Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal

Doc Smiley · 03-04-2010, 02:53 AM

Hey guys. I just picked up a beautiful ruger .357 cal for $400. Tell me what you all think! What its worth would be nice to know as well.

Artemus · 03-04-2010, 07:04 AM

Those pics are not the best.I think I would have been happier spending $300 on the Ruger and putting the other $100 towards a better camera.

Double D · 03-04-2010, 10:59 AM

Hey there Doc. Welcome to the forum. I love a ruger blackhawk. Problem is I sell those new for 437.00 plus tax. You wont go wrong with that gun, but, I probably would have been comfortable paying 275.00-300.00.

doug66 · 03-04-2010, 08:37 PM

Welcome aboard, Doc. You didn't steal it, but you have yourself a nice revolver. $400 may be a bargain in the not so distant future. Let us know how that Ruger shoots.

old semperfi · 03-04-2010, 08:46 PM

i would not buy another gun from that bandit.i know ruger is a very good firearm and the gun you purchased is a good gun.i live in souther indiana and you can buy them all day for 250-325.00 sorry,i hope he wasnt a friend.i do hope you enjoy your new purchase old semperfi

todd51 · 03-04-2010, 08:49 PM

Welcome Doc, I think you will enjoy it here and learn a lot like I have. Looked at some of the auction sights and there are a bunch of Blackhawks offered in that $400 price range so don't sweat it. If you like it that is all that matters. I always buy high and sell low.

Todd

fleetwood1976 · 03-04-2010, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old semperfi

i would not buy another gun from that bandit.i know ruger is a very good firearm and the gun you purchased is a good gun.i live in souther indiana and you can buy them all day for 250-325.00 sorry,i hope he wasnt a friend.i do hope you enjoy your new purchase old semperfi

I live in southern indiana and I would like just one for $300. I have yet to find one close to that. Jake and buck's had one for $270 but it looked like a trot line weight. The one pictured is a 3 screw and they are untouchable at $300. I don't want to spend more than $300 on a decent one but I can not find one.

Doc Smiley · 03-05-2010, 12:46 AM

haha yeah he is my friend. Ive been looking at websites and every ruger 357 cal ive found was over 400 bucks...so i think i got a good deal. The gun is amazing, i love it. I have a question (new to revolvers)..I am shooting .38 special ammo out of it at the moment. My friend specially told me to buy 38 special ammo or .357 ammo..and do not buy or shoot .357 magnum ammo...Why is that? I went to my local gun store and can only find 357 magnum ammo or 357 sig ammo...cant find just plain .357 cal/ Thanks for the help guys.

Doc Smiley · 03-05-2010, 12:51 AM

Another question I have is what is the difference between a 3 screw (thats what my gun is) or a 2 screw? Thank you guys for the help!

Suicide*Ride · 03-05-2010, 03:46 AM

Hi Doc! Welcome to the forum.

While you didn't steal your Blackhawk, you didn't get taken either.

If you look @ the area between the trigger & the hammer, you'll notice that on your revolver there's three (3) screws. The New Models only have two (2) & they're not screws - they're pins. (look @ the last picture below)

Ruger added a safety transfer bar to all of their revolvers after 1972 so that the revolver could be carried (safely) w/ all 6 chambers loaded. One of the main reasons 3-screw Ruger firearms are considered more valueable is that the older lockwork had/has a better feel to the trigger.

That & the fact that Ruger did a recall on the older 3-screws models & @ no charge; swapped out the hammer assy. w/ the new model version for safety's sake. Most Ruger purists feel that by doing that, it ruined the quality feel of the trigger pull. The 3-screw parts that were removed, were returned along w/ the firearm and were usually lost when the firearm changed owners.

Btw; Doc - does your Ruger click 4 times when you pull the hammer all the way back? If it does, it's not been converted.

There's a Ruger collector's forum that you should check out. You can learn alot about Rugers there.

SR

Doc Smiley · 03-05-2010, 05:05 AM

Thanks for the information, this is all really helpful. I pulled the hammer back and it does indeed click 4 times. So does this mean I can only shoot 38 special out of it?

Suicide*Ride · 03-05-2010, 06:02 AM

38SPL or .357Mag - either will work just fine. Most folks target practice w/ 38spl cuz it's cheaper & easier on the hand/wrist.

