first single action purchase

[pleadthe2nd]

Just bought, well put on layaway, you know holidays, my first single action revolver, a ruger blackhawk 45lc -45acp convertible 5 1/2" stainless steel, they were offering 10 percent off one day only , just wondering how the stock triggers are on these , or anything I should know, plan on leaving as is unless a trigger job is recommended, thanks.

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

Trigger pulls are subjective. Everyone has his/her own level of expectation.
I own several dozen Ruger SA revolvers and all were usable from the factory but I have replaced the trigger return springs in all but a couple with Wolf 32oz springs.
You will have to decide for yourself if the trigger is good or not and guns of the same model ,same production run, will vary in trigger feel. Try it before you buy it.

 

[hdxr750]

I'll bet you enjoy it to the point that there will be a few more in you Safe place in the future.

 

[BPGuy]

I'll bet you enjoy it to the point that there will be a few more in you Safe place in the future.

I second that opinion! I believe you'll find the trigger is at least "ok", and probably pretty good.

BTW, I think you made an excellent choice on your first single action. Mine was the same, except blue with a 4 5/8" barrel. I've subsequently converted it to a Bisley, and it is the cat's meow! And yes, there are now a few more single actions in my safe - an Old Model .357 Mag 6 1/2", a 7 1/2" Bisley .45 LC, and a .480 Ruger Super Blackhawk. And I'm lusting after that case-colored Turnbull .45 LC model as well... :D

 

[pleadthe2nd]

Yeah, I believe the try it before you buy it, unfortunately this store had trigger locks on them, but I've been wanting a single action for awhile, I do own the gp100, and super redhawk, both being double action, and I installed the wolf spring kits in both , so was wondering how the single action were compared to ruger double actions in single action mode, it'll probably get new springs anyway, I like my triggers light, but overall it sounds like these bblackhawk are great shooters

 

[daveg.inkc]

Yeah, I believe the try it before you buy it, unfortunately this store had trigger locks on them, but I've been wanting a single action for awhile, I do own the gp100, and super redhawk, both being double action, and I installed the wolf spring kits in both , so was wondering how the single action were compared to ruger double actions in single action mode, it'll probably get new springs anyway, I like my triggers light, but overall it sounds like these bblackhawk are great shooters

You have no idea how well these Single Action Blackhawks shoot. You have 2 great Double actions. A simple replacement of trigger return wolff 32 oz is what I do and leave hammer spring alone. Put a Weaver 301 scope mount, and reach full potential.

 

[daveg.inkc]

My LGS showed me a 1974 .357 M Blackhawk, $200.00 price tag. It's been packed and shot, a lot. Blue wear, cylinder is not loose. Shoots excellent! Dealer asked me if I wanted a beater, "Sure!" I figured Ruger would fix or replace if not in good usable condition Turns out very accurate for me.

 

[DougGuy]

If you are going to handload/reload for it you may want to get the cylinder throats reamed to .4525" if you are planning on using .452" bullets with it, other than that what Dave said about swapping in a Wolff 30oz. trigger return spring would be two things to do to get it shooting cast bullets good.

 

[daveg.inkc]

You can bet a .452 XTP bullet or gage pin will not fit thru cylinder. I reamed all 3 of my Blackhawks cylinder throats. Actually a painlesd operation. Think of the force in the chamber squeezing bullet down before it is introduced to forcing cone.

 

[pleadthe2nd]

Are factory loads having the same issue, not a hand loader ,yet. Do you recommend doing the 45acp cylinder as well, haven't taken possession yet, waiting on the state waiting period. Doug what do you charge, and what is your turn around time?

 

[WAYNO]

1st single action revolver? Do yourself a favor and shoot it just the way it came from the factory. Don't be shopping for upgrades even before you take possession. And chances are it'll work just fine.

Someday when you're proficient with revolvers, then you might be able to decide what upgrades could be rewarding. Chances are even then, the revolver, the way it left the factory, will suit your needs just fine.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

^^^^^^What WAYNO said^^^^^^^^^

 

[Rclark]

Yep, try it first. You never know. It will function for sure :) . However, I found over the years, I like my triggers set a certain way and nothing else will do. I know what creepy, gritty, high pound triggers feel like. So my regular shooters all have had the treatment to my 'specs'.... and none of my SAs will ever ever have a scope attached :) .

 

[pleadthe2nd]

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to hear, I will definitely be trying it out first, I would like to put a fiber optic front sight on for sure, ruger store says something about not fitting the 45 colt, is that right for the blackhawk, it is a pinned sight, what does caliber have to do with it? Maybe they're talking about a different model.

 

[WAYNO]

I would like to put a fiber optic front sight on for sure,

Oh heart, be still. :shock:

 

[contender]

Welcome to the fun world of SA handguns.
You chose a good one,, and there is a lot of sage advise above. I happen to own one of the very same models you have on layaway. I also have a few others in 45 colt.
First & foremost,,, shoot the thing.
If the action needs anything,, start small, with just a trigger return spring. I'd leave the hammer spring alone, as you want reliable ignition.
Next,, if the action feels rough or gritty,, then a disassembly & cleaning to start with is easy & cheap. Sometimes that's all thats needed to make it better. If any action work is necessary,, then unless you have experiences in it,, I'd ask a pro do look at it & "clean up" any rough edges. OR,,, you can do a poor mans action job by filling the action with toothpaste (in the contact points,) & spend several hours dry-firing it. Toothpaste is a mild abrasive & will work. Just clean it out real good & lubricate afterwards.

