Author Topic: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk  (Read 4657 times)

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Offline Lead Head

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My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« on: October 28, 2010, 05:37:35 PM »
My Ruger 357 magnum Black Hawk stainless steel is a piece of junk. When I first received it, it had several problems. The chambers didn’t line up with the bore well causing shaving and splatter from the bullets when fired. One chamber had an enlargement causing difficult extraction. The grooves in the bore had such terrible reaming marks that it looked like someone had reamed the bore with a rasp. The groove diameter measured .3582”, which I think is too large.

I sent in to Ruger at a cost of $50.00 bucks and they replaced the cylinder and fixed the timing problem. They didn’t do anything with the barrel.

I have struggled for several years trying to get this thing to shoot well. The over size bore causes all jacketed ammo the shoot 150 feet per second slower than my other 357 magnums. I can’t shoot lead at all because of the leading.

I talked to a Ruger service person today and received no help at all. He wouldn’t let me talk to a technician and wouldn’t provide me with any barrel bore specifications that would help me understand the bore is in or out of spec.

I will not return the gun to Ruger at $50.00 both ways if they decide the bore is in spec., that would be another $100.00 wasted, just like the countless hundreds of rounds of ammunition I have fired trying to make this piece junk shoot well.

Good thing there is a good gun show this weekend. The Ruger will go the show with me and it will not come back home.

Where has the Ruger quality gone? I have sent two of three back to the factory to have problems corrected. No more Rugers for me.

Ruger Service now stinks. They are unwilling to accept the fact the barrel on this Blackhawk could be unacceptable. They simply stated they would be willing to look at it and if it shot to acceptable standards with SAMMI specification ammo it would be considered OK. That would mean I pay the shipping both ways. Before I would put another $100.00 into a gun that isn't right, I will sell or trade it off and put the $100.00 into something that is right.

Ruger should take a lesson from Rock Island (Armscor) or Dan Wesson. These manufacturers have bent over backwards to fix or replace much less for me in the past couple of years.

Offline jcn59

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2010, 05:48:58 PM »
JMHO, but it's kind of a shame to stick a fellow shooter with this lemon.    Makes you just as bad as Ruger.
I know it's done all the time at gunshows, but does that make it okay? 

You might be able to rebarrel it for less than a dealer at a gun show will burn you.   Especially if you can get a new take-off barrel from one of the custom gunsmiths.  Doesn't take special tools, especially if the old barrel is to be junked.

When I ship a handgun anywhere, I take it to my dealer and he ships it out Parcel Post for under twenty bucks.  Maybe you could try that.   I'm not positive, but I think it would be legal for Ruger tomail the item directly to you when they are done repairing it.

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Offline Dill45

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2010, 05:49:35 PM »
I would guess it's a lemon.  I just recently (this year) picked up a BH in 45 colt and it can shoot 1-2 inch groups off a bag at 25 yards.

Usually Ruger is really good about their services, I've never heard of some one not being able to get a hold of a tech.  Usually they want to replace parts for safety reasons regardless if it is or not.

Offline Lead Head

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2010, 07:55:27 PM »
jcn59,

I don't feel as if I am sticking anyone with a piece of junk. That is my opinion of the gun based on the fact it causes a 150 fps loss of velocity with jacketed ammo and likes to lead which is no different from a great many of the other 357 magnums that are out there. It is me that cannot accept either of those flaws.

I have seen plenty of other Rugers, S&W, Colts and more that because of bore condition they like to lead and they don't provide normal velocity, mostly because the barrel cylinder gap is on the large side. The greater percentage of shooters out there would be more than happy to have this Blackhawk.

I have to point out that am I not only a bit unhappy with the Blackhawk, but I am really ticked off with the Ruger Customer Service and I will not deal with Ruger any more.

I have put this post on three other forums. It is to late for any damage control now.

Your point about rebarreling the Blackhawk is well taken. I will be making a few phone calls in the morning to see if that option is available. If not, I will be looking for a new 357 magnum that I can personally check out to insure it is without any of the problems the Blackhawk has or had.