SR

pinecone70 · 03-05-2010, 06:35 AM

My Ruger does really well with .38SP, and .357 Magnum is painful for me (it also causes the plastic grips to acquire a cheese grater effect after about 50 rounds!)

fleetwood1976 · 03-05-2010, 07:56 AM

I think you paid the going rate, Like I said, I want to only spend $300 on one and that is impossible.

rice paddy daddy · 03-17-2010, 11:08 AM

I'm a Ruger fan also, Single Six, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, all New Models. So when I saw a 357 Flat Top with 6 and a half inch barrel in a local pawn shop for $300 I snapped it up. Only slight surface rust on the ejector tube and some aftermarket grips. Did I do OK?

Alpo · 03-17-2010, 11:40 AM

A flattop for three bills? Okay

You did splendidly.

Old Grump · 03-17-2010, 02:42 PM

I traded a 38 super for one then I traded that for a horse many many moons ago. Horse is dead now and so is the guy that got my 357 so I need another. I'll make you a deal, you sell me that gun for $300 and throw in a case of ammunition, 38's or 357, doesn't make a difference and I promise not to tell anybody.

Wish I had kept the 38 super too. I can't think of a gun I parted with except for two that I didn't want back.

If it shoots good and you are happy with it you did good.

Danjet500 · 03-17-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Smiley

Another question I have is what is the difference between a 3 screw (thats what my gun is) or a 2 screw? Thank you guys for the help!

Doc, if this gun has indeed not been converted, you must be made aware of the proper way to load and carry this firearm. You should always carry the gun with an empty chamber under the hammer and only cock it when you are ready to fire.
This is the procedure for loading an unconverted Old Model Ruger;
1. Pull hammer to half cock.
2. Open loading gate.
3. Load one chamber, skip one chamber and load the remaining four chambers. Close loading gate.
4. Pull hammer to full cock, hold hammer and pull trigger and slowly lower the hammer on the empty chamber.

Hope this helps.

rocklinskier · 03-18-2010, 08:36 AM

Doc,
Sent you a pm.

03-04-2010, 02:53 AM	#1
Doc Smiley Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4	Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Hey guys. I just picked up a beautiful ruger .357 cal for $400. Tell me what you all think! What its worth would be nice to know as well. Attached Images -->

03-04-2010, 07:04 AM	#2
Artemus V.I.P. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Mass. Posts: 358	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Those pics are not the best.I think I would have been happier spending $300 on the Ruger and putting the other $100 towards a better camera.

03-04-2010, 10:59 AM	#3
Double D TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: North Florida Contributor Posts: 8,054	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Hey there Doc. Welcome to the forum. I love a ruger blackhawk. Problem is I sell those new for 437.00 plus tax. You wont go wrong with that gun, but, I probably would have been comfortable paying 275.00-300.00. __________________ I own a bunch of scary guns. You want em? Come and take em..... Liberalism is a serious, non curable, mental disorder... NRA LIFE MEMBER Oath Keepers Member NRA Certified Instructor 30 Yr CC permit holder.

03-04-2010, 08:37 PM	#4
doug66 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 538	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Welcome aboard, Doc. You didn't steal it, but you have yourself a nice revolver. $400 may be a bargain in the not so distant future. Let us know how that Ruger shoots.

03-04-2010, 08:46 PM	#5
old semperfi Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: i live in southern indiana,old country boy at heart Posts: 1,506	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal i would not buy another gun from that bandit.i know ruger is a very good firearm and the gun you purchased is a good gun.i live in souther indiana and you can buy them all day for 250-325.00 sorry,i hope he wasnt a friend.i do hope you enjoy your new purchase old semperfi

03-04-2010, 08:49 PM	#6
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,570	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Welcome Doc, I think you will enjoy it here and learn a lot like I have. Looked at some of the auction sights and there are a bunch of Blackhawks offered in that $400 price range so don't sweat it. If you like it that is all that matters. I always buy high and sell low. Todd __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member

03-05-2010, 12:46 AM	#8
Doc Smiley Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal haha yeah he is my friend. Ive been looking at websites and every ruger 357 cal ive found was over 400 bucks...so i think i got a good deal. The gun is amazing, i love it. I have a question (new to revolvers)..I am shooting .38 special ammo out of it at the moment. My friend specially told me to buy 38 special ammo or .357 ammo..and do not buy or shoot .357 magnum ammo...Why is that? I went to my local gun store and can only find 357 magnum ammo or 357 sig ammo...cant find just plain .357 cal/ Thanks for the help guys.

