A new addition and my first experience with a revolver.

[carpediem]

New to our stable, a 1960s ish Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Magnum. Never have fired a revolver. Thinking I should not mess with .38 first and just go right for the full power load. Never did like the way these felt in my hand though. Recoil will probably make the .45ACP seem like a toy. Looking forward to shooting it hopefully soon.

 

[Podmonkey]

You might be suprised, that Ruger is a pretty substantial gun it will go a long way toward taming the .357. In fact I find that out of a heavy frame revolver the .357 is quite tolerable even with full house loads. Now out of a little snubbie they are brutal!

 

[carpediem]

You might be suprised, that Ruger is a pretty substantial gun it will go a long way toward taming the .357. In fact I find that out of a heavy frame revolver the .357 is quite tolerable even with full house loads. Now out of a little snubbie they are brutal!

It is indeed a good solid chunk of steel! For years I was all about the autos, but this one has given me pause to think that I may have been wrong. Still feels funny in my hand though.

 

[Podmonkey]

That style of grip is known for easing the recoil of powerful rounds, the rounded upper back strap won't dig into your hand like the squared off grip of a double action revolver would. I don't currently own one but I will rectify that in the future. Nothing feels quite so manly as firing a wheelgun!

 

[Phauxtoe]

How is the Trigger, Ruger Triggers can be harsh!
(I love Rugers, but facts are facts)

 

[carpediem]

How is the Trigger, Ruger Triggers can be harsh!
(I love Rugers, but facts are facts)

I haven't fired it, but fooling around with it, it seems ok. It is down to bare metal on the ejector housing from holster wear. Debating if it should be fixed or left as is.

That style of grip is known for easing the recoil of powerful rounds, the rounded upper back strap won't dig into your hand like the squared off grip of a double action revolver would. I don't currently own one but I will rectify that in the future. Nothing feels quite so manly as firing a wheelgun!

Hopefully the grips work as intended! It feels like it would jump in my hand. I am way too used to the 1911 and other auto style grip angle.

 

[GOPerfect]

Very nice gun to add to the collection!

 

[Greywolf224]

Good looking gun. Looked around for one for a long while but never came across anything that peaked my interest so I picked up a RugerSP101 .357 instead.
You can easily handle a 357. That frame will soften the recoil. I prefer revolvers over auto's any day.

 

[carpediem]

Very nice gun to add to the collection!

Thanks!

Good looking gun. Looked around for one for a long while but never came across anything that peaked my interest so I picked up a RugerSP101 .357 instead.
You can easily handle a 357. That frame will soften the recoil. I prefer revolvers over auto's any day.

Thanks! She's an oldie but I like it. I am looking forward to trying it out. I may develop a new interest in revolvers!

 

[Deplorable Me]

Sharp looking Ruger, sweet grips.

Nice mass, long barrel for counterweight, you'll be fine with recoil.

I see a lot of 110 gr .357 jacketed ammo on the cheap at WallyWorld, that would be a low recoil .357 round before you start feeding it 158 gr jacketed ammo. .38s if you want real low recoil.

 

[NirvanaFan]

Nice looking gun. You'll be fine with the recoil. It's going to be a little harsh, but it will be fine. I've had very petite women shoot full power loads out of my 44 mag. I've only had one person that said it was too much and they didn't want to do it again. I've got some hot hunting loads for it. Now, those have a pretty good snap to them.

 

[Catskillkid]

I have a Ruger Vaquero Bisely in .357 Mag. Handles .357 loads no problem. Hardly will feel it. Now the S&W J-Frame on the other hand...yeah you may not want to mess with that .357 Mag load in that little guy.

 

[Cooolone]

I've been looking at Anaconda's, Python's and Dan Wesson wheel guns... .44mag, .44 Super... Just not Found anything I'd bite and most ppl are clearly out of their minds as to value. But they still sell at those ridiculous prices. Lol, so I guess I'm wrong. I shoot my guns, not going to buy a safe Queen...

 

[HEX]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this but @carpediem , and perhaps you already know this, but it's extremely important to be aware that 1960s Blackhawk does not have the transfer bar that was later added onto the New Model Blackhawk in 1973.

It is NOT SAFE to be carried (or even stored) with a lowered hammer on a live round. Leave the hammer down only on an empty chamber or expended cartridge because otherwise one good bump on the hammer and you'll have a boom you didn't want.

 

[Greywolf224]

Hex you are correct and it MUST be carried that way. A simple slap on the hammer will cause a cartridge to discharge.

 

[kgun12]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this but @carpediem , and perhaps you already know this, but it's extremely important to be aware that 1960s Blackhawk does not have the transfer bar that was later added onto the New Model Blackhawk in 1973.

It is NOT SAFE to be carried (or even stored) with a lowered hammer on a live round. Leave the hammer down only on an empty chamber or expended cartridge because otherwise one good bump on the hammer and you'll have a boom you didn't want.

Get advice HEX!!!

 

[carpediem]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this but @carpediem , and perhaps you already know this, but it's extremely important to be aware that 1960s Blackhawk does not have the transfer bar that was later added onto the New Model Blackhawk in 1973.

It is NOT SAFE to be carried (or even stored) with a lowered hammer on a live round. Leave the hammer down only on an empty chamber or expended cartridge because otherwise one good bump on the hammer and you'll have a boom you didn't want.

Thanks Hex! I did know about the transfer bar. This gun won't see much beyond some target shooting. Going to be mostly a safe queen. It won't be stored loaded. I do like it though. Might look at getting a newer "two screw" with a transfer bar for use hunting etc.. Thanks guys for all the comments. Almost took it out to shoot it today, but got sidetracked.

 

[HEX]

Ah good. I figured you might well already have been aware, but better than safe than sorry. Someone else down the road might get some use out the info too, and save themselves or someone else from injury, so it's always worth saying stuff like that.

 

[carpediem]

Ah good. I figured you might well already have been aware, but better than safe than sorry. Someone else down the road might get some use out the info too, and save themselves or someone else from injury, so it's always worth saying stuff like that.

Very true!

 

[NYLifter]

My GP100 .357 has a lot less kick than my Glock 9mm . Now my LCR 357 has a bite.....