Odd NM Blackhawk

[lfpiii]

I went to my local dealer this morning and he was putting some new guns in the case and this Ruger caught my eye.

Ruger NM Blackhawk blue
6-1/2 barrel 357mag
Test case date May 3, 2011

The odd thing is that it came with a blue STEEL grip frame not the aluminum and in the red factory case like the anniversary model not the standard grey. Please correct me if I am wrong but the only New Model Blackhawk sold with a steel grip frame has bee the anniversary model. Could this be a cleanup gun?

Picked it up for $450 OTD.

 

[flatgate]

I'm no New Model expert, but, this one seems "interesting".

Is the grip frame's backstrap straight or does it flair a bit?

Lock equipped or not? Standard rear sight and top strap or is it a "flattop"?

I'm sure the New Model guys will show up with some answers.....

flatgate

 

[lfpiii]

Serial number 38-106XX makes the gun as 2011 production as confirmed by the test cartridge. Has the standard NMBH sight. The grip frame has the lock and is exactly the same as my Flat Top 357mag anniversary model.

 

[Unconverted]

Photos! We must have photos!

 

[caryc]

The New XR3 grip frame is on the New Vaquero and all of the flattop models.

People get confused regarding Blackhawks with steel grip frames. But, when you quiz them a little further you'll always find out it is a new flattop they are talking about. Of course, some of them don't even know what a flattop is.

They just see "Blackhawk" on the gun.

 

[lfpiii]

The New XR3 grip frame is on the New Vaquero and all of the flattop models.

People get confused regarding Blackhawks with steel grip frames. But, when you quiz them a little further you'll always find out it is a new flattop they are talking about. Of course, some of them don't even know what a flattop is.

They just see "Blackhawk" on the gun.

I agree that some people get confused but not me. The rear sight has the same "ears" that all NM Blackhawks have. I even tested the grip frame with a magnent because I thought that I was going crazy.

I think that the distributor ordered a batch of 6-1/2 Blackhawks and Ruger ran a short batch with available parts to keep the distributor happy. The red box and XR3 frame gave me the idea.

 

[caryc]

The New XR3 grip frame is on the New Vaquero and all of the flattop models.

People get confused regarding Blackhawks with steel grip frames. But, when you quiz them a little further you'll always find out it is a new flattop they are talking about. Of course, some of them don't even know what a flattop is.

They just see "Blackhawk" on the gun.

I agree that some people get confused but not me. The rear sight has the same "ears" that all NM Blackhawks have. I even tested the grip frame with a magnent because I thought that I was going crazy.

I think that the distributor ordered a batch of 6-1/2 Blackhawks and Ruger ran a short batch with available parts to keep the distributor happy. The red box and XR3 frame gave me the idea.

OK, then let's be sure that it is the New XR3 frame. Check the width of the grip frame. Is it .437"?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Just curious, is the Cat.# BN-36L and Mod.# 10316 (Blackhawk .357mag - 6.5")?

http://ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkBlued/models.html

...Jimbo

 

[lfpiii]

The catalog number and frame thickness will have to wait until I pick it up on Friday.

I did call Ruger today with the serial number and they said that they will get back to me. The very nice woman I spoke to said that the gun should not have come in the red box but she said she could be wrong.

The gun does look like the one in the Ruger catalog.

For those that think I might not be able to tell one Ruger from another I currently own:

2 Old Army
4 large frame Vaqueros
4 NM Blackhawk Flattops
6 NM Vaqueros
8 NM Blackhawks

 

[caryc]

For those that think I might not be able to tell one Ruger from another I currently own:

2 Old Army
4 large frame Vaqueros
4 NM Blackhawk Flattops
6 NM Vaqueros
8 NM Blackhawks

No one is accusing you of being a dumbbell. Take my word for it, being a grip maker, I get people all the time that don't know what gun they have. Since none of us here can see the gun, all we can do is ask questions and try to narrow it down.

Ruger has done things to surprise people in the past and I suspect they will continue to do so in the future.

 

[COR]

I sure wouldn't b**ch if they got rid of the aluminum grip frames.....of course then I would just want a "lighter" weight frame and we'd be rigth back where we started.

Can't wait to see pics.

I would hate to collect Rugers....wait a pain in the ass that must be! I just shoot 'em. Easier on my head.

 

[street]

I sure wouldn't b**ch if they got rid of the aluminum grip frames.....of course then I would just want a "lighter" weight frame and we'd be rigth back where we started.

Can't wait to see pics.

