So, how well do Ruger Blackhawks work straight out from the box?

[MICoyote]

How reliable are Blackhawks straight from the box?

Yes, that is the question.

I have been doing my research on these revolvers and keep running into the need to have most single actions taken to a smith for a multitude of reasons. The Italian ones more then the Ruger's, but enough seem to have problems with the new ones.

Finding a used one in area is a no-go. The LGS around here charge more for used then new.

Now, I know that SASS types love to fool around make their guns faster to shoot, but I'm not interested in that.

I just want it for plinking, hunting, and SD needs.

So, is it a gamble buying a Blackhawk that will end up costing me more $$$ or not? Money is a tight issue for me and I really don't want to spend more than I have to.

Of course, finding a 45LC DA revolver ain't cheap either!

Thanks guys!

[North Country Gal]

First, I'm not telling you to pass on a Ruger. I have had some good ones, but I've had a like number of ones that needed extra work, out of the box and/or a trip back to Ruger to get them right. This is based on my personal experience with over a dozen new production Ruger revolvers in the last seven or so years. Not talking cosmetic issues, here. I'm talking functional and accuracy issues.

To the point, Rugers can be made to shoot, but it's not a brand I would recommend if you're expecting a high degree of certainty in getting a gun, right out of the box, that needs no extra attention. When buying a Ruger, always be prepared to do more to make them shoot. If not, go to a different brand. At the very least, INSPECT any new production Ruger very carefully before you buy.

As for new production Uberti and even Pietta Colt clones, I've had fewer issues than with Rugers. As long as you buy a Uberti clone through Taylor's or Cimarron, you'll have better odds of getting a gun that needs no extra work to shoot. This, again, is based on my personal experience.

[PT7]

My personal experience with my recent Ruger S/A revolver purchase is different...and I am most glad for what I got in this new handgun. I didn't get the Blackhawk model or caliber you mentioned. I have a Vaquero in .357 Magnum, stainless steel with a 4.62" barrel.

Vaquero_BHA_DSCN2393.jpg

New-out-of-the-box (NOOB) I had zero issues with its functioning well. In terms of accuracy, I'm still learning how to improve my shooting with the integral rear sight and front sight. I have no adjusts available with this fixed-sight system, so it's only up to me on getting the POIs in target. That's my choice, of course, and I'm actually enjoying the challenge of working through the elevation at different yardages.

The only issue I had is minor, and is now actually resolving itself. With my NOOB, this was the "dirtiest" handgun I've ever had to clean. There was an overzealous set of hands in action when lubricating the new revolver, and even after several of my mega cleans, there is still some grease oozing from the frame's connecting points. Like I said, no function issues, and I love the way the Vaquero handles and shoots. The grease is slowly but surely "going away." So this cosmetic aspect of a clean-looking stainless revolver is improving. I've had issues with other NOOB firearms, and it is never fun to deal with those, nor to handle any additional expenses. I'm one of the more fortunate I'd say in my NOOB experience with this revolver.

If you do get a Blackhawk, you might have the same good NOOB experience. I sure do hope that would be the case for you. Best as you decide on your choice of revolver.
PT7

[BigAl52]

I own several Rugers. 41 mag, 357, 44 mag, 45 colt convertible with a 45 acp cyl, and a 22 LR convertible with a 22 mag cylinder. What NCG says is right on the money. I was given the 357 by a close friend and I bought the 41 mag used. All the rest were purchased new. My 22 shoots ok and its nothing to brag about in the accuracy dept. But the bore on those is set to accommodate the 22 mag more than the LR. I got lucky on the 41 and the 357 they both shoot excellent and I havent had to do anything to them or the 44 mag come to think of it. But the 45 colt is a bisley 5 inch barrel. I had alot of trouble with leading in the barrel because the cylinder throats were cut to small. This is quite common in Rugers. If you reload and are shooting cast bullets the cylinder throats will need to be evened up. Otherwise when a cast bullet is fired its resized by the throat before entering the forcing cone. This causes a poor seal in the bore and leading. I sent both of my cylinders to a guy who redid them and now the gun shoots very well. Its not really something that is high in cost but it does really improve the accuracy of the gun. As NCG said Ubertis are top notch and I have friends who have them they have been great right out of the box. Al

