Blackhawk purchase math

[P89DC]

I'm looking to buy a 357 Blackhawk, please help me with my purchase price calculations.

- All I want is a 357, 4.63" stainless, I have no interest in 9mm. If given the choice I'll take a flattop, it isn't a deal breaker and I wouldn't pay extra.

- I haven't seen much on Gunbroker, last night an early 80s stainless 4.63" BH went for $420 but I quit at $375. Anyone's guess what it would have sold for if I was still in, let's say $450 for discussion. In my hands for ~$510.

- a new Lipseys Flattop 357/9mm costs ~$640 with all fees/taxes, but I don't want the 9mm cylinder.

- Flattop is better looking, if I wanted a 9mm cylinder in the future I could send it back to Ruger.

How much does Ruger charge to replace a cylinder? Could I get that much selling a brand new 9mm cylinder?

 

[xtratoy]

I would think it would cost more to have the 9mm cylinder replaced by Ruger than you would get selling your 9mm cylinder. The only gun it would fit would be a new Flat Top that already came with that cylinder. Unless someone wanted to ream it to 9x21 or 9 Winchester Magnum.

 

[Varminterror]

The take-off market for Ruger cylinders is well established. It's RARE to find a Ruger single action cylinder for $50, $75 happens, most often they're readily available for $100-125, and a "high, yet reasonable" price is $150.

The most recent time I had Ruger make a new cylinder for a Vaquero was $220. The cheapest I paid was 12-13yrs ago for $125.

So... Buy the Flattop Convertible for $640, sell the cylinder for $100 plus shipping, you end up within $30 of the standard.

It's $30 better looking than the standard...

 

[Hondo44]

Consider any price paid reasonable if under the store price and if the gun is in nice condition.

Handle a stainless Blackhawk 357 large frame and a NM Flat top, mid frame. The Blackhawk is considered by most to be too-heavy-for-caliber, larger and less handy than the mid frame, especially the stainless model BH which is all steel and has no alum alloy parts like the blued BH model. The mid frame is just right for 357. Both blued and stainless FTs are all steel.

If you decide on the mid frame FT, you can sell the 9mm cyl for up to $150, because the mid frame size cyl in 9mm are very hard to find since they've just recently been produced! (Old model 9mm mid frame cyls are not a drop in and never made in stainless.) So you can sell it and subtract the $150 from what you pay for the Lipsey's.

You can not get a 9mm cyl installed by Ruger under $200 including shipping. And they will not usually install a 9mm cyl in a gun that didn't have one originally.

 

[bedrockfred]

I am in for the 100.00 plus shipping with OAL info for blue, a little more for stainless! ---Bedrockfred

 

[P89DC]

The mid frame is just right for 357. Both blued and stainless FTs are all steel.

If you decide on the mid frame FT, you can sell the 9mm cyl for up to $150, because the mid frame size cyl in 9mm are very hard to find since they've just recently been produced! (Old model 9mm mid frame cyls are not a drop in and never made in stainless.) So you can sell it and subtract the $150 from what you pay for the Lipsey's.

I didn't understand the mid-sized distinction, I thought it was just a cosmetic difference. What does a mid-size cylinder fit besides other Lipseys convertibles?

I do shoot 9mm for CCW and home protection (in pistols), I just don't see why I'd shoot 9mm in Blackhawk when I have 357/38 in lever rifle and SA/DA revolver.

If I sell, it'll be stainless and I'll list it in the classifieds subform.

 

[roylt]

Just get the convertible and save the 9mm cyl. for future times when you mind may change and you want to shoot your Blackhawk with cheap ammo. Mine loves 9mm.

 

[rugerguy]

last one returned to the factory for the extra cylinder, my neighbor paid $118 for the cylinder, that included the "fitting" ( labor) BUT, he had to pay shipping back and forth, and it was almost that price again, when you use any carrier and "next day air"......... :shock:
if you go by an FFL<< they can use USPS and that is much cheaper, and pay them a handling charge :roll:

soooo, to do the math , if you can find one that is a "deal" and it includes the "extra" 9mm cylinder go for it, especially if its in "stainless"...a NO brainer 8)

 

[Kevin]

I think the numbers you are talking about are not so far apart. It makes sense to keep the 9mm cylinder. If you truly don't use it then sell it in a year or so. But convertible blackhawks, with both cylinders, seem to retain their more than a gun missing it's second cylinder. It might be worth it to save a while longer and get what you want without worrying about 100 dollars. (Which is really just a few boxes of factory ammunition.)

 

[Hondo44]

I didn't understand the mid-sized distinction, I thought it was just a cosmetic difference. What does a mid-size cylinder fit besides other Lipseys convertibles?

Any regular production New Vaqueros and New Model mid size Blackhawk FTs.

Note: not all NM FTs are mid size. The .41 and .44 Mags FTs are large frames.

 

[RSIno1]

The 9 is cheaper to shoot but only a couple bucks per box.

 

[DGW1949]

When it comes to buying a gun, aint nothing worse than buying one and later wishing that you'd bought another instead.
To me, the first thing that needs decided is if you want the bigger/bulkier big framed NM, or the smaller/handier mid sized FT. I say that because when you are compairing one to the other, it becomes obvious that what you are looking at (or preferably, holding and/or shooting) are two different guns.
In other words, price comparisons have nothing to do with it relative to what each actualy is because each is what it is, one is not a "direct replacement" for the other, and whether or not one has an extra cylinder has nothing to do with that.

Besides....as has been implied by others, having that new 9MM cylinder which you say that you don't want, is like finding instant-rebate money in the box.

DGW

 

[P89DC]

Thanks for everyone's input, I went with the Lipseys stainless 4.63" flattop, it's already at the FFL. Still on the fence about what to do about selling the 9mm cylinder....

 

[Rclark]

I don't plan on using my convertible FT for 9mm shooting either... but I'll still keep the 9mm cylinder around. Who knows when I might get a hanker'n to use it. Just me though. I just keep it with the gun in it's rug case so it never gets lost.

I got mine for two reasons : 1) the FT is a way better fit than the large frame BH for .357, and 2) They produced it with a 5 1/2" barrel which is my favorite length. No brainer... had to have a blued 5 1/2" FT!!!! It's a keeper as it shoots very well. Just got to get it to Munden Enterprises to make it a 'sweeeet' gun.

 

[DGW1949]

Thanks for everyone's input, I went with the Lipseys stainless 4.63" flattop, it's already at the FFL. Still on the fence about what to do about selling the 9mm cylinder....

If you do decide to sell the 9MM cylinder, get it's measurements, figure out a price, and send me a PM.....if it's close to the length(s) of mine, I have a use for it.

Thanks.

DGW