Ruger sbh 7.5" or 10.5"

[Mauser48]

Loosely looking around to adding a 44 to my collection. I typically prefer ruger revolvers so I have been looking at a new model super blackhawk in stainless. I've shot a 7.5" version before and liked it. I definitely prefer revolvers with at least a 6" barrel. After seeing the 10.5" I'm a bit intrigued. Those of you who have shot both, what do you prefer? I will never be carrying this in the woods or anything. It will mainly be a range toy to shoot some moderate 44 loads out of and experiment with the cartridge. I can shoot a 6" revolver much better than say a 4" because of the increased sight radius. Is going from a 7.5" to a 10.5" diminishing returns? Does the 10.5" feel yoo heavy and unwieldy after shooting a bit? I'm looking at used examples when I see them pop up, mainly looking for one a bit older. The 7.5" is an early 80s production and the 10.5" is a 2002. I'm sure quality control is similar between those years, mainly just looking to avoid one made in the last few years. What's your guy's thoughts and experiences?

[sixshot]

I have both & have taken quite a bit of game with both including deer, antelope, elk & bear. From what you describe the 10.5" might just be your cup of tea. It's going to be easy to handle the recoil because it will be a bit muzzle heavy, also with the bit longer sight radius you will most likely shoot it a little better & gain a little velocity. I only shoot cast bullets in mine & either barrel length will give you great accuracy with correct loads. Good luck, which ever way you go.

Dick

[Sasquatch-1]

I have a Super Blackhawk and a Redhawk both in .44 with 7.5" barrels. I used to have a Super Redhawk with the 9.5" barrel. If you are going to be doing a lot of shooting that long barrel tends to get heavy real fast. Now if you plan on doing long range bench shooting with it go for the long barrel.

[Uncle Grinch]

I recently sold my 6.5 inch Blackhawk and moved to. 4 5/8 inch. It is so much handier to use and shoot. I do believe the longer barrel may be slightly more accurate, but the shorter barrel handle much better. Go with the one that feels the best for you.

[black mamba]

I'd be shocked if you didn't really enjoy the 10½". I bought one used last summer just to try out, and it's become a favorite. Super accurate and a fun conversation piece at the range. Mine was built in 1989.

[Mauser48]

I'm leaning towards the 10.5" just to try something a little different. I also have to see whatever I can get a better deal on. I plan on owning a 7.5" redhawk eventually as well so that area will be covered. Does anyone know when ruger starting putting the warning label on the super blackhawk? From what I've seen I don't believe a pre warning stainless super blackhawk exists. Not a deal breaker just curious.

[stubshaft]

In the mid-seventies I turned twenty-one and was able to buy my first pistol, and quickly purchased a 7.5" Ruger SBH. I still have it and it has accounted for a number of game animals and many, many hours of enjoyment experimenting with loading techniques and bullet styles.

The eighties brought a new game called Silhouette and I jumped onto that bandwagon with both feet. Consequently, I bought a 10.5" Ruger SBH to compete with. It too made a great showing and won me a couple of State Championships over the years.

For general use and hunting the 7.5" may be a better choice, although I have hunted with the 10.5" SBH while sitting in a blind. I didn't bother with a holster for it and carried it to my blind in my backpack. For accuracy and use at the range the 10.5" is hard to beat. The longer barrel and extended sight radius allows more precise aiming possible, slightly higher velocity and between the two slightly better accuracy (alhough I have spent more time developing loads for the 10.5").

As far as balance goes, the longer barrel may take some getting used to, but it never felt uncomfortable to me. If I had to choose between the two I would grab the 10.5" SBH.

