decisions decisions...which Ruger single action?..

[trashman]

So I'm thinking about picking up a Ruger single-action for plinking and general target shooting. I'm trying to keep my collection, uh, "revenue neutral" these days (or at least slow my collection growth) since I have a new baby in the house. In the past I would probably have pulled an Ivanimal and eventually acquired all of them ... but the better part of valor is discretion...

Anyway, a couple have my eye:

1. Ruger Blackhawk convertible 9mm/.357 (4 5/8")
2. Ruger Single-Ten .22 (10-shot!)
3. Ruger Super Blackhawk (4 5/8") unfluted cylinder
4. Ruger Blackhawk in .327 magnum (8-shot!)

..they are all roughly around the same price point (~$480-525) except for the Single-Ten, which is $619 at Buds.

WWCGWSSAD*?

--Neill

*What Would CalGunners Who Shoot Single Actions Do?

[451040]

Ruger Single-Six convertable. I like being able to shoot .22 LR and .22 WMR rather than just having the four more .22 LR of the Single-Ten.

[1JimMarch]

OK, first off, read what I posted here:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=449942

Pay particular attention to the part about "under-barrel warning labels" indicating higher quality in the large-frame series (and so far, most of your choices are large-frame such as the eight-shot .32, the 357/9mm convertible and the Supers).

Next...the 357/9mm is a sweet setup. Cheapest to feed and good power. You can also convert the 9mm cylinder to other calibers including 9x23Winchester, 356GNR (which is a 41Mag case necked down to .357 and with as much power as a 357Maximum), or the infamous 357/44Bain&Davis (necked down 44Magnum).

That gun would also be the easiest to convert to gas-eject and magazine feeding. And no, I'm NOT kidding...I've got the gas-eject part working, mag feed setup coming soon (spring-loaded tube mags plugging into the recoil shield just left of the hammer).



Ahem. Yeah. OK, if you want to go all the way to 44Magnum-level horsepower, skip the Super and get the 45LC/45ACP convertible Blackhawk - the standard production run variant, not the flattop. That's also a large-frame and can handle the gnarly 45LC+P loads (some of which equal the very best 44Mags), and can also be shot for fairly cheap in 45ACP.

The 327 8-shooter is a good gun too. You more or less have to reload but even if the cartridge "dies" you won't be screwed. Brass will be available and it takes the same projectiles as the rest of the .32 family (32H&RMag, 32S&WLong, 32S&W, 32ACP). It can also shoot all of those lesser calibers - 32ACP included, oddly enough.

There's also a special run of mid-frame size 45LC/45ACP Blackhawk Flattops, basically the same gun as the 44Spl Blackhawks and the 50th Anniversary 357 Blackhawk Flattop of 2005. This gun is NOT capable of doing 45LC+P ammo!!! And since the grip frame is steel instead of aluminum, it actually weighs more than it's bigger cousin by an ounce or two. I'd rather have the big one myself. http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Lipseys45Flattop.htm

Re: the 10-shot .22: Ruger actually screwed up, I think. They should have done nine-shot, and it would then have been able to take a 22Magnum second cylinder. The .22Mag doesn't get enough love - it's a damned effective round.

You may want to graft in a lower-slung hammer on any of these except the rimfires, either a SuperBlackhawk or even lower Bisley hammer depending on your hand size. SASS legalized the Super-type hammers for main match competition just over a year ago so there was a mad scramble for 'em for a while. Supplies are now picking up; Brownell's and Midway might still show backorder status once in a while but they get filled pretty quick. Bisley hammers are usually easy to come by - they need very minor tweaked to fit a non-Bisley grip frame, but it's not a close-tolerance modification...it's a "grinder or dremel tool" job, one of the VERY FEW such .

Anyways...the lower-slung hammers to fit your hands means you can shoot them properly - strong-side thumbing. Do not go down the dark path of off-side-cocking with two hands, as you'll be screwed shooting one-handed.

[dfletcher]

I'd get the convertible or the SuperBH - leaning toward the Super. I like the 4 5/8" barrel and all that boom in a small package seems fun. I could relaod down too (or buy 44 Specials). In 357/9mm I can reload 357 or buy cheap 9mm if I feel lazy.

The 10 shot 22 doesn't interest me, I've had a 30 Carbine BH and the 327 strikes me as being not too much different.

When in doubt, go for the biggest boom ...

[rogervzv]

The Single Six Hunter is a very cool gun.

The Single Ten looks amazing. I want one.

The classic Single Six with adjustable sights and switchable cylinders is always a terrific choice. It is a blast shooting 22 magnum.

The Single Ten is next on my own list.

[Saigon1965]

Oh Neill - I have to go with window no. 1 -

[ojisan]

#1...most versatile / largest availabilty of cheap ammo.
You might consider the 6.5" barrel for the range and .357Mag use.
The 4.6 barrel is better for drawing from a holster and carry.

[nn3453]

1 or 2. Makes more sense when you have, more, umm, practical things to consider.

Good luck!

[1JimMarch]

OK, add one more thing .

The 45LC and 45ACP are both supposed to be shot through the same spec barrel. Accuracy tends to be good with both.

The 357 needs (duh) a .357 barrel. The 9mm needs a .355, optimally. It'll shoot "OK" through the bigger spec but actual accuracy varies. Some people report "it works OK", others say "meh". (You can of course load 9mm shells with .357-spec bullets.)

When you look at the cost of 45ACP ammo, the 45LC/45ACP convertible ends up being pretty damn practical. The 357/9 will be cheaper to shoot, yeah, but the 45 won't be a ball-breaker - esp. if you reload.

The 45 version of the same gun will weigh less and be more "muzzle light" than a 357 - the latter has more metal in the barrel walls and cylinder.