BlackHawk

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I worked the local gunshow last weekend.
I am always on the lookout for a 41 Mag (the gun or Brass or mold or whatever).
I did get some used brass and a set of old RCBS steel dies which appeared to be NIB :)

Anyway, no guns at the show the got me excited, But I was told by someone that the LGS in that town had a used BLackHawk on the shelf.

I went there yesterday, and the only 41 they had was NIB for $550...more than I was looking to pay.
...BUT, this isn't what this post is about.

I owned several BlackHawks in the past, but currently don't own one. I'm thinking I'd like to have one again, but I'm not liking the looks (metal finish) of the new ones. It seems the older ones (from the 1980s???) had a more polished finish.

...ANYWAY, while I was at the LGS, they had a older used Black Hawk (6.5" I believe?) in 357M. It had some sort of a small bluing blemish (slight pitting maybe) on the outside of the barrel (muzzle end)...like you'd see if a drop of blood was there or something? Also, the frame had been removed, evidenced by the boogered frame screws and blacking scraped off the aluminum frame from incorrect sized screwdriver bit. They had it priced at $399. I didn't buy it, but I've been thinking about it.

[jaguarxk120]

They may be asking $399, but chances are they will take less, make an offer.
All they can say is no, and you can increase the offer.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

There's a lot of .357 Blackhawks around, Jon. I think you can do better on condition for the price. But, sometimes a particular piece just calls out to you (don't ask me about it!).

[Texas by God]

Hold out for the .41mag. This one is new and it's one of the best Rugers I've ever had. Fit, finish, and accuracy are very good.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190925/5636f7384c8d50ef18c1dff17490b4a4.jpg

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Hold out for the .41mag.

...SNIP
Yeah, I am thinking this is the best direction.

[CastingFool]

I never thought I would care for a blackhawk, until a fellow at work showed me the one he was selling. 7-1/2" barrel, chambered for 45 Colt. It was love at first sight. I already had dies, that helped to make the decision to buy it. Had Pachmyar grips, plus I got the original box and wood grips.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

Ya hold off I came across my 41 BH
As new in box at cabelas wasn't looking for one It just called out to me flipped the tag over $319. Told the clerk ya I'll take it put a set of Bowen sights on it along with a set of Hollywood grips done 248853
I also sent the Cylinder to DougGuy

[contender1]

There are several things to consider when looking at Blackhawks.
Old Model or New Model?
Me,, I always snatch up any OM's that are priced fairly. They only made them for 20 years,, and are better handling in my opinion than my NM's.
But I also have many NM's to enjoy as well.
If 41 mag is your desire,, then by all means,, hold out. BUT,, the 357 can be a great gun as well. If you could get it out the door for $350 or less,,, then you'd enjoy it until a 41 comes to roost.
Condition comes into play as well. A beater,, vs. a safe queen.
All original,, or buggered up a bit. You mentioned the g/f screws buggered. Look closer at the base pin latch & the ERH screw to tell you even more.
Does it have the original box & papers,, or "just the gun?"

Lots to consider.

[LUBEDUDE]

Nice looking 41 you have there Luckydawg. It appears to be a great shooter as well.

[Green Frog]

The Blackhawks have come in a great number of variants over the years. I still kick myself for letting my Buckeye Special 32 H&R/32-20 combo go, but I certainly don’t intend to make the same mistake with my 327 FM eight shooter! I’ve never warmed up to the 41, but as they say, “ to each his own.” Regardless of caliber, the Blackhawk sets the standard for single action revolvers.

Froggie

[Green Frog]

Ya hold off I came across my 41 BH
As new in box at cabelas wasn't looking for one It just called out to me flipped the tag over $319. Told the clerk ya I'll take it put a set of Bowen sights on it along with a set of Hollywood grips done 248853
I also sent the Cylinder to DougGuy


What is the purpose/advantage of the Bowen sights? Of all the handgun manufacturers, the sights used on SA Rugers strike me as the best of the lot. I’ve never really felt the need to change mine out.

Froggie

[trapper9260]

I got 2 BH , many years ago I got a 357 M that had the plate for the rear sight missing. The guy was thinking it was the old model and with the plate missing and said the half cock was not working . So he sold it to me for $100 it had look like oak grips put on it. At the time I was still in the state of MA and brought it to the state police to have a check on it and told them about what the guy said about. The officer told me that is a new model and dose not have a half cock and just need to have the plate replace is no problem. So they where glad for me and like how it handle . they did run a check on the guy info I gave beside my own. To transfer owner ship they sent me to the town cops and they where the ones try to give me a hard time. My dad was with me then . I also got the 327 M 8 shot and will not part from both of them. Work on getting my 2nd SP 101 I have the 357 M in it ,now wait for the 327 M to show up I bought the 357 new and will be the 327 also

[megasupermagnum]

By the finish, are you talking about the stainless guns? It does seem they have a more rough brushed finish compared to a polish of some older guns. Personally I like the brushed finish better. $550 is not a bad price for a brand new blackhawk. As far as I'm concerned, Ruger is currently putting out some of the best revolvers they have ever made.