I would hate to collect Rugers....wait a pain in the ass that must be! I just shoot 'em. Easier on my head.

That's the fun in collecting. There always that model that no one knows about, that you manage to get. And there is always another out there.

 

[lfpiii]

Guys I knew that no one was accusing me of being a dumbbell I asked for help because I am NOT a collector even with the number of guns I have. I am a shooter. To me guns are tools and I have different ones for different uses.

 

[caryc]

Guys I knew that no one was accusing me of being a dumbbell I asked for help because I am NOT a collector even with the number of guns I have. I am a shooter. To me guns are tools and I have different ones for different uses.

No problem. Even the customers that I have that don't know exactly what model gun they have are not dumbbells. You don't have to know the exact model number and what grip frame a gun has on it to enjoy shooting it.

But they do have to know the specifics when they are ordering custom grips. Some people actually start getting upset if I ask too many questions but I don't want to send them a set of grips that won't fit their gun. I think they would be more upset over that.

Sometimes it's really like pulling teeth getting the correct info out of some of them. :wink: And, in situations like what you have just brought, you can see that Ruger can really add to the confusion.

 

[Calthrop]

The only problem I can see. If the factory did make a massive frankenRuger it is a collectors item. You dare not return it. They will only give you a standard model back.

So. If the above proves out. You must purchase another gun to shoot! Calthrop.

 

[lfpiii]

Well Ruger called me back and we spent more than an hour on the phone. This is the shore version. He started off by telling me the firearm was made to the highest Ruger standard like they have always made their guns. He told me that they shipped the Blackhawk in the red anniversary box in order to use up some of the surplus. For those that may ask he did not have an idea how many more would be shipped in red boxes.

I asked him why the Blackhawk came with the metal New Model Vaquero grip frame instead of the standard aluminum grip frame. He first wanted to assure me again that I should not have any concerns regarding the firearm and that I could return the gun to the factory and have the frame replace if I still had any concerns. He went on to tell me that I was very lucky in getting that Blackhawk. The gun was one of a batch of 12 that was used as a final assembler promotion test. He explained that when a Ruger gunsmith is ready to become a master assembler they are tested by assembling various models and combinations. He told me that I should notice that the grip frame was fitted to the frame something usually not done on Blackhawk's and that I should also notice a better than average trigger.

I asked how many of the 12 were Blackhawks and he said all 12 were 357 magnums. I asked if they would ever make anymore with the metal frame and he said that they have in the past and it could happen in the future. I also asked if they would ever make some longer barreled Blackhawk Flattops and he said anything is possible and that more guns are in the works. He offered to send me a factory letter stating all this, which I gladly accepted.

I am now screwed, I cannot shoot this gun. I will just have to purchase other I know that someone is going to ask but I do not know the distributor. My dealer has been a little paranoid since the big box stores have moved into town. I do know that he has been using Davidson and Elliot Brothers.

 

[Calthrop]

Get the Renaissance Wax out and get the micro fissures sealed up in side and out.
Start saving for a new shooter. Best of luck either way. Calthrop.

 

[COR]

You can't shoot it??? This is perplexing to me...It's a Ruger, they are made to be shot. :wink:

Thanks for that additional info you posted...like I said, it must be a real headache to collect 'em! I love the erratic type of stuff like this they release.

 

[Unconverted]

Well Ruger called me back and we spent more than an hour on the phone. ... they shipped the Blackhawk in the red anniversary box in order to use up some surplus. ... I was very lucky in getting that Blackhawk. The gun was one of a batch of 12 that was used as a final assembler promotion test. .... told me that I should notice that the grip frame was fitted to the frame something usually not done on Blackhawk's and that I should also notice a better than average trigger.

I asked how many of the 12 were Blackhawks and he said all 12 were 357 magnums. .... He offered to send me a factory letter stating all this...

Now that is a cool ending!

 

[lfpiii]

Well if you guys tell me it is a collectable the wife will let me get a second gun

 

[J Miller]

Well if you guys tell me it is a collectable the wife will let me get a second gun

Unless the wife is actually paying for it, ignore her and go buy a shooter. That one with the factory letter confirming it's differences will be a collectors item eventually, if it's not already.

Joe

 

[Calthrop]

Get the Renaissance Wax for both the guns. I live in one of the driest in the nation and I use the stuff. Calthrop

 

[T.A. WORKMAN]

I hope you will post a copy of your letter from Ruger when you get it!!
Terry

 

[flatgate]

I hope you will post a copy of your letter from Ruger when you get it!!
Terry

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!

flatgate