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Foilist

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Dec 20, 2004
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I am toying with the idea of getting a decent handgun - one that will be primarily recreational but could provide food and home defense if need be. My only guns right now are a Ram Line Exactor pistol in .22 (hate it) and a Ruger 10/22 (love it). I am really interested in the Ruger Blackhawk in .357. I have never handled one, but I have spent some time with a friend's .44 Blackhawk and my dad's Single Six. I like the historicity of the single action revolver design, and I can shoot them more accurately than other types. They make a convertible version that can take 9mm in addition to .357 or .38 too, which is a nice option.

Who has one? What do you think of it? What alternative suggestions do you have?
 
I dont have this model But am am a huge fan of rugers in general. I have owned two different .357s from them and both were great, I still have a security Six that I carry sometimes in the woods, I havent used it on anything but targets yet but I love the gun.

The owner of a gun store near me hunted with A blackhawk .357 for many years ond loved it. As for myself a single action is blackhawk is probably one of the next handguns I am planning to purchase.
 
I have a Ruger Bisley model blackhawk .44 magnum that is my favorite revolver. It could definitely provide food as I take it target shooting up to 100 yards. It takes some practice but is really fun when you can start shooting that far with it without a scope. I also love to kill snakes with it using .44 shot shells. I also owned a Super Blackhawk in .357 magnum but had trouble with the ejector (factory flaw) and so I got rid of it, but overall I really liked the gun though I prefer the feel of the Bisley style myself. My .44 magnum could be used in self defense but is probably not the best choice considering the long barrel and single action. I also have a 454 Super Redhawk which is also a fun gun but is a good amount heavier than the Blackhawk and not quite as fun to shoot in my opinion. It does allow for double action and scope setup too for hunting though.
You couldn't go wrong with the Blackhawk .357, but I will tell you that getting the .44 magnum at long range is one of the most fun target shooting that I do so you may want to consider that if the recoil does not bother you (I haven't found it to be to bad myself but it's all a matter of opinion and size of person). The .357 on the other hand would be better for self defense.

Also to add to that I did own a Vaquero at one point but did not think that it was as fun as the blackhawk models; I know that it is one of the prime guns used in cowboy action shooting but I believe it to be limited to just that. The regular sights on it are no good for long range shooting.
 
Love the Ruger single actions!

I've got a S&W Model 19 in .357 that's my carry gun when I'm outdoors.

I would suggest a double action if you intend to use it as a self defense pistol also.
 
I love my Ruger revolvers :D I currently have a Blackhawk convertable in 45Colt/45ACP. Awesome gun. The .357/9mm would be a nice set up too. Definitely a fun gun that would be decently affordable to shoot too. Way back when I had one in 357/9mm and it was a real hitter! If you are thinking of a double action at all I highly recomend the GP100 too. You can fire it in single action style but DA is nice for a carry gun. You can still run 38s though it for cheaper shooting practice :)
 
I have a redhawk in .44 and my dad has a blackhawk in .357 - both are excellent guns. My dad has taken several deer with his .357
 
If this will double as your defense weopen I suggest a Double action revolver such as a Ruger gp100 or a S&W 19, 66 or 625 in 45acp

If your determined to get the single action, my preference is the ruger blackhawk with two cylinders 45 colt / 45acp
 
The .357 Blackhawk is a GREAT choice for a fun/woods gun. Built like a tank. Basically, it is a .357 built on the 45lc/.44 frame/cylinder. Actually, is probably a good bit stronger due to wall thickness than the larger calibers.

As a primary SD gun - I would agree to go with a double. If you mean only defense in the woods, then I think it is a great choice. There was a Ayoob article a few years ago dealing the logical reasons to choose a single action over a double action. The chief points involved handling the weapon while moving - horseback, atv, etc. While I don't advocate shooting from these positions, the SA is inherently safer by avoiding an inadvertent second shoot while moving.

