What Happened to the Heavy Duty Ruger Blackhawk 45LC

[indian]

I had an older Ruger Blackhawk 45LC that had a beefy frame and cylinder that could handle heavy loads. I recently moved and during the move my Ruger went missing (stolen). I have been looking to replace my old Blackhawk. The new Ruger 45LC guns seem to be lightened to the point I am not confident in their ability to stay in one piece. The cylinder walls separating the chambers are very thin indeed. The back strap is also lighter as is the frame in general. I sent a couple messages to Ruger but have not gotten a reply. My question is does Ruger make a 45LC gun built to the old models standard? I found the Super Blackhawk but it is only available in 44 Magnum. The Blackhawk 45LC/45ACP Convertible looks to have a heftier cylinder but I am suspicious. Help me out.

 

[VA27]

The New Model Blackhawk (adjustable sights) is still the same gun it used to be. It's built on the same frame as the Super Blackhawk.

The old New Model Vaquero (fixed sights) is built on the same sized frame. However the new 'New Model' Vaquero is closer in size (and strength) to the Colt SAA and its clones. It was made for the Cowboy Action crowd.

IIRC, the new 'Flattop' frame only comes in .357 and 44 mag. It's frame size is closer to the old 3 screw frames (and the new New Model Vaquero) which is slightly smaller than the New Model frame.

Confused yet? Ruger's getting almost as bad as Smith, with all the different models of the same gun.

I have a Blackhawk 45LC/45ACP that I've shot loads in that made strong men tremble and women faint and it's a keeper.

 

[Red Cent]

http://www.gunblast.com/Hamm_Ruger-SA-GripFrames.htm

 

[CraigC]

ALL .45 Blackhawks are the same size and strength level. Which is the same frame as the Super Blackhawk. The only .45 on the mid-frame is the fixed-sight New Vaquero.

There have been Super Blackhawk Hunters in .41Mag and .45Colt. These are the only Supers not in .44Mag. There was also a run of new large frame flat-tops in .41Mag. Plus several variations of the new mid-frame flat-top .44Spl.

 

[Bula]

I have both, the SBH in .44 mag and the Blackhawk in .45colt-both newer production. You are correct, the Super has an all steel frame while the Blackhawk has a cheapy feeling aluminum alloy frame-same size though. I've considered putting a blued steel frame along with the lower slung hammer and a steel ejector housing on the blackhawk, one day maybe. The alloy frame is still capable of handling plenty of power, I'm just not a fan of the cheapo feel that it has, especially on a SA in .45colt.

 

[rcmodel]

All models of Blackhawk have steel frames where the barrel and cylinder go.
One has an aluminum grip frame and the other has a steel grip frame is all.

What the grip frame is made from has nothing to do with the strength of the gun.

The alloy ejector rod housing may have a practical advantage over steel.
It is lighter and won't try to kick itself off the gun with heavy loads quite as vigerously.

rc

 

[dickttx]

My 1970 Blackhawk .45, 7 1/2" has an aluminum grip frame. I believe they all did.

 

[Sistema1927]

If you want all steel, get one in stainless. However, as has already been said, just because the blued Blackhawks have an alloy grip frame doesn't mean that they can't take the "Ruger Only" loads in stride.

 

[indian]

Thanks for all the great information. The SBH frame just "feels" better to me. My old BH had the feel of a SIngle six almost. If the frames on the new BHs can handle the heavier loads what about the cylinder? The cylinder walls separating the chambers are very thin indeed. Can the cylinder on the new BHs handle the loads?

 

[CraigC]

I'll try this again, ALL .45 Blackhawks are identical in dimension and strength. ALL are capable of digesting "Ruger only" loads with ease. They are what they're intended for. ALL blued Blackhawks (with rare exceptions like the Buckeye specials and late model flat-tops) have had aluminum grip frames, since 1955.

 

[Gary A]

Indian, you said:

The cylinder walls separating the chambers are very thin indeed.

That is true only of the New Vaquero in .45. The Blackhawk 45s have the same beefy cylinder dimensions you remember. No worries about Blackhawk strength.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I don't know about the older ones but I bought mine new less than a year ago and I've shot some rounds through it that were downright scary, with no ill effects.
I shot some when I first got it just for fun, but don't do much anymore. I keep it sensible for the most part anymore. I've found the really heavy stuff isn't as accurate anyway, though that's probably me flinching because I know what's coming.