03-05-2010, 12:51 AM	#9
Doc Smiley Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Another question I have is what is the difference between a 3 screw (thats what my gun is) or a 2 screw? Thank you guys for the help!

03-05-2010, 03:46 AM	#10
Suicide*Ride Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Golden, Colorado Posts: 1,340	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Hi Doc! Welcome to the forum. While you didn't steal your Blackhawk, you didn't get taken either. If you look @ the area between the trigger & the hammer, you'll notice that on your revolver there's three (3) screws. The New Models only have two (2) & they're not screws - they're pins. (look @ the last picture below) Ruger added a safety transfer bar to all of their revolvers after 1972 so that the revolver could be carried (safely) w/ all 6 chambers loaded. One of the main reasons 3-screw Ruger firearms are considered more valueable is that the older lockwork had/has a better *feel* to the trigger. That & the fact that Ruger did a recall on the older 3-screws models & @ no charge; swapped out the hammer assy. w/ the new model version for safety's sake. Most Ruger purists feel that by doing that, it ruined the quality feel of the trigger pull. The 3-screw parts that were removed, were returned along w/ the firearm and were usually lost when the firearm changed owners. Btw; Doc - does your Ruger click 4 times when you pull the hammer all the way back? If it does, it's not been converted. There's a Ruger collector's forum that you should check out. You can learn alot about Rugers there. SR Attached Images __________________ "The price of FREEDOM can be seen here" ******(the sign outside every VA hospital)****** In an emergency, people don't rise to the occasion, but are reduced to their level of training. When something is trying to eat you, it is hard to get off a good shot! "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Twain Last edited by SuicideRide; 03-05-2010 at 04:00 AM.. Reason: Ima Dumas*

03-05-2010, 05:05 AM	#11
Doc Smiley Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 4	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Thanks for the information, this is all really helpful. I pulled the hammer back and it does indeed click 4 times. So does this mean I can only shoot 38 special out of it?

03-05-2010, 06:02 AM	#12
Suicide*Ride Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Golden, Colorado Posts: 1,340	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal 38SPL or .357Mag - either will work just fine. Most folks target practice w/ 38spl cuz it's cheaper & easier on the hand/wrist. SR __________________ "The price of FREEDOM can be seen here" ******(the sign outside every VA hospital)****** In an emergency, people don't rise to the occasion, but are reduced to their level of training. When something is trying to eat you, it is hard to get off a good shot! "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Twain

03-05-2010, 06:35 AM	#13
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal My Ruger does really well with .38SP, and .357 Magnum is painful for me (it also causes the plastic grips to acquire a cheese grater effect after about 50 rounds!) __________________ _____________________________________________ "Miss Scarlet, in the library...with a revolver...."

03-05-2010, 07:56 AM	#14
fleetwood1976 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Contributor Posts: 1,333	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal I think you paid the going rate, Like I said, I want to only spend $300 on one and that is impossible.

03-17-2010, 11:08 AM	#15
rice paddy daddy Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: on a dirt road in NE Florida Posts: 43	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal I'm a Ruger fan also, Single Six, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, all New Models. So when I saw a 357 Flat Top with 6 and a half inch barrel in a local pawn shop for $300 I snapped it up. Only slight surface rust on the ejector tube and some aftermarket grips. Did I do OK?

03-17-2010, 11:40 AM	#16
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,647	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal A flattop for three bills? Okay You did splendidly. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

03-17-2010, 02:42 PM	#17
Old Grump Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Little hut in the woods near Blue River Wisconsin Posts: 2,285	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal I traded a 38 super for one then I traded that for a horse many many moons ago. Horse is dead now and so is the guy that got my 357 so I need another. I'll make you a deal, you sell me that gun for $300 and throw in a case of ammunition, 38's or 357, doesn't make a difference and I promise not to tell anybody. Wish I had kept the 38 super too. I can't think of a gun I parted with except for two that I didn't want back. If it shoots good and you are happy with it you did good. __________________ "When once a republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil."~~- Thomas Jefferson Roman Catholic, Life Member of American Legion, VFW, Wisconsin Libertarian party, Wi-FORCE, WGO, NRA, JPFO, GOA, SAFand CCRKBA

03-18-2010, 08:36 AM	#19
rocklinskier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 295	Re: Ruger BlackHawk .357 Cal Doc, Sent you a pm. __________________ Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free ~Ronald Reagan.