.32 Blackhawk Buckeye

[VonFatman]

I'm considering a "Blackhawk"...it's a NIB 32 HR Mag Cal. s/n 610-022xx, with the 32-20 cylinder.

So these are not a Single-Six? Are these collector guns or shooters?

I have a .32 Vaquero and was thinking....any feedback would be appreciated.

I have never had a Buckeye.

Bob

 

[Robb Barnes]

I believe they are full sized Blackhawks with little bitty holes in the cylinder and barrel. Lots of weight for the cartridge but great fun to shoot too. If it is not NIB the shoot the heck out of it. If it is, STILL SHOOT THE HECK OUT OF IT, that is what it was made for! :lol: I love my 327 single six bisley as a soft shooting packing gun. I believe Mr. Bowen feels the 32-20 loaded for a modern gun like the Buckeye is one of the best small cartridges ever developed.

 

[chet15]

So these are not a Single-Six? Bob

Right...definitely not a Single-Six. Interestingly though, the earliest guns were shipped with box end labels and shipping sleeve stamps that identified it as a NM Single-Six. Your gun is high enough in serial number though that the boxes should have been marked Blackhawk.
Chet15

 

[Sheriff]

I own one (and have run hundreds of loads through it as was intended ). It's a Ruger .32cal Convertible New Model Blackhawk according to what's stamped on it.

 

[VonFatman]

This one has a "New Model Single-Six, Bisley & Hunter" manual. That's what threw me!

If I can buy the gun for less than $500....is that a 'deal'...??? IF it's truly NIB.

Bob

 

[5of7]

I thought those were Buckeye Specials.

If it is new in the box, I don't see where you would go wrong at 500.

 

[Ray Newman]

Von Fatman: I have a .38-40 WCF/10mm Ruger “Buckeye”, big brother of the .32-20 WCF 32Mag “Buckeye”.

From what I have seen around the ‘net, US $500.00 appears to be a very fair price, and even more so if it is NIB. I gave US $450.00 w/o the box and papers about 4 years ago for my .38-40/10mm.

From the .32 Buckeyes that I have seen and handled, they “mirror” the .38-40 in terms of bluing, metal finish and fit, etc. IMO, the "Buckeye Specials" were a big step above Ruger’s regular work.

Would like to find a .32 model as the .38-40 is definitely one of my favorite calibres. The Shooters who I know shooting the .32-20 say that it is one of those calibres that ‘grows on you.’

 

[gak]

IM0, prime candidate for a .327 conversion on the .32 H&R cylinder if--unlike the Single Six .32--cylinder OAL will allow "simple" reaming. I realize you can get an 8 shot Blackhawk .327 now, but again for the low cost of just a reaming you've got the best of all worlds old and new.

 

[VonFatman]

You guys are great. Thanks for the replies. I will take a run at the revolver. (like I need another!!)...but what did need ever have to do with anything??

I'm all set up to reload .32 H&R and .32-20 with lots of bullets and brass on hand...the thought of having the .32 cyl. reamed out to .327 has it's merits...but I think I'd hurt myself on the backside (re-sale)...food for thought.

Bob

 

[Ethang]

...I believe Mr. Bowen feels the 32-20 loaded for a modern gun like the Buckeye is one of the best small cartridges ever developed.

Not to hijack the original question but..

When I was a kid I remember reading an article by Skeeter in Shooting Times. It was about the 32-20 Colt Bisley that he bought when he got out of the service and what a great small game gun it was. His quest to replace it landed him a collector grade model years later that should not have been used. Of course he shot the hell out of it.

I have always wanted one just because of that article. Its funny what a really good gun writer can instill in a person.

 

[2 dogs]

ReSale? Are you out of your mind???

The 32/32-20 Buckeye is the Tiger Tank of revolvers. I shoot the SNOT out of mine. I had Alan Harton convert mine to Bisley, tune the action to a T, and install match grade sights and a heavy non tapered barrel. I run some serious loads out of it that I am not about to print in my 32-20. My 100 grain XTP bullet hits 1600 fps with no pressure signs that I can detect. I have also shot up to 133 grain bullets out of the gun at 1540 fps.

My 32 mag cylinder is now rechamber to 327 Federal. I have been having so much fun with the 32-20 I havent tried it much yet.

Accuracy is superfine, the trigger is exceptional, an I dont have to worry about some collector getting the wants for my sixgun.

 

[Rainman]

You will not be sorry buying the 32-20 / 32 H&R. It's a special gun with respect to fit & finish. My 38-40 is a great shooter as well. It's amazing how powerful both of those old cartridges feel when you handload for them. I had to add a 32-20 Marlin 1894CL to my stash after owning the Buckeye.

Have fun.

Dan

 

[Sheriff]

ReSale? Are you out of your mind???

The 32/32-20 Buckeye is the Tiger Tank of revolvers. I shoot the SNOT out of mine. I had Alan Harton convert mine to Bisley, tune the action to a T, and install match grade sights and a heavy non tapered barrel. I run some serious loads out of it that I am not about to print in my 32-20. My 100 grain XTP bullet hits 1600 fps with no pressure signs that I can detect. I have also shot up to 133 grain bullets out of the gun at 1540 fps.

My 32 mag cylinder is now rechamber to 327 Federal. I have been having so much fun with the 32-20 I havent tried it much yet.

Accuracy is superfine, the trigger is exceptional, an I dont have to worry about some collector getting the wants for my sixgun.

I'll add a 'second' to that! I run Lyman's 3118 (now listed as 311008) out of my 'stock' .32-20 that run around 1650 with a load of 2400. (IT'll do better than 2200 out of my 1894CL)

Skeeters old load of 5.5gr Unique and the same bullet is a good one, too.

 

[2 dogs]

Russ, youre just one hell of a man!

 

[VonFatman]

The gun sold for $650...I had to let it pass.

Bob