Super Blackhawk Sighting Issues

[diesel3500]

1st time I've ever posted on one of these boards. Need some insight here. I got a Super Blackhawk 10 1/2 barrel from an individual hurting for money little over a month ago. Gave me 2 boxes of ammo with it. 1 box of Winchester 44 mag and 1 box of Blazer I think it is. Problem I have is sighting it in. I'm retired military. I've fired everything a combat soldier can fire and other countries weapons too. Pretty sure I know how to zero a weapon. The rear sight has roughly 1/64 to 1/32 movement side to side. I took it out about a week ago and the best I could get was 9 rounds in a 12" circle at 25 yards. I know about windage and elevation. It's maxed out to the left with windage. Not sure how much is left with elevation. Since I'm not real familiar with civilian stuff, I'm hoping someone can help. Maybe there's some difference I don't know about between civilian and military.

 

[Bucks Owin]

As to the rear sight maxed to the left, sounds like the barrel is out of kilter in the frame. Front sight isn't at exactly 12 o'clock. I have a Blackhawk like that, it's not real uncommon from what I hear...

I'll bet Ruger will fix it for you...

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

I would send it back too. But first check the muzzle and be sure there's no obvious dents or issues that are flinging the bullets around. Fire 3 or 4 shots from each chamber to verify if it's one or two bad chambers; shoot from a bench rest to eliminate as much human error as possible.

 

[diesel3500]

I appreciate the help. Oddly enough, I did about everything minus the bench rest. Checked the barrel, cylinder and front and rear sights. That's when I found the rear sight movement. Checked the rifling too. I fired 18 rounds that day. Only 9 were in that 12" circle. 3 rounds i screwed up going right on windage instead of left. I had suspected a gunsmith was the next step. I need to get some .44 special to calm it down a little and try that bench rest idea. For all my critiquing, I love that gun and it's a blast to shoot, but I may change to a 7 1/2 barrel. 10 1/2 is a little long.

 

[pisgah]

How about a bit more detail? Where are your shots hitting in relation to where you want them to go? High, low,left, right? Scattered in all directions? The movement you noticed is likely just normal -- the sight has to have a bit of play so it can move when you adjust it. And don't neglect shooting it from a rest. If you are unfamiliar with shooting THIS gun, you just may not be able to shoot it worth a hoot at this point.

 

[diesel3500]

Easy enough. All the rounds hit lower right starting about an inch below center except one which hit about an inch above. Point made about being unfamiliar with the gun. Except shotguns, all my weapon experience is military weapons. I also hadn't expected the weight when I was sighting it in. I'm used to aiming center mass with MUCH bigger weapons. Could be I just need more practice with handguns. Didn't have much use for those in the Army. I'm used to 5.56, 7.62, .50 cal, 40mm and so forth outside 25 yards to 1000.

 

[pisgah]

Easy enough. All the rounds hit lower right starting about an inch below center except one which hit about an inch above. Point made about being unfamiliar with the gun. Except shotguns, all my weapon experience is military weapons. I also hadn't expected the weight when I was sighting it in. I'm used to aiming center mass with MUCH bigger weapons. Could be I just need more practice with handguns. Didn't have much use for those in the Army. I'm used to 5.56, 7.62, .50 cal, 40mm and so forth outside 25 yards to 1000.

It may well be your barrel needs to be turned in a fraction to move the front sight just slightly right. This might well involve some adjusting of the barrel-cylinder gap after that. But before doing anything, I'd suggest shooting it with a solid rest to be sure it's not the unfamiliar weight or grip/trigger configuration that is confounding you. Not denigrating your military firearms experience in the least but it's been a while since a single-action revolver was Army-issue, especially with a 10" barrel, and they can take some getting-used-to! :wink:

A bit of dry-firing at a small target while concentrating on the front sight can often tell you if you are unconsciously pre-compensating for recoil (flinching) and, believe me, that happens even with seasoned shooters with an unfamiliar handgun.

 

[DeletedMember275]

And please don't have the barrel chopped to 7.5 inches! There are lots of those around - not so many 10.5 inch guns. SOmeone would probably trade you straight up!

 

[Hondo44]

Yes, what Pisgah and Enigma said!

The 10" is not a good starter gun for someone learning the single action, especially in 44 Mag. Definitely benchrest it for checking gun's accuracy. Your idea of using 44 specials is a good one.

I agree. Much easier and less costly to sell and buy or trade for another model that's already a standard production model.

