Price Check: Ruger blkhwk, 38/40-10mm convertable

[DanWalker]

I'm looking at a ruger blackhawk my neighbor want to sell me. it's a 38/40 10mm convertable. It's in good shape, but has been fired.
What's the price range for one of these? the 10mm cylinder hasn't been fired.

[crazy mark]

100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%
$430 $340 $265 $205 $170 $160 $150
From Blue book of gun values. It does give an extra premium for this model. 30%.

[DanWalker]

those prices seem kinda low to me. I heard this was a pretty rare ruger.

[9.3X62AL]

It's one of the limited production Buckeye Sports specials, the other Blackhawk being a 32-20/32 Magnum convertible. Both calibers are kinda moribund......much more flexible in a strong platform like the Blackhawk, but still not greatly popular.

You might take a look at Gunsamerica or other auction sites to get a feel for the pricing among collectors. Mark's pricing reflects reasonable shooter-based pricing on non-collectible examples. The popular convertibles such as the 357/9mm and 45 Colt/45 ACP combos might give some context to the question, too.

[Lloyd Smale]

a buckeye in good shape is worth at least 500 bucks if you can find one for 400 PLEASE give me the contact info!!

[DanWalker]

He wants 495 bucks for it. Should I grab it?

[Lloyd Smale]

yup!!!!! There not going to get any cheaper down the road. It will just go up in value and i hate to say it because i dont believe in rugers for investments but you wont loose money on that one.

[9.3X62AL]

$495 seems fair to me. Of course, you KNOW you'll now need to get a companion carbine in 38-40 from Cimarron or elsewhere. Just letting you know. There are no 10mm pistols laying around for $495, for certain.

The 38-40 in its 1880's intensity from a revolver is about the functional equivalent of the 40 S&W--180 grain boolit at 950-975 FPS. I've been gently trying to extort a Colt New Service in 38-40 from a buddy of mine for 20 years, kind of a standing joke--upon seeing each other, his first words are "No, Al--it's still not for sale" with a big grin. The Ruger revo could take the caliber to a whole 'nother plane, as could a '92 Winchester repro.

The Ruger would also make a fine platform to exploit the 10mm's capabilities. The Bren Ten's original ballistic goal--200 grains at 1200 FPS--is a little tough on some autopistol platforms. Glocks and S&W's soak them up pretty well, but 1911A1-based pistols sometimes don't. The CZ-97 would be another, but I'm not holding my breath--and I'm starting to ramble here. The Ruger could run 200 grainers to 1200 FPS (and probably a whole lot faster) without strain or upset.

[45r]

If you don't want it I'd like to have one.The 10 MM is a much better calibur than it ever got credit for.the 38-40 can be loaded quite powerfull in that ruger also.Not many were made and 20 years from now you will wish you bought it.

[DanWalker]

I bought it. Gave it a good thorough cleaning and nestled it into the safe.

[9.3X62AL]

The 10 MM is a much better calibur than it ever got credit for.the 38-40 can be loaded quite powerfull in that ruger also.

Absolutely factual on both counts. I'm sure you'll enjoy the revolver. Good find at a fair price, not an every day occurrence.

[crazy mark]

100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%
$430 $340 $265 $205 $170 $160 $150
From Blue book of gun values. It does give an extra premium for this model. 30%.

The 30% premium puts a 100% one at $559 and 98% at $442. Looking at your pictures I'd say you got it for a good price. Mark

[Lloyd Smale]

now get it the hell out of that safe and shoot it. Like was said the 10mm is a wonderful round out of revolver. My buddy Terry Murbach has a custom old model 357 conversion in 10mm and allways says its one of his favorite guns and one of the most accurate handguns hes ever owned and my 610 in 10mm is the most accurate N frame ive ever owned. Youd be ammazed to on what the old 3840 will do out of a stout gun like that ruger. PLEASE dont let that gun sit. To me collecting rugers is a for the most part a loosing propostion. Guys want to squirel away old models because they think they have a collectors piece and for the most part there not worth what a new gun cost. SHOOT THEM! Why save them to pass them down in pristine condition to your grandkids who will probably sell them for beer money when your dead!!
I bought it. Gave it a good thorough cleaning and nestled it into the safe.

[BluesBear]

I've seen two of these guns sell locally in the past six months.
Both went for much more than what you paid for yours.

I'd gladly pay $500 for one if only I could find one that cheap.

But I agree with the others. SHOOT IT.

The 10mm is a great revolver cartridge.
Almost as much fun as the .41 Remington Magnum.

[onegoodshot]

Just p/u a pair myself and really pleased with them. The 32Mag and 10mm cylinders appeared unmounted before I got them. I mounted them and gave them a spin and it did put a faint ring mark on each.:mrgreen: Although I haven't fired them yet, these guns will be carried and shot. Still working on ammo.
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[45nut]

Nice score Joe.

