What Single Action to start with?

[Tallball]

I like my 45colt/45acp "convertible" as well. It shoots both cartridges accurately. Since my FiL is kind enough to reload 45acp for me at cost, that's what I tend to shoot out of it. My understanding is the it will safely shoot "Ruger only" 45colt loads that are close to 44 magnums. I like long barrels, so mine is 7.5".

I have two Single Sixes (22 and 32), two Blackhawks (357 and 45) and a Super Blackhawk (44). The Super Blackhawk is my favorite. I usually just shoot 44 special out of it.

Personally, I prefer the regular Ruger "plowhandle" grips. I tuck my pinky underneath them and they fit my hand perfectly. I hold them just a little looser than my other handguns and let them roll with the recoil just a little bit. That's a comfortable and accurate style for me. YMMV.

Here's a picture of the 45. It's the only one of the five that I bought brand-new.
View media item 1975

 

[Milt1]

My experience with the Ruger Blackhawk Convertible (shoots 9mm, .38 Special and .357 Mag) has been primarily with handloads. I was never really happy with the way that it shot when using .38 Specials. I tried numerous bullet manufacturers and powders but never achieve satisfactory results with the exception of using Zero 158 gr Jacketed Soft Points and the accuracy using is very good. I quit loading .38 Specials for the Blackhawk and only load .357 for it now and for whatever reason I get decent accuracy with a number of bullets from different manufacturers. I don't have much experience with shooting 9mm in this revolver so no comment there. For me the Ruger grip on Blackhawks leaves much to be desired. I remedied this by using custom grips from bearpawgripsUSA.com. Their grips appear on ebay if you want to check them out. I am so impressed by these grips that I have them on three different Blackhawks. As others have mentioned my favorite Blackhawk is in .45 Colt. If I had it to do over again all of my Blackhawks would have the Bisley grip.

 

[WrongHanded]

I would also suggest a Blackhawk in .357 Mag.

The Blackhawks are strong, reliable, and have adjustable sights (which I personally consider pretty important).

Whilst I don't think .357 makes the most out of the Blackhawk, it is certainly the cheapest to feed if you don't reload. .357 ammo is easy to find, and available in many flavors even up to 200gr hardcast in some places. If you reloaded, I'm sure there'd be some spirited debates about which cartridge. But for factory ammo in a gun that's mostly for fun .357 makes the most sense, IMO.

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Since you are already set up for 357/38 spl I'd say go for the same with a Ruger Blackhawk or Vaquero.

Both are fun, but the Blackhawk's adj sights would be useful if you decide to hunt

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

My first single action revolver was this 45 Colt/45 ACP Blackhawk convertible that I bought brand spanky new in 1975. No 357 for me back then, I wanted a 45. Only $150 out the door, but of course $150 went a lot further back then. I used to shoot reloads that I bought locally that were fairly inexpensive, at least compared to factory ammo. These days of course I load my own.






I have lots of other single actions now, lots of different brands, but this one was my first.

 

[Varminterror]

is there any accuracy issue with a convertible? Will the 38/357 be as accurate as a standard?

The Convertible with the 38/357mag cylinder installed is exactly identical to the standard model. It just happens to have a spare cylinder for 9mm. Accuracy potential with 38/357 is exactly the same.

I recommend strongly against 357mag for hunting deer, when a 44mag, 41mag, or 45 colt are available. The 357mag will have considerable restrictions which don’t befall the others.

 

[bannockburn]

If I was just starting out with a single action revolver a .357 Blackhawk would be my first choice. Since I already have one I decided I wanted another single action revolver to go along with my Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt. I really wanted something more traditional looking without the adjustable sight so I picked up new Beretta Stampede. Both of them go great together!

 

[John Joseph]

Nice thing about Ruger is if the weathers bad you can wait it out sitting in a shed reading all the legalese stamped on it.

 

[Hasaf]

I am thinking of adding a SA revolver too. If I do get one, it will be an open top. For caliber, I am thinking 38.

Something like this:

image from here

 

[MaxP]

Nice thing about Ruger is if the weathers bad you can wait it out sitting in a shed reading all the legalese stamped on it.

Hahahahaha! That is funny - and true!