Old Ruger Blackhawk

[LloydXmas250]

I'm looking to get my stepfather a holster for his Blackhawk. He's a huge John Wayne fan and his favorite movie is True Grit so I was going to get him the Rooster Cogburn holster. Only problem is picking the right size holster. He says his Blackhawk is 7 1/2" and chambered in .357. Only issue is when I go to double check that, Ruger doesn't make a .357 Blackhawk in 7 1/2" (at least they don't list it).



He bought this Blackhawk used and it's an older one. Does anyone know if they made one with a 7 1/2" barrel? I don't have access to the gun to measure it and I don't want to ask him to measure it because I don't want him figuring out the gift but I'm not sure he's got the right barrel length. If anyone has any insight I'd appreciate it.

[billybob_jcv]

There are many variants of the Blackhawk - the first question is whether the side of the frame is stamped "Ruger .357 Cal Blackhawk" or "Ruger 357 Magnum Cal New Model Blackhawk"

[billybob_jcv]

BTW - It could be a Bisley:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=257038269

Or maybe it is a Super Blackhawk?

http://www.championfirearms.com/Ruger-Super-Blackhawk-7-5-Stainless-p/0804.htm

[LloydXmas250]

Hmmm. He's not the most knowledgable when it comes to models. All I've gotten from him is that it's a Blackhawk. I know it's old and .357. I'll see if I can't get him to figure it out without asking him outright. He's pretty good with measurements so I should trust him but I never saw a Blackhawk .357 w/ 7 1/2" barrel until you found those.

One possible identifier is that he said this model is old enough to not have that safety that allows you to carry all the rounds. He has to leave a chamber empty or he could have an AD if the hammer is bumped.

[WDE91]

Dont just guess

Do a Dad and son range day and confirm it
That way you are buying the correct holster

[billybob_jcv]

OK - that sounds like an old model Blackhawk. Some good pictures would help a lot - and so would simply having him read off all the writing stamped on the frame and barrel.

FYI - the old model blackhawk has 3 screws on the frame. The new model has 2 screws and is specifically stamped "New Model Blackhawk" on the frame.

I take it you aren't close enough to him to just go there and have a look at it?

[billybob_jcv]

Another question: Does it have a fluted cylinder?

[1JimMarch]

Well here's the issue. Prior to 1973 you had the "old model" series with a frame size similar to a Colt SAA. From '73 forward the 357 Blackhawks were built on the same large frame size as the 44Mag SuperBlackhawk (and will fit in a Super's holster).

The frame sizes are different enough that you need to know.

ALSO: a lot of the 357 variants were made with a 6.5" barrel. So check and see if that's what you're dealing with.

You can ID Old Model versus New by the number of "screws" in the frame (running cross-wise). There'll be the one the hammer pivots on, that will be obvious. Old Model means "three screw", New Model means two.

Here's an Old Model:



New Model:



There IS such thing as a 357 New Model mid-size-frame, but it was a limited-production gun from 2005 and only had a 4.68" barrel. So in your case, once you confirm the number of "screws", you'll know the frame size. You then measure the barrel from the front of the cylinder forward - and I think you're likely to find it's a 6.5". Once you know that, any holstersmith who deals with Rugers will be able to cope.

[LloydXmas250]

Thanks guys. Yeah. I'm currently out of state attending an academy so it's not going to be easy to get eyes on it. I thought he did mention that it had 3 screws on the frame. I may just have to ask to measure it. I guess if he finds out it won't be a huge deal. He won't know what kind of a holster I'm getting him.

[Neptune]

He can send that gun to Ruger and they will upgrade the gun to have the transfer bar safety. They will install the upgrades free of charge and really clean it up. They don't change the gun at all, they just install the conversion kit, and return the old parts to you if you want to keep it as a collector piece. Ruger has awesome customer service and they do this largely because of liability concerns.

The conversion might knock a few bucks off collector's status, but those pieces aren't really high dollar collectables, there were a lot made and they are more valuable as shooters, in fact the new ones sell for more than the original 3 screw models.

The upgraded transfer bar safety will allow you to carry a loaded round in the chamber without having to worry about it going off if the gun is dropped. It's a much safer system, and it's nice to have a full house ready to go.

Check out this PDF, it details the Ruger policy/offer on these things.

http://www.ruger.com/pdf/safetyOfferAd.pdf

..

[LloydXmas250]

He can send that gun to Ruger and they will upgrade the gun to have the transfer bar safety. They will install the upgrades free of charge and really clean it up. They don't change the gun at all, they just install the conversion kit, and return the old parts to you if you want to keep it as a collector piece. Ruger has awesome customer service and they do this largely because of liability concerns.

The conversion might knock a few bucks off collector's status, but those pieces aren't really high dollar collectables, there were a lot made and they are more valuable as shooters, in fact the new ones sell for more than the original 3 screw models.

The upgraded transfer bar safety will allow you to carry a loaded round in the chamber without having to worry about it going off if the gun is dropped. It's a much safer system, and it's nice to have a full house ready to go.

Check out this PDF, it details the Ruger policy/offer on these things.

http://www.ruger.com/pdf/safetyOfferAd.pdf

..

Thanks for the tip. I think he knows about sending it in. He mentioned he might do that. He's not one to care about value so he'll probably eventually send it in. Thanks again.

[LloydXmas250]

Hey everyone. Just wanted to let everyone know I got the info. I got my mom, who's not a huge gun person so I'm surprised she did it, to measure it when he was gone. It's 6 1/2" like I thought. I guess when he measured or eyeballed it he included the cylinder. Anyway she measured it and sent me a pic. It's the old 3 screw kind. Thanks again for everyone's help. Much appreciated.

[billybob_jcv]

Cool - now you're all set to buy that triple-K holster!

[LloydXmas250]

Yeah. I'm sure he'll like it a lot. Hope that holster is as nice as it looks in the photo. Thanks again.