Author Topic: When Did .44 Super Black Hawk Cylinder Change??? (Read 736 times)

J.Solo · « **on:** December 17, 2003, 03:37:32 PM »

When did the RUGER .44 Mag New Model Super Black Hawk Cylinder change from the enclosed case head style to the newer open, exposed case head style?

I fitted one of the older, enclosed case head cylinders to my NMSBH that previously had the open case head designe cylinder.

All bore holes of the old style cylinder are more consistant in dia. than the newer cylinder, giving me a great improvement in accuracy than I had before the change.

Maybe there is something to be said about old workmanship. Maybe they really "don't make them like they used to do".

What are your thoughts?

Thanks - J.Solo

Ka6otm · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2003, 04:12:33 AM »

I didn't even know they made that change to the cylinders.

However, I tried one of the new model blackhawks about 1977 and hated it. No click-click-click-click when you cock it (4 clicks spells C-O-L-T) and miserable accuracy. I found out later the accuracy problem had to do with undersized cylinders.

The only thing I'll shoot is the old 3-screw models.

Ka6otm

Flint · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2003, 09:16:18 AM »

The chamber change came with the New Model. The Old Model had the recessed heads, making it appear that the cylinder was longer. Supported rims can, according to some, make a more accurate shooter because it centers the cartridge better,,,,, ?

Bill T · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2003, 12:47:37 AM »

Flint,

I have a "new model" Ruger Super Blackhawk that was purchased around 1974, and it has counterbored chambers. The change came later than the new models were introduced. I personally like them because they give the gun a cleaner appearance. I also own several other caliber Blackhawks including a .357 model that was purchased about 2 years after the counterbored chamber Super Blackhawk, and it does not have a counterbored cylinder. Bill T.

Flint · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2003, 10:13:40 AM »

Like the other companies, Ruger is not one to waste parts. Reading the books written on the Ruger guns shows that putting a date or serial number on a feature or a change is difficult, because the feature will always show up on a gun made before a feature was introduced or after it was changed. I have a 3 screw SBH with all steel parts, made when the changeover occurred, and it came (I bought it new) with an aluminum ejector housing and the steel Micro sight, the aluminun part got swapped at the dealer's shop for the housing on a gun having the newer aluminum sight and this steel housing. Many guns were shipped years after they were manufactured, stirring up the serial number/date charts.