Help me decide…what next?

[Randyzzz]

I need to bounce a decision off you guys…I recently bought a NM Flattop Blackhawk in .44 SPCL with an 4.62 barrel, and I love it! Especially the weight- Nice and light. I already have a .357 Blackhawk 4.62, but it's not nearly as light and therefore for me not as comfortable to shoot. I've been looking for a .45/.45ACP convertible 4.62 Flattop Blackhawk, and I've found a couple of options:
There's a used one, no box but both cylinders, good shape, for $750. It's a 2013 Lipseys model.

I can also get a new stainless 4.62 Flattop convertible for about $850.

However, today I found a local 5.5" Blackhawk convertible, not a Flattop and no box or paperwork but unfired, for $600.

So…even though the 5.5" is not want I wanted, it's hard to ignore that price. Or- is the new stainless model worth the extra $100 over the used blued model? It would be my only stainless Blackhawk except for a 5.5" .45 New Vaquero. Am I stupid to be tempted by the 5.5" blue Blackhawk convertible just because of the price and condition? My mind says get the stainless, my heart says get the blued, and my wallet says get the $600 Blackhawk. Help!

Whichever one I get- I will install a RWGripframes Dealer grip frame, Super hammer and Bisley trigger, a 2 Dogs rear sight, Vaquero crescent ejector, and if I get the stainless possibly round the edges on the top strap and install one of Fermin's front sights. Maybe even slab-side the barrel a bit…

 

[Pál_K]

 

[Randyzzz]

View attachment 47173

I'm pretty much expecting this answer from most who respond. And it was my first thought too. But… I really need to get just one. I guess I could sell one of my extra AR15's…that would fix the financial issue. Then I could get 2…but stainless or blued flattop?

 

[edm1]

I prefer blued. And this is NOT the market to get your money back from an AR. They are dire cheap right now. I also love the 5.5" barrel. Best of both worlds. And a stainless with reddish rosewood grips looks very good. I know I'm no help..

 

[hittman]

Save for Old Models.
You'll be money ahead in the long run, even if you shoot them.

 

[Randyzzz]

Save for Old Models.
You'll be money ahead in the long run, even if you shoot them.

I hear you- but I'm planning on doing a little "hot rodding" on this. So I don't want to defile an OM. To clarify- there will be corresponding OM(s) in the future.

I prefer blued. And this is NOT the market to get your money back from an AR. They are dire cheap right now. I also love the 5.5" barrel. Best of both worlds. And a stainless with reddish rosewood grips looks very good. I know I'm no help..

I'm prepared to take a hit on the AR. I've got over 2K in this .224 Valkyrie. If the guy at the shop will give me $400-$500 plus the 5.5" I'll take it.

 

[contender]

Pick which one fits YOUR hands the best,, then work the deal.

 

[harley08]

I need to bounce a decision off you guys…I recently bought a NM Flattop Blackhawk in .44 SPCL with an 4.62 barrel, and I love it! Especially the weight- Nice and light. I already have a .357 Blackhawk 4.62, but it's not nearly as light and therefore for me not as comfortable to shoot. I've been looking for a .45/.45ACP convertible 4.62 Flattop Blackhawk, and I've found a couple of options:
There's a used one, no box but both cylinders, good shape, for $750. It's a 2013 Lipseys model.

I can also get a new stainless 4.62 Flattop convertible for about $850.

However, today I found a local 5.5" Blackhawk convertible, not a Flattop and no box or paperwork but unfired, for $600.

So…even though the 5.5" is not want I wanted, it's hard to ignore that price. Or- is the new stainless model worth the extra $100 over the used blued model? It would be my only stainless Blackhawk except for a 5.5" .45 New Vaquero. Am I stupid to be tempted by the 5.5" blue Blackhawk convertible just because of the price and condition? My mind says get the stainless, my heart says get the blued, and my wallet says get the $600 Blackhawk. Help!

Whichever one I get- I will install a RWGripframes Dealer grip frame, Super hammer and Bisley trigger, a 2 Dogs rear sight, Vaquero crescent ejector, and if I get the stainless possibly round the edges on the top strap and install one of Fermin's front sights. Maybe even slab-side the barrel a bit…

Buy the one with both cylinders, good shape, for $750. It's a 2013 Lipseys model.

 

[xtratoy]

At first it sounded like weight of gun was a big consideration. The $600 blackhawk would be at least as heavy if not heavier than the 357 and not comfortable for you. What do you mean by "hot rodding" the gun? The new model Flat Tops aren't Ruger Only load guns.

 

[Randyzzz]

At first it sounded like weight of gun was a big consideration. The $600 blackhawk would be at least as heavy if not heavier than the 357 and not comfortable for you. What do you mean by "hot rodding" the gun? The new model Flat Tops aren't Ruger Only load guns.

By "hot rodding" in mean changing the grip frame, hammer, trigger, and rear sight. Something like these 2 of mine-

I absolutely love the look of the top strap on this one- not mine but I'd like to build one like it-

As far as weights, you are correct. I have quite the chart of weights with different configurations. My 4.62 Blackhawk .357 comes in at an actual 42oz. The flattop .44SPCL 4.62 weighs in at 37.7oz. I project the 5.5 Blackhawk 45 to finish at 40oz, which is totally acceptable. But- I think I can get a flattop 45 4.62 down to about 32-33oz, if the Ruger specification of 36oz is correct. Now they would be an easy packing piece.


What is crazy to me is my 7.5" Blackhawk .45 come in at 39oz. Barrel weight is about 1oz/inch. Even Ruger lists it as heavier…so maybe the 5.5" 45 is lighter than I think. I guess I'll have to buy it to weigh it.

 

[Randyzzz]

Well, the AR is past history. I got the 5.5" Blackhawk ( or at least I will in a few days…dang Oregon). Plus I got enough to get the blued flattop if I want. Have to see if I want to go that way. I pick up the gun on Monday- once it's in my hands I'll get some clarity ( I hope!).

 

[JAYDAWG]

Well, the AR is past history.

Unless you can shoot like the terminator, or need to outfit friends/family/neighbors, one AR + 1 backup is enough.
BUT, there is no such thing as to many Ruger Revolvers. Nice move!!!

Cheers,
JAYDAWG

 

[Randyzzz]

Yep. One shorty, one 18", and one Mini14. And lots and lots of mags/ammo.

 

[JAYDAWG]

Good thing we're not neighbors.
Way to similar.
My wife suffers enough with my friends stopping by for happy hour with their newest buys & another trip through the vault.
She's sure I've caused at least 3 divorces?!?

Carry on,
JaydaWg

 

[Randyzzz]

Probably is a good thing. I have a Jeep buddy and we've said the same thing before. I had six project Jeeps on the property at one time- although that was my business.

Although I do have some good "leverage"- she has horses. Every time she says "do you really need another gun?" I reply with "How many horses can you ride at one time?". Besides, my guns don't require the level of care and daily expense that the horses do. Not even close. But, we all have our passions. I respect hers, and she respects mine. Well, maybe the word should be "tolerate".

 

[arfmel]

I think I would buy the stainless flat top 45 instead of the blue one. Easy for you to modify and you save $100.

 

[rammerjammer]

I'm partial to stainless so I'd go in that direction.

 

[wproct]

All I can say is that I prefer stainless steel and I just absolutely love the 4.62 inch bbl length, balances well and just really makes a cool looking single-action.