Offline jcn59

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2010, 08:17:13 PM »
It's frustrating to get guns like that.  I usually trade off the ones that aren't up to my (stringent) accuracy standards.  Every now and then I get a really good rifle that shoots well under 1" at 100 yards, and every now and then I get a dog that shoots 2-3" no matter what I do to it.  If I get a small bore centerfire that doesn't shoot less than an inch at 100 yards, it goes down the road.  Most people can't tell the difference.

The two that stick in my mind are a Ruger 77 .300 RSAUM that shot 3.5" when I got it, and went down to  2+" when I sold it.  Another one was a Kimber 84 7mm-08 that started at 3" & when I sold it, it shot 1.5 to 2" at 100 yards.

Still, I think guys like us keep the industry honest, and profitable because both of us buy more guns than we need, unlike the "once a year" hunter.
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Offline temmi

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2010, 09:05:02 AM »
I know it never makes you feel any better when someone tells you... well my BH is great...

Sorry but mine is

BUT

I have only shot lead bullets and Trailboss powder.


That will change soon and I will try Lead bulets and Blue Dot Powder for a 900+ ft/sec load with 250g HC bullets.

I will let you know how it goes

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2010, 09:29:18 AM »
JMHO, but it's kind of a shame to stick a fellow shooter with this lemon.    Makes you just as bad as Ruger.

My exact and immediate thoughts as I was reading Lead Head's words!  I'm glad others feel the same about this too!

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2010, 09:38:21 AM »
It all sounds strange to me.  It seems to me that Lead head didn't go through the right channels with this.  I bought a Metro Arms American Classic II about a year ago and it didn't even fire right out of the box.  Now, we're not dealing with RUGER here....we're talking about some off brand, over seas company and a low budget pistol.  In my case, I let the shop owner deal with it....after all, if the shop owner wants to sell someone more guns, they'll take responsibility for it and take matters in their own hands.  Even though I had to wait about a month, I ended up with a brand new pistol that has worked flawlessly since I got it.  

I think Lead head's first mistake was to not take this up with the shop owner.  They should have replaced your revolver and dealt with Ruger themselves in order to get a replacement for the "lemon".  That's the way it "should" work anyway.  I wouldn't be so quick to blame Ruger's service department for this.  

Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2010, 11:53:58 AM »
JMHO, but it's kind of a shame to stick a fellow shooter with this lemon.    Makes you just as bad as Ruger.

My exact and immediate thoughts as I was reading Lead Head's words!  I'm glad others feel the same about this too!

  I agree as well!  I see it as being more so than Ruger.  I doubt Ruger purposely shipped it with knowledge of the issue yet now you're going to willingly and purposefully send this off to someone else in this condition.  Far below what is being said about Ruger's handling of this.  Sad!
"Never Surrender, Just Carry On."  - G.S.

Offline barber

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2010, 06:43:05 PM »
  I don't understand this $50'00 shipping, I always pay about  $15.00  UPS.  shipping to Ruger
barber

Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2010, 09:11:28 AM »
  Same person posted the exact same opening post on at least 4 different forums.  Each one there is months between the person's previous post and the tirade which starts them all this time.     In no case has anyone's responses been answered or has there been any additional activity since the initial post of the thread.   Certainly seems to be putting bad tastes in everyone mouth that's been responding, questioning and now doubting the OP. 
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Offline Swampman

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2010, 09:20:30 AM »
"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline jcn59

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2010, 09:27:15 AM »
He DID respond here, once.  Check reply #3.

I think he had a legitimate complaint about the gun as he received it.   He wanted to tell us about it, which is his option.

Personally, I've had good luck with most of my Rugers.   Never had a bad Ruger revolver, and I have owned lots over the years.  I've had several Ruger rifles and only two that I was not happy with.  Not enough problems to stop buying them.

NEVER had a bad Browning, Tikka, military mauser or Remington.  Taurus is a different story.

It's our job to keep the gun manufacturers honest and competitive.  Without our self-reports, what do you suppose today's guns would look like? 

