Most handgunners will own one or more Blackhawks as they represent one of the best dollar values in revolvers. Ever. They are overbuilt, reliable and well made. Used samples can be had at bargain prices.

My personal vow not to acquire any firearms for awhile crumbled when I was offered a Blackhawk 41 Mag, 1977 model, 4 5/8" in trade for an old BMW motorcycle rim that had been cluttering the shop for over a decade. He smiled, I smiled and the trade was made. The gun was thoroughly cleaned, inspected and deemed ready for the range.

I have two other 41 magnums, so, some Pet Loads were brewed for the newest Blackhawk. Shooting it was surprising. The accuracy exceeded my expectations with 10 shot groups @ 25yds measuring between .90" and 1.5", jacketed, and 1.75" to 2.25" cast. Velocities ranged from 1,276 fps with 210 XTPs to 822 fps, cast 215gr. A little sight adjustment allowed me to plink Coke cans (of course I cleaned them up!) regularly at 75 yards and with regularity at 100yds. Now, that may be standard stuff for some of you, but, is better than normal for me.

I really like this revolver. But, that's no surprise. It's a Ruger.

I've been a long time fan of Rugers. The best group I've ever shot with a handgun was accomplished with a Ruger Mk II .22. I've got single and double action revolvers and recently got the new SR9 auto. Sounds like you've got a pretty good shooter there too!

BUT ITS STILL A DAMN RUGER !!!!!!!!!

Sorry guys, but I have a real aversion to handguns called Ruger. Comes from shooting Pistol competition for too many years with a guy who shot a Ruger and told everyone else 15 times every hour how much better they were than anything else ever made.....and of course everything else ever made was absolute rubbish so "why do you choose to shoot a rubbish gun".

Cheers, Vince

Vince, he sounds like a jerk. But how well was he shooting?

Congrats on the new arrival, Handloader! I haven't messed with a .41 of my own for more years than I care to admit but the ones I once had were better shooters than the caliber was given credit to be. I think there is just a bias against .41 calibers.
I agree that Rugers are stout, well made guns with a huge margin of safety (not to be regarded as a recommendation to over-load them) and, with few exceptions, all of the ones I have owned over the years have been accurate.
Good luck and keep us posted as to your progress.

I built my Blackhawk before Ruger came out with the steel grip frame for them. At that time they were only offered in aluminum with the Super Blackhawks having the steel frame with the squared trigger guard....

Had no use for an aluminum frame nor for a squared trigger guard so I ordered a Super Blackhawk frame, cut bent and welded the square out of the trigger guard and added 1/8 inch of dimension to the front of the frame and shaved 1/8 inch from the back...to match the profile of the Black Hawk as the Super was different there as well.....

Had the 7 5/8 inch barrel lopped off to 5 inches, Red Hawk "hunter" sights installed, the trigger worked over, installed a set of pachmeyer grips, loaded up some hot, hot, Hot 250 grain XTP's, made a nice left hip holster from thick cow hide, and have been in .45 Long Colt ++P bliss ever since..........

One of these days I'm gonna buy one of those DAMN RUGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Handloader,
I just picked up a Ruger Blackhawk .41Mag with a 4 5/8" barrel from a shooting buddy last month.
It is the New Model Blackhawk, in perfect shape.
The only thing that I did with it, is sanded and put a dark, hand rubbed finish on the grips.
I came up with some very accurate loads also using 20gr of H110 powder, and 200gr JHP bullets for the range.

Jeff Quinn gave me a great formula for deer, using 210gr Hornady HP/XTP bullets, and I settled on 21.3gr of H110.

Like you, I was surprised at the fine accuracy of this pistol.

Congratulations.

Eric

I have a few Rugers and cosider them utilitarian handguns. They are functional and tough, but not up to the fit and finish of a Smith & Wesson or Colt. I liked Rugers better before the silly transfer bar was installed and ruined a good gun. Just the idle thoughts of an idle fellow. All the best...
Gil

I will take Smith over Ruger also, but I really like the Old West look of the Blackhawk 4 5/8" barrel.

The only thing that I don't care for is that with magnum calibers, your hand slides up on the grips, and you have to readjust for the next shot.

I had a Super Blackhawk .44Mag that I sold because of this, along with the fact it was just too big and long to carry with comfort. The .41Mag pretty much does the same job as the .44Mag, unless you want to shoot 300gr bullets.

Eric

I wouldn't ever buy a (or accept one as a gift) S&W no matter how nice they are. They are back stabbers to their own customers by supporting Anti-Gun causes.

Dimitri

sorry vince but i love my super blackhawk .44 mag ruger
carry it everywhere
should i remind you in a day or so.??? smiling

Sounds like the debate I have with the brother-in-law every time the 357's come out. He shoots one of them "crappy Smith's", and I have one of them "damn Rugers".

Dimitri wrote:

I wouldn't ever buy a (or accept one as a gift) S&W no matter how nice they are. They are back stabbers to their own customers by supporting Anti-Gun causes. Dimitri

Hi Big D

Are you differentiating between the previous British owned S&W and the current ownership, American? Or, is there something that the current ownership has done to which you are referring?

Big D. still thinks that Harry Truman is President of the United States Handloader, if that answers your question to him.

Eric