SEMPERFIDELUS8403

I am looking into buying a revolver, which will be the first ever. This gun will be mainly for target shooting and hunting (If I can find a place to go). I want a .357magnum which can fire the .38spls also. Most likely It will not be for CCW, as I have my pistol for that. Been seriously considering a Ruger SA model, but unsure as to which one I want. Also am considering a GP100, but really like the look of the SA revolvers. What is the difference in accuracy of between the 4 5/8 inch barrel and the 6 1/2 inch barrel?

DPris

For most practical purposes, no significant difference in accuracy between the two.
You wouldn't be likely to notice any.
Denis

SEMPERFIDELUS8403

Cool thanks! I held sumones SA Ruger. Believe it was an older BlackHawk, but am not sure. It was heavy, but felt good in my hand. How do the new ones compare to the old ones?

GhosTT

SEMPERFIDELUS8403,


A well written post.

"I am looking into buying a revolver, which will be the first ever"

Yer choice of a .357...JMHO...a GREAT CHOICE!
I own both bigger and smaller handgun rounds....yet if pressed to just 1.....
It would be a .357 magnum.

As ya mentioned not a CCW gun, that makes things WAY EASIER.

As far as single VS double action...
I started 30 years ago with a .357 mag.SINGLE ACTION BLACKHAWK
Now own a double action GP100.......BOTH ROCKED!

I tend to suggest the GP100 first....as not only can do double duty...both target and defense....
But again...JMHO...the factory single action trigger a tad better.
As you own Semi -autos for self defense not a biggie!

Barrel lengths..."4 5/8 inch barrel and the 6 1/2 inch barrel? "

This one I have a strong opinion on.
As new to revolvers....GO WITH THE LONGER BARREL.

The fact is, that small difference in barrel length means ALOT when learning how to shoot accurately.
I have always thought the 6 1/2 inch length is the EASIEST barrel length to learn accuracy with..
And if ya ever choose to hunt with it, it adds a tad more speed to the bullet.
If we were talking big bores(think .44 magnum), no biggie...but a .357 is considered a MIDDLE BORE....the added 100 feet per second HELPS!

THE STANDARD ADVICE when learning handguns...Start with a RIM FIRE....

NOBODY DOES THAT...lol

If skipping ahead to a centerfire....The .357 is the most versatile choice...BY FAR!

JAS

How about the Blackhawk .357/ 9mm convertible? It comes with a 9mm cylinder as well as one for .357/.38 Spec. Around here at least, 9mm ammo is considerably cheaper than .38 Spec. so you could shoot more using cheaper ammo. Don't own one myself, but always wanted one. Maybe a member who owns the convertible can share their opinion?

I also vote for single action over double action. Either one is good, but I don't think the double action option is needed for hunting purposes. The longer barrel will provide better accuracy and more power.

My buddy owns a winter place on the coast in Alabama and spends most of the time on public land hunting pigs. Is that an option for you?

Good luck ...

daizee

Ah, what a beautiful moment - the first revolver.
Indeed, you should choose your gun for pure enjoyment rather than trying to shoehorn it into defensive roles - as you said, you've already got a handgun for that job.

Single-action, definitely. It's just so much fun, and unhurried.
If you do not intend to carry it defensively, 6.5" WILL help your practical accuracy. I can shoot 50yd targets all day with a 6.5" barrel, but a 4.5" is much harder. It's just a question of precision of sight alignment that the extra sight radius allows. 4-5/8" is the perfect packing pistol, so to speak, but if you want to stretch your range, go with the longer barrel.

A .357 is the most versatile, and the cheapest to reload for.
The 9mm conversion cylinder is a red herring, in my opinion. The slight diameter mismatch btw 9mm bullets (.355) and the .357 bore results in indifferent accuracy. The only reason for it is to shoot factory 9mm ammo. If you reload, you'll use the .357 cylinder or you're wasting lead. The extra money would be better spent on a Lee Anniversary reloading kit with a set of .357 dies instead of that 9mm cylinder.

If you DO want a convertible, then the .45Colt/.45ACP is the right choice. In fact, I'd probably shoot .45acp exclusively since I don't care for fire breathers, so might as well save the powder.

