My Collection of 4/58" Old Model Blackhawks

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AlleyOop007

Bearcat
Joined
Aug 28, 2011
Messages
9
Location
Near San Antonio, Texas
Top to Bottom: Type 1 .357 Mag "Flattop" Blackhawk, .357 Mag Blackhawk, .41 Mag Blackhawk and .45 LC Blackhawk
 

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32shooter

Blackhawk
Joined
Jul 5, 2012
Messages
933
Location
Ohio
Very nice group of shorties! I would like to have one in .41mag. to go with my Marlin lever gun. Maybe one of these days.
 

BearBiologist

Buckeye
Joined
Dec 4, 2021
Messages
1,974
I've had all of those at different times. All I have left is a long barreled 41 mag and my "shorty" 45 Colt.
 

wproct

Single-Sixer
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
447
Location
Ia
Very nice collection of Ruger revolvers! The 4 5/8 inch barrel length has always been my favorite on single-action revolvers, both from balance and just general cool looking.
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,051
Location
People's Republik of California
I like those!
I prefer 4 5/8" barrels as well. They also shoot consistently better at least for me. Because the sight picture moves around less. The longer barrels accentuate any slight movement while aiming.

I like the short single sixes but with the smaller frame, the 4 5/8" barrel doesn't have the same proportion as the midsize or large frames. So I shorten them a little bit. Just enough so I cut off the ejector housing screw hole and drill and tap the new hole. But for the fixed sight single sixes I found it simpler to set back the barrel, by shortening the barrel on the threaded end. And not have to deal with reattaching the front sight blade.

All my shooters also get steel grip frames with wide triggers:
old and new model single sixes and .32s get New Vaquero XR3 grip frames and larger calibers get XR3 RED grip frames.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 10, 2005
Messages
3,098
Location
Alexandria, LA USA
4 5/8th are my favorite also. I have a mix of old and new model and feel they are the easiest and most balanced to me. My first was a NM 45 colt but several others followed. I like all 4 of yours and agree you need to add a Single Six to round out the group.
 

Hondo44

Hawkeye
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
8,051
Location
People's Republik of California
Shortened .22 Super Single Six
1698100496984.png


Modifications:
Cut the barrel: mathematically 4 7/16" is equal to the proportion of the mid frame with a 4 5/8" barrel. But that would need a cut right thru the ERH screw. So I resorted to 4 1/8".
Also pulled the barrel and turned it ¼ turn so the rollmark is on the side to match the OM Blackhawk FT. This had two more advantages: it keeps the relocated front sight from covering the rollmark and it allowed me to clean up the course machine tool marks on the front face of the frame so typical on OM Rugers. That in turn allowed the extra ¼ turn of the barrel after cutting the barrel from the front end.

New Vaquero XR3 steel grip frame.

Flattopped the frame to match my old model mid frames.

New Model .32s: all steel grip frames.
The bottom two with barrels shortened from the rear and set back. Steel grip frames.
The bottom one with the short .32 Vaquerito size steel grip frame.

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Old model (.357 mid size frame flat top) 4 5/8" converted to 44 Special. Stainless steel grip frame and blue steel ejector rod housing.
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