Which Blackhawk is your favorite?

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Some great-looking guns here - keep 'em coming!

For those of you with convertibles, have you had any trouble with autoloader ammo jumping crimp, or is that a problem reserved to lightweight revolvers firing those cartridges?
 
I like the convertibles, greater flexibility with ammunition to shoot in case of another shortage.

.357/9mm is probably the best choice because that shoots three of the most popular handgun ammunition in the world. The 9mm is questionable in its accuracy with the smaller bullet diameter, but handloads would help improve that.

The .45 Colt/.45ACP isn't a bad choice either. With that, if you want to get into the hot, Ruger only, nearly .44 Mag power .45 Colt loads, you can shoot them in the Blackhawk. Then you also have the ACP cylinder which lets you shoot another popular ammo.

The difference is if you don't reload, you'll be paying more to shoot the .45 Blackhawk then the .357/9mm Blackhawk.
 
My favorite Blackhawk is a 5 1/2" stainless NMBH in .45 Colt that has a .45 ACP cylinder modified to also use .45 AR. At the range I usually use .45 AR because I am usually also shooting a S&W 625.
 

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I have a Single Six convertible (I know, not a Blackhawk) and I never shoot the 22 WMR cylinder.

A centerfire convertible might be cool to have but again I'm not sure I'd ever shoot the alternate cylinder.

I like shooting barrels around 5" plus/minus than a 7-1/2" barrel.

Just personal feelings, your milage will probably vary.
 
My favorite is the 4 5/8" 45 convertible.
I love it and shoot almost nothing but .45 acp out of it. It's very accurate and balances perfectly. Since I reload alot of .45 acp ammo I hardly ever shoot the .45 lc cylinder.
My convertible was made in 1995 and I bought it used but it appeared unfired $325 in 2004.
 
My favorite is this Super Blackhawk with 10.5" barrel. I like shooting steel at 50 - 100 yards with it.

10.5%20Super%20002_zps6wrn1kwz.jpg
 
I have 3 Blackhawks,a blued Bisley in 45 Colt,a 2 SS Blackhawks that I had converted to Bisley configuration,1 is a 7 1/2" in 45 Colt and the other that's a 4 5/8" in 44 mag that I had Magna Port port and an action job. I'm hoping to run across a Blackhawk in 45 Colt to rebarrel to a Buntline configuration.
 
I like my 45 Colt Super Blackhawk with 7.5 barrel. I'm able to make over a dozen different loads for different applications. It is great at target shooting, able to hold 1" groups at 100 yards off bags.
Click to expand...

I want one like THAT!
 
I have several Blackhawks but my favorite is the 45 Colt/ACP convertible with 7.5" barrel. That ACP cylinder gets more use than expected.

HOWEVER, I recently got a 44 mag SBH with 7.5" barrel. It is wonderfully accurate and handles full 44 mag ammo comfortably. Shooting 44 Specials feels like a popgun. It will give the 45 a run for use.

BUT, I also have a Single-Six (I think of it as an honorary BH) in 32 magnum. It is comfortable and incredibly accurate with 32 Long ammo as well as the 32 mags. Wish I could shoot well enough to get its full accuracy.

If I had to choose just one, it would be the 45 Colt/ACP convertible. Thank goodness I don't have to make that choice. :D

As much as I like my 357 Blackhawks, I prefer to use an old Redhawk 357 mag for that caliber.

Jeff
 
I currently have three; a 357 Mag new model, a Talo exclusive 3.75' super, and a midsize stainless flattop with a 4.62" barrel chambered in 44 Special. The flattop is by far my favorite Blackhawk.
 
I have two flat-top convertibles, one .357/9mm and one .45 auto/colt. Both are great shooters. If I had to choose between them, the .45 would eke out the win. It's just supremely accurate and feels right in my hand. Power enough for defense, and accurate enough for bullseye shooting. Can't ask for more (unless someone makes one that is self-cleaning).
 
Favorite Revolver

My new 5 1/2 stainless Bisley Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Handloaders can shoot every thing from "mild" Cowboy Action/ plinking load up to 300 + grain cast loads that outperform my .44 magnum. The .45 Colt, in the Ruger Blackhawk is one of, if not THE most versatile gun around today.
 
