Author Topic: 44 super blackhawk (Read 2703 times)

les hemby · « **on:** August 21, 2003, 12:40:55 PM »

put the 44 super blackhawk on layaway today, what can i expect when i get it home? it is blue with 4.58 barrel. it feels great and balances well for me

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2003, 12:58:18 PM »

After a trigger spring kit and a little smoothing, a lifetime companion.

les hemby · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2003, 02:10:53 PM »

pretty accurate? i gotta get to practicing with it. if i can get comfortable i would like to shoot a deer with it. guess i will start with specials in short barrel and work up. this seems like a really easy gun to carry :-D :-D

kciH · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2003, 03:23:51 PM »

The Blackhawks are plenty accurate. If you're using full power loads in the short barrel gun it will get your attention if you are not used to shooting magnum handguns. I also endorse the trigger work, it's the single largest improvement, aside from lots of practice, that you can make to enhance the usable accuracy of the revolver. A trigger job does not, in any way, enhance the mechanical accuracy of the revolver...it does greatly enhance your ability to use the accuracy the firearm does have. Good luck with your new revolver!

If you reload, or intend to in the future, I'd skip the .44 Specials and start with a lower velocity .44 Magnum load.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2003, 03:52:24 PM »

my favorite barrel length You will fall in love with it!

les hemby · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2003, 04:21:37 PM »

i think so it feels great. Thanks for replies. i will check into spring kit. fixin to sell some contender stuff. gotta get it out. i am thinking about getting the 357 they have identicle to it

Blackhawk44 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2003, 04:22:18 PM »

Until you handload, I wouldn't worry about Specials; too expensive and the lite mags will do. When you do handload try them. Some guns shoot with the short case, some don't. Most 44's do. The 6 I have and the 3 I had all did. With the short barrels (my favorites) try 2400 instead of 110 and 296 for far less blast and muzzleflash. 2400 will also work over a broader pressure/velocity range while the ball powders only begin to group when nearer maximum. The difference in velocity in the short barrel is negligible. A few suggestions: for target/practice, Spec-4.5gr Bullseye/Mg-5gr Bullseye both with Speer swaged 240gr for about 650-700fps. For just everyday beating the brush, Spec-7.5gr Unique/Mg-8.5gr with cast 240-250 SWC, about 900-950fps and more power that factory 45 Colt. Full load, Mg case only, 19-20gr new production 2400 with either 240gr jacketed or 240-250gr cast. Just try different bullets to see which one your pistol likes. Seems the bullet makes more difference in group size than the powder charge. Use a different bullet for each different load and you can always tell which is which. Enjoy.

rocco · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2003, 11:43:53 PM »

I posted below on how I got my SBH in a 4 5/8 . I got mine about three weeks ago . After shooting three boxes of special's I loaded up and one box of magnum loads all I can say is. I love this little guy and so will you .

TScottO · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2003, 05:43:55 AM »

Congrats on one sweet lil gun! What happend to that light accurate 22 you were just looken for? :-D

Now all you need is some leather.

Good luck and be safe,
Scott

les hemby · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2003, 06:19:30 AM »

kinda had to put that on hold, ran into a light big one :-D i am still looking for the 5.5 single six also, i think this would be a great practice gun and if i can hit a squirrel with it a deer with 44 ought to be a cinch

W · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2003, 06:17:07 AM »

Blackhawk44
Can you tell me alittle more about the trigger spring kit?
How do you get one and can you do the work yourself or do you need a gunsmith?
Cost?
Thanks, Warren

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #11 on:** August 27, 2003, 12:20:10 PM »

want some good advise take the $40 or so that youll spend on a spring kit and put it in a piggy bank and save another $60 and send the gun to someone like clemments that will do a proper action job on it. Theres alot more to a good action job then a light trigger pull. To me creep in the sear is more detrimental to accuaracy then pull weight. And its nice just to cock a gun that is smothed up properly.

kciH · « **Reply #12 on:** August 27, 2003, 12:48:27 PM »

I'll second Lloyd on the trigger work. There is no comparison between a spring kit and a good trigger job performed by a competent gunsmith. I would not reccomend having some "shade tree" gunsmith perform the work either. The few extra bucks you spend using a reputable smith is money well spent. Additionally, with an established professional, if they muck something up, they don't expect you to pay extra for a mistake they made. This won't be the case with an amatuer, and it won't be the case when a good smith has to fix a bad one's work.