 

[LuckenbachTexas]

And please don't have the barrel chopped to 7.5 inches! There are lots of those around - not so many 10.5 inch guns. SOmeone would probably trade you straight up!

Amen!

 

[diesel3500]

Message received. Thanks for the help. I'll just get in some practice with this bad boy. Sorry folks, I'm just so used to firing the bigger caliber stuff with much longer barrels. Never cared for the M16 even though I had to carry it. 7.62 was better. Sorry. Loved the M60 I carried over my shoulder and the .50 was a blast. Especially when fired after dark with a nightscope. I could hit a moving target first round at 300 yards and more with all the training I had. Again thanks for the help and I'm keeping the gun including it's current barrel. When money's available I'll get one with a 7.5 barrel. Plus I want a 1911.

 

[Ruger1441]

In my experience shooting a single action is a lot differetnt than other handguns. Takes a bit to get use to them

 

[Dan in MI]

PLEASE do not take offense at this. Try putting three in round in the cylinder. two side by side an empty and a single. Turn the cyl while looking away, close everything up and shoot. Yes, this is a flinch test. A .44 in a 10" is handful for anyone not used to handguns.

I took a guy out that was a shooter but not a handgunner. No matter what I did with the sights he was low right. Did the above drill without his knowledge and watched as the empty chamber came up. The gun dove about 8" to nothing but a click.

 

[schloss]

I grew up shooting. I shot everything as long as it wasn't a handgun, as my dad did not like them. I started at about 6 years old, and continued all the way through high school. We lived out in the country, and I was one of "those guys you hear about" that would sneak guns out of the cabinet after school and go behind the shed for some good plinkin' fun, and would often get up way too early to do the same.

Once I got done with high school, I joined the Army. Their stuff was phenomenally easy to shoot. Loved the M16. Loved the M4. Loved the M9. Loved the 1911. Loved the Grease gun (no accuracy of any sort, but still fun). Loved the M60. Loved the M249. Loved the M240B. Really loved the M2. Maybe not as much as the 240B, but close. Could shoot all of them reasonably well, and still jump on them every chance I get.

Probably 12 years after joining, I picked up my first Blackhawk. It was quite the learning curve. 6 years after that, it still is. To irritate my wife, I shoot my 1911 off of a rest, and kick bottle caps downrange to about 40 yards, where I start missing consistently. With that gun, I can hit every reasonable target within my 50 yard limit consistently. I've found that I can shoot my 1851 very well. Much better than my other single actions. I struggled with the Blackhawk. I can shoot it much better with wood grips on it than I can with the black plastic grips, and slippery plastic grips are even worse.

So.... where I'm going with all this rambling...

Don't worry about the other stuff. For me, I had to learn to start all over. I blamed the gun for a long time, but it was really me. Different grips helped. Consistency in grip, and dry firing helped even more. And range time helped even more. (I'm not trying to say its you here, so don't get me wrong... Just look at yourself and be willing to be humble... I realize it could be the gun.)

If you are sure it's the gun, get on a rest and shoot it - even if the rest is a wadded up sweatshirt or an old blanket (just beware the flames at the front of the cylinder). Do what you have to, to take that part out of the equation. If you can hit everything off of the rest, you know the next steps. If it's still trouble, then I'd start looking at the gun more. Also, bring a critical friend along to watch you shoot. They'll point out mistakes if you're making any.

Then shoot it, shoot it, shoot it. Despite being more difficult for me, my single actions are still my favorites. (Also, I've also discovered that I shoot the mid-frames better, and it's also much easier for me to shoot short barreled guns.)

 

[Hondo44]

Schloss,

Great post! I can also hold and shoot short barrels the best off hand. The long barrels really accentuate the slightest wiggle while trying to hold a sight picture. Off of a rest short or long barrel makes no difference.

 

[s4s4u]

Grip consistancy is paramount with single action revolvers, especially with magnums with stiff recoil. I find a firm grip works best.

 

[dleong]

I've purchased two 10.5" SBHs since about 2005. Both had to go back to Ruger for canted front sights due to incorrectly indexed barrels. To Ruger's credit, they corrected the problems promptly under their warranty, at absolutely no charge to me.