Hint:  remember what happened when the bean-counters took over in 1964?
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Offline Lead Head

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My Junk Ruger Is Gone
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2010, 10:14:45 AM »
My Junk Ruger Is Gone
 
Since the other post is closed I will end most of the discussion here.

First to answer some unaswered questions.

I bought it new from a dealer that sells thousands of gun a year. I had fired about (300) rounds by the time I had all the problems identified. By that time the gun was used and the dealer told me what most of us would expect, "Contact Ruger Customer Service and they will help you". I did and sent the BH in. Ruger sent it back with everything fixed except the barrel. Any dealer that would be willing to have taken this gun back or would have contacted Ruger to work out the problems for the customer would be a very rare person indeed or crazy.

By the time I contacted Ruger for the second time, I had fired more than (2500) rounds so the gun is in well used but excellent condition. I had a friendly conversation with the Ruger Customer Service person. I stated the details of my concern about the condition of the bore and asked several questions about Ruger bore specifications,none of that information could be shared with me. I was told he didn't think the barrel bore would be considered out of spec. and I could send the gun in for Ruger to check out. I asked, if the bore isn't considered out of spec. what would Ruger do. The answer was they would fire the BH with some SAMMI spec ammo, that is same ammo we can all buy, and if the gun meets their accuracy standard it would be considered OK.

Well, I knew it would not just meet, it would exceed Rugers accuracy standard. So why waste more money on the gun.

I am not complaining about the accuracy. I have developed loads with jacketed and cast ammo that are accurate. I just don't like the 150 FPS velocity loss with jacketed in this gun vs my other 357 magnums and I don't like the trouble I have to go to in the search for an accurate load that doesn't lead. My best cast load is a 145 grain wad cutter pushed with 4.0 grains of Win. 231, sparked with a Winchester small pistol primer and 8.0 grains of corn meal on top of the powder. The corn meal prevents leading with this load and I shoot 1/2" to 3/4" groups at fifty feet all day long without leading. If I increase the powder charge to 4.5 grains the leading starts in again.

Am I angry with the Ruger Customer Service person, NO. Am I angry with Ruger's policy as to how they handle some customer concerns with their handguns, YES. Am I unhappy with my Ruger Blackhawk because it doesn't meet my standards, YES. Would I ever again put myself is a position that I would have to deal with Ruger again, NO. Perhaps this Blackhawk is a lemon, that doesn't make me feel any better. I have other Rugers that had problems also so this isn't a rare exception to the norm.

This is no different than what many people experience when they buy a car or truck and have nothing but trouble, not only with the car but with the dealership also. They wouldn't buy another x@^(#$% either, ever again, especially from that dealer. My Ruger BH is without wheels and Ruger's desire to correct some problems is without any common sense or desire to please the consumer.

I have had problems with other manufacturers handguns. Those manufacturers made good and corrected the problems. They even paid the postage both ways. Will I buy more of their guns, YES.

I don't want anyone to think that I think I know it all. I know I don't because at 71 years of age I am still learning. I have been working with firearms since I was fourteen and had many good and some bad experiences. I learned something from all those experiences and look forward to many more now that I have more time to work with the guns. The quest for the perfect load in my many guns never ends. A golfer considers a hole in one the perfect shot. As a shooter, I consider five or ten shots in one hole the perfect load, but I do settle for something close to that. We all have an idea of what we consider poor,fair, good, very good or excellent when shooting for a good group. My idea of acceptable accuracy may be smaller groups than some and larger than others. I do require small enough groups that it challanges me and the firearm. That helps my hobby of reloading and shooting look more like a never ending high, and one I enjoy because it does.

Bottom line is the Ruger Blackhawk doesn't meet my standards. Ruger is not going to help correct it. Am I dumping a piece of junk on someone else by trading or selling the BH. Not at all. It will shoot up most anyone expectations or better, but not mine.

Next:

The Ruger Blackhawk is in the hands of a proud new owner. The gun show was both kind and cruel to me. I sold the Ruger Blackhawk that didn't meet my standards. I was able to buy another 357 magnum for $15.00 less than what I got for the Blackhawk. That was good and kind to me.