[Jdl447]

I purchased a new Blackhawk 357 mag about a year ago. I have not experienced any problems with it what so ever.
It has never seen a jacketed bullet only cast. I have shot 4 different styles of cast from it.
125 RFN , 158 tumble lubed SWC , 158 GC SWC, 180 RNFP. Mostly mid range loads but some max also. I have never slugged the cylinders or the bore, all bullets are sized at .358.
Alox lubed or powder coated no leading .
So for what it's worth I am happy with the purchase.

[RanchRoper]

My Cimarron Uberti 1871 has been a real gem right out of the box. Hundreds of rounds thru it and slick action with zero issues. No experience with Ruger but I would buy another Uberti hands down. Its a shooter.

[JEBar]

as one who has used and supported Ruger firearms since the 60's, I'd go with a good 10, 20, or 30 year old Blackhawk before buying a new one ....

[MICoyote]

Oh, that's pretty!

Maybe something different than the traditional Colt SA may be in order.

Off for more research!

[Conax]

In the '70s you could buy Blackhawks for $125 that were very good, reliable and smooth guns right out of the box.
I had a 4" .357 New model and an even older .44 flat top that could shoot groups like a Python.
Then in the early 2000s I bought a stainless, 4" .357 Vaquero. It had a couple tight chambermouths that needed reamed to size.. A bud took care of that job. I got a .480 Redhawk that had to go back to the factory for timing issues.
They fixed it. My brother (a ruger fanatic) said they lost something when old Bill Ruger stopped walking the production floors. He was the quality control in the old days.
I don't know how they're doing right now, but those .44 Hunters sure do catch my eye.

[North Country Gal]

I agree. I think it was a different company when Bill Ruger was running it.

[DAVIDF]

I have two Super Blackhawks that have been great. Although, the older one (from late 90's) seems to have more leading issues but it doesn't seem to effect its accuracy. My newer Bisley Super Blackhawk which is a bit over two years old, has been great. Has there been recent issues with Super Blackhawks or has their quality control been better?

I have even heard employees in gun shops talk about a lower quality control from Ruger lately, I think regarding their single actions. I have not seen it with my sample of one. Nor have I seen it with their other lines. A number of friends have bought various Rugers lately that I have had the pleasure to shoot. All have been very good or excellent. The only issue I have personally seen is one LC9s that had a rear sight dovetail that was so tight the sight could not be moved. Several of us, including a gunsmith attempted to move it with various sight tools. None of us could get it to budge. It has or is being sent back to Ruger.

That brings me to the reason that I would never hesitate to buy a Ruger. Their customer service is excellent and they will take care of issues including replacing worn out guns that are past their useful life.

[BigAl52]

I have two Super Blackhawks that have been great. Although, the older one (from late 90's) seems to have more leading issues but it doesn't seem to effect its accuracy. My newer Bisley Super Blackhawk which is a bit over two years old, has been great. Has there been recent issues with Super Blackhawks or has their quality control been better?

I have even heard employees in gun shops talk about a lower quality control from Ruger lately, I think regarding their single actions. I have not seen it with my sample of one. Nor have I seen it with their other lines. A number of friends have bought various Rugers lately that I have had the pleasure to shoot. All have been very good or excellent. The only issue I have personally seen is one LC9s that had a rear sight dovetail that was so tight the sight could not be moved. Several of us, including a gunsmith attempted to move it with various sight tools. None of us could get it to budge. It has or is being sent back to Ruger.

That brings me to the reason that I would never hesitate to buy a Ruger. Their customer service is excellent and they will take care of issues including replacing worn out guns that are past their useful life.