One of the SBHs has since been sold to fund the acquisition of another firearm. Both SBHs were stupidly accurate; this is typical of the kind of accuracy I'm getting with the remaining SBH using my 240 gr. handloads shot offhand at 74 feet:

 

[diesel3500]

I appreciate all the info. Even at 60 I still know how to listen and take advice. There's some good advice on here I'm certainly going to try. Hopefully this weekend. I know one of you felt you may have been rambling, you weren't and I understood completely. I HAVE come to believe after reading these posts it may WELL be me. The only handgun I ever fired was the M1911 issued to me 40 years ago. Outside of that was all rifles and light and heavy machine guns and anti-tank missiles. I honestly didn't think it would be THAT hard! Surprise! I'm going with .44 Special my next trip and making some sort of rest to put it on. I'll try the cylinder idea too. I used to teach soldiers a trick with the M14 and later the M16 by putting a dime on the barrel right behind the front sight post. Many a soldier were surprised at what they were doing.

Thank all of you for the suggestions and ideas. I love that gun. I've spent quite a bit a time just playing with it and cleaning it. I'll go back to zero and start again.

 

[s4s4u]

making some sort of rest to put it on

You might wanna try resting your forearms on a sandbag, or wedged between the legs when seated with knees up, while holding the gun in your hands. Also, single action revolvers can be quite sensitive as to where you rest what part of the gun, and will shoot to a different point of impact when rested than when fired off-hand. Be mindful of the blast from the cylinder gap as it can singe front rests and blow holes in bags.

 

[schloss]

Diesel, what's your location?

I'd go to the range with you if you're anywhere close. I know the chances are slim... but the offer is out there.

Be persistent - that 1911 is ridiculously easy to shoot. It spoils me, and mine is considered by most to be "entry level". The revolvers are a little tougher. If you've got time, watch as many Bob Munden videos as you can - his stuff always reminds me how fun it is to shoot when your heart is really in it. Also, his videos always remind me that none of us is ever too old. (Right now I'm wondering if they had to bury him with his Colt). Lots of his stuff on Youtube.

 

[Major T]

diesel, note the grips on diieong's long nose super above. Those are not traditional SA grips, but they work for some.

I guess I'm lucky. After carrying double action revolvers for over twenty-five years and then a 220 Sig in uniform and a 228 if in street clothes, I have adapted to the good life using my four Ruger single actions rather well, while bumming around on the kids' ranches. I really love the little Bearcat, but my favorite packing revolver is a SS flattop 4 5/8" .44 special. I also have the .44mag 50 Anniversary and a SS Single Six combo .22/.22mag. BTW, both the .44s need fatter flat base grips.

Jack

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!
From a different angle.
Before I'd send it back to Ruger, find a friend who is very familiar with shooting a Single-action handgun. Let them try your gun. See how they do. From your posts, it appears to me that it may very well be your method of shooting.
If you are anywhere near any of us, I'm sure you could get some hands on help. (You can edit your profile & add something about your location.)

I own a gun range, I teach NRA handgunning & even a lot of ladies with the NRA Women On Target program.
I have helped a lot of folks, and if you are anywhere near western NC, I'm available.

 

[Kevin]

Contender, I was starting to wonder, no one suggested having someone else shoot the gun.

Diesel3500, I was going to say the say thing others have said. I recently bought a semi auto 9mm. I'm not used to semi autos at all. The first time at the range was terrible. I couldn't even hit the paper let alone the target. 100 rounds and not a single malfunction but I began to wonder if it was the gun. I kept trying and now it's a lot better.

I wouldn't be very accurate with a 44. I'm just not used to large calibers, but it does sound like you are. Canted front sites are not uncommon as well. If your gun looks like the one pictured that is a great looking gun! Congrats.

 

[diesel3500]

I'm going to the range tomorrow morning. I'm incorporating suggestions from several of you. Different tactics if you will. You're never too old to learn something new. Been reading up on handgun training as well versus what I'm used to. I'll have fun no matter it turns out.

 

[diesel3500]

I'm happy now. Used some suggestions from this post besides going back to basics. The rest idea did great. Changed my grip as suggested. Changed my stance and form. Went back to basics on breath control and sight picture. Took the sights back to center and bottom. Used .44 Special. Only had to move windage 2 left and 4 or 5 up. I was too use to "long guns". Thanks for all the help! Out of 12 rounds, got 7 in a 4 inch circle. Out of that was 3 in a 2 inch circle. Gun is fine. It was all me. Love that gun! I'm getting used to that 10 1/2 barrel. Soon as I figure out how to put pics on this, I'll post the gun. Got 2 boxes of .44 Mag and the gun for $300.

 

[s4s4u]

Got 2 boxes of .44 Mag and the gun for $300.

Theft ;-)

 

[SAJohn]

I am concerned about the side-to-side play in the rear sight. There is a tiny spring that keeps the sight blade pushed to the right. When you force the blade to the left in does move but then springs back to the right.