[Bigslug]

This really comes down to what gives you the warm fuzzies. For me, "gym" is a four-letter word and I don't want to deal with SRH" 10" kind of weight. I've got a couple of 6" to 7.5" options and tend to consider those at the limit of what constitutes a "handgun" (any more, I shoot them DAO and pretend the SA notch doesn't even exist) and they cross into the territory of "specialty tool". Beyond 6" revolvers, I'm thinking carbines make A LOT more sense by any metric of power, precision, handling, and weight trade off most would care to apply. If it's the backrest handgun silhouette game your playing, that's another matter entirely. The SRH is a great tool if your practice doesn't suffer from employing a crew-served revolver.

If it's strictly a matter of sight radius. . . I'm at the point of diving into red dots for my autos and am merely waiting for the ideal mount / sight combos to become available for my 4" GP-100 and 5.5" RH

As to production dates. . .my Mom bought herself a new 6" GP-100 when she retired around 2016. After following my usual "break in" for DA Rugers (heavy application of Break Free to the innards and run the hell out of it) and fire lapping out the common .001" worth of frame crush, it is one of the most totally satisfactory revolvers it's ever been my pleasure to run. I wouldn't necessarily fear the new ones, and hey, Ruger's customer service is known for making it right in those circumstances when it isn't.

[pjh421]

What Stubshaft said. Since you’re not planning to pack it around much, take advantage of the improved sight radius. I’ve got a friend who shoots with me now and then. He’s a fan of the compact 9s and 40s. For what they are, they’re great. His problem is that he can’t hit much with them. One day I brought a couple long barreled M500s with me and it was like the light switched on for him. He was making hits on pop cans at 100 yards off hand. Finding a holster for a 10”+ revolver can be a chore. If you got the 7.5” one and put a dot sight on it you should be able to connect just as well as you could with the longer gun but would have a lot of holster and carry case options. I carry a M640-3 in my front pocket but for a range toy, I say the bigger the better.

[shooting on a shoestring]

I have a 7.5” 3 screw Super Blackhawk. Also have a couple of 7.5” Blackhawks in 45 Colt.
They’re all to long for me.

I think the dwell time of the boolit getting out of the barrel offsets any sight radius advantage.

And for me those long barrels, ummmmm……droop.

If you’re a rock solid shooting platform, I can see the attraction of the long barrel. In that case go big and shoot it while you can!

[contender1]

The 10.5" Supers are affectionately called "the Hornpipe" due to the longer barrel. But they have a proven track record in IHMSA matches and are quite good. If range uses are your plans,, then if one feels good to you,, I'd lean that direction.

" Does anyone know when ruger starting putting the warning label on the super blackhawk? From what I've seen I don't believe a pre warning stainless super blackhawk exists. Not a deal breaker just curious."

The "warning" label was added in 1977 & 1978 by Ruger to all models. It was before Stainless guns came out.

[Mauser48]

The 10.5" Supers are affectionately called "the Hornpipe" due to the longer barrel. But they have a proven track record in IHMSA matches and are quite good. If range uses are your plans,, then if one feels good to you,, I'd lean that direction.

" Does anyone know when ruger starting putting the warning label on the super blackhawk? From what I've seen I don't believe a pre warning stainless super blackhawk exists. Not a deal breaker just curious."

The "warning" label was added in 1977 & 1978 by Ruger to all models. It was before Stainless guns came out.

Thanks, that's what I figured. I believe stainless came out in the early 80s? The 10.5" I was looking at went for too much money so the search continues!

[Maven]

I have the 10.5" bbl'ed. SBH and love it. I don't find it unwieldy even with the longer spout. Btw, I size my CB's to .431" and get fine accuracy with it.

[rintinglen]

The 7 1/2 inch version is more to my taste. The longer one's don't balance well for me, but if you are solely shooting from a rest, then the longer barreled guns may be a touch more accurate.

[snowwolfe]

That’s a lot of weight to hold steady when off hand shooting. But certainly can be shot more accurately off a rest. I would base my decision off of that. Offhand or rest?

[Mauser48]

Will be shooting offhand all the time. Does the 10.5" wear you out? Is it quite a bit more muzzle heavy?

