gun size question+ advise belt holster for a superblackhawk

[L3]

first question, I just bought a superblackhawk 44 mag 5 inch, its a BIG gun, is the 357 superblackhawk smaller in size, like a superredhawk is to a gp100?

second question, I would like to get a good quality leather holster for the superblack hawk, one thats belt and holster in one, dont need fancy patterns, more about rugged quality and price, any advice appreated.
L3

 

[JimMarch1]

OK...first, there's no "Super" in 357. There's the Blackhawk in 357. MOST Ruger 357 SAs from 1973 forward are built on the same size frame as a Super. The only real differences are the aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing on the 357, and the lower nicer hammer on all the Supers.

Supers made with 4.68" and 5.5" barrels have the smaller "XR3-RED" grip frame with a rounded triggerguard instead of the larger plowhandle "dragoon squareback" gripframe (squared rear to the triggerguard). It will always be a steel grip frame on a Super.

Among the 357s, there's one exception: the 50th Anniversary 357 Flattop Blackhawk of 2005 is unique in that it's smaller than all other post-'73 357 Blackhawks. That 50th model is built on the mid-frame size, similar to the Colt SAA. It's basically a New Vaquero with adjustable sights. Very, very nice gun and quite a few were made so...with some looking around you can find them. It's still a bit bigger than a GP100 but it's noticably easier to pack and still plenty strong enough for the 357. Oh, and the 50th 357s have steel grip frames and ejector housings same as a NewVaq, so while they're smaller than your Super they're heavy little suckers...similar to my NewVaq357 at 42oz.

This same adjustable-sight mid-frame gun is still sold today, but in 44Special. The 357s made that way are out of production. I just checked gunsamerica and they seem to be going for $500-$600.

As to holsters. If you spec a holster for a Super of your barrel length you'll get a holster that fits if it's any good. One thing though: what is your barrel length? Ruger doesn't make a 5". There IS a way a lot of people got a 5" - they started with the 10" barrel and chopped it flush with the over-length ejector rod which gets you just about 5" exactly - and a REALLY heavy barrel :). The standard lengths are 4.68" and 5.5". Better figure out exactly what you've got before ordering a holster...it's unlikely you have a 5" but not impossible if it's a chopped 10".

 

[contender]

First,, measure the barrel from the front (face) of the cylinder to the end of the muzzle. That will give you the correct barrel length. Most likely yours is a 5-1/2". Next,, look at El Paso Leather for a good quality holster. Or,, if on a budget,, Hunter makes excellent plain jane types that work very well. The biggest problem with many folks who carry a gun is that their belt is not stout enough to handle the weight. Get a high quality gunbelt (one designed to cayyr a gun) to match whatever holster you get. It makes a difference.
As for the size,, you can look at the catalogs of the different holsters offered,, and they list the models they fit.

 

[L3]

thanks for the help, its a 4 5/8 I just rounded for discussion sake, my bad cause you guys are real sharp, its just i didnt figure it would be so large, again my bad, i just sold a superredhawk 44 mag and should have seen it coming, now im lookn for a mid sized fun gun.
L3

 

[JimMarch1]

Huh. I didn't think of this right away and I should have: you might really like one of the new 44Spl Blackhawks. First, it's smaller. Second, it's lighter than it's 357 anniversary cousin - same gun otherwise, but the holes in the barrel and cylinder are bigger :). Third, if you get into reloading the same dies will load 44Mag and 44Spl ammo. And the guns can both eat 44Spl ammo.

That would actually be a nice companion pair.

 

[L3]

jim your a smart dude thanks.
how about some more options on quality LOW price holsters

 

[JimMarch1]

Ummm...I'm actually the wrong guy to ask about that...because I make my own :). I kinda have to, my beloved NewVaq357 daily CCW piece is so heavily modified nothing off-the-shelf will fit.

Long story...basically that's the "Goshdarn Hacksite Mk4", a homebrew clone of the Goshen Enterprises Hexsite sold for Glocks and such:

http://www.goshen-hexsite.com/index2.php

I'm now up to the Mk5 which is even better, but I can't show pics of it. I convinced Tim Sheehan at Goshen to let me have a local machinist make it based on a design he came up with but hasn't published yet. It's still hex-based and still involves focusing on the target instead of the front sight.

The holster I've been working on is an oddball because it's the only leather rig you'll ever see that has near-infinite adjustments for tilt angle and ride height. It straps onto the belt via any of a number of possible belt attachment mounting locations:

Paracord 550 runs under the belt at each side and meets across the body in a buckle that allows a broad range of adjustments. Once it's "cranked down tight" by pulling on the end of the tapered leather strap, it holds as tight to the body as a pancake type holster if not tighter, and allows for sky-high ride heights - in this case crossdraw with the whole cylinder above the beltline. Here's the backside:

The "core" is a very simple leather "taco fold" and then the "skirt plate" with the holes are added. In this case there's an inner "liner sheet" coming up the inside from the bottom, it folds over the top edge and attaches to the skirt plate at the two conchos up top.

And here's an earlier incarnation worn where I like it...

...but it can also be dropped and tilted the other way for appendix carry or strongside FBI tilt as needed.

It would be VERY possible to take a single piece of stiff leather cut in a big oval with holes each side, sew that "skirt plate" top and bottom to a cheap nylon "Uncle Mike's" type core with the original belt connections and straps cut off and adapt the whole thing to this sort of "strap it to the belt" setup. I'd be glad to help you through it if you want.

The design for this belt attachment system is all mine - available under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial Attribution license. Basically means you can make your own, if you publish pics credit me (the "attribution" part) and if you want to make 'em commercially kick me in for modest fees :).

 

[Jimbo357mag]

http://shopruger.com/

http://shopruger.com/Large-Frame-Single-Action-Revolver-holster-4-5_8-barrel/productinfo/84184/

...Jimbo

 

[L3]

WOW, thats a cool set up, and I think we eat at the same restaurants, LOL.
L3

 

[RonS]

Had a 5 1/2" Super, best holser I found was a pancake with a 1 3/4" lined belt. Easy to carry, fairly easy to draw, somewhat of a challenge to reholster. Some can be had with dual belt slots so you can carry crosdraw. That was long enough ago the company is long gone or I would post a link.

 

[don44]

WOW, thats a cool set up, and I think we eat at the same restaurants, LOL.
L3

:lol: :lol:

 

[JimMarch1]

A pancake is the best off-the-shelf way to run "high and tight". Tops is my rig :). Come to think, you might give these guys a try:

http://www.simplyrugged.com/

He specializes in fairly low-cost (at least by leather standards) pancake types.

 

[JimMarch1]

Ummm...yeah, I've also lost some weight since then :D.

 

[L3]

Ummm...yeah, I've also lost some weight since then :D.

Wish i could :wink:

 

[L3]

Man jim you are right on, i did a little reaserch and I think thats the ticket, or maybe a 32 mag, but I get scared 32 mag bullets get hard to find. Im glad I got into this single action craze, I was getting bored of autos, and didnt want to spend 2000.00 to go to the next level, and revolvers while I love em are slow on the shooting, but a single action is slow and cool at the same time.
L3