Super Blackhawk, and a Christmas reminder!

[SomeKid]

A lot of us got new guns today. I hope everyone enjoyed the time spent with their families as much as I did mine.

Today I got a Ruger Super Blackhawk. It was my first revolver. Before we went out to shoot it, I got the basic familiarity with it, loaded it, and walked into the woods. However, before we got into the woods I decided I would let the hammer down.

On a loaded chamber. Needless to say, having my first ND (not AD, this was a perfect example of an ND, and yes, I know it too) was quite a surprise.

However, nobody got hurt, and nothing bad happened. Why? Because even though I did it wrong, I followed the other important steps to safety, such as keeping it pointed in a safe direction. It tore up a bit of dear old Dad's driveway, but nobody was harmed. Since I was fiddling with a loaded gun, I even had my hearing protection on. This was, a very good reminder to me, to continue always following the steps of gun safety, and be extra careful when dealing with a new gun!

I hope my rather emberrassing story will remind my fellow posters to maintain safety, we don't want any of us injured!

Now, let me end all that with a few basic questions for other owners of this revolver.

Who makes a good quality holster, for carry? What is a good way of carrying spare ammo, short of the belt loops used by SASS shooters? What is the safe way to carry the pistol, to prevent ADs, wrt to how cocked the hammer is kept? Is there a safe way to lower the hammer, or should I not bother to lower the hammer?

Thank you all, and Merry Christmas!

 

[billybobjoe]

If it was a New Model Super Blackhawk, why did you have the hammer back?"

 

[billybobjoe]

There's always load one--skip one--load four on old style guns.

 

[dmazur]

As others said, you shouldn't lower the hammer on a chamber with a loaded round for old Ruger SA's that are built with a copy of the SA Colt revolver's lockworks. The "New Model" Rugers have an obvious transfer bar and don't require this safety step.

With the New Model Ruger, the hammer rests on the frame and no amount of pounding on the hammer is going to transfer any energy to the firing pin. However, the old models have the hammer resting on the firing pin, or it is part of the end of the hammer, and an impact can fire the round that is under the firing pin.

Also, with the New Model, there is no need to cock the hammer to a loading position to load the revolver. In fact, I don't believe you can open the loading gate unless the hammer is all the way down.

Whether you prefer old model vs. New Model depends on how you view the importance of original design authenticity vs. safety. I believe Ruger will still convert old models to New Model, and return the old parts to you, at no cost.

If you have an old model, you might consider this option.

 

[SomeKid]

I do think it is an Old Model. I can open the loading gate with the hammer at any position.

 

[Glockman17366]

Somekid, did you cock the hammer after loading? If so, why?

The Blackhawk manual has a procedure for decocking. I suggest you read it and practice with that Blackhawk unloaded.

In your ND, I'd guess that hammer went down quicker then you expected (thus, the ND). I'd also guess you tried it one-handed (like in the movies) Well, decocking is a two-handed operation.

BTW, if that's an Old Model Blackhawk, it's an old gun. You can have it upgraded to the transfer bar mechanism (by Ruger) or learn to carry 5 rounds in the gun. I suggest you determine this before loading that revolver again...

 

[billybobjoe]

It's hard to drop the hammer safely with an old style ignition. Load one--skip one--load four. An old style gun is a five shooter.

 

[SomeKid]

Made in 1972 (I found it on Rugers website.) This means it is definitely the old model.

As far as reading the manual, I would love to, however this isn't a NIB, it is a gun given to me by a family member. It came minus everything, just the gun. Guess I will call Ruger and enquire about getting the upgrade, what changes it will mean, and getting a new manual and such.

Can anyone answer the other questions regarding the main post, a good holster for example?

Also, I did see the instruction manual online. To make sure I understand it properly (those of you who know revolvers better than I), it is best to carry this pistol with 5 chambers loaded, but the one under the hammer empty, with the hammer down or in the safety position. Yes?

 

[dmazur]

Bianchi makes a pretty good, high carry holster for the Super Blackhawk. I think it's called the Lawman (?) -

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=1L

Galco also has one, unlined, called the SAO, I believe.

El Paso Saddlery has high quality holsters in a variety of styles, from WWII style shoulder holsters to old west patterns.

Yes, chamber under hammer is empty, with hammer down. With the chamber empty, there is no real purpose for the safety position (2). Load with hammer in position 3, index cylinder, then lower hammer to position 1 on empty chamber. Pulling hammer back firmly to position 4 indexes cylinder correctly each time you fire the revolver. (Note that "down on a fired cartridge" is essentially the same as down on an empty chamber...so you can reholster after firing less than 5, if you need to do that for some reason.)

 

[ljnowell]

Dont "upgrade" that classic firearm. Carry it with 5 in the cylinder and enjoy it.

 

[SomeKid]

On the upgrade, what exactly does it do? From the short blurb on Ruger's website I never got a good understanding. Ideally, I would prefer to keep it as is. It is currently original as made in 1972.

 

[Brian Williams]

Keep it original, and follow this process when loading, load one round, rotate the cylinder and skip a chamber and then load the last 4 chambers, this will place an empty chamber under the hammer.

The "upgrade" will replace the hammer and a few other parts and add a transfer bar to allow you to carry with all 6 chambers full, If you never carry the gun as a six shooter, never cock the hammer while loading you will not need the "upgrade".

Hammer down, not in the "safety" position.