About three years, ago, after having a terrible run of bad luck with QC issues with new Ruger revolvers, I sold off all our Ruger's in a fit of anger and frustration, save for one lone 10/22, which we kept for sentimental reasons. Really should have kept a couple of the Ruger SAs, which were great shooters and totally problem free, but I was pretty darn upset at the time. Too late to get those particular single action Ruger's back, once I let them go, but the deed was done. I later regretted it, of course. Familiar story, there.
Anyway, after getting back into my single action shooting with all these Italian made Colts, figured it was time to expand a bit on my 45 Colt shooting, maybe finding a single action that had an extra 45 auto cylinder and one that would allow me to shoot those heavy 45 Colt loads should I get the urge or have the need. Yup, maybe find another one of those Ruger Blackhawks like I used to have and just hope that it shot as good as my old one.
Sure enough, happened to stop by our LGS for some more 45 Colt ammo and there was a Ruger Blackhawk 45, just like my old one. Someone had even replaced the original factory black plastic grips with woods grips, just like my old one. Did a thorough inspection and everything checked out. The gun was in great shape, just like my old one. Came with an extra 45 auto cylinder, just like my old one. 4 5/8th inch barrel, too, just like my old one. Price was reasonable, so we bought it.
Got home and checked my old serial number records and, wouldn't you know, it actually WAS my old gun. On the way to the range, the next day, stopped at the LGS and had them check their records. Yup, my old gun. They had sold it to another customer and he had just traded it back, the day before, without ever having shot it for those three years. Go figure. My guy at the LGS got a real chuckle out of the story and wished me luck with my new "old" Ruger.
And here it is.
Got to the range and loaded p some standard 45 Colt loads and went right to work with my usual offhand shooting. Accuracy with the 45 Colt loads was excellent, right from the first shot. Sights needed no adjustment. Right where I had left them.
Swapped the 45 Colt cylinder out for the 45 auto cylinder. Elevation needed a couple of clicks of adjustment, but the 45 auto shot great, even with cheap bulk ammo, just the way I remembered it. Yup, nothing like shooting those big holes in paper at half the rice of factory 45 Colt ammo.
Got home and cleaned it and absolutely no leading of any kind, could barely tell I had shot it, thanks in part to the nice tight cylinder gap and excellent timing, just like my old one. Great trigger, just line my old one. Even fit my old holster just like my old one, all because, of course it IS my old one. This time I will NOT be selling this, my old prodigal Ruger Blackhawk 45 Colt convertible. In fact, I my even give Ruger another chance and get another Ruger SA. I am one lucky cowgirl.