The cruel part was the 357 magnum I was able to buy for $15.00 less that I received for the sale of the Blackhawk is a Ruger Bisley 357 magnum 7-1/2" barrel in like new condition. The gun is well fitted and appears to have had some trigger work. The trigger pull is quite light and crisp. The bore looks new and great. I have to give this one a chance to show me what it can do. If it turns out it doesn't meet my expectations and standards, I can easily get my money back out of it. No matter what, I will not deal with Ruger Customer Service again.


I KNOW, IT IS ANOTHER RUGER. I love the grip of my Ruger Bisley in 45 Colt and that is one Ruger that never gave me any trouble, just great service and accuracy. Maybe this Bisley in 357 magnum will perform well.


Offline jcn59

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2010, 10:25:13 AM »
HUH?   I thought all my Ruger revolvers shot fine until now.   I've never been able to get groups as good as yours.

Hmmmmmm.......Maybe I'm blind....or... Maybe I'm pre-parkinsons....hmm.   That's it, I think...

Good luck with the Bisley.  Let us know what loads are working good for you, okay?

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Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #15 on: October 31, 2010, 11:54:38 AM »
  I'll never buy another Ruger...  Hey, I bought a Ruger!   ::) ??? ;D     

  Best of luck with the Bisley (my favorite variation).   It has a whole different feel to hold and a different feel under recoil so it might take some adjustment to that.  All that said...if there's such high standards, maybe something along the lines of a Freedom Arms would better suit your expectations. 
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Offline hillbill

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #16 on: October 31, 2010, 12:26:17 PM »
i guess im in the minority, ruger customer service has treated me like a king.i dont know anybody, aint a dealer, just a hillbilly from nowhere.aint even purchased a new ruger gun in forever.i had a broken old army that i had 200$ in and they sent me a new blackhawk 45 convertible that shoots awesum to replace it.they were very nice to me and very accomodating.i was pretty proud of them actually.

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #17 on: November 01, 2010, 05:11:08 AM »
My best cast load is a 145 grain wad cutter pushed with 4.0 grains of Win. 231, sparked with a Winchester small pistol primer and 8.0 grains of corn meal on top of the powder. The corn meal prevents leading with this load and I shoot 1/2" to 3/4" groups at fifty feet all day long without leading. If I increase the powder charge to 4.5 grains the leading starts in again.

If you put cornmeal in your loads without separating the powder from the cornmeal with a vinyl or paper card, all you're doing is diluting your powder with cornmeal, which will probably effect ignition of the powder.  Despite that however, you say that increasing the load to 4.5 grains gets you leading again.  I don't think cornmeal or anything else is the issue with your barrel leading, it's more than likely the hardness of the cast bullets you're using.

I cannot tell you how many times I've posted this link here......but here it is again:

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/15e296c61415e831fecfe8fddcc1dc92-414.html

Take a minute to read and understand this article and perhaps this will give you a better understanding of leading in your revolver.  Additionally, you'll probably never waste your time with cornmeal again!  

Good luck with your Bisley.  Despite getting rid of a Blackhawk, you made good choice........another Blackhawk!   ;D

Offline gcrank1

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #18 on: November 01, 2010, 03:05:16 PM »
I thought I really liked my 50th Anniv. BH .357.......but now I dont know......
"Halt while I adjust my accoutrements!"
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Offline Lead Head

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #19 on: November 02, 2010, 05:53:56 PM »
Blackhawker,

The artical about leading in the link is good read. It is very similar to the same subject found in the new Lee loading manual. They both cover the lead hardness issue relative to leading very well.

The reason I tried the corn meal filler was because of an forum item I read. It works to a point and I am still try to understand why it works, when it does, to prevent leading. If I knew why it prevented the leading with some loads, I would have had a better idea of just what the cause of the leading was. Well the gun is history. I now have one that has a very nice looking bore, so at least I am not fighting with the rough reaming marks that couldn't be lapped out in the Blackhawk without creating a bore that would be even more oversized.

