OM .30 Blackhawk, Worth Buying?

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SBHRSSSSS

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I have an OM .30 Carbine Blackhawk, a shooter, and so, not a caliber I need to collect. But, I have an opportunity for another, in much better condition. Wondering if its worth considering?
If I bought the better one; could I use the "shooter" as the basis for;
Short Barrel .30 Carbine
7 1/2" .357
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.44/40
.45 Colt
Other...?
 
Take a look at Gunbroker and see what the market for one is. They always draw a lot if bids. I picked one up last year in excellent condition for over $800. I had Ruger do the safety conversion but have all the old parts if/when I sell it so whoever buys it can convert it back to its original configuration.
 
SBHRSSSSS said:
I have an OM .30 Carbine Blackhawk, a shooter, and so, not a caliber I need to collect. But, I have an opportunity for another, in much better condition. Wondering if its worth considering?
If I bought the better one; could I use the "shooter" as the basis for;
Short Barrel .30 Carbine
7 1/2" .357
.44 Magnum
.44 Special
.44/40
.45 Colt
Other...?
Click to expand...
Here is my humble opinion. First, you have to decide what do you want to do with this revolver:

1. Use it sporadically; for handgun hunting, hiking, going on the range from time to time, cowboy shooting, etc. In that case, I would go with 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 44/40, 38/40 or 45 Colt

2. Regularly go on the range, and shoot it extensively; Convert it to 357 Magnum. Easy on hands and wallet.

3. Regularly go on the range, and shoot it extensively, this includes silhouette shooting, plus handgun hunting and hiking; 41 Magnum. If you want some heavy loads, Bisley configuration has the edge for most shooters. However, before making final decision, I would try side by side 44 Magnum, full factory loaded ammo, from Bisley and Super Blackhawk, and decide which one is better for you. I mentioned "44 Magnum, full factory loaded ammo" because you will use same ammo in both revolvers, and I doubt that anybody will allow you to shoot yours or somebody else reloads from his revolver. NOTE: standard Super Blackhawk with 7.5" barrel has a grip with square triggerguard and is long as Bisley one. As for Super Blackhawks with 5.5" barrel and shorter, with round trigger guard, I am not sure what kind of grip they have. Hope more knowledgeable members will chime in and provide more info.

frames-all-jpg.104602
 
veeman said:
Why on earth would one convert it to a caliber that there has been millions of made?
Click to expand...
The most cost effective way to get custom made revolver, from 357 Magnum to 45 Colt. As a matter of fact, 357 Magnum could be converted into 44 Special, and 44 magnum into 45 Colt. But converting 357 Magnum into 41 Magnum or 44 Magnum will result in shorter cylinder than standard. Same problem if converting 41 magnum into 44 magnum or 45 Colt.

NOTE: I was witness when cylinder from 30 Carbine, 3 screw model, was swapped with cylinder from 44 Magnum Flattop. Scary thing is that it was perfect fit on both revolvers, they cycled normally, gap was fine on both.

One thing you have right, I would leave that OM BH 30 Carbine as is, assuming that cylinder and barrel are fine. If surface finish is so-so, the only thing I will do is to refinish it.
 
Have three m1 Carbines so ammo is not an issue. My New Model shoots great (loud) but would like to find an Old Model to go with all my other Old Models. Speaking about converting a .357 to .45 Colt here is an example of one my dad had made years ago in Tucson, AZ.
DSC01296.JPG
 
Both of these started life as 357s and were converted to 45 Colt with new barrels and bored cylinder. At the time these were converted all Ruger 45 Colts were on the large frame and I wanted the Mid size frame. No I don't shoot Ruger 45 Colt only loads in them. I have Ruger 44mag for stout loads.






1668019409543.png

3 Screw 30 Carbine with friend.
1668019804724.png
 
Ha, ha, needsmostuff, having limited funds, I am selective in my purchases! Betwwen 3 Screws, 1911's and ... well tough choices are made now and again.
 
Simply put, there is nothing like shooting a 30 carbine round out of a handgun, especially at dusk! I have both an early (1968) 2 digit Ruger 30 carbine and an AutoMag III semi-auto 30 carbine. Ive only shot the AutoMag III as the Ruger appears unfired and all orig w/all boxes incl shipping box. Find a nice 30 carbine handgun and have fun!
 
900ss0_0 said:
Simply put, there is nothing like shooting a 30 carbine round out of a handgun, especially at dusk! I have both an early (1968) 2 digit Ruger 30 carbine and an AutoMag III semi-auto 30 carbine. Ive only shot the AutoMag III as the Ruger appears unfired and all orig w/all boxes incl shipping box. Find a nice 30 carbine handgun and have fun!
Click to expand...
Correction, Ruger was a very low three digit, not a two digit., 1XX
 
SBHRSSSSS said:
Sure was clean! Didn't buy it... turned out to be a New Model.
Click to expand...

I say get both, shoot both! :)

E3EC50A9-33D2-4293-AD9B-77713C66014B.jpeg


Of course the .30 Carbine has always been one of my favorites, and when ammo was cheap and plentiful, I used mine like most folks do a .22 ;).

A9CEF2E8-FFD8-4F89-A96C-603FA0B8D581.jpeg


Unfortunately ammo is not like it use to be, and my stash has been slowly shrinking over the years. With the new 30 Carbines that are hitting the market, and needing to feed them, I was hoping the ammo would make a comeback. While I know it will never be like the old surplus days, it sure would be nice to walk in a store and buy box on demand.
 
arcticruger said:
I say get both, shoot both! :)

View attachment 11123

Of course the .30 Carbine has always been one of my favorites, and when ammo was cheap and plentiful, I used mine like most folks do a .22 ;).

View attachment 11124

Unfortunately ammo is not like it use to be, and my stash has been slowly shrinking over the years. With the new 30 Carbines that are hitting the market, and needing to feed them, I was hoping the ammo would make a comeback. While I know it will never be like the old surplus days, it sure would be nice to walk in a store and buy box on demand.
Click to expand...
Ammo is available online with prices all over the place (non cheap) from .63 to over $2.00 per round. Delivery charges just adds to the price. Hoping to catch some Black Friday type sales to stock up on this and other calibers. My IAI is picky with ammo and likes PPU the best so I pretty much stay with that for it and my converted OM Blackhawk.
 
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