Since it sounds like this is your first revolver? I would suggest, if you want to become proficient with it, that you have a little work done on the trigger before you buy a bunch more guns. I'm not telling you what to do with your money, just some advice from someone with a lot of revolvers. The old saying:"Beware the man with one rifle, because he probably knows how to use it" applies to handguns as well. If you get one revolver tuned to your liking, and practice with it, it will enhance your shooting skills much more than a safe full of different revolvers. The other benefit of this method is that you will know what it's REALLY going to cost you the next time you decide to get a new single action. When you decide to get the next one, you can budget for the modifications you'll want on it. After you determine if the gun is a "keeper" after some initial accuracy testing, you just send it to your smith and have the work done. There is no better bargain in the revolver business than a Ruger Blackhawk(Bisley), as far as single actions go, but the price tag at the gun shop is only part of the cost of owning a pistol you will enjoy and be proficient with.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #13 on:** August 27, 2003, 01:55:32 PM »

I have a sbh 7.5" 44mag that I hunt with and load with hard cast full load 275grn. I also carry a 5.5 rh that I load with high end hard cast full load in 44 sp. I would rather up load than down load a 44 mag as some powders are temp sensitive and in the winter it shows. I put Pachmyer declelerator grips on both. my .02 worth
Jim

TScottO · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2003, 02:45:52 PM »

Something that wasnt mentioned that everyone may or may not be aware of; if you ship your gun to a smith or the manufacturer you don't have to have a dealer with an FFL to ship the gun for you. You can go to FedEx or UPS and ship it yourself.

For the longest time I had always had my dealer ship my guns for me. It's odd how it took me so long to find out about this.

Good luck and be safe,
Scott

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** August 28, 2003, 05:00:14 AM »

That is correct Scott but if you have a good relationship with your dealer you can actually save money. Mine never charges me one red cent except actual shipping costs. He can use USPS where you and I can't. That is much cheaper.

When I returned the FA83 to Bob Baker at FA after the testing I paid $50 for shipping and insurance thru UPS. When I returned the FA97 to him I let my dealer ship it via USPS and we insured it for same value. It cost me an even $20.

If you don't have such a relationship with your dealer you either aren't buying enough guns :eek:

or you need to find a new dealer.

GB

Old Griz · « **Reply #16 on:** August 31, 2003, 07:05:14 PM »

Just go have fun with it. You might not want to do anything to it at allexcept shoot it!

les hemby · « **Reply #17 on:** September 03, 2003, 07:01:56 AM »

brought it home today :grin: sure is nice i think i did pretty good i gave 300 and it has less than a box of shells through it. i sill want a 7.5 but ran across a deal on this one first :lol:

Old Griz · « **Reply #18 on:** September 03, 2003, 01:41:03 PM »

My .44s are my favorite guns to shoot. I sure hope you have a great time with your's. Enjoy punchin' those big bore holes! Hey, but I'm warning younow that you've got one, it won't be your last! You'll be saving up for that 7.5" before you know it! (That way you'll at least have one for each hand!) :grin:

les hemby · « **Reply #19 on:** September 03, 2003, 02:13:59 PM »

it is very addicting i just have to have the 7.5 hunter :grin:

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2003, 12:20:18 AM »

WELL SAID!!

Quote from: kciH

I'll second Lloyd on the trigger work. There is no comparison between a spring kit and a good trigger job performed by a competent gunsmith. I would not reccomend having some "shade tree" gunsmith perform the work either. The few extra bucks you spend using a reputable smith is money well spent. Additionally, with an established professional, if they muck something up, they don't expect you to pay extra for a mistake they made. This won't be the case with an amatuer, and it won't be the case when a good smith has to fix a bad one's work.

Since it sounds like this is your first revolver? I would suggest, if you want to become proficient with it, that you have a little work done on the trigger before you buy a bunch more guns. I'm not telling you what to do with your money, just some advice from someone with a lot of revolvers. The old saying:"Beware the man with one rifle, because he probably knows how to use it" applies to handguns as well. If you get one revolver tuned to your liking, and practice with it, it will enhance your shooting skills much more than a safe full of different revolvers. The other benefit of this method is that you will know what it's REALLY going to cost you the next time you decide to get a new single action. When you decide to get the next one, you can budget for the modifications you'll want on it. After you determine if the gun is a "keeper" after some initial accuracy testing, you just send it to your smith and have the work done. There is no better bargain in the revolver business than a Ruger Blackhawk(Bisley), as far as single actions go, but the price tag at the gun shop is only part of the cost of owning a pistol you will enjoy and be proficient with.