[Walks]

I've had SBH's since 1975, started Handgun Metallic Silhouette. Started with a that 7 1/2" bbl. Switched to a 10 1/2" STS a few years later. The 10 1/2" bbl'ed SBH's have Heavier barrels and longer ejector rods then the 7 1/2" and shorter bbl'ed revolvers. After I quit Silhouette I had the bbl cut back to ejector rod length; 5 1/2". Handled the recoil as well as a 7 1/2" SBH and a whole lot handier for holster carry.
As for the bbl length of Super Redhawk, I've one of the 1st 10 1/2" bbl'ed, except I sent it back for the 7 1/2" bbl. Guess if I have to shoot it off hand I prefer the shorter bbl.

[megasupermagnum]

I'm very much a shorter barrel kind of person. I think 4 5/8" is a great all around length in a blackhawk. That said I have soft spot for the 10 1/2" barrel super blackhawks. I never could warm up to the 7 1/2", not that there is anything wrong with them. The 10 1/2" are not as muzzle heavy as you would think being relatively thin barrels, and they come with fantastic hooked front sights that are easy to see. Recoil with them is somewhat unique. I wouldn't say it is lighter than a shorter barrel at all, but you don't get as much muzzle rise.

10 1/2" is a little long for holsters, but for hunting only it is not that bad. Obviously these are not the guns to buy to practice your quick draw. I really like shooting them. I wish they made them in a standard blackhawk in 41 magnum.

[Mauser48]

So from what I take it only the 10.5" barrel models have the full length ejector rod? The ejector rod on the 7.5" guns doesn't fully extract a case?

[Sasquatch-1]

So from what I take it only the 10.5" barrel models have the full length ejector rod? The ejector rod on the 7.5" guns doesn't fully extract a case?

The ejector rod on my 7.5" SBH ejects the shell just fine.

[murf205]

If it is a range toy and you like the 10 1/2" bbl, go for it. I have a 9 1/2" SRH and I will tell you that with the longer barrels you get a lot of speed with what is considered moderate loads. For instance my favorite load of 16.6 grs of 2400 under a 250 gr Lyman 429421 does 1225fps out of my long barrelled SRH but only 1050 out of my 4" 629. I quit loading bazooka loads a long time ago but a 250 gr boolit @ 1225 fps and mild pressure is a bargain IMHO and powerful to boot, especially with regards to case life. That would be a pretty comfy load out of a 10 1/2" SBH. Go ahead and buy one, we love range reports...with pics. Good luck

[Abert Rim]

Miss my old Stainless 10 1/2. It was more pleasant to shoot, and easier to achieve accuracy with, than the 7 1/2.

[TurnipEaterDown]

My understanding, and personal experience, is that w/ a R SBH 44 Mag 7.5", the ejector rod is slightly short.
It will leave the case just ever so slightly with the mouth left in the rear of the cylinder if worked slowly and gravity doesn't affect the process (i.e. gun position can lead to a gravity assist dropping it out the rest of the way).

It is why I put an ejector rod & housing on my R SBH 7.5 from a Ruger Maximum.
The Maximum EJ Rod will fully extract and has enough length that, muzzle down and extracted slowly, the case will dangle on the rod.

All that said, I really didn't often experience any issue w/ the design intent EJ rod & housing before I changed it, and I have used that gun so much that my experience with it is considerable (well over 20K rounds through it, forcing cone recuts, couple barrel replacements, and cylinder facings along the way).

Worked briskly, and gun held "normally" to work the ejector, cases come out fine most often with the provided EJ rod on a 7.5" R SBH.

