357 Maximum

[opos]

I've asked a member of the board this question but in case he doesn't get it I thought I'd post here for any comments folks might have....I'm a Ruger nut like most here but I'm not a "serious" collector...but I do like unusual Ruger's...a guy locally has a NBH in 357 Maximum that is absolutly unfired and factory new...has original box and mailer in perfect condition, oil paper, instructions, etc....there is no turn ring and no marks. I have no idea what the thing is worth..I know from what I read they were only made for about one year and are sort of an oddity...he's asking $850 which seems like one heck of a lot but again, I have no idea about that particular gun.

Here is a cut/paste of his offering:

Ruger – New Model Blackhawk, SRM, Single Action Revolver, chambered in the historic .357 Maximum cartridge. Only 11,500 manufactured in 1984. Deep blue finish, 7 1/2 inch barrel, adjustable rear sight, walnut grips. This a very rare pistol in unfired condition. With original box plus original cardboard shipping box. All paperwork, manual, etc, plus one box of 20 rounds of amm0. $ 850.00....

Any thoughts anyone might like to share? If someone is a serious collector and would like info on who and where the guy is I'd sure step aside and send the info to you...thanks

 

[contender]

deleted double post!

 

[s4s4u]

It's a bit much for a shooter, IMO. For a NIB Max the price is not out of line tho.

 

[mohavesam]

In the condition described, $850 is fair.
One of the three guns Ruger will absolutely NEVER make again. A true collectible.

 

[22/45 Fan]

It's a bit much for a shooter, IMO. For a NIB Max the price is not out of line tho.

I don't know if I'd call it a "shooter".

The reason Ruger discontinued the .357 Max revolvers was the severity of the gas cutting on the top strap and forcing cone due to the huge powder volume. The guns wouldn't tolerate many rounds before the damage got too obvious.

So, as a rare collectable, go ahead and buy it. As a practical using gun, you are pretty much limited to .357 mag loads to make the gun survive and there are better, lower cost choices.

 

[s4s4u]

The reason Ruger discontinued the .357 Max revolvers was the severity of the gas cutting on the top strap and forcing cone due to the huge powder volume. The guns wouldn't tolerate many rounds before the damage got too obvious.

That was due to people running light bullets and fast powders. Whan loaded with heavy slugs and H110 it is a hammer on deer.

 

[Ale-8(1)]

With proper ammo, the .357 Max was a marvelous arrangement. It was the ill-advised hot-rodding that doomed it.

The price of this package isn't bad at all, IMHO.

 

[Coogs]

There were actually a little over 16,000 Maximums produced from 1982 until mid 1983, MAYBE into 1984. Less than 12,000 shipped. The top strap cutting ceases to be an issue after 1000 or so rounds. Forcing cone erosion was the biggest problem. Light bullets, fast burning powders, just ate 'em up. Stick with 180 grain and heavier, slow burning powders. I'm shootin' 200 and 210 cast w/gas checks on top of some 4227. Ruger actually solved the forcing cone erosion, for the most part, by changing the degree of the forcing cone. By the time that happened, some uniformed and underinformed gun writers had lambasted the Max enough in the gun rags as to help scare potential buyers off. A little bit of liability panic at the factory causing a supposed "buy back" and/or "trade in" program was an additional straw on the camels back as well as a the testing of a competitors .357 Maximum helped sound the death knell of the Max. WBR just said that was enough.
If ya get it and want to shoot it, go ahead! Heavy bullets, slow powders. $850.00? High for a shooter, in line for a NIB collectable. I'd like to know the serial number if you could get it for me. Hope this helps, Coogs.

 

[mohavesam]

The reason Ruger discontinued the .357 Max revolvers was the severity of the gas cutting on the top strap and forcing cone due to the huge powder volume...

Actually, the reason they discontinued it was that Ruger's mettalurgy technology wasn't adequate for the powder technologies in use at the time. Making the SRM in stainless steel would've solved the problem. Likewise IHC the frame... but either solution would've destroyed the margin window for such a limited market.

 

[opos]

There were actually a little over 16,000 Maximums produced from 1982 until mid 1983, MAYBE into 1984. Less than 12,000 shipped. The top strap cutting ceases to be an issue after 1000 or so rounds. Forcing cone erosion was the biggest problem. Light bullets, fast burning powders, just ate 'em up. Stick with 180 grain and heavier, slow burning powders. I'm shootin' 200 and 210 cast w/gas checks on top of some 4227. Ruger actually solved the forcing cone erosion, for the most part, by changing the degree of the forcing cone. By the time that happened, some uniformed and underinformed gun writers had lambasted the Max enough in the gun rags as to help scare potential buyers off. A little bit of liability panic at the factory causing a supposed "buy back" and/or "trade in" program was an additional straw on the camels back as well as a the testing of a competitors .357 Maximum helped sound the death knell of the Max. WBR just said that was enough.
If ya get it and want to shoot it, go ahead! Heavy bullets, slow powders. $850.00? High for a shooter, in line for a NIB collectable. I'd like to know the serial number if you could get it for me. Hope this helps, Coogs.[/quot


For Coogs, The serial # is 600-01427

 

[contender]

I see my post about deleting a double post,, and my original post has disappeared. However,,, Coogs has said almost the same things I was saying.

 

[Lee Martin]

$850 for that condition is fair. Shooter grades are $650 - $750.

 

[flatgate]

I've had .357 maxi "shooters" and had a lot of fun with them. Never saw any unusual "gas cutting" etc.

Heavy cast slugs over sorta slow burning powder. Just like I load in my .32's, .44's, .45's, .454's, etc.

At the present time I've but one Maxi in the safe and it's not a shooter......

flatgate

 

[CraigC]

As has been posted, the only issue with gas cutting was with folks who tried to turn them into rifles with light bullets and slow burning (not fast powders) spherical powders. Load them as intended and there are no issues.

I've never heard of any issues with metallurgy before.

 

[MaxP]

The reason Ruger discontinued the .357 Max revolvers was the severity of the gas cutting on the top strap and forcing cone due to the huge powder volume. The guns wouldn't tolerate many rounds before the damage got too obvious.

That was due to people running light bullets and fast powders. Whan loaded with heavy slugs and H110 it is a hammer on deer.

Exactly!