I bet if you reload and take one of those cast bullets you are shooting and try to pass it thru the throat in a reverse direction it wont go thru. If it doesn't pass thru there with out force then it is probably the reason you are having issues with leading. Al

[DAVIDF]

I have two Super Blackhawks that have been great. Although, the older one (from late 90's) seems to have more leading issues but it doesn't seem to effect its accuracy. My newer Bisley Super Blackhawk which is a bit over two years old, has been great. Has there been recent issues with Super Blackhawks or has their quality control been better?

I have even heard employees in gun shops talk about a lower quality control from Ruger lately, I think regarding their single actions. I have not seen it with my sample of one. Nor have I seen it with their other lines. A number of friends have bought various Rugers lately that I have had the pleasure to shoot. All have been very good or excellent. The only issue I have personally seen is one LC9s that had a rear sight dovetail that was so tight the sight could not be moved. Several of us, including a gunsmith attempted to move it with various sight tools. None of us could get it to budge. It has or is being sent back to Ruger.

That brings me to the reason that I would never hesitate to buy a Ruger. Their customer service is excellent and they will take care of issues including replacing worn out guns that are past their useful life.

I bet if you reload and take one of those cast bullets you are shooting and try to pass it thru the throat in a reverse direction it wont go thru. If it doesn't pass thru there with out force then it is probably the reason you are having issues with leading. Al

Al,

You are correct. It won't go thru either the cylinder of my older Super Blackhawk that leads worse or my 2 year old Super Blackhawk. The newer one leads very little even though the cast is very tight for the cylinder. I get great accuracy with the cast, so if I get a little leading with the newer Super Blackhawk then it matters very little to me. But the older one is much worse. I have not slugged either of the revolver's barrels or cylinders, only my Henry's barrel which is my main concern. The plated bullets I use will slide thru easily, the are sized at .429.

The cast I use currently are sized at .432. However, in the past when I used cast sized at .431 with a harder BHN out of the older Super Blackhawk, the leading was even worse with the same powder charge, primer, and case.

[BigAl52]

I know of a guy in North Carolina who could fix that issue if you so desire. He did mine on my Bisley in 45 Colt and 45acp cylinder. He has done many and does a good job. Al

[DAVIDF]

Hey Al,

Yes, I would like to know. I probably will not keep the older plough share handled Super Blackhawk and probably would not do anything to my newer one since it has been nitrided. But, I will probably replace the older one with another Bisley of some configuration at some time and I would consider having the cylinder done on a new one. Thanks.

[bandit1250]

Back in 1976 I bought Rugers that were roll stamped "Made in 200th year of American Liberty. I had the 357, 41 Magnum, 45 Colt and the 44 Magnum. I also had the Single Six from 1976. I never did buy the 30 Carbine caliber. I no longer have them but they were flawless in the way they worked and had very good accuracy and I wish I still owned them. I got back into Ruger single actions in the mid '90's and later and I had issues with almost all of them and never had the accuracy of the '76 year hand guns. I don't think I would buy another one unless it was a '70's model to mid '80's model.

[BigAl52]

https://www.facebook.com/Cylinderhone-756429174391912/ Here he is on facebook if you have that. If you decide to do it and need help I can probably get an email address from him for you.

[Cowboy Gun Fan]

Although I haven't shot it a whole lot, my 2015 made Vaquero 38/357 is just fine. Only minor problem is that it shoots a little low and I need to file down the sight a little. Other than that, it's been a joy to have.

[DAVIDF]

Thanks Al! I saved the link to his facebook page. I appreciate it.

[Todddanger]

I had an Old Army and a 45 Vaquero. I still have a 1970 Single Six convertible. For what it's worth, my next one will be a 5 1/2 inch stainless Bisley 41 mag. Ive been watching on Gun Broker. I had a Smith Model 57 4 inch that was probable the most accurate hand gun I ever shot. I should have never sold it. I love that round.