Why buy a Blackhawk vs a Redhawk?

[Lightsped]

I am not very familar with the Ruger wheelguns.

I had a chance to shoot a Ruger 44 Single Action yesterday. It was probally a early 80s model. It ws fun, I think it was a Blackhawk. It was the model where you loaded one round at a time, and had a ejection rod to eject each shell seperately. The cylinder did not flip out like on modern wheelguns.

Anyways, I am kind of sort of thinking about getting a Ruger wheelgun. My question is:

Why buy a Blackhawk (SA) instead of a Redhawk (DA)?

What is the going rate for a new Ruger 44 single action?

 

[joab]

I paid $300 for this one about a year ago. It was used but probably never shot as there were no timing marks on the cylinder when I bought the gun, but just by sitting at home cocking and decocking for about 30 minutes I put some on it.
A blued version may be a little cheaper but they all seem to go from $250 to $325 around here

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[joab]

Sorry about that you said NEW, I read used for some reason new they go for about $450

 

[popbang]

Why a Blackhawk over a Redhawk? The basic reason is personal preference. The two designs handle recoil in different manners. The Blackhawk rolls in your hand when shot. The differing grip angles and sizes allow people to select what fits, then throw in after market stuff and you have many choices. The benefits of the Redhawk, DA, are the quicker reload and the ability to fire without cocking.

 

[ACP230]

The Blackhawk is lighter than the Redhawk.
I use a .357 Old Model as a small game revolver occasionally.
Even in a cheap holster it carries very well. Mine shoots accurately with my handloads also.

If you like double-action revolvers better than single actions, you want a Redhawk, or other double action. If you want to shoot Cowboy Action you want a Blackhawk, or a Vaquero.

I have both kinds, so I can pick whatever suits my mood.

 

[joab]

Rugers are the strongest built revolvers out there but I'm not sure I would pick a Redhawk, I think I would lean more toward a Smith

 

[Baba Louie]

Blackhawks go up to .45 Colt but I don't think they come in .44 mag... Super Blackhawks do, from $430 up depending on barrel length and type of steel.
Why buy a BH (or SBH) instead of a RH? Cowboy coolness factor.

 

[valnar]

Why buy a Blackhawk (SA) instead of a Redhawk (DA)?

Basically for the fun of it. Why buy a revolver at all vs a semi-auto. Heck, why not a full auto like an Uzi? OK, so that one cost more.....

Try not to think of it as a self defense gun, even though all guns can be used as such. Sometimes its just more fun to shoot a revolver, and a single action at that.

Yah, cowboy coolness factor definitely comes into play.
Just call us retro.


-Robert

 

[Sisco]

You need one of each. Throw in a GP100 and an SP101 too.

 

[munk]

hold both in a store and see which feels best to you.

I own and like them both very much.









munk

 

[Chuck Dye]

De gustibus non est disputandum.

I bought a Super Blackhhawk and tired quickly of the single action shell shucking drill. I bought a Redhawk and have been happy with it from the start, or at least since putting aftermarket grips on it. When I found I could not get very much selling the Super Blackhawk, I gave it to my best friend who has been happy with it (also since changing out the grips.) Just a matter of taste.

Find a rental operation or buddy up to owners of both and try before you buy. If you live within a convenient drive of Coos Bay OR, let me know: I’ll introduce you to a scoped 7½" Redhawk Hunter (KRH-44R) Bring your own ammo.

If you opt for a Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk, be sure to check out Belt Mountain Enterprises replacement basepins.

 

[munk]

on the other hand, and without latin, the fastest two shots out of holster or hip belong to the guy who knows how to shoot his single action Blackhawk- not the double action RH.

I still think how it feels to the would-be owner is the most important thing.


hey- I thought double taps were mostly for semi auto's??

munk

 

[Jim March]

Single actions are inherently lighter and tougher for the same caliber. They lack that "hinge" that the cylinder swings out on, and for most people's hands, the SA "roll in the hand" grip handles recoil better than the DA system. That's one reason Ruger sells SAs in 44Mag that are almost 10oz lighter than the lightest DA 44 Redhawk variant.

They respond well to "emergency gunsmithing". Even with the entire hammer/trigger/mainspring system hosed, it's possible to jerry-rig one to fire via a rock on the hammer if you have to.

SAs *can* be more inherently accurate. When a DA swings it's cylinder back in, it's doing a fresh "alignment" of the cylinder and barrel critical to accuracy. The SA's cylinder is more "fixed in place", even moreso with a tighter aftermarket base pin (the cylinder's "axle") by Belt Mountain.

WITH PRACTICE, they can also be faster out of the holster on the first shot.

For all these reasons, they're still prized as backcountry carry/critter defense/hunting weapons.

 

[munk]

I used to keep one by my bedside and never felt undergunned.






munk

 

[swifter]

Looks and feel.
The single-action B'Hawk has thw classic, graceful lines common to single-actions, and feels better and more responsive in the hand. I find I shoot a SA better.

OTOH The Redhawk, while hell for sturdy, has to be the most damnably butt-ugly revolver made. They even make my N-frames look sleek and graceful in comparison...

Tom

 

[Chuck Jennings]

The double tap reference was due to the inadvertent double post.

 

[munk]

The Redhawk does make the N frame sleek; but butt ugly?!!!


Ugly is as ugly does.




munk

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Beyond the SA vs DA issues, you can find a ton of leather and carry options for the BH. I chose the RH and I am very limited to leather selections.

 

[Stainz]

Redhawk butt ugly? Gads.... what would you think of my .454 Super Redhawk?

My first revolver was a cap & ball Italian made - followed by a Ruger Old Army, then a Blackhawk .45 convertible (Why did I sell that thing??). My first DA was said SRH - not what I'd advise for anyone (I wanted a .45 Colt Redhawk - couldn't find one then.). I eventually went to S&W for a number of DA revolvers... followed by that Redhawk I always wanted.

Now, what would I advise in a .44M wheelgun? It would depend... for pure fun and even PD, with a short (4") tapered barrel and mainly for .44 Specials and low power Magnums due to the recoil, I'd look for a S&W 629 Mountain Gun - very good feel and trigger, in both DA & SA - and loads of holsters, too. For a longer barreled plinker or hunter, without any regard as to ammo, any of the Super Blackhawks - even the Bisley-Hunter version, are super. If you do like DA shooting, try a Redhawk - better still, especially if you like the GP-100's grip and lockwork, try the Super Redhawk in .44M.

Stainz

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

The S&W guys always call Ruger Revos "butt ugly." They need an edge cause when we talk about the big boys like the RH, S&W has few things to offer.

 

[Chuck Dye]

If you are going to try extreme loads, Garrett Cartridges Inc. has this to say in its Q&A page:

Can I shoot the 330-grain 44 Magnum Hammerhead Ammo in Ruger Super Blackhawk, Colt Anaconda, Taurus, or Smith & Wesson revolvers? No, our 330-grain ammo generates too much pressure for those guns, and is recommended for use only in Ruger Redhawks, Super Redhawks, and Dan Wesson revolvers. For all other revolvers we recommend our SAAMI pressure-compliant 310-grain Hammerhead Ammo, the only SAAMI pressure-compliant 1200 ft/lb ammo on the market.

I presume they know whereof they speak.