My First New Model Blackhawk

[Tip]

-And, it's a doozie!
I just purchased a Blackhawk in .357 Maximum.

What can those of you with experience tell me about this particular Blackhawk, please?
I've done a search on this forum, and am still looking for information.
Is it correct to say these are few and far between?

Blackhawk in .357 Maximum
Thanks in advance.

 

[contender]

That one looks good!
I own a couple of them. There were about 16,000 of them built, with the accepted knowledge that Ruger destroyed about 5000 of them after reports of top strap flame cutting. Bill scrapped the program.
Now, the issue of top strap flame cutting was caused by light bullets & fast burning powder. The gun was designed to use heavier bullets & slower powders. But before it would be discovered that the flame cutting would stop after a bit,,, Bill Ruger scrapped the whole project.
Desirable guns,,, quite accurate when properly fed. Murder on steel targets at longer ranges. An excellent hunting caliber when properly loaded.

What else do you want to know?

 

[Tip]

Thanks for the response, Contender.

I just came across a post on another forum in which Coogs states, " Forcing cone erosion was the worst problem. The initial forcing cone was around 6 degrees, Ruger changed it to an 11 degree cone which helped quite a bit..."

I don't have the SRM, yet. So, I can't examine the forcing cone. Does anyone know at what approximate sn the change occurred?

 

[Joe S.]

that's a beauty! from the looks of it, I don't think you will have an issue with that forcing cone being worn. it looks barely shot!

my 10.5" is one of my favorite guns. if your's shoots as good as mine, it will make you look at your others with discontentment. ha!

 

[Chuck 100 yd]

SWEET !!!

 

[Mag-force]

Nice! I want one.

 

[57springer]

Nice! I want one.

yea me too , hope one comes up at auction . :lol:

 

[Tip]

Thanks, guys... I'm not sure what constitutes a good deal on this particular model but, I can't imagine coming across another one any time soon.
So, I didn't think very long before "jumping on it."

May be unfired. (?)

 

[contender]

As others have said,,, Nice gun.
Coogs is one of the best authority on the maxi's. He's been collecting them a long time. He might be able to answer your questions.

 

[Tip]

As others have said,,, Nice gun.
Coogs is one of the best authority on the maxi's. He's been collecting them a long time. He might be able to answer your questions.

Yes, he sure is. Again, thanks.

I've read his posts on the subject here and elsewhere for some time now. And, I've PM'd him regarding this 'un.

 

[WendyZXZ]

That is a beautiful Ruger that you have there!

 

[Tip]

That is a beautiful Ruger that you have there!

Thank you. I really like the lustre of the bluing on some of the "old" Rugers.

 

[Coogs]

Tip, great find! Got your number, thanks again. Ruger did produce 16,314 completed maximums and/or serialized frames. They destroyed, their terminology is "scrapped" about 5000 +/- completed guns and or serialized frames. The highest numbers out there were manufactured in March, 1983. Now I said the highest serial numbered guns. Ruger does not necessarily manufacture guns in serial number sequence............so, there could be some out there that do come back as manufactured later than March of '83. As far a the forcing cone change, your guess is as good as mine, believe it or not. That could have happened as late as March '83, around serial number 600-11000, so most of those that were changed have been scrappped. There were also Maxi's THAT WERE sent back prior to the ceasing of Maximum support by customer service for repair that could have been rebarreled or recut, with the 11 degree forcing cone. I'm not sure which they would have done, rebarrel or recut. Once I get down to the pins and needles of my serial number quest I may be able to get an answer to your question. My collection of Maximums do span the whole serial number range, from 600-00009 to 600-11577. 600-11588 is the highest one out there, by the way. I haven't examined every Max I have as far as forcing cone goes, at least not yet. If you are shooting yours, stay with Heavy bullets, IMHO, nothing lighter than 180 gr. I shoot 180, 200 and 210 gr cast w/check on top of 4227. It is a great powder for the Max. There are other powders out there that will work just fine. Lee over @ Single actions has a pet load and David Bradshaw as well. David is the one that turned me on to the forcing cone change many years ago. He has probably shot more Max rounds than at least 20 or so of us put together. Here and @ Single action David has put up many posts on Maximum loads. There are some other sites that post some as well and the book "Shooting Steel", a compilation of IMSHA magazine articles, is an great source for Max loads as well as some of the history of the round development. Hope this helps, enjoy that critter, they are literally a "blast" Coogs.

 

[Tip]

Tip, great find! Got your number, thanks again...
Hope this helps, enjoy that critter, they are literally a "blast" Coogs.

Thanks Coogs!...
By the way, I do look forward to shooting it. I appreciate the good load data.

I've read here in the past that New Models will develop a turn ring. Should I expect that to occur with the SRM?

 

[Coogs]

More than likely, turn rings are a Ruger trait. Coogs.