45 cal Blackhawk cylinders

[azmark]

I know in the past it was common for the chambers of 45 caliber Blackhawks to be incorrectly sized from the factory.  Is that still the case?  This might be a deciding factor for choosing a 44 vs 45 caliber BH.

[Graybeard]

I own two recent manufacture BHs that have proper dimensions.

[44 Man]

The short answer is yes, they are fine now.  In the old days, they were sized the same as the old Colt's were.  In other words they were sized for .454 bullets but still had a barrel for .451 bullets.  That was no problem, as long as your bullets were .454 as you had poor accuracy with .451 bullets.  Then they went through a period where some got through with too tight a cylinder throat and that hurt accuracy also.  At least when they were too small, you could have them polished or opened up to the correct size.  (.452)  I have not heard of similar problems with the .44's although I did get a stainless Super 25 or so years ago that had 'tight' chambers. Accuracy was good, but some bullet styles were hard to chamber.  Nowdays, I would not be concerned at all if I were buying a new gun.  A used one might have issues but really, it was not a common enough problem that I myself would worry about getting a bad one.  If it's a worry to you, just take a .452 bullet with you for a .45 or a .430 for a 44.  Slide it into the cylinder from the front and check the fit.  It should fit well without a lot of looseness.  44 Man

[hillbill]

i have a blackhawk 45 long colt that is about 1.5 yrs old. the throats are too tight causeing leading.very accurate when clean but after about 12 rounds it gets bad fast. i can take a measured 452 factory lead bullet and insert it into the back side of the cylinder,and it takes considerable force, such as a hammer and wood dowel to exit the front. it also has a 45 acp cylinder but it doesnt seem to have the same prob but i havent messed with it much either.

[44 Man]

Hillbill, you should definately have the cylinder opened up to the proper size.  Cylindersmith will do it for a very reasonable charge.  If you do that you will have a gun that is accurante and a pleasure to shoot for just a very small investment.  Go for it. 
It does seem strange that they had a problem with the .45lc throats but never did the .45 acp.  Go figure.  44 Man.

[GarrettJ]

I bought a Blackhawk .45 Colt in 1995.  I slugged the cylinder and the chambers were fine for a .451 bullet.

[gcrank1]

And that .451 bullet was ideal for the barrel bore/groove dimensions?

[GarrettJ]

And that .451 bullet was ideal for the barrel bore/groove dimensions?

yes, the .451 bullets work very well.

I want to say I slugged the barrel too. It was 17 or 18 years ago, so I don't recall the exact dimensions, except that they sounded correct.

In any event, it shoots better groups at 50 yards that a 16" Contender rifle with the same ammo.

[Lloyd Smale]

all the small framed newer guns ive had were done right.

[Mike in Virginia]

Mine is about 6 years old.  4 5/8" barrel.  It is the most accurate revolver I've ever owned.  It's the only pistol or revolver that 5 out of 5 shots at 25 yards will print under 1" at 25 yards.  Maybe it's a fluke.  I use a healthy dose of 2400 under a 300 hardcast flatpoint, but several factory loadings shoot as well from this simple gun.  I'd shoot my dog before I'd sell that gun.   

[Dana Rudd]

I currently have 12 Ruger single actions in .45 Colt, old models and new models Blackhawks and Vaquero's four have the extra .45 ACP cylinder.  All sixteen cylinders had tight throats and had to be reamed.  I have the reamer.

None of these guns were manufactured after 2003.  I've never had one with oversize throats.  If they are tight it's an easy fix.

You can't go wrong with a .45 as far as I'm concerned.  Got a few lever actions in the same caliber also.

As I understand it the current productions are close to the proper throat size. Buy it you'll like it.

Dana

[temmi]

mine is fine I even had a Smith check it
 
Snake