I think most of us understand many of the reasons we can get leading. The difficult part is being able to identify exactly what the cause of the leading is and can it be corrected. This was the reason I became so unhappy with the Blackhawk I had. The leading had to be partly the gun, probably bullet fit to the gun and since I had tried every possible bullet diameter and every possible bullet hardness, I was left thinking the problem was something I don't have control of or something I wasn't willing to change in the gun due to cost.

I have read some forum posts that point out the importance of a smooth forcing cone and the best angle of forcing cone so the sharp transition from the cone to the rifling is easier on lead bullets. This is where the leading often starts. If the start of the forcing cone is too large, there will be some flame cutting of the bullet unless a soft enough bullet is used to fill that excess space. There are limits to everything though and we can't win every battle.

I guess all this can be considered a good thing if you believe in the idea of working the brain helps keep a person sharp. It may be true if I don't end up in a nut house.

Offline Blackhawker

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #20 on: November 03, 2010, 06:38:01 AM »
Yes, that article really is a good for cast bullet users to read.  I don't think I've ever seen it explained like that before and for me, up until just a couple of years ago, I was one that though the harder the bullet, the less leading, like most other people.  I can't recall where I found the article but I believe it was brought to my attention by a bullet caster from which I buy my cast bullets.

If I could, I'll take a "stab" at why the corn meal worked for your loads.  If you didn't partition the cornmeal from the powder with some kind of card, the powder became diluted with the corn meal and literally changed the burning properties of the powder.  Perhaps it essentially became a slower burning powder and maybe didn't build as much pressure as fast as the powder in it's pure form.  If so, your velocity was hindered as was your overall pressure.  ....just a guess.....

As for your old Blackhawk.  If leading was the biggest problem, then maybe the next person that buys it will shoot jacketed bullets from it and he or she won't see any problems with it.  
Fortunately, jacketed bullets for the .357 can still be purchased at a decent price.

Offline Lead Head

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #21 on: November 03, 2010, 07:25:55 AM »
Blackhawker,

My thought process considering the addition of corn meal differs some from yours.

First, I fired those loads soon after they were loaded. The corn meal proved to be very dry when tested by charge weight as from the container and again testing weight after two hours in the oven. The cronograph didn't show any significant difference in velocity.

I was thinking the corn meal acted as a wad sealing the bore in the forcing cone area, preventing the hot gas blow by. I also thought when the powder charge was increased, bullet skidding was the cause of leading starting in again. Others think the corn meal acts as a scrubber, scrubbing the traces of lead out from the previous or present shot.

Some may think all this reflection about a leading problem in a revolver I no longer have is a waste of time. I don't agree. I consider the experience with the Blackhawk a learning lesson and maybe I can apply some of what I learned to other revolvers that may have some leading problems.

Offline leadman

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #22 on: November 08, 2010, 01:13:00 PM »
I shoot thousands of cast bullets a year and also make and sell them. The article linked here is pretty much spot on from what I read. The chamber throats are very important in cast bullet shooting in a revolver. Ideally the throats should be slightly larger than the bore.

The corn meal will seal the bore somewhat but also has the ability to remove leading in the bore to a certain extent. I have removed lead that was deposited in the borewith corn meal using a known load that does not lead the bore.

The throat sizes can be measured using a bullet and a caliper or micrometer. Heck, don't even need the caliper or mic. Just try the fit of the bullet in all the throats, if it is a push fit or won't start easily it is probably good to go. I don't recommend going over .001" oversize on the bullet to throat fit.


 

Offline mrussel

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #23 on: November 08, 2010, 04:55:15 PM »
nvm,already been said better than I could.

Offline Lead Head

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #24 on: November 09, 2010, 07:35:21 AM »
The reason I hadn't responded to the many replies is the very nature of many of the replies to my post. Too many respondents miss the point of the post. Others accuse me of doing or saying things that are not true and being a bad guy to consider trading or selling the Blackhawk to someone else. Those persons didn't have all the facts and it wasn't my intent to write a book so there would be no misunderstandings. The post was a statement of an unhappy Ruger owner only. Others seem to know far more than the information provided can support. This is why I rarely participate in the forums. I prefer to read only.