DougGuy has offered excellent info if accuracy isn't as it could be. SOMETIMES,,, the 45 Cal SA Rugers come with undersized throats in the cylinders. It really shows up if shooting cast bullets.
As for his services,, he is top notch,, very reasonable in cost,, and has a quick turnaround time.

And since you mentioned you don't reload,,,, I'd suggest you seriously consider it. That is where the 45 Colt in the Ruger can really SHINE! Most factory offerings are powder-puff loads to prevent issues in older,, not as strong firearms. And of course,,, reloading allows you to shoot a lot more for the same money. Factory ammo isn't cheap,, but once set up to reload,, ammo costs go down,, as long as you have the brass.

Good luck!

 

[Mus408]

Congrats on your first SA revolver! Yes shoot it first and see what it does.
I haven't touched the cylinders on any of my revolvers and they seem to shoot well for what I do.
With .45 Colt and the Blackhawk you will find much satisfaction with loading your own ammo..sooner or later!
If you don't own one I see a .45 Colt lever rifle in your future soon!

Have a Merry Christmas!

 

[Kevin]

To the OP, I’ve never really had any objections with a Ruger single action trigger. I have a New Model Vaquero, bought new and shot a lot. Its trigger is very smooth. It’s a 357 and one of my favorites. I have another Blackhawk I haven’t shot as much with a heavier trigger. I guess I just need to get it out more often.

Even if you don’t reload now, save your brass, since you might in the future. Contender is right, the .45 really shines with handloads. To me, that caliber just seems easier to load than others. Not sure why, perhaps the size of cases and bullets are easier to handle with my big fat fingers.

 

[lolbell]

The best advice given so far is " shoot the thing before doing any up grades, a lot ". Of the 30 or so S/A Rugers I own, all but one is just as it left the factory. If the action seems gritty and is clean, dry firing while watching your favorite John Wayne or East Clintwood western will slick it up a bunch. Just be for sho' it's unloaded or you won't get to finish the movie.

I have 3 45c's. One, a first year Vaquero, had tight throats and had to be reamed to shoot lead w/o leading. Accuracy was better than I could shoot but it was a chore cleaning it after a session shooting home cast. All others are just as I received them. They all shoot lead fine and are more accurate than I.

 

[sjs]

I recently got the NM Blackhawk 45 Colt, not the convertible, but it has fine accuracy and has quickly become my favorite handgun. I may have a trigger job done at some point but I am shooting it as is for now and enjoying it immensely.

Ditto on the handloading, it is fun in its own right and especially with the 45C.

 

[eveled]

I think you'll be loving the acp cylinder, it is awesome in a single action.

 

[wildcatter]

Excellent choice for a first SA, my favorite caliber and barrel length, not to mention favorite brand. Lot's of good advice, and from many with lot's of experience with them. I agree with most, shoot it before you do anything. Let it grow with you! I doubt if this is your first big bore single action making changes before you use it would benefit you to start with.

As you become more efficient and familiar with it, then decide if you would like a better trigger, and just how much better you would like it, we all have different views to whats best for our needs. Experience with it is the only way you can be sure what you like or want. When you do,, I would never lighten a hammer spring, especially on a SA that already has an increased travel and lock time. Trigger return and simple cleaning up honing and polishing is usually all I ever do, and I do have creep free 2.5# triggers on all mine. If you have no experience with them or advanced metal working skills,, please let a pro do it. I would rather have a heavy or creepy trigger than one thats not 100% safe!

The throats are one thing on any of the dozens of 45 Blackhawks I have owned, Bisley's included, that always benefited from a being properly reamed and matched to each other. Once done every one of them would cut ragged holes with the right loads at 25 yards. But I sure would not put this in front of getting set up to load those "proper" loads for that gun. Getting used to it and getting into reloading is the only way you will ever gain all the benefits to get the gun shooting it's best.

Doing this you will benefit the most from "your" revolver. I don't know anyone that ever started right out of the gate even before they shot their new gun knowing what it needed or what it would or wouldn't do that they wanted from it! Even today over 40 years after my first 45 Blackhawk I bring em home clean em lube them and shoot them before I do anything else to them. So first thing is the proper patches, jag and brush for your cleaning kit, so when it comes home you can prepare it to shoot!

Again, great choice and I admire your taste! Good Shoot'n!

 

[pleadthe2nd]

Thanks for all the advice everyone, the only things I've bought for it is for cleaning, I will definitely be shooting it as is for awhile. I do save all my brass, as I do see reloading in my future, have a 5 gal bucket full now, mixed calibers. Oh, I couldn't wait so I paid out the layaway and should be picking it up soon, so I'll get to try out the trigger, my gp100 and super redhawk are pulling two to two and a half lbs in single action mode thanks to the wolf spring kits I installed, that's where I wouldn't like my new blackhawk to be, but yes it'll remain stock for awhile. When I get into reloading, maybe I could get together with one of you local guys to help me get started, local would be Adams County Il

 

[pleadthe2nd]

Picked up my revolver today, haven't shot it yet, too cold today, I think it's supposed to be above single digits tomorrow, did a good cleaning, and dry firing, trigger accually isn't too bad, don't feel gritty, and measures 3 1/2 lbs on my pull scale, will continue to dry fire tonight, then go hot tomorrow, may still put in a new return spring to get it about a lb lighter, if normal use doesn't get it there. Turns out a friend of mine has a reloading setup I could use , just need to get the 45 die and materials, will shoot factory for now and save the brass. Any recommendations on that front sight, it's so black it's very hard to see, if I can't find a fiber optic will probably just paint it with something bright