les hemby · « **Reply #21 on:** September 04, 2003, 04:45:33 AM »

does 85 sound reasonable for a trigger job? this is a very reputable smith. what else should i do to it. i buy and sell guns all the time this one i am fixing up for a keeper. what do i need to tell them on the trigger job. my hope is to use this for shorter range deer and hogs. but i also want to get a sbhhunter or srhhunter for long shots. i really like alot of different guns and different choices, but only settle on a few for actual use the rest just lay around or get traded

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #22 on:** September 04, 2003, 06:24:05 AM »

just tell them to try to get it down to #3 with minimal creap. I prefer mine a little lighter closer to #2 but ive seen alot of people without experience get into trouble with pulls that light on a handgun. To me Id rather have one #5 with no creep then #2 with creep Just make sure hes actually doing a trigger job and not putting in a spring kit Ive seen gunsmiths who will tell you there doing a trigger job just drop in a spring kit and charge $100 for the job. I even saw one guys gun who paid to have it done and all the smith did was to drop one leg on the spring and charge him $75 Needless to say he got a phone call when it was discovered. A good action job not only includes lightening the trigger pull and taking out the creap but stoning that hammer and internal parts so that the gun cocks more smothly also. Only problem you have is once you shoot one thats right youll never be able to tolarate a bad one again.

les hemby · « **Reply #23 on:** September 04, 2003, 11:49:11 AM »

the creep is the main thing i want rid of

les hemby · « **Reply #24 on:** September 19, 2003, 03:20:02 PM »

got to shoot it today :shock: realized a few things. this gun is very accurate. hornady 44spec 180gr. xtp shootts 1 ragged hole. winchester 44mag i believe would if i could.but i am very pleased. also realize dropping a trigger spring aint the way to go. i can feel it is rough cocking.also realize after about 10 rounds i either need houge,pachmayers,or a glove. this is a keeper. single six also shot great with cheap bulk remington. both of these will be getting trigger jobs and hogue grips and sights. and a permanent spot in hemby house :-D

kciH · « **Reply #25 on:** September 19, 2003, 03:31:48 PM »

Les,
you might want to fire someone's revolver with the Hogue's before you buy them if you haven't already. I really like their grips on my S&W .41 and .44s, but on the Blackhawk I don't like them. They do increase the size of the grip for your hand, they also move your hand down so the trigger guard doesn't rap your knuckle if you're prone to that problem. The thing that they also do is move your hand down the grip. When firing magnum loads this lowers your hand in relation to the bore of the revolver, allowing a greater mechanical advantage of recoil to work against you. In your short barrelled revolver, I'm sure recoil is fairly snappy already, I've got a 5.5" Bisquero in 44 that has plenty of snap with full power loads. Just a thought. If you still want some of the Hogues, I've got a pair that are like brand new for the Bhawk grip frame, which I believe is the same as the single six, that I'd be willing to part with for a very reasonable price. PM if you're interested.

les hemby · « **Reply #26 on:** September 19, 2003, 03:46:12 PM »

so i may be better off with a glove.yes it did hit my fingers every shot but not hard. i was very supprised on the accuracy. if it werent for hitting my fingers and stuff recoil wasnt that bad

TScottO · « **Reply #27 on:** September 19, 2003, 03:54:35 PM »

When I am going to shoot alot of rounds through my big guns I tape the knuckle on my left hand index finger up with medical bandage tape. I'm a right handed shooter btw. It works fine.

Good luck and be safe,
Scott

TScottO · « **Reply #28 on:** September 19, 2003, 04:14:20 PM »

I agree with kciH about the rubber grips on a single action. If you are use to shooting DA revolvers it may take a little practice to get use to shooting SAs. SAs shoot and feel differently and take a different hand position. Most grips on factory guns are made for average type of hands. Factory grips seldom fit my hand well. An option for grips would be to contact a custom grip maker. These guys can take a drawing of your hand and build a grip that fits your hand perfectly. This may make a difference when you are shooting. It will also pretty up your gun nicely. There's nothing like a nice set of grips that enhance the look and feel of your gun.

I don't have a set of this guys grips... http://home.att.net/~s.kolar/ but there will be a set made by him to go on a gun I'm having built. Lloyd highly recommends SK along with many other customers of SK.

It wouldnt hurt to pick up a set of Hogues. You may or may not like them but it never hurts to have an extra set of grips lying around.

Just a thought.

Good luck and be safe,
Scott

myronman3 · « **Reply #29 on:** September 19, 2003, 04:56:59 PM »

ditto on the grips. had them on one of my bhs, i didnt like them. for some reason it changed things. i love hogue grips and my bud has some on his bh 45 colt. these seem to handle well. maybe because the frame is smaller; i dont know. all i can tell you is i didnt like them on my gun so when i gave it to my pops the grips (not on the gun at the time) went with it.