Ruger Blackhawk Convertible .357/9mm

[Volver]

Hi, I'm pretty sure this will be my next acquisition. I have many revolvers, but this will be my first SAO. I've watched many video reviews. But I have a few questions for anyone who actually owns one...

I will mostly be shooting 9mm thru this gun, and I was wondering what the user experience was with 9mm

1. No moonclips obviously... does the spent 9mm brass ever get stuck in the cylinder? does it ever take more than fingertip pressure on the ejector rod?

2. Point of impact change when switching between 9mm and .38spc? (up/down is ok... left/right is less ok.)

3. Pre transfer bar model vs. transfer bar model? I think I'd prefer an older model, (I'd keep an empty chamber under the hammer if I ever had occasion to carry it.) But in reality, I will prolly end up with a newer stainless version.

4. Grips, what can I say? I like goodyear grips, not a fan of wood, but it seems like due to the design of the handle, wood grips allow a faster grip change to cock the hammer.

5. Generally are the 9mm loads as accurate as the .38 at 15 yards?

6. Stainless vs. blued? will prolly go stainless unless someone has a compelling reason not to.


Thanks for reading!

[Air]

I can't help you too much, but my dad had one back in the day...it's one of the few guns he regrets selling. GREAT PISTOL.

[Vacaville]

I had a .357 Blackhawk for a long time. Great gun. It'll outlive you.

Point of impact shouldn't change from left to right. Expect up and down to be different because it's different ammo. You should expect the point of impact to change anyway when changing bullet weights and velocities with any gun.

Get the New Model with the transfer bar. It in no way affects it negatively and you don't have to mess with leaving a cylinder empty.

Tons of different grips available for Blackhawks.

[paultakeda]

1. No. I have more issues ramming spent .357 casings with the rod seeing as it is longer.
2. I never really fired 9mm at a long enough range to notice a difference. I know that with .38 Special I can hit a 2'x2' steel target at 100 yards (bench rest), though, if that means anything.
3. I'd rather keep the transfer bar model. The Blackhawk is not an SAA purist copy. I'm not even sure a convertible model without a transfer bar exists.
4. As a modernization of the SAA it comes with black plastic grips. Custom grips are available in many materials. I opted for a nice maple burl.
5. Yes.
6. I prefer blued. Stainless can be pretty, but I don't really want something shiny for a revolver designed to be utilitarian (it's not the prettiest SAA) and versatile with its 3 caliber functionality. For pretty I have the Cimarron with its nice case hardened frame.

My NMB .357/9mm, 6.5" bbl (bottom) along with the Cimarron Remington Outlaw (top):

[sfbay]

I have one.

The above comments are straight on.

Also, it's fun to have.

[dfletcher]

Hi, I'm pretty sure this will be my next acquisition. I have many revolvers, but this will be my first SAO. I've watched many video reviews. But I have a few questions for anyone who actually owns one...

I will mostly be shooting 9mm thru this gun, and I was wondering what the user experience was with 9mm

1. No moonclips obviously... does the spent 9mm brass ever get stuck in the cylinder? does it ever take more than fingertip pressure on the ejector rod?

2. Point of impact change when switching between 9mm and .38spc? (up/down is ok... left/right is less ok.)

3. Pre transfer bar model vs. transfer bar model? I think I'd prefer an older model, (I'd keep an empty chamber under the hammer if I ever had occasion to carry it.) But in reality, I will prolly end up with a newer stainless version.

4. Grips, what can I say? I like goodyear grips, not a fan of wood, but it seems like due to the design of the handle, wood grips allow a faster grip change to cock the hammer.

5. Generally are the 9mm loads as accurate as the .38 at 15 yards?

6. Stainless vs. blued? will prolly go stainless unless someone has a compelling reason not to.


Thanks for reading!

I've owned/used the 9mm/357 and 45ACP/Colt convertibles. Accuracy with the 9mm and 45 ACP was poor, sufficiently so that I reloaded 38/357 rather than using the cheaper 9mm. POI was much lower for the 9mm, IIRC.

I don't think Ruger made the old model in stainless. Barrel length would probably be a more important consideration than material.

[penguin0123]

^
Have you tried using .356 or .357 9mm bullets?

[Volver]

Thanks for all the replies. Great info.

paultakada, those are gorgeous, but I actually prefer the chunky look of the Ruger. I was leaning toward the 5.5", but after seeing that, I'll go 6.5"

A few of the vids mentioned a 2" drop in POI with 9mm. I wonder if anyone has ever slugged these barrels.

I don't reload, so I will just continue to use the low velocity 9mm that my local reloader made up for me....

Thanks All!

[dfletcher]

^
Have you tried using .356 or .357 9mm bullets?

No. My reason for having the 9mm was to plink away without having to reload. Sometimes I just want to shoot, not think about reloading.

[paultakeda]

Since 9mm is .355 the bullet will definitely be smaller than the barrel's ID, so I wouldn't expect it to be a tack driver beyond 15 yards. As a short range plinker the 9mm cylinder will do fine. Outdoors with a steel target, you'll enjoy it maybe up to 25 yards? I guess it depends on the size of the target.

.38 Special is also fairly affordable and with that you can definitely have fun plinking away at targets further out.

But let's face it, you will get the best performance from a .357 round.

[jstert]

Ruger Blackhawk Convertible .357/9mm

I have the 4.5" 357/38/9. nothing sticks in the cylinders. I don't enjoy shooting 357 out of any piece, but out of the blackhawk it is the best. 9mm is a very fun cheap date. overall it is an excellent piece. it can address just about every threat in the lower 48. totally un21st century and thus totally cool. my unborn grandkids will enjoy it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jyo]

I've only owned the Ruger "Old Model" 9/357 blued revolver with the 4 3/4" barrel---yeah, you only load five, but I feel the old clockwork has more soul so sorry Ruger, it ain't going back for transfer-bar refit---if I still owned it. During a weak spell, I had a tremendous desire for a Freedom Arms 454 Casull revolver to take to Alaska with me and a few things had to go to raise funds for that 454---still have it...

[Fishslayer]

3. I'd rather keep the transfer bar model. The Blackhawk is not an SAA purist copy. I'm not even sure a convertible model without a transfer bar exists.

I'd been searching for a 3 screw for a long time... until a later model showed up that was too good a deal to pass up.

Not a thing wrong with the 2 screw. I'm a S&W fanboi so naturally the trigger is just "OK." Loading & unloading is a bit of a trick without a positive stop but for a range toy it's no big deal.

I've been very satisfied with my 2 screw Ruger. Now I own 2.

[Ugly Hombre]

SA revolvers are great fun- you will have 3 rounds you can shoot, 9mm 38 special and 357- you can't go wrong with that Black Hawk.

Get a new one- Ruger's are solid but QC can be spotty so check out your thumb buster well before you buy it.

They can do good HD duty you have 6 quick shots with a Black Hawk. Practice and you can get damn fast.

Cowboy action guys shoot SA revolvers damn near as fast as machine pistols.

Can take care of most situations 6 shots probley.

Well... if you are at the little big horn- reloading might be a problem

Stag grips are damn nice- even elk stag would do.