Blackhawk barrel length

[Jupiter7]

Hey all,

About to buy a blued Ruger blackhawk. Really want opinions, pros/cons of barrel lengths. If the shorter barrel is not too ballistcally challenged, decreased footprint and weight are desireable.I'll shoot both standard and Ruger only loads. Depending on attire, it'll get carried in the woods with either a chest holster or belt pancake holster from simply rugged. Maybe even carred occasionally as a defensive handgun. Will definitely be used on deer at appropriate ranges. All ideas/ opinions welcome.

Edit to add: I'm leaning personally towards 4 5/8".

[rintinglen]

My own taste is for the 5 1/2 incher, though the 4 5/8 is not far removed. I like the longer sight radius, and the slight uptick in velocity, the ounce in weight difference is negligible, and many holsters fit either one. It will merely boil down to which feels best in your hand. However, you said deer hunting is on the menu. My deer revolvers both have 7 1/2 inch barrels. At longer ranges, the longer sight radius makes a difference. If the buck of a lifetime steps into a clearing 80 yards off, I would like to have all the edge I can get.

[Coonazz]

Personal preference is the 4 5/8 because it is mainly packed as a backup in a crossdraw rig while hunting. But I have warmed up to the 5 1/2er as of late. Planning on picking one up in the not to distant future.

[DougGuy]

Ruger doesn't offer a 6.5" blackhawk in .45 Colt. Need to change that to 7 1/2"

[mongo]

I have a Blackhawk and a Vaquero, both with 4-5/8 barrels. Just right for me, I dont hunt with them and they feel good on the belt. Then again I carried a S&W .38 with a 4in for years at work....

[cbrick]

I'm probably not a good one to ask, none of my revolvers have a barrel as short as you list in the poll.

You mentioned hunting, get the 7 1/2".
You mentioned carry, get the snubbie.

Rick

[Tatume]

If you're going to wear the gun and you sit a lot, as in a car or truck, the 4-5/8" barrel will be more comfortable. The 5-1/2" barrel is not bad either, but if you try both you'll see what I mean.

The longer sight radius of the 7-1/2 barrel is meaningful. If you're going to shoot past 50 yards you should consider it. They are comfortable to wear on horseback or many tractor seats, but not so much in a truck or car.

It seems you've already made up your mind on 45 Colt (reference to "Ruger only loads"), but take a look at the 41 Magnum anyway. My 4-5/8" 41 Magnum is the most accurate Blackhawk I own.

Take care, Tom

[Lloyd Smale]

if your truely going to carry it in a holster and hunt on your feet and not out of a blind the 4 5/8s is hands down the way to go. The 5.5 inch isnt bad and gives you a bit more sight picture. In my opinion there should never be a handgun made with a barrel any longer then 6 inch. ;)

[cbrick]

In my opinion there should never be a handgun made with a barrel any longer then 6 inch. ;)

69429

[Rick Hodges]

I opted for the 4 5/8" for my own gun and like it a lot. I would think a 5 1/2" would foot the bill just as well.

[44man]

My favorite is 7-1/2" but my SBH is 10-1/2", my old IHMSA gun. All of big bores are for hunting and are 7-1/2 except my 45-70, it is 10".
I got used to the sight adjustments with longer barrels for long distance and found no reason to shorten when I went to Ultra Dots.
Carry would be different but I do not carry for backup, primary for hunting.
I just never considered a revolver a 50 yard and under gun, you might catch me shooting one shot at 25 yards in a year! When I go down to shoot, I will be at 100 yards to start.
You just make your choice on your use.

[Jupiter7]

If you're going to wear the gun and you sit a lot, as in a car or truck, the 4-5/8" barrel will be more comfortable. The 5-1/2" barrel is not bad either, but if you try both you'll see what I mean.


The longer sight radius of the 7-1/2 barrel is meaningful. If you're going to shoot past 50 yards you should consider it. They are comfortable to wear on horseback or many tractor seats, but not
so much in a truck or car.

It seems you've already made up your mind on 45 Colt (reference to "Ruger only loads"), but

take a look at the 41 Magnum anyway. My 4-5/8" 41 Magnum is the
most accurate Blackhawk I own.

