Which 357?

[AtlLaw]

It dawned on me some time ago that I do not own a handgun in 357 Mag...    And I feel the need to fill this void in my life.     A diminutive weapon (small hands) for carry in the woods while hunting, scouting, etc.

For years I have read with passing interest of 357's being converted to 44 Spl's and something about smaller frame B'hawks, etc. by the knowledgeable folk here.  Now, with a gunshow this weekend, I need your enlightenment.

What exactly is the smallest frame Blackhawk 357 and what should I expect to pay for one in average used condition?  Anything in particular I should look, and look out, for?

'course, I don't have a 41 Mag either... 

[cheapshooter]

It dawned on me some time ago that I do not own a handgun in 357 Mag...    And I feel the need to fill this void in my life.

I like the way you think!
I didn't have a Glock, or 10MM, so I killed two birds with one purchase. G20SF!
Now to your question, I'm not a Ruger expert, but would think all 357 Blackhawks are pretty much the same frame size.
Also, the newer Vaquero I think is a little smaller, if you can live without adjustable sights on a S/A.
Have you considered an SP101, or are you intent on a single action?

[AtlLaw]

I'm pretty much set on a single action but not the SAA style as I already have 2 Uberti's.  Nope, if I get one it would be a B'hawk.  I wonder why I was thinking that I heard the older B'hawk 357's were different, more ergonomic ? then the current production?   

[Bigeasy]

Richard

I'm pretty sure all the modern adjustable sight Blackhawks are built on the .44 frame.  I would look for a  50th anniversary .357 flat top.  They were made on the smaller original style .357 frame, but with the modern lockwork.  See them around, unfired, for around $450.00. on dealers shelves.

Larry

[AtlLaw]

the smaller original style .357 frame, but with the modern lockwork.

Ah Ha!  So the original 357's were on a smaller frame then the 44's, and current 357's are built on the 44 frame!  The 44 BH frame just feels to big for me for hip carry.  My 44 Mag SBH Bisley does to, but that's fine for a scoped hunting revolver.

I 'spose I'll beable to tell the old BH right off.  Best to start looking!     I'll also be on the lookout for the 50th An. model.  Didn't they build that in a 44 Spl.?

[Blackhawker]

If you like that action to be more like the older style revolvers, (three click, half cocking, etc) look for a three screw or old model Blackhawk that has not been modified with the transfer bar.  Generally, the hammer draw is better as is the trigger pull.  However, these things can be fixed on a newer model Blackhawk too.  (I get the idea that you'll like this action since you have some Uberti's.)

I have a mid 70's Blackhawk in 357 and although it's on the larger frame, it doesn't "lug" around as much as my newer model 45 Colt with a full 7.5 inch barrel.  The inch or so less barrel makes a difference.  When one refers to the smaller frame, I believe (not fully sure) that this is only the main frame of the gun, not the grip fame.  So, if you have small hands, it really shouldn't matter which you choose.  If anything, one will be lighter weight than the other by an ounce or two at best.

Probably the best thing to do if you want to compare frames is just go to a gun shop and pick up a new Vaquero and a new Blackhawk with similar length barrels.  The Vaquero will be the smaller framed version and the Blackhawk will be the larger.  If you can't determine or notice the difference, then I'd be apt to look for an older model (larger framed 3-screw type) that has been unmodified (no transfer bar).  The action is quite nice on an old one.  I bought mine at Cabelas for $300 and a bit of change and it's in nice condition too.  There's lots of old 357's laying around out there.
Good luck!

[AtlLaw]

Well, after taking what info I got here I did a little basic internet research to get an overview of the history of the BH and off to the gunshow I went!

There I was able to see and feel first hand the difference between the original sized frame and the 44 frame and the original XR-3 grip and the redesigned XR-3 RED grip.  I saw 3 screw revolvers and 2 pin revolvers and the 50th An. model.  What an education!   

Anyway, after all this I decided that Larry was right.  The 50th An. 357 is just what I had envisioned!  And they were right around $450 NIB also!

Now considering the dealers wanted over $400 for the well used 357's I saw, The price of a new one ain't to bad!  Unfortunately I don't have $400 + laying around right now...    But at least I now know what I want so I can look for a bargain!   

[Blackhawker]

Well, after taking what info I got here I did a little basic internet research to get an overview of the history of the BH and off to the gunshow I went!

There I was able to see and feel first hand the difference between the original sized frame and the 44 frame and the original XR-3 grip and the redesigned XR-3 RED grip.  I saw 3 screw revolvers and 2 pin revolvers and the 50th An. model.  What an education!   

Anyway, after all this I decided that Larry was right.  The 50th An. 357 is just what I had envisioned!  And they were right around $450 NIB also!

Now considering the dealers wanted over $400 for the well used 357's I saw, The price of a new one ain't to bad!  Unfortunately I don't have $400 + laying around right now...    But at least I now know what I want so I can look for a bargain!   

You definitely did the right thing by going out and trying and "feeling" them to see which is best for you.  Too often I see people here asking which is best but I don't think they go out and see for themselves.  When it comes to handguns, I think feel is most important. 

As for the price; I think it's a shame that gun prices have skyrocketed the way they have.  I can recall that a basic Ruger Blackhawk was a good place to start for a beginner shooter that wanted something more than a .22.  When I first got into this in the mid 80's, a new Blackhawk was around $180.00.  Used ones were between $125 and $150.  Heck, it wasn't all that long ago that I used to see new Blackhawks for around $299 or so.  It seems that in the past five years things have become ridiculous.  A basic and standard single action revolver should NOT be near a half a grand at all.  I think that's a crime, but it's the gun grabbers that are the ones driving the prices up I suppose.    It's either that or the manufacturers see that people are buying up what they can now and so they've just jacked the prices up to a very unreasonable price. 
I don't see any reason why someone looking for a basic Blackhawk can't just buy one in a day or two of research in stores or gun shows, but like you said Richard, people just don't have $400 or more laying around to throw toward a very basic, no frills, SA revolver.
Keep looking, you're bound to find a nice used one for around $300, I'm sure. 
Personally, I wouldn't spend over $400 on a Blackhawk unless it was something very unusual or rare.  Ironically, that's coming from someone who LOVES Blackhawks!