking piece.

Is $499 a decent price for this item? If not, what do you think is a fair price for it?

Also, it seemed very light. I'm guessing it pops some punch on recoil. Am I correct?

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
If it is a standard 3-screw Super Blackhawk, about $400 is more reasonable. If it's a flat-top Super Blackhawk, it is a good deal. Recoil isn't really that bad due to the weight of the Ruger guns. You can tell if it has been modified by cocking the hammer. In its original configuration, you should hear 4 clicks while pulling back the hammer.
 
It's got plenty of clicks on the cock. We compared it to a modern revolver, and the sound was much different on cocking.

What, precisely, is the difference between a flat top and a regular, and what are the advantages?

Remember, I know very little about single action revolvers, so explain it to me like I am a third grader.

Thanks for the info.
 
There is no significant advantage of one over the other. The Flat-Top is just more collectible, thus giving it a higher value. The Flat-Top has a heavier frame and cylinder and the cylinder is flutted. There were also fewer made than the standard Super Blackhawk.
 
If it's original, you should have 4 clicks that sound out "C-O-L-T". ;)

They are really nice guns. $499 sounds a bit high.
 
Are you confusing the .44 Mag. standard Blackhawk with the Super B. that replaced it?

I've never heard the term Super applied to that gun. Flattops are standard Blackhawks. The Super B., introduced about 1959, is a different, upgraded gun with additional features. It's more heavily made, as Ruger had complaints from people who liked to hotrod the standard .44 Blackhawk with heavy handloads.

Most shooters feel the Super handles recoil better, too.

Lone Star
 
"Flat-top" in the Ruger world refers to the original adjustable sights of the late '50s/early '60s. It's purely a "collector thing" versus practicality.

All current Blackhawk/SuperBlackHawk adjustable rear sights fit between two raised "ears" in the topstrap - the topstrap rises in the back to protect the relatively large rear sight body from getting bumped.

On a "flattop Ruger", there were no "ears" and the rear sight body (the area where the elevation screw is) was smaller. The upper surface of the topstrap was dead flat from front to back, with a groove cut in for the smaller, skinnier rear sight body.
 
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