Take care, Tom

Actually own a s&w m57. Have shot a couple hundred through it. Never bought dies or molds for it. A fine weapon and stupid accurate with
corbon 210gr hunter. But sometimes we stray from the path, have always wanted .41 mag lever gun to match, marlins are crazy expensive and almost impossible to find. Also components are scarce in the best of times. 41 just doesn't offer the bullet weights, styles and flexability I'm after. Not to mention $800 standing offer on my m57 has me thinking. Anyways, finding a new 45 colt levergun and components will be much easier in the long run. Not to mention I already cast and load 45auto.

[RobS]

I like the 7.5" barrels for the sight radius and the 5.5" has been great giving a bit smaller carry while still having what I like for a sight radius.

[runfiverun]

I just kinda eyeballed what I have in handguns.
the ones I do carry round the woods or wherever all seem to have 4-5/8ths barrels.
the ones I target shoot with or keep in the truck all have 6" or longer barrels.
I have a 10" barrel on one, three have 8", three more with 6" and 1 with a
7-1/2".
the rest all have 4 to 5" barrels.

[Harter66]

The RBH I carried in the field was the 7 1/2 in Colts for all of the above hunting reasons. IF I were carrying an RBH for daily use I would opt for the 4 5/8 the other 3" of bbl might cost you your bacon on the other if its down to that......... The 5.5 should give you all you want, like others it comes to primary use.

FWIW I've carried a 4'' Smith, 4'' Taurus 66, Sec6 6'',and the 7.5 RBH . The only difference on foot is 8oz at the end of the day. In and out of trucks the higher holsters for the shorter guns seem to always be in the seatbelt.

[1Shirt]

I am with Lloyd Smiley on this one. Unless you are one of those serious long range hand gunners (who shoot them over 50 yds), some place between 4" and 5" is what I am most comfortable with. That includes for carry, and to shoot. However, I am not a real serious handgunner----just enjoy shooting them.
1Shirt!

[OnHoPr]

Seems like you had more emphasis in your OP for hunting, so IMO the longer barrel. You can still get snap out holsters for the longer barrel lengths for shoulder or side for the occasional carry usage.

[fcvan]

Wow, quite a lot of variance on barrel lengths and good explanation as to preference. My first single action revolver was an 1858 Remington percussion copy with an 8" barrel. I bought it because I didn't have any reloading gear (just out on my own) and wanted to shoot more. As a kid, I always wanted a Ruger Old Army but the CVA pistol was $75 and I was poor. I got used to an 8" barrel.

As a kid, dad shot a S&W M57 4" .41 mag. I always figured I would get a Blackhawk in 41 because I liked the Ruger. Dad has a 30 Carbine BH and they come with a 7 1/2" barrel. I enjoyed shooting that and thought a 7 1/2" .41 BH would be great. They only came with a 6 1/2" barrel.

When Ruger introduced the Bisley BH they made the .41 with a 7 1/2" barrel. I thought, how cool, I'll write Ruger and see if I could get a regular BH with the longer barrel. After all, it would basically be a change of the grip frame. I received a letter back stating thanks for my interest, yes it could be done, no they would not do it, but I could buy a Bisley and swap the grip frame myself. The letter was signed by Bill Ruger and I thought that was cool.

Shortly after that, dad found a M57 with an 8 3/8" barrel and picked it up for me. After years of collecting, my brother has a 6" M57 and a 10" TC Contender, dad has a 4", 6", and an 8 3/8", and I have a Marlin 1894C in .41 mag. That rifle was new in 1989 and shoots very well. They don't pop up very often and when one does appear I always give it a serious thought.

A few years ago I picked up a Vaquero in 38-40/40 S&W with a 4 5/8" barrel. I carried the percussion revolver cross draw and so the Vaquero is carried the same. I was able to get another Vaquero in 45 Colt and it also has a 4 5/8" barrel. Dad's original 45 Colt is 5 1/2" which is a good length but I've only shot it sparingly. Last year, my wife fell in love with a RBH 44 mag with a 3 3/4" barrel. That is a neat package and I can see why she likes it so much.

Being able to shoot and carry a lot of Ruger BH pistols, with barrel lengths from 3 3/4" to 7 1/2" the only real differences are balance shift and sight radius. I shoot them at 50 to 100 yards and don't find the shorter sight radius pistols to be a disadvantage. My favorite(s) at the moment are the Vaqueros and I really wish I had bought the BH in .41 way back when. I may just have to pick one up after all these years, and 6 1/2" will be just fine.