The .357/38 can use comparatively cheap .38 rounds for practice and HEAVILY loaded, high pressure 180 and 200 grain hard cast rounds for four-legged woods self defense. Granted, you'll probably never need it but it makes me sleep better on solo kayak trips.

DEFINITELY go stainless.

rugersalg.jpg
 
I have a Ruger Single Six with extra cylinder for 22 mag. I also have a Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 mag. While I additionally have an old Ruger standard, a couple of Colt .38's and an old service Colt .45, the short gun I use most is that Single Six. Accurate, easy to shoot. Useful for plinking or small game. I like the Super Blackhawk. It's at least as good as I am. I just find myself using the Single Six more.

Note:
I have a shotgun with #6 shot for home defence. Don't have to remember what's on the other side of the wall with that. Good for impressing the daughter's boyfriends, too.
 
I don't think you can get the 9mm/.357 convertible in stainless. May not matter to you. The .357 blackhawk is a nice gun that you can reload a variety of loads for. Some of the .357 silhouette loads are real stompers. All in all, I don't think you can go wrong w/ it unless you particularly needed or wanted a .44.
 
Excellent weapon. Dont let anyone discourage you from single actions if that means a lot to you. They are deadly weapons. Training can overcome anything. .357 is a great versitile cartridge.
 
Well here I go, G L O C K :D
If I'm goin to depend on a handgun to defend my family, home, & myself, I want it to go *BANG* everytime I squeeze the trigger w/ a loaded chamber ! I have a CCDW permit here in Kentucky & I carry a Glock G19, this is a proven dependable handgun :thumbup: Also w/ the 9mm you get 15rd clips, these guns are accurate & field strip very easy & fast ! Great customer service & easy to find extras for it ! The single six is a good gun but slow to reload for the average person & heavy to pack all day . Go to the handgun forum & check out the torture test on the glock, you will be amazed & what these guns can go through & keep firing !;)
Sorry for the long post :o
 
Nom way can you go wrong with a Ruger Blackhawk. I have several of them including the 41 Mag, 45 Long Colt and 44 Super Blackhawk Bisley Hunter.
 
I have a Blackhawk .357/9mm Convertible. Love it. Single action guns simply feel good in my hand. It sees mostly 9mm ammo simply because it's cheap for plinking. And .38sp/.357 is incredibly versatile. Adjustable sights are a nice addition, though may turn off the purists. Makes a great companion to a Marlin 1894C and/or a 9mm carbine.

As far as self defense, the best advice I've ever heard for this or any kind of firearm is: know your gun.
 
Thanks for the info and comments. Of course, I understand that a double action revolver or semi auto is better for a dedicated defense handgun, but this is mainly meant to be for fun plinking with hunting or protection as secondary concerns. For a dedicated defense gun, I'm thinking of a short shotgun.
 
i have a ruger gp100. i like it but i'm not much of a revolver fan. it has a fairly long, heavy trigger pull. with a red dot, it might make a decent gun for hunting in single-action. i don't hunt and prefer a semi-auto with combat sites (glock).
 
coaldigger said:
Well here I go, G L O C K :D I have a CCDW permit here in Kentucky & I carry a Glock G19, this is a proven dependable handgun :thumbup: Also w/ the 9mm you get 15rd clips, :o
Click to expand...

I'm sure you meant to say magazines instead of clips, right? :rolleyes:
 
I have shot my father's .357 Ruger single action Vaquero a bunch. I love it. It hits where you are aiming, and points naturally. I can shoot it quite fast. The only down side is slower reloading time, but people have been shooting people with single actions since cowboy days. I love them, and they are next on my list of guns I gotta have (.45 caliber Ruger Bisley with the solid cylinder that is engraved really catches my attention in stainless).

I have a Ruger SP101 .357 with the stubby barrel and bobbed hammer, which is my Cc piece, and a Smith and Wesson model 66 in .357 and the Ruger is very robust.
 
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