just brought home this BH serial 30-38xxx Was actually just picking up another gun and saw this thing with 3 screws and might have got a little too quick on the trigger. No box or papers just marked 1970 Blackhawk .357 $550 so I grabbed it. Got home cleaned it up everything seemed solid until looked and saw those little rings inside cylinders and sure enough is 9mm. Does anyone know maybe if this was originally convertible and best place to find a replacement .357 cylinder ? Saw one on GB for $175. Is that fair price.
Did I get taken at LGS ?
- Thread starter gb3
- Start date
I think you did fine. I would have given that for it.
You did great, probably could turn a profit on GunBroker flipping it. $175 is a decent price for the cylinder, they come up on Ebay occasionally as well. Make sure you get one that is for an old model as the fitting is different. Also, there's no guarantee that the timing will be correct. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. You may need the help of a gunsmith to get it timed.
Another option is to send it to Ruger for a new cylinder, but if this doesn't have a transfer bar in it, they will put one in for you. They will send the original parts back, but you have to decide if you want to bother with that.
Finally, you could check with Borchardt Rifle Company, they make after-market cylinders, but last I checked they were so backlogged they were no longer taking orders.
Hope that helps!
Another option is to send it to Ruger for a new cylinder, but if this doesn't have a transfer bar in it, they will put one in for you. They will send the original parts back, but you have to decide if you want to bother with that.
Finally, you could check with Borchardt Rifle Company, they make after-market cylinders, but last I checked they were so backlogged they were no longer taking orders.
Hope that helps!
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Usually ... but I would not risk it. $175 is more than I have ever spent on a cylinder but Blue Bell is $8 per container now. The old model 9mm cylinder is worth more than the .357 cylinder I'd bet. Unsure on Blackhawks, but three-screw Single Sixes have a slightly shorter cylinder than the new model. Might need to brush up on identifying skills.
Hankus
Buckeye
It’s worth every penny for $550, as a shooter if nothing else. eBay is a good resource for cylinders if you’re patient, but $175 is a fair price on GB. Congratulations on your find!
Yes, it would have been a convertible. Ruger never sold single cylinder 9mm Blackhawks and if they had, they would say 9mm instead of .357 on the frame.
That trigger looks like a conversion kit trigger to my eyes. Does it have the transfer bar?
That trigger looks like a conversion kit trigger to my eyes. Does it have the transfer bar?
contender
Ruger Guru
Welcome to the Forum!
First off,,,, GREAT snag.
As a few have mentioned,, it should be a "convertible" model, with a .357 cylinder to go along with it. Once you get a few more posts around this Forum,, you could place a WTB ad for a replacement.
A .357 replacement should actually be in the $125-$150 range. The .9mm brings more. And yes,, you want an "Old Model" cylinder. That gun was built in 1970. The missing cylinder should have the same or slightly longer OAL to where it'll fit your gun. (If a little long,, it can easily be honed down.)
If Ruger builds you a spare cylinder,, it'll cost more than buying a used one in general,, AND yes,, they will do the safety conversion,, IF,, IF,, it hasn't already been done.
Just make sure it's an OM cylinder,, as the difference is in the length of the cylinder boss.
As for timing,, in general,, it'll time right up. But always have it checked FIRST.
First off,,,, GREAT snag.
As a few have mentioned,, it should be a "convertible" model, with a .357 cylinder to go along with it. Once you get a few more posts around this Forum,, you could place a WTB ad for a replacement.
A .357 replacement should actually be in the $125-$150 range. The .9mm brings more. And yes,, you want an "Old Model" cylinder. That gun was built in 1970. The missing cylinder should have the same or slightly longer OAL to where it'll fit your gun. (If a little long,, it can easily be honed down.)
If Ruger builds you a spare cylinder,, it'll cost more than buying a used one in general,, AND yes,, they will do the safety conversion,, IF,, IF,, it hasn't already been done.
Just make sure it's an OM cylinder,, as the difference is in the length of the cylinder boss.
As for timing,, in general,, it'll time right up. But always have it checked FIRST.
needsmostuff
Blackhawk
Ya know, unless you need another .357 revolver for some reason You could just leave it as it is.
Great chance to explore the 9mm in a Blackhawk thing many seem to enjoy.
Try reloading with standard .357 bullets if they fit in the throats.
Also, if the shop sold it as a 357 they might just give you a little "kickback" to keep you happy.
Might go a little ways towards sourcing a cylinder.
Great chance to explore the 9mm in a Blackhawk thing many seem to enjoy.
Try reloading with standard .357 bullets if they fit in the throats.
Also, if the shop sold it as a 357 they might just give you a little "kickback" to keep you happy.
Might go a little ways towards sourcing a cylinder.
ammo dave
Single-Sixer
Ordered a .357 Blackhawk thru the Bx when I was stationed in Canada in the early 70s. It arrived marked as a .357 but when i took it to the Canadian Forces range I discovered it had a 9mm cylinder. I was going to return it but a CF friend gave me a can of CF ammo (940rds) so I just kept it. When I returned to the states I got a .357 cylinder. I still have it. BX price in 1971 was about $75.
