tommygun
Single-Sixer
Sort of new to the Blackhawk. From a shooters point of view, which would you choose. Old model Blackhawk or New model and why? Appreciate your input.
Old vs. NM Blackhawk
- Thread starter tommygun
- Start date
J Miller
Blackhawk
Old Model without a second thought.
The biggest DEFECT in the New Model is the load with the hammer down design. The chambers do not line up with the ejector rod or the loading gate. It's a big pain in the butt to rotate that cylinder and hold it stationary as you load and unload. The smaller the caliber the more awkward it gets.
They have an occasional, actually more than an occasional tendency for the base pin to jump the latch. All single actions do to a certain extent, but the New Models with the transfer bar plunger in the base pin are more prone to this.
I've never had such a problem with any Old Model.
The Old Models are also just simpler to maintain and tinker with than the New Models. That don't mean much to most folks, but it do to me.
Joe
The biggest DEFECT in the New Model is the load with the hammer down design. The chambers do not line up with the ejector rod or the loading gate. It's a big pain in the butt to rotate that cylinder and hold it stationary as you load and unload. The smaller the caliber the more awkward it gets.
They have an occasional, actually more than an occasional tendency for the base pin to jump the latch. All single actions do to a certain extent, but the New Models with the transfer bar plunger in the base pin are more prone to this.
I've never had such a problem with any Old Model.
The Old Models are also just simpler to maintain and tinker with than the New Models. That don't mean much to most folks, but it do to me.
Joe
E
Single-Sixer
I have both and love both -- choosing between them would be like choosing between my kids, but I can give some observations.
The OM trigger is thinner, which may be a selling point or breaking point depending on your personal trigger preference.
The NM is one step simpler for loading/unloading. With the hammer down, open the loading gate and the cylinder will rotate for you to load and unload. With an OM, you place the hammer in half-cock then open the gate to rotate the cylinder.
The NM will definitely have a transfer bar so it is safe to carry with the hammer down and six rounds in the cylinder. An OM may or may not, depending if it has been "converted" to a transfer bar system. An unconverted OM tends to bring a higher price. (Mine was converted before I bought it, and i like the consistency between the OM and NM that way.)
The OM trigger is thinner, which may be a selling point or breaking point depending on your personal trigger preference.
The NM is one step simpler for loading/unloading. With the hammer down, open the loading gate and the cylinder will rotate for you to load and unload. With an OM, you place the hammer in half-cock then open the gate to rotate the cylinder.
The NM will definitely have a transfer bar so it is safe to carry with the hammer down and six rounds in the cylinder. An OM may or may not, depending if it has been "converted" to a transfer bar system. An unconverted OM tends to bring a higher price. (Mine was converted before I bought it, and i like the consistency between the OM and NM that way.)
TiteGroups
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2009
- Messages
- 513
The new model flat tops are still available and combine some of the best features of both models, the ability to carry six rounds safely and the chambers line up with cylinder notches when loading/unloading. They are also built on the same, smaller, frame size as the old models were and make for a compact and powerful pieces, especially if you hand load for the 44 special. The triggers on mine are not as good as the old models though.
CraigC
Hawkeye
What Joe said!
Although the New Model flat-tops are very good in their design and eliminate 'most' of the complaints about the New Model action. I'd still rather have an Old Model.
Although the New Model flat-tops are very good in their design and eliminate 'most' of the complaints about the New Model action. I'd still rather have an Old Model.
Bucks Owin
Hunter
What Joe and Craig both said...
Like my NMs, love my OMs, and cherished my OMFT...
Seems to me there's a step down in that order....
JMO
Like my NMs, love my OMs, and cherished my OMFT...
Seems to me there's a step down in that order....
JMO
contender
Ruger Guru
Well, I totally prefer the OM's vs the NM's. As mentioned above, simpler action, and easier to tinker with if necessary. However, the best part to me is the "feel" of the smooth OM action. I have several, that have never seen a screwdriver or disassembly since they were born. Yet, the action in those guns is so much smoother feeling than the NM's. I also have a several NM's that only got that smooth after a trip to the gunsmith, or after I got inside them to smooth them up.
As for the carrying 5 vs 6, I'm old school and have never felt undergunned with any of my Blackhawks only loaded with 5 rounds. And, many folks will load six when on the range practicing, so that part goes away. If you choose an OM, then never carry it with the hammer resting on a loaded chamber.
My suggestion? Get a friend or two who has both and see which one YOU prefer.
Once you try an OM action, you may realize why so many of us prefer them.
As for the carrying 5 vs 6, I'm old school and have never felt undergunned with any of my Blackhawks only loaded with 5 rounds. And, many folks will load six when on the range practicing, so that part goes away. If you choose an OM, then never carry it with the hammer resting on a loaded chamber.
My suggestion? Get a friend or two who has both and see which one YOU prefer.
Once you try an OM action, you may realize why so many of us prefer them.
Driftwood Johnson
Blackhawk
Howdy
Kind of a moot question, since the Old Model stopped being made back in the 1970s. So if you want one you have to search for it and will probably wind up paying a premium.
That said, I have my New Model that I bought brand spanky new in 1975. If I ran across an Old Model I would buy it in a heartbeat.
Kind of a moot question, since the Old Model stopped being made back in the 1970s. So if you want one you have to search for it and will probably wind up paying a premium.
That said, I have my New Model that I bought brand spanky new in 1975. If I ran across an Old Model I would buy it in a heartbeat.
flatgate
Hawkeye
One of each, of course!
Both have their attributes.
JMHO,
flatgate
Both have their attributes.
JMHO,
flatgate
BIgMuddy
Blackhawk
wavehopr said:
That is very true, but when hunting sometimes I have to let the hammer back down after cocking, and not taking the shot. That is so much easier with the NM loaded with 6 vs. getting back to the empty chamber on the OM.
With that said, I agree that they both have attributes.
Dan
DGW1949
Hawkeye
J Miller said:
Everything that Mr Miller said....plus this:
With the exception of the "Annaversary Flatop", all NM Blackhawks are built on an overgrown, 44 Mag sized frame. That, coupled with their aluminum grip frame, makes for a decidedly top heavy gun that feels way out of balance to me. I find it particularly annoying in the 357-cal version.
Due to the design, all "NM" Ruger's soon develop a distinct wear-ring around their cylinder. Most folks say that that does not matter to them but it matters to me. Whether it would bother you or not, I can't say...but it IS something that a perspective buyer should be aware of. Also be aware that transfer bars break and the pin that pushes against it can stick. Neither is a common problem but both do happen. Either will put the gun out of commision. I would not personaly exchange the reliability of the OM design for the luxury of being able to safely carry one extra round in my gun....but that's just me.
On the other hand, NMs are a bit more idiot-proof than the OMs. In fact, making it as idiot-proof as possable was the main criteria of it's design. Considering the mind-set of today's society, that was probably not a bad idea. What you think about it is up to you.
DGW
Colonel Daddy
Buckeye
Wish I could add more, but J Miller, Contender and DGW pretty well covered my thoughts on the matter.
yankee7809
Single-Sixer
I don't particularly care about which action (new vs. old) the gun has but I really do appreciate the "curb appeal" of the older Blackhawks. The shine of the really deep bluing and recessed cylinders of the Super Blackhawk. Of course that great blue finish carried over for a while with the New Model Blackhawks. My Super was born around 1976 and you can about see your face in it.