[Jupiter7]

Wow, quite a lot of variance on barrel lengths and good explanation as to preference. My first single action revolver was an 1858 Remington percussion copy with an 8" barrel. I bought it because I didn't have any reloading gear (just out on my own) and wanted to shoot more. As a kid, I always wanted a Ruger Old Army but the CVA pistol was $75 and I was




poor. I got used to an 8" barrel.

As a kid, dad shot a S&W M57 4" .41 mag. I always figured I would get a Blackhawk in 41 because I liked the Ruger. Dad has a 30 Carbine BH and they come with a 7 1/2" barrel. I



enjoyed shooting that and thought a 7 1/2" .41 BH would be great. They only came with a 6 1/2" barrel.

When Ruger introduced the Bisley BH they made the .41 with a 7 1/2" barrel. I thought, how


cool, I'll write Ruger and see if I could get a regular BH with the longer barrel. After all, it would basically be a change of the grip frame. I received a letter back stating thanks for my interest, yes it could be done, no they would not do it, but I could buy a Bisley and swap the grip frame myself. The letter was signed by Bill Ruger and I thought that was cool.

Shortly after that, dad found a M57 with an 8 3/8" barrel and picked it up for me. After years of collecting, my brother has a 6" M57 and a 10" TC Contender, dad has a 4", 6", and an 8 3/8", and I have a Marlin 1894C in .41 mag. That rifle was new in 1989 and shoots very well. They don't pop up very often and when one does appear I always give it a serious thought.

A few years ago I picked up a Vaquero in 38-40/40 S&W with a 4 5/8" barrel. I carried the percussion revolver cross draw and so the Vaquero is carried the same. I was able to get another


Vaquero in 45 Colt and it also has a 4 5/8" barrel. Dad's original 45 Colt is 5 1/2" which is a good length but I've only shot it sparingly. Last year, my wife fell in love with a RBH 44 mag with a 3 3/4" barrel. That is a neat package and I can see why she likes it so much.

Being able to shoot and carry a lot of Ruger BH pistols, with barrel lengths from 3 3/4" to 7 1/2"

the only real differences are balance shift and sight radius. I shoot them at 50 to 100 yards and don't find the shorter sight radius pistols to be a disadvantage. My favorite(s) at the moment are the Vaqueros and I really wish I had bought the BH in .41 way back when. I may just have to pick one up after all these years, and 6 1/2" will be just fine.


Thanks for the insight :) I looked really hard at the Talo 3 3/4" 44mag last year. The one that caught my eye was the 3 3/4" birdshead vaquero, stainless in 45auto only. My only single action centerfire to date. Ive also been looking at the recent blackhawk bisley 5.5", just not sure about bright stainless and woods carry, or bisley grip frame.

[Thumbcocker]

I find I get a clearer sight picture with a 4 5/8 or 5 1/2 with my bifocals.

[jonp]

The Blackhawks I like and carry the most have the shorter barrel but if I was going to do a great deal of hunting and carry it on occasion I might opt for the 5.5in barrel. At the distances I hunt that is plenty of barrel for me. 50yrds and under in woods and swamps.

[Mohillbilly]

I have a 4 5/8 in 44 and 45 , full house and ruger only loads are quite a shock . there is enough recoil to shake boolits and bullets loose unless crimped hard . 5 1/2 is a good compromise but for hunting and range sessions 7 1/2 is my pick .

[fredj338]

Depends on what you want it for, but in most handguns, I prefer 4"-5" bbls. I do have long bbl hunters, but they are no joy to carry. For a general shooter, I like the 4 5/8", any caliber. For a dedicated hunter, say scoped, the 7 1/2" is makes a lot of sense.

[Moonie]

Can't vote, my vote is 7 1/2, my convertible is this length.

[Lefty SRH]

Personally I believe the 5 1/2" is the best balance for practicality and accuracy.
The 5 1/2" is VERY capable of doing anything you ask it to do in the field.

[MT Gianni]

Whichever you get get the convertible cylinder. I find little difference between the 4 5/8" and the 5.5", the difference and my vote is for the convertible lenghts. It was only 4 5/8" and 7 1/2" when I bought mine.