[murf205]

[QUOTE=Mauser48;5517546]Loosely looking around to adding a 44 to my collection. I typically prefer ruger revolvers so I have been looking at a new model super blackhawk in stainless. I've shot a 7.5" version before and liked it. I definitely prefer revolvers with at least a 6" barrel. After seeing the 10.5" I'm a bit intrigued. Those of you who have shot both, what do you prefer? I will never be carrying this in the woods or anything. It will mainly be a range toy to shoot some moderate 44 loads out of and experiment with the cartridge. I can shoot a 6" revolver much better than say a 4" because of the increased sight radius. Is going from a 7.5" to a 10.5" diminishing returns? Does the 10.5" feel yoo heavy and unwieldy after shooting a bit? I'm looking at used examples when I see them pop up, mainly looking for one a bit older. The 7.5" is an early 80s production and the 10.5" is a 2002. I'm sure quality control is similar between those years, mainly just looking to avoid one made in the last few years. What's your guy's thoughts and experiences

One of the "older" 10 1/2" guns just sold on Gun Broker for 1300$!! I just checked Buds gunshop and they have a new 10 1/2" blued SBH for $724 cash price and free shipping. I am not trying to spend your $ for you but that sounds like a pretty good deal, especially in Brandons world!

[Mauser48]

Thats definitely not a bad price but I really like stainless on my Rugers! Especially on the new models. How's quality control on recent ruger single actions?

[murf205]

I'll have to let the Ruger guys answer that one. From what I have read, the cylinder throat issues have been resolved but I have not bought a new Ruger revolver in a long time so anything I would say would not be gleaned from actual experience.

[oldhenry]

I guess different people have different reasons for making your decision. I had a 10.5" SBH that I really liked because I could shoot heavy loads & that long bbl/weight forward (plus the pachmyr grips) tamed the recoil of heavy .44 mag. loads. I shot friend's 7.5" SBH and could not call it a pleasant experience with heavy loads. .44 spec. loads were OK in the 7.5" version, but not the heavy loads.

In the late 70/early 80's I was into IHMSA & the 10.5" version was the most competitive in the "revolver" class & the "standing" class also until the 7tcu came out. 10. gr. of Unique & the 429421 boolit did everything needed in the SBH for me and most of the other competitors.

[6string]

It's very curious to read the opinions and consider them in context of changing tastes over time.
I got into magnum revolvers because of IHMSA silhouette shooting and vice versa. (This was back in the early 1980s)
To me, they were intrinsically inseparable.
The long barrel was always my preference as it was with the older shooters who mentored me.
You got the longer sight radius, plus the extra weight to dampen recoil even if you were only shooting light loads with Unique, etc. But also, back then, both S&W and Ruger were very conscious of what silhouette shooters wanted and expected. I think the longer barreled Rugers were built with more attention to fitting and aligning the cylinder throats to the bore.
Besides the Ruger SBH, the guys I knew also liked the S&W 29 with the 10&5/8" barrel.

[John Guedry]

I have a 7 1/2" SBH and like it well enough. I also have a Black Hawk in .45 Colt.that I probably handle better. My old wrists do a little better with less weight. By the way I don' load anything "heavy".

[Mauser48]

Those of you who have bisley frame rugers, how do you like them? I always thought they looked off but it's growing on me and I could see how that might be more comfortable. I need to find one local to go hold. Only problem is I don't see that ruger ever made a stainless bisley in 44 with a 7.5" barrel besides the hunter.

[243winxb]

The 10.5" gets you closer to the target, better accuracy. :happy dance:

Put a Pull Through Trigger on mine, after reading a 80s Russian article on it. Called a roll trigger today.

Very accurate revolver.

[John Guedry]

All my single actions are of the "plow handle " variety. Never could take a "liking" to the Bisley. I got the "old guy shakes" enough where it wouldn't make any difference if I had a10" or even longer barrel. You reach apoint where your accuracy goes "downhill.

[Larry Gibson]

Those of you who have bisley frame rugers, how do you like them? I always thought they looked off but it's growing on me and I could see how that might be more comfortable. I need to find one local to go hold. Only problem is I don't see that ruger ever made a stainless bisley in 44 with a 7.5" barrel besides the hunter.

My Ruger Bisley is a 41 Magnum and I love it. It is very comfortable to shoot. I use it most often if specifically handgun hunting deer, antelope, pigs these days.

