44 special question

[desertwheeler]

I very recently acquired my first Ruger, the 44 mag SBH shown below. I want to add a 44 special Blackhawk to my collection. My local gun shop has a used one for sale. I can't remember the exact barrel length. It's blued with the black checkered handle. It looks almost new. I couldn't see any wear signs. They're asking $380 for it. Is that a good price? Thanks.

 

[rdf009]

Yep, that sounds like a pretty fair price, cosidering that it's at a local shop. If it were me I would try offering them $350 for it. The worst they can do is say no. On gunbroker the new ones are anywhere from $410 to $480, plus shipping.

 

[Dale53]

I consider the recent Ruger .44 Special Flattops to be among the best revolvers that Ruger has produced. I have two - a blued 5½" Lipsey Special and a more recent 4 5/8" SS flattop.

They fairly "warm the cockles of my heart". Both shoot well (under 1" at 25 yards off a rest).

My most used load is the old Skeeter load (7.5 grs of Unique behind a 250 gr Keith (Mihec mould for a clone of the H&G #503). This is an excellent all around field load.

Another load that gets used a good bit is a Group Buy full wadcutter (200 grs) ahead of 4.0 grs of Bullseye or equivalent. This is a truly mild target load that also shoots well to fifty yards.

I definitely recommend that you pick up that local .44 Special.

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Chuckbuster]

I'd buy it without hesitation. Love my 5.5", it is just plain FUN.

+1 on the Skeeter load.

One thing though, depending on how big your hands are you are likely to find out why those grips are referred to as "Cheese Graters". Replaced mine with a set by CaryC, much better.
Kevin

 

[desertwheeler]

That's what I wanted to hear! I've been reading up a lot on the 44 special and I think I'll fit right into that fan club. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Rclark]

Was just out with one of mine today.... Accurate ... which makes it fun. Between the .44Spec and .45 Colt why ... is there anything else????

. My local gun shop has a used one for sale.

That seems really 'odd' ... Who in there right (or left) mind would give 'up' a .44Spec???? .

 

[Knuckles]

The price is good... buy it! :wink:

 

[M'BOGO]

Enjoy, and welcome to the forum.

 

[desertwheeler]

Thanks for the feedback and the welcome!

 

[BearStopper]

Sweet gun for that price. I like the all steel parts that come with them as opposed to the regular BH aluminum stuff.

 

[Hondo44]

Amen to all the responses!!

 

[Knuckles]

BTW... Great! looking Super B' . 8)

 

[Lee Martin]

Nice buy. That's my favorite SBH configuration.

 

[callshot]

I really love mine, but I made my own grips with the flat bottom. I am working on another pair to use on it also. Just something to do in the winter.

 

[mm6mm6]

That's a great buy! I love mine! But, be careful! They can get scratched up really easily!

 

[desertwheeler]

Went to the gun shop today. Could barely wait until the work day ended. Didn't come home with the used one I was looking at. Came home instead with a brand new .44 special flattop. They must have just gotten it in. My first .44 mag was a Model 29. It was painful to shoot and I just didn't like it. Then I got the SBH pictured above. I didn't want to stop shooting it. I knew the M29 was just going to be sitting in a drawer most of the time, and I really couldn't afford to get another gun, so I just decided to trade it in. I had gotten it used, but it was in nice shape. So we swapped. It was a good deal for them, but I'm tickled silly to have this new Ruger. It's not going to be sitting in a drawer. I'll see if I can take a pic of it.

Mm6mm6, that is one fine piece. I don't think I'd ever want to shoot it! Wonder if my scratches will come out that purdy...

 

[Dale53]

mm6mm6;
Now that is just pure poetry!!

Thanks for sharing that with us!

Talk about, "Over the top!"

Dale53

 

[Hondo44]

Went to the gun shop today. Could barely wait until the work day ended. Didn't come home with the used one I was looking at. Came home instead with a brand new .44 special flattop. They must have just gotten it in. My first .44 mag was a Model 29. It was painful to shoot and I just didn't like it. Then I got the SBH pictured above. I didn't want to stop shooting it. I knew the M29 was just going to be sitting in a drawer most of the time, and I really couldn't afford to get another gun, so I just decided to trade it in. I had gotten it used, but it was in nice shape. So we swapped. It was a good deal for them, but I'm tickled silly to have this new Ruger. It's not going to be sitting in a drawer. I'll see if I can take a pic of it.

Mm6mm6, that is one fine piece. I don't think I'd ever want to shoot it! Wonder if my scratches will come out that purdy...

You do whatcha gotta do to get what you want! I would have done the same thing. What was the 29 dash number?

 

[desertwheeler]

It was a 29-6. I just couldn't get a feeling of connection or attachment to it (although it was a beautiful gun). I did feel the connection instantly with the single action. It's not something you can explain or argue about...just intuitive I guess. Double action in a .44 seems ridiculous to me anyway. I'm very new to the caliber, and to handguns, and with the shots being so painful with the M29 there was a lot more "recovery time" with it than with the SBH. The only thing that would make it slower would be reload time, but that too isn't an issue.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I know just how you feel. I carried and shot my 629-4 Classic quite a bit ---- until last March when I got this 44 Special. It's my favorite now.

 

[Rugerbilly]

$380 is a good price for any Blackhawk in "like new" condition. I saw one in .357 Mag at a shop and they were asking $395 for it. It looked like it was unfired.