[BluesBear]

What are the three extra cylinders with the .357 Blackhawk chambered for?
9x19? 9x21? .38 Super/9x23?

[onegoodshot]

Two 357's, 9mm, and 38 super
Don't know a whole lot of history behind this gun. The lady's husband had passed and she asked if I was interested in looking at his guns.:mrgreen: Box is marked 1977 and still has the wax paper. No notations on box label that it came with the extra cylinders. Each cylinder was in a red velvet pouch and the 9mm and 38 super had no drag line. I've shot both of them now, but still haven't mounted the extra 357 cylinder. The trigger/hammer have been jeweled and it has the best trigger of any ruger I've ever shot. It has stag grips with 1/8" wood "fillers" to make them a little more wide. He must have had large hands. I'd love to know a little more history behind this gun as I've never seen another with 38 super but as it is probably all custom work, I'll probably never know.

[BluesBear]

I came across a Ruger 9mm cylinder at an estate auction and got it for $15.
I had it rechambered for .38 Super in 1979.
Since the 9mm has a larger base diameter the fired cases were a little more expanded than normal.

Since I really didn't like the balance of the 4-5/8 barrel I traded it away. I sure with I'd kept that .38 Super cylinder.
I have a 6½" convertable but I can't find another cylinder.

I do however know a dealer with a Blackhawk that has only the 9mm cylinder who would trade it to me for a .357 cylinder. Says no one wants to buy a strictly 9mm Blackhawk.
Since I doubt you'd be willing to part with your .38 Super cylinder, is there any chance you'd be willing to sell your extra .357 cylinder?

[onegoodshot]

Not really interested in letting it go right now. When I first got the gun I was going to send the cylinder to Reeder to have a 356GNR made, but 5yrs and 2 kids later, I still haven't done anything.

[leftiye]

B.B. Watch (search) for "ruger cylinders" under hunting on eVilbay. Slow time of year now, so it might be a while, but one will show up eventually.

[Blackhawk Convertable]

I've got 2 myself. I gotta mention that the 10mm is nothing less than AWESOME out of the Buckeye Blackhawk. Very minimal recoil with almost 41 mag ballistics. One of the most fun to shoot and the next time I decide to deer hunt with a revolver, it's coming with me!!!

[Mohillbilly]

I shore do like my pair of Buckeyes.I've been think'n about pack'n up a couple of guns to send to Reeder to convert to 30gnr, 356gnr,or 41gnr....I'd like to do all three, one at a time as money allows.

[gandog56]

100% 98% 95% 90% 80% 70% 60%
$430 $340 $265 $205 $170 $160 $150
From Blue book of gun values. It does give an extra premium for this model. 30%.

Hah Hah, I see one in Gunbroker right now, and the idiot wants $850 for it. It does have both cylinders, but the 10mm cylinder looks like it was laying outside for 20 years! Way too much and would have to polish up and reblue the cylinder.

[warboar_21]

I was outbid at the last few minutes of an auction a few years ago on the 38/40 10mm convertible. It went for just under $600. Since then I have been looking on occasion on GB for one. I have been wanting a 10mm revolver for quite some time and if I can find a reasonably priced S&W 610 or a Ruger I would be a happy camper. For now I have to be satisfied with my 1911 in 10mm.

[warf73]

Hah Hah, I see one in Gunbroker right now, and the idiot wants $850 for it. It does have both cylinders, but the 10mm cylinder looks like it was laying outside for 20 years! Way too much and would have to polish up and reblue the cylinder.

Don't want to be mean on ya but those prices are 6 years old.

[dmize]

I don't know where those value numbers come from but to get one in %100 your gonna give at LEAST $600 to 650.
I also picked up a pair this spring.
You got one heck of a deal there.

[Dschuttig]

I have both the 32 and 38/40 / 10mm. They average around $700 on gunbroker, 95% condition to like new. One thing to be aware of is that these can have very tight throats in them. I had mine opened up for shooting cast. All 4 were tight. (32-20, .312 bore, .309 throat). Fun guns, thought I would like the 38-40 the best, but I really love the 32-20. I wish they would come out with a short barrel flat top on a mediuim frame in 32 something.

[BCall]

I have one of each of the Buckeye convertibles as well. I paid $650 for my 38-40/10mm a few years ago. It was basically NIB at the time, the 10mm cylinder didn't even have a drag line on it. I've shot it a fair bit, and would not part with it for $700. The 10mm is very good, I just wish it was rimmed. I've experimented with cutting down 30-30 brass to use as a 10mm rimmed, and it will work, but some of the brass was too thick in the neck to chamber a properly sized boolit. I'm still working on it.

[dmize]

Yes I agree,I LOVE the 32-20,I have a Vaquero and the Buckeye,but the Blackhawk frame is just way too big.