To those that simply indicated they have had nothing but great, poor or mixed luck with their Rugers, I thank you for your response. These are the kinds of response I had hoped we would see. It helps us decide if we want to invest in a Ruger firearm or not.

First, I need to clear the air. My post was intended to be a statement only. I wanted the readers to understand I was very unhappy with my Ruger and the Ruger Service. My experience with Ruger revolvers has been at least one out of every two required Rugers I own or have owned required service to correct problems that should have been caught in final inspection. The fact is, Rugers final inspection is greatly lacking in nature and many problems that should have been corrected are left for the consumer to identify or accept as so-so quality.

I had several conversations with Ruger service people and the information I received indicated Ruger didn't think the problem of rough reaming marks in the bore or the .3582" groove diameter was a problem.

Accuracy was never an issue and I had several jacketed and cast loads that could hold 1/2" to 3/4" center to center ten shot groups at fifty feet. My problem with the gun was the fact it spit the jacketed bullets out at 150 FPS less velocity than my other 357 magnums and it had a problem with leading when shooting cast. The leading was most likely caused by a bullet fit problem and the large groove diameter bore. I tried larger diameter bullets, but the throats would have to be opened up to a non-standard diameter size. Please, lets not get into a discussion about all the fine points of using cast bullets. I am no a novice. I have been working with firearms and reloading for nearly sixty years and know most of the fixes to problems and admit I am still learning. I will never know it all. I had to admit defeat with this Blackhawk. I could not overcome the problems. My standards require more than the gun could provide. I don't like loosing to a gun and dislike the Ruger Customer Service response even more.

In my conversation with Ruger Customer Service, I have no doubt the Blackhawk would meet and exceed Ruger's performance standards as it was. Therefore I was in no way passing a lemon or a piece of junk onto another person. The gun was junk in my mind because it had problems I couldn't overcome and Ruger was not willing to correct them. By the way, the new owner is very happy with the Blackhawk.

Offline BlkHawk73

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #25 on: November 09, 2010, 11:03:38 AM »
Quote
I have no doubt the Blackhawk would meet and exceed Ruger's performance standards as it was. Therefore I was in no way passing a lemon or a piece of junk onto another person. The gun was junk in my mind because it had problems I couldn't overcome and Ruger was not willing to correct them. By the way, the new owner is very happy with the Blackhawk.


  Read and read and read and it seems it's all about the brand not meeting your standards yet will surely meet everyone else's.  To me, and I'm sure others, that's setting your minimum standard higher than such a mass produced, ordinary production revolver can provide.  To you it may be "junk" as need attention but if it's at or exceeding manufacturer's standards they're not going to go above and beyond for a one off super-high standard expectation.    I believe I've said it previously but regardless, if one has such high standards, maybe looking higher up the ladder should be best.  Freedom Arms should certainly meet your high standards of fit, finish and performance.  Yes they cost more but if such levels  and expectations are there, the price shouldn't be a factor.    If you have Mercedes standards, you don't buy a Ford.   ;)
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Offline mrussel

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #26 on: November 10, 2010, 08:55:14 PM »
The reason I hadn't responded to the many replies is the very nature of many of the replies to my post. Too many respondents miss the point of the post. Others accuse me of doing or saying things that are not true and being a bad guy to consider trading or selling the Blackhawk to someone else. Those persons didn't have all the facts and it wasn't my intent to write a book so there would be no misunderstandings. The post was a statement of an unhappy Ruger owner only. Others seem to know far more than the information provided can support. This is why I rarely participate in the forums. I prefer to read only.

To those that simply indicated they have had nothing but great, poor or mixed luck with their Rugers, I thank you for your response. These are the kinds of response I had hoped we would see. It helps us decide if we want to invest in a Ruger firearm or not.

First, I need to clear the air. My post was intended to be a statement only. I wanted the readers to understand I was very unhappy with my Ruger and the Ruger Service. My experience with Ruger revolvers has been at least one out of every two required Rugers I own or have owned required service to correct problems that should have been caught in final inspection. The fact is, Rugers final inspection is greatly lacking in nature and many problems that should have been corrected are left for the consumer to identify or accept as so-so quality.