It's been a few months, but BJ Trapline in Darwin had some nice blackhawks, new and used at the time. He's a great guy, and has some of the best prices you will find.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

By the finish, are you talking about the stainless guns? It does seem they have a more rough brushed finish compared to a polish of some older guns. Personally I like the brushed finish better. $550 is not a bad price for a brand new blackhawk. As far as I'm concerned, Ruger is currently putting out some of the best revolvers they have ever made.

It's been a few months, but BJ Trapline in Darwin had some nice blackhawks, new and used at the time. He's a great guy, and has some of the best prices you will find.

I have been to BJ trapline many times, but not recently...I should make that trip...Thanks for the reminder.

Yes, I am talking blued BlackHawks. Maybe it's just the one's I've seen? it sure seems like the older ones are polished better than the new ones? Maybe my experience isn't conducive of what the overall situation is?
...and just to be clear, I am talking all NM Blackhawks. The OM Blackhawks are really rare in my circles.

[9.3X62AL]

What is the purpose/advantage of the Bowen sights? Of all the handgun manufacturers, the sights used on SA Rugers strike me as the best of the lot. I’ve never really felt the need to change mine out.

Froggie

Sights are a subjective question, for sure. But I am in Froggie's camp on the Ruger S/A sights--they are NICE.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Sights.
Dang I can't remember exactly, as I was looking at two pistols on the "used" table.
Either the "boogered screw" 357 Blackhawk has aftermarket fiberoptic green/red sights or it was a well worn Security Six that had those sights? They gave a real nice sight picture and they weren't the large gaudy style fibers. But anyway, stock Blackhawk sights are nice too.

[AKtinman]

Great to see you at the show, Jon. I always enjoy our visits.

I’ll keep my eye open for a .41 Blackhawk for you.

I think Ruger has tightened up their Quality Assurance over the last few years. I have had some disappointments from them. Oversized, out-of-round chamber on a brand new M77V (1980), brand new SP101 that jammed on DA out of the box (1995), the .41 Blackhawk with the crooked front sight new out of the box that I told you about ( 1983). And a few others.

In spite of those disappointments, I recently bought a M77 6.5 Creedmoor and a couple of Bisley Blackhawks. The Lipsey .44 Special needed a taller front sight (easy fix) and the .32 H&R had 2 oversized cylinder throats - .3145 vs .314 on the rest. Doug Guy fixed that one up. Oh, and I did need a taller front sight on the .32. Fermin Garza had one that took care of that problem. https://fermincgarza.com/shop?olsPage=products%2F2-dogs-custom-single-six-sights

No regrets on these as they shoot well and look pretty nice. While some of the little details are annoying, I still think the Rugers are a good value for the money.

B&J Trapline - when my daughter from East Tennessee was here for a visit, I made a point of taking her there for the experience. Having to step over the snoozing black Lab while checking out all the guns hanging from the ceiling was not something she had seen before, or since, I imagine ;)

[DougGuy]

What would be SWEET would be to use a medium framed Flattop BH, put a takeoff .41 barrel on it and rechamber a .357 cylinder to 41 caliber. The cylinder walls and webs would be thick enough to take 35kpsi loads *IF* you wanted to push it that far, but it would make a real nice warmed over 41 Special and be pleasant to shoot if you wanted to load it into the 25 - 28kpsi power band.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

What is the purpose/advantage of the Bowen sights? Of all the handgun manufacturers, the sights used on SA Rugers strike me as the best of the lot. I’ve never really felt the need to change mine out.

Froggie

The Bowen sights are easier for my eyes to pick up I put them on my SBH 44 too they just work for me 248918

[LUCKYDAWG13]

What would be SWEET would be to use a medium framed Flattop BH, put a takeoff .41 barrel on it and rechamber a .357 cylinder to 41 caliber. The cylinder walls and webs would be thick enough to take 35kpsi loads *IF* you wanted to push it that far, but it would make a real nice warmed over 41 Special and be pleasant to shoot if you wanted to load it into the 25 - 28kpsi power band.

I would love it if Ruger would bring out the SP101 in a 41 mag

[Texas by God]

I would like to have a 4-5/8" model as well- maybe someday. The .41 is in a tie with the .38 Special as my favorite revolver cartridge. .41 Special level loads are fun all day.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190926/df7781887ec89bbabdc9325fffe098a2.jpg

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Old School Big Bore]

@AKtinman - Your reference to Fermin and being 'at the lake' makes me wonder whether you may be somewhere in South TX. I'm from CC but ended up in Lagarto.

[Drm50]

When I was teenager in 60s I had at least one of every Ruger BH made. Now in my keepers I only have my original Single-6 and original SBH. I got into S&Ws and traded them off. I didn't like the New Models and only ones I bought were the Buckeye Specials. I would never let a good deal on a 3screw get by me. Try having one of each model they have made since New Models, you couldn't haul them in a truck.

[AKtinman]

@AKtinman - Your reference to Fermin and being 'at the lake' makes me wonder whether you may be somewhere in South TX. I'm from CC but ended up in Lagarto.

Good guess, but I’m now living in Minnesota on a lake. Reckon I should update my Location.

Native Texan, growing up in South Texas, most of my kin are in the triangle with San Antonio, Beeville, and Victoria as the corners. Lived in Alaska. Also North Texas before moving to Minnesota. And a few other states, besides.

Found Fermin when I was looking for a replacement front sight for the .32 Bisley. He makes fine products.