PALADIN85020
Bearcat
In my mind, there was never a better single action revolver than the Ruger "Old Model" Blackhawks. Talk about smooth-handling revolvers. These used the old "4 click" actions where you could load and unload easily by putting the gun on half cock, reverse rotating the cylinder, and the chambers would line up automatically with the loading gate opening and the ejector rod. As long as you loaded only 5 rounds and kept an empty chamber under downed hammer, it was as safe as a vault. These fine revolvers even had recessed chambers - not even S&W did that for its .45 revolvers. Ruger discovered that not all folks knew the "load one, skip one, load 4, cock and lower the hammer" drill, or were willing to learn it. That gave rise to the "New Model" with its transfer bar, enabling safe carry with 6 rounds, hammer down. Only problem was the chambers wouldn't line up properly, and loading and unloading was a pain in the butt. Those used to the old half-cock loading position with proper indexing (meaning me and thousands of others) complained bitterly about monkeying with perfection. Ah well.
At any rate, there are still enough of the Old Models around to satisfy us traditionalists. One of my favorites is the .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible. It has two cylinders to accommodate the different cartridges. A single action handles ejection of rimless cases quite easily; they are poked out with the ejection rod. .45 Colt cartridges can be loaded easily to magnum power for this gun; it's built like a tank.
I treasure this 4 5/8" barreled example. Not too many were made during the time period from 1970 to 1973. This one was produced in April, 1972, and is still in its original box, together with both cylinders and instruction sheet. It's handy, fast on the draw, versatile, powerful, smooth to operate and deadly accurate. If you have one or more of these jewels, consider yourself lucky - they are truly classics. I thought I'd show this one off.
John
At any rate, there are still enough of the Old Models around to satisfy us traditionalists. One of my favorites is the .45 Colt/.45 ACP convertible. It has two cylinders to accommodate the different cartridges. A single action handles ejection of rimless cases quite easily; they are poked out with the ejection rod. .45 Colt cartridges can be loaded easily to magnum power for this gun; it's built like a tank.
I treasure this 4 5/8" barreled example. Not too many were made during the time period from 1970 to 1973. This one was produced in April, 1972, and is still in its original box, together with both cylinders and instruction sheet. It's handy, fast on the draw, versatile, powerful, smooth to operate and deadly accurate. If you have one or more of these jewels, consider yourself lucky - they are truly classics. I thought I'd show this one off.
John
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