310014

310015

[375supermag]

Hi...
I have always preferred the longer barreled Blackhawk(.357, .41, .45Colt and .44Magnum) for most of my shooting, although I do have one Blackhawk in .357Magnum with a 4-5/8" barrel. Both of my flat top Blackhawks in .44Spl are 5-1/2" versions.
I just prefer the longer sight radius with the Blackhawks.
I once owned a SuperRedHawk with a 9-1/2" barrel that was very accurate but I had to sell it due to a divorce.
I also own several other SA revolvers and most of them but not all are 6-1/2" to 7-1/2" barreled versions.
Several of my DA revolvers are 7-1/2" or 8-3/8" barreled versions also .

The longer barreled revolvers seem to be a bit more accurate for me and better able to absorb recoil from the heavier Ruger only loads that I sometimes shoot.

[Mauser48]

I'd love to get my hands on a bisley to feel it but I'll probably stock to the plow handle. I also recently saw that ruger now puts the warning on the underside of the barrel on the single action guns since about 2010 or so. Do you guys think an 80s or 90s ruger would be of any higher quality than say a 2010-present? I could see the hand assembly being a little better on the older guns but modern cnc might be an advantage as well. Bluing is definitely nicer kn the older guns I've seen but I want stainless anyway. If I'm not gaining any quality with an older model I'd rather have a newer one with the more hidden warning.

[Txcowboy52]

I have had both , I still have the 7 1/2 inch, for me personally I prefer the 7 1/2in. I found the longer barrel to hard to hold steady and just to unweildy. I think it’s more just a personal preference.

[missionary5155]

For hunting I like the 7-8 ". For long range longer barrels. And those are Dan Wessons.

[wwmartin]

I bought a S&W 29 with the 10 5/8 when they became available hoping that a range would get started within driving distance. Never happened! Set me back $425, new back then. It's buried in the Harem with the 629 (no dash) and a few other's that I had to have but didn't get much use. That long heavy barrel does help with the recoil.

Bill

Edit
At the time one of the gentleman I worked with had an FFL and would extend credit kind of like the company store. $25 a week and when you just about paid it off he would find another that I couldn't live without. That went on for about 20 years. I have a lot of interesting stuff I didn't know that I needed!

Bill

[Chena]

Two comments: First, although it may be heresy to say it, reflex sights are making sight radius irrelevant. Second, I have a .44 Bisley that started life as a 5 1/4” stainless SBH. After replacing the Bisley hammer and trigger with the original SBH style and trying two different custom grips it still beats up the knuckle of my index finger. Love the gun so I just tape the knuckle, grin and bear it. It carries beautifully in an old Lawrence Keith holster with a heavy carpenter’s belt.

[Texas by God]

One of my best ever shots involved a Stainless 10.5” Super Blackhawk ( the heavy barreled version). My late friend had one long ago.
We were out west at my uncles place south of Muleshoe, Texas trying to eliminate all the prairie dogs with our 22-250s.(we never did[emoji16]).
We had gone into town for lunch and as we returned we drove by some cotton farming equipment. On the other side was a small group of pd’s that were building a new town.
One of them was standing in the sun looking fat and sassy. Lance handed me his .44 and from the comfortable drivers seat of my 1976 LTD- I made the shot.
Jabba the Hut flew up in the air about a foot and fell. We hooted and hollered and stepped it off- 160 yards!
Good times.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[murf205]

I owned several Ruger Black Hawks but my son bought a 44 Bisley and had the late Jon Gallagher work his magic on it. The Bisley frame is an absolute joy to shoot IMHO. If you can, I would try to find one to try before you decide.

[Mauser48]

Well I ended up winning a 1984 stainless redhawk 7.5" barrel new in box! After shooting my gp100 and blackhawk last weekend I realized while I like both, I really prefer the double action grips for a main shooter. Looking forward to it!