3 Screw Blackhawk, 357 Mag

[OMCHamlin]

Fellas, quick, I need some advice! I was out looking for some AR parts this afternoon, and I saw a reasonably priced (I think?) un-altered 3 screw Blackhawk .357, with a flat top and a Micro rear sight. Clean and in time, except for some holster or possibly shelf wear on one spot on it's cylinder. Does $449 seem cheap for that? I thought that was a deal, is it? Is it a steal? Is there trick stuff, problems I should look for? Geez, I can stick it on layaway, I guess? FEEDBACK, QUICK, por favore!

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

buy it !

 

[Cholo]

Sounds like an absolute steal!

 

[hittman]

Does $449 seem cheap for that? I thought that was a deal, is it? Is it a steal?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

 

[Watertender]

Your hand should have come out of your pocket with deposit money so fast that you had burn marks on your knuckles!

 

[OMCHamlin]

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.

Okay, what if I got that price wrong, maybe it was $499, still okay, yeah? Any sneaky stuff to look for? It seems like a solid gun at first and second glance. The ejector rod housing was a tad loose, I'll bring a gunsmith screw driver and snug it. It had black checkered plastic grips. (look nice with a set of stags, no?) Damn, I'm near giddy!

 

[OMCHamlin]

Your hand should have come out of your pocket with deposit money so fast that you had burn marks on your knuckles!

I hear you, but I stayed till closing time, so I should be safe! I'll not "fornicate with the canine" in the A.M. though!

 

[Watertender]

I hear you, but I stayed till closing time, so I should be safe! I'll not "fornicate with the canine" in the A.M. though!

I would be there when the door opened!

 

[dobegrant.45]

I would help them open the doors in the morning

 

[bigbillyboy]

Sound like a buy to me

 

[OMCHamlin]

Okay... I'm kinda getting a "yes" vibe, albeit luke warm...

 

[Watertender]

I would help them open the doors in the morning

Help heck! Bring coffee and doughnuts!

 

[Wyandot Jim]

My 15 year old info states it is worth from $765-$805 for a NICE one as a minimum.
So what do you think you should do??????

 

[Uncle Howie]

I think I'd save my money, and keep working toward a Henry Big Boy revolver…

 

[OMCHamlin]

I think I'd save my money, and keep working toward a Henry Big Boy revolver…

Oh yeah, those are to die for…

 

[contender]

If you haven't gotten the idea yet,, HECK YES IT'S A HECK OF A GOOD DEAL!

 

[OMCHamlin]

Too dumb or flustered to grab a pic or serial number, but as I said, it had those black checkered grips and a Micro sight. When did they stop using a Micro sight, and could someone throw out a quick tutorial on say "which serial numbers ended at 1960, 65, and 70?" Also, IF I wanted to have that cylinder reblued to try and match the original blue, is there a bluing guy that kinda knocks that stuff outta the park? I mean really nice match? I'm NOT saying I'm doing that, but I DO like clean, or clean looking stuff. I'm going to remember to bring a bore light and look at the throat area, but this gun didn't LOOK like it led a hard life. The missing finish on the cylinder was the worst offender.

 

[hittman]

You may be overthinking this.
Ruger's don't get shot out or worn out or out of time. Side plate screws don't fall out.
Excellent vintage matching parts are easily available on the outside chance you need something since you've got the members here as a source.
Mods like re-bluing the cylinder can kill value.
To me, all Old Models without a s/n prefix are desirable.
They're NOT a Colt or S&W. They're reliable, rugged, bullet proof.

From Ruger's web site ….

Manufactured from 1955 to 1973 357 Magnum (Instruction Manual)
Serial	Year
1	1955
1737	1956
7318	1957
11676	1958
18688	1959
25734	1960
34325	1961
39490	1962
43698	1963
52569	1964
60373	1965
73551	1966
87269	1967
108764	1968
30-00001	1969
30-24975	1970
30-81253	1971
31-10018	1972
31-41551	1973

 

[OMCHamlin]

I TEND to overthink things.

You know what ELSE they had, came in same day, a S&W model 18, pinned, diamond Magna grips! $599. No way in heck THAT'S not worth it, but, I'm 98% sure it's been reblued, the top surface should have been factory matted, I recall. Just a slight wash out in the Marcas Registradas area, too. Overall, not a BAD reblue, compared to some. What kinda scared me was these guys never have "smoking deals", that gave me pause.

 

[mrs50sls56]

I think the "been there, done that" look is hot. Don't overthink it.