Good luck, and post a pic when you make your selection. :-)

-Daizee

A Patriot

I'd opt for the 6 1/2" Blackhawk, too. The longer sight radius does make for increased accuracy, and you said you'd be target shooting. Another accuracy enhancement is the ease and very inexpensive cost involved with fine tuning a Blackhawk's action...nothing more than a set of Wolff hammer and trigger springs.

DPris

The longer barrel will give you a longer sight radius & slightly more velocity. Whether those make much real difference for most is questionable.
There is no truth whatever that a longer barrel is automatically or intrinsically "more accurate" than a shorter one.
The additional velocity gain may be as much as 30-60 FPS, not hugely significant.

I got my first Ruger handgun in early 1976, a 5 1/2-inch SS .22. I have a 4 5/8-inch SS .22 acquired new about three years ago. The newer & shorter one shoots tighter than the older & longer one. The newer one also outshot a longer-barreled new S&W DA .22 rimfire revolver.

I have a pair of 3-inch GP100s that shoot every bit as well as the pair of four-inchers.

Over the years, I've not seen any indications that I myself shoot a longer barrel any better than a shorter one, and by far the bulk of my shooting is off a rest testing for accuracy.
That includes .22 rimfire, .357 Mag, .45 Colt, .44 Mag, and in single-actions as well as double-actions, fixed & adjustable sights.

I can recall one four-inch .45 ACP auto 1911 variant that far out-shot any full-sized Government Model 1911 I've ever worked with.

Age, eyesight, and individual shooting styles may be more of a determinant than the sight radius.

I'd still maintain you'd most likely not notice any practical difference in accuracy, if you're new to revolvers.
The type of "target" shooting I'm assuming you'll do is casual, not match, and in that context I think a longer or shorter barrel will work equally well for you.
Get whichever balances best for you in hand, and whichever is easiest to hold on target.

Denis

Tailwind

If I were you, I would get a convertable Blackhawk(i think?) with cylinders for the .357 and 9mm. You could also shoot .38 specials with the .357 cylinder. THAT would be a sweet gun. I would buy one myself, but think I am gonna get the .22LR/.22Mag SA first.

MidLife

You mentioned the possibilty of a double action, so I'll chime in!
New to revolvers, and somewhat recoil-shy, I bought a GP100 4 1/5" SS .357 thinking I needed a heavy frame and that I would be shooting 38 specials out of it most of the time. However, after sending a few hundred rounds through it, I find that the revolver is a bit "heavy" for 38 specials and +Ps. Holding all the weight out at arms length there is just not enough "felt recoil" for me. So, I load the GP100 with moderate .357s and enjoy shooting it much better. However, the magnums are a little more costly, so, I guess I'll have to take up reloading! I would probably enjoy shooting the 38 specials and +Ps from a lighter frame revolver. And, I have a little better accuracy with the magnums. The GP100 does handle the recoil much more favorably than I expected. (I have an SP101 .357 on order since I enjoyed the GP100 so much, and I am looking forward to the lighter/tighter fit and will probably be a sweet shooter with 38 special +Ps, at least I hope so!)

SEMPERFIDELUS8403

Thank you for all of your replies Ya'll!!! I very much appreciate the input. During the time it will take me to save up the money I will keep looking at the different guns offered by Ruger. This will be my first revolver, but not the last I am sure lol Whatever I do not buy now, I will most likely buy latter lol. Seriously considering the BlackHawk because I love the look and feel of the "old" guns. Was given the honor of holding one, I believe at least, owned by someone I know. It felt good in my hand. How easy is it to cock the BH? I am concerned about the distance my smaller hands will have to reach to cock it.

newtmaker

I recently bought a BH 357 with the 4 5/8" barrel. Would it be possible to order a 9mm cylinder from Ruger fro this gun?

Walt

SEMPERFIDELUS8403

That maybe an option.... I will check into that when I can. The convertible version is high on my desire list, just because it can shoot 3 different ammos. Unfortunatly ever place I have found is out of stock.

Iowegan

newtmaker, There are four specific parameters for cylinders ..... B/C gap, headspace, endshake, and timing. Ruger may sell you a new cylinder but first you will have to send the gun back to the factory so they can fit it to the frame. Many people have installed cylinders with little or no fitting but chances are .... at least one of the four parameters will be off.

A Patriot

"How easy is it to cock the BH?"

With a two-hand hold, use the weak-hand thumb to cock the trigger. Easily done, and with minimal shift of your grip.