BearBiologist
Hunter
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Those faux stag are actually kinda 1950s-60s classic!
Question is "Are YOU satisfied? with the purchase?"
I would shop around after checking cylinder length and get a 357 cylinder "just 'cuz!"
What does the frame say as to caliber?
Question is "Are YOU satisfied? with the purchase?"
I would shop around after checking cylinder length and get a 357 cylinder "just 'cuz!"
What does the frame say as to caliber?
GasGuzzler
Hawkeye
Been there. Done that. Couldn't get it to work. 9mm cases were bulging due to the taper. Biggest trouble I had was bullet tumble.
If you inspected it AFTER you got it home ….. hard to say you got “taken”.
But ….. still think it’s a good deal for the money.
But ….. still think it’s a good deal for the money.
Looks like it has been converted based on the top of the hammer, conversion parts to take it back to the original action will cost about as much as that cylinder you mentioned, I would rather have it the original action in 9MM myself…YMMV.
You saw it. Had the money. Wanted it. Bought it. Congratulations 
Stantheman1986
Single-Sixer
These days it's worth more than that as a 9mm than a .357
I'd have paid $550 knowing it was a 9mm in a heartbeat. I wouldn't even bother trying to fit a .357 cylinder to it, just use it as a plinker.
I'd have paid $550 knowing it was a 9mm in a heartbeat. I wouldn't even bother trying to fit a .357 cylinder to it, just use it as a plinker.
bigbillyboy
Hunter
Good buy 
black1970
Blackhawk
Speaking of cylinders try buying one in stainless for a 22 mag single Six. Found one on a junk table at a gun show a few months ago for 90 bucks. Less than half price. BTW it fell right in, no fitting. Works perfect.
Bigbore5
Blackhawk
Try contacting someone at the larger custom smiths. I've found cylinders for sale from Bowen, Reeder, Linebaugh (Dustin now that we've lost John),JRH, etc.. Fermin Garza has helped me find a couple too and often had what I needed already, plus his sights are awesome.
contender
Ruger Guru
Spare cylinders can be found. You just have to do a bit of hunting & looking.
One day,, between customer stops,, my helper & I stopped for lunch. Across the street was a very small pawn shop. Of course I went in.
This place was so small, it had a total of (3) glass display cases,, and very little room in there for other stuff. Mostly flea market junk.
But, nestled in a corner of one case,, sat (3) Ruger cylinders. (2) were in the box & bags. A .22 Mag, a .9mm, and a .45 acp. All for OM's. I asked,, and was told; "$75 for all 3."
Trying to be cool & calm,, as casually as I could, w/o whipping out my wallet & breaking my arm at the blinding speed I was considering,, I said; "Gee,, I'll take them, and hope they fit something."
My helper was smart enough to not ask any questions until we were back in the truck. When I told him what I'd just found,, he (once again,) threatened to kill me & remove my "golden horseshoe that's located up my ***" for himself.
You just never know.
One day,, between customer stops,, my helper & I stopped for lunch. Across the street was a very small pawn shop. Of course I went in.
This place was so small, it had a total of (3) glass display cases,, and very little room in there for other stuff. Mostly flea market junk.
But, nestled in a corner of one case,, sat (3) Ruger cylinders. (2) were in the box & bags. A .22 Mag, a .9mm, and a .45 acp. All for OM's. I asked,, and was told; "$75 for all 3."
Trying to be cool & calm,, as casually as I could, w/o whipping out my wallet & breaking my arm at the blinding speed I was considering,, I said; "Gee,, I'll take them, and hope they fit something."
My helper was smart enough to not ask any questions until we were back in the truck. When I told him what I'd just found,, he (once again,) threatened to kill me & remove my "golden horseshoe that's located up my ***" for himself.
You just never know.
Bigbore5
Blackhawk
That's a good find. But Tyrone is a lucky devil.
Really? I just miced my flatgate and my new model and both were 1 13/32". I might add that the new model is a magnum cylinder and obviously, the flatgste is lr
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You did just fine with the deal!
The second one on the left with the companion cylinder is my .357/9mm Ruger. Apparently yours is just missing the .357 cylinder. You can contact Ruger and send it in. They will fit a a new cylinder and re-time both cylinders. The stainless one 3rd down is my single six convertable I bought without the .22lr cylinder. Ruger fitted a new cylinder and re-timed both and returned to me. For some reason, I was not charged a penny for it. NOT complaining...lol
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I also purchased a SSS at a show with the .22lr cylinder missing. Sent in to Ruger and they returned it with both cylinders and didn't charge me a penny. Not sure why but NOT complaining.....
Stantheman1986
Single-Sixer
I don't know if Ruger will work on an Old Model but yes, they will fit cylinders in the original caliber(s) . There's no guarantee it will be free though
Do the cylinders have a serial number that matches the frame? I thought I remembered reading that somewhere.
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I think it was a bargain.
The last 3 digits of the gun's serial# are etched into the face of the cylinder to identify it to the gun.
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