I had several conversations with Ruger service people and the information I received indicated Ruger didn't think the problem of rough reaming marks in the bore or the .3582" groove diameter was a problem.

Accuracy was never an issue and I had several jacketed and cast loads that could hold 1/2" to 3/4" center to center ten shot groups at fifty feet. My problem with the gun was the fact it spit the jacketed bullets out at 150 FPS less velocity than my other 357 magnums and it had a problem with leading when shooting cast. The leading was most likely caused by a bullet fit problem and the large groove diameter bore. I tried larger diameter bullets, but the throats would have to be opened up to a non-standard diameter size. Please, lets not get into a discussion about all the fine points of using cast bullets. I am no a novice. I have been working with firearms and reloading for nearly sixty years and know most of the fixes to problems and admit I am still learning. I will never know it all. I had to admit defeat with this Blackhawk. I could not overcome the problems. My standards require more than the gun could provide. I don't like loosing to a gun and dislike the Ruger Customer Service response even more.

In my conversation with Ruger Customer Service, I have no doubt the Blackhawk would meet and exceed Ruger's performance standards as it was. Therefore I was in no way passing a lemon or a piece of junk onto another person. The gun was junk in my mind because it had problems I couldn't overcome and Ruger was not willing to correct them. By the way, the new owner is very happy with the Blackhawk.


 You cant have it both ways.

 If its junk its junk. Ruger had a responsibility to fix it and you have a right to be upset that they did not. If its junk,its unethical to pawn it off on someone else and hope they dont notice the problem.

 If it meets the standards that most other people have and meets Rugers specs,then its unfair to call it junk. Ruger had no responsibility to make a special exception for you and you have no real justification for being angry with them.

 Either it really was OK by most peoples standards,its OK to sell it to someone else without informing them of your issues with it and your standards are unrealistic,or your standards are realistic,the gun really was junk and your doing someone a great disservice by selling them a junk gun with the hope that they wont figure it out.

 It just occurred to me to ask the question. If YOU were selling guns,would YOU sell a gun like the one you had? Would YOU think that it was ok to send something like that out to a customer if YOU were in Rugers shoes? If yes,then you have no right to call it junk. The fact is though,you HAVE said that you feel like its just fine to sell guns like that. Just not to you,becuase your special and deserve special treatment. Guess what,you can get special treatment. Call up some of these shops that make custom guns. Tell them exactly what you want,throw down a few grand and they will do it for you. In fact,if your not happy with what they give you,they will make it right. Thats what you get for that kind of money. For 500 bucks you get solid revolver that's pretty damn accurate. Some are better than others,but if it shoots accurately and reliably then and meets Rugers specs,that's all they owe you.

Offline painted horse

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #27 on: November 13, 2010, 02:46:41 PM »
You've posted this on other forums already, didn't you get the responses you were looking for there, or didn't they meet your expectations??  I've done different things to all the Rugers I own (6) to meet my "expectations", ream cyls, firelap barrels , change springs, action jobs, whatever it took to make them like I wanted.  I didn't expect to get "custom" quality from a revolver that cost less than 500 bucks. Good luck with your new Bisley, hope it meets your expectations..

Offline ratgunner

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #28 on: November 26, 2010, 05:18:23 AM »
You said you tried to get it to shoot for years and now you call Ruger and they wont help...I think years ago is when you shouda called them,like after they sent it back the first time and didnt adress the barrel issue. Anyways ya get lemons from ALL makers. I'm glad I dont buy guns at gun shows and after reading this I never will. I would look into rebarreling it. Good luck I hope it works out for you. :-\
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Offline telebasher

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Re: My Ruger Blackhawk is a Piece of Junk
« Reply #29 on: December 04, 2010, 04:38:32 AM »
I  sympathsize with your experience with your Ruger.  I guess I've been lucky as I have had nothing but great sucess with my Ruger guns.  I am wondering if when you bought this gun did you buy it sight unseen or did you actually handle and inspect it first. If the bore or cylinder chambers were as bad as you say why did you purchase said weapon?  Just curious.