I could not decide which one so I have been chipping away at getting them all. I have a Single Six, some center-fires with different length barrels and some are convertable. I have 30 Carbine, 357/9MM, 44 MAG, 45 Colt/ACP so far and will add other calibers/barrel lengths as I find decent deals. I have 15 different ones so far.:) Next up will be the 41 MAG I think. The only problem with the rimless cartridges are that the cylinders will get dirty and need to be cleaned frequently or the ammo will not go in fully.
 
I'm not a huge Ruger can but when looking for a single action revolver I feel they are the go to company. I have several in 38/357 w/5.5" barrel. Another in 45 Colt and a Single Six too. They are like potato chips lol.
 
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FROGO207 said:
I could not decide which one so I have been chipping away at getting them all. I have a Single Six, some center-fires with different length barrels and some are convertable. I have 30 Carbine, 357/9MM, 44 MAG, 45 Colt/ACP so far and will add other calibers/barrel lengths as I find decent deals. I have 15 different ones so far.:) Next up will be the 41 MAG I think. The only problem with the rimless cartridges are that the cylinders will get dirty and need to be cleaned frequently or the ammo will not go in fully.
Click to expand...
I have examples of the usual calibers, but I am not interested in the .41. I wouldn't mind finding a 10mm/38-40 though.
 
My favorite overall is the 3.75" bisley SBH that Lipsey's was selling as a distributor exclusive.

View attachment 740798

It looks good, feels good in your hand, shoots beautifully...if I could only have one Blackhawk that would be it.

The Blackhawk I shoot most frequently is a .45 convertible W/ 4-5/8" barrel. It is utilitarian and somewhat annoying with the poorly fitted rubber grips, black finish, misaligned clicks, and all the other isms that come with a base model blackhawk, but it works.

The Ruger I have that comes closest to what I think a Blackhawk should be is my single seven.
 
If the description includes the term "flat top", it has my attention. The 50th Anniversary .357 is a great gun; still come up for sale from time to time. You can get a similar revolver as a .357/9mm convertible with a choice of finishes and barrel lengths. I like the 4.62" tube best, with 5.5" as second choice.

If I had to rank my preference in calibers I'd put the .357 on top just due to its versatility, with the .44 Special as a very close second and .45 Colt third. I have a hard time choosing between a standard Blackhawk and the Bisley, each has its charm. The .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum aren't available on the medium frame.

I don't care much for the convertibles. I handload virtually all of my ammo so the "cheaper" 9mm or .45 ACP factory ammo is not an advantage. Also, call me old fashioned but I like a rimmed cartridge in my revolvers.
 
44Special005-1.jpg

If we can choose a custom Blackhawk I'd go with this 44 special built on an early flattop.

You can get the same basic gun as above in a new model Bisley 44 special a great do it all gun with not much recoil. The 44 mags in my first picture are old models and would be harder to come by but if you wanted the same basic gun the 50th anniversery model of the 44 magnum flat tops come up for sale once in a while. I like the flat top style, it just looks cleaner to me.

The Super Blackhawk is available in different grip frames and barrel lengths and you can shoot specials and magnums from the same gun. Factory ammo is easy to come by also. It really depends on your needs, any of the Ruger single actions will be fun at the range but you may want a 44 or 45 if you are going to be in the woods with 2 and 4 leg creatures.
 
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I tried a Blackhawk in 45 Colt, but I have short fingers, so it just didn't work.

You'd be wise to try it in your hand before you buy.

The Uberti clones are a bit smaller - more Colt like, so they fit great.

I have a Uberti 45 Colt/45ACP convertible - & love it.
I make my own ammo, so ammo cost isn't a consideration.
But if you don't roll your own, then a convertible is even more worthwhile.
(45 Colt/45ACP or 357Mag/9mm)
 
Please forgive the poor quality cell phone picture.

Single Six in 22, 6.5"; Single Six in 32 H&R, 6.5"; Blackhawk 357, 6.5"; Blackhawk 45, 7.5".

I have fired I don't know how many 45acp through the 7.5", must be up near a thousand, and have never had one "jump crimp" or anything like that. I have read speculation that it is more a phenomenon of lightweight revolvers.

My original revolver was a Single Six convertible (long ago given to a relative as a gift) and I almost never used the 22magnum. But I shoot a lot of 45acp with the 45 convertible. I am tempted to buy a 9mm cylinder for the 357, but I have heard it is hit or miss whether or not they fit in a Blackhawk other than the one they were sold with.

Ruger20Single20Actions_zpsqjylxmby.gif
 
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