[marlin39a]

I go with 5 1/2" on my Blackhawks. Feels just right to me.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I like all of them. Have all of them. When deciding which to shoot, I sometimes fondle them all, and one is selected as if by magic.

[David2011]

The 4-5/8" just looks "right" to me if a shorter barrel is in order. My Blackhawk in .45 Colt is the 7-1/2" version, though. I like the sight radius and the way it handles my snakeshot loads.

David

[Maximumbob54]

You already know which one you want. Go her her.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/IMAG0221_zps3fb74f71.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/Maximumbob54/media/IMAG0221_zps3fb74f71.jpg.html)

Although I do confess to also owning this:

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/2013-01-24_18-33-10_25_zps92c045a0.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/Maximumbob54/media/2013-01-24_18-33-10_25_zps92c045a0.jpg.html)

At least you want the "right" caliber in a Blackhawk.

Anything else is just http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/clint-eastwood-disgusted-gif.gif (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/Maximumbob54/media/clint-eastwood-disgusted-gif.gif.html)

[Jupiter7]

You already know which one you want. Go her her.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/IMAG0221_zps3fb74f71.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/Maximumbob54/media/IMAG0221_zps3fb74f71.jpg.html)


Although I do confess to also owning this:

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/2013-01-24_18-33-10_25_zps92c045a0.jpg (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/Maximumbob54/media/2013-01-24_18-33-
10_25_zps92c045a0.jpg.html)

At least you want the "right" caliber in a Blackhawk.


Anything else is just http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x333/Maximumbob54/clint-eastwood-
disgusted-gif.gif (http://s1176.photobucket.com/user/Maximumbob54/media/clint-eastwood-disgusted-gif.gif.html)

I assume that Clint shot is from gran Torino ?

Side note, going to CMP south 5/8, hopefully to pick up a h&r service grade. The m1 was the second star of that movie!

[Maximumbob54]

I assume that Clint shot is from gran Torino ?

Side note, going to CMP south 5/8, hopefully to pick up a h&r service grade. The m1 was the second star of that movie!

He has yet to be in a bad movie. As long as I continue to forget about "The Gauntlet"...

So.... O.P. where are the new pics of your new gun already?

[Jupiter7]

He has yet to be in a bad movie. As long as I continue to forget about "The Gauntlet"...

So.... O.P. where are the new pics of your new gun already?

Which one? My blackhawk purchase is dependent on my trip to CMP. No garand, blackhawk gets purchased on way home. Garand purchased, blackhawk gets put on lay-away on way home. Still gotta get dies for 45colt, garand will get shot next day.

[jlchucker]

A few months ago, my brother bought a new model blackhawk with a 5 1/2 inch barrel, 45 Colt. I'd never had much to do with Ruger single actions before this, but when it came, I quickly realized that this is would be a great woods-walking gun. Trouble is, my gun store was having trouble with suppliers having them in stock. They were, however, able to get me a 4 5/8 incher in 44 special. I like that one even better than my brother's in terms of how it feels. Ruger's making some real quality revolvers these days.

[big dale]

Both of the 45 old model convertables I had wore the 4 5/8 inch barrels. I also had a Blackhawk in 41 Mag with the 4 5/8 inch barrel. I like that length a lot. I even had one of my Old Model Super Blackhawks barrel cut back to 4 5/8 inches as well. I have seldom been without a 4 5/8 inch Blackhawk in either 41, 44, or 45 since 1965. I just don't see me ever getting rid of either my 4 5/8 inch or 7.5 inch old Model Super Blackhawks. I sure do like large bore single action Rugers.

Have fun with this stuff.

Big Dale

[dakotashooter2]

I find no way to argue this............................:) :)


if your truely going to carry it in a holster and hunt on your feet and not out of a blind the 4 5/8s is hands down the way to go. The 5.5 inch isnt bad and gives you a bit more sight picture. In my opinion there should never be a handgun made with a barrel any longer then 6 inch. ;)

[Jupiter7]

Since I started this thread, I figure I should update. Went the CMP yesterday morning, no h&r service grades to be had. Stopped by 3 gun shops on way home, of course only the last one had Blackhawks in 45colt. After a final handling, I went with the 4 5/8". As this wont be a dedicated hunter but more of a all around outdoors carry gun. Now I just need dies and a heavy .454 mold.

Thanks to everyone that voted and gave insight.