Ruger Forum

Old Sully · January 4th, 2011, 07:45 PM

I have an old model Blackhawk in 45 Colt, 7 1/2" barrel, purchased new in 1969. Have hunted with it and shot silhouette in competition and really am attached to it. Now started using it in Cowboy Action Shooting in the modern class (single action, adjustable sights). Need to find a match for it.

Any opinions on shooting the new blackhawks vs. the old 3 screw models? I'm probably most interested in the relative trigger pull and smoothness of the action.

Thanks!!

BRL · January 5th, 2011, 03:34 AM

Welcome to the forum Old Sully!

Nothing like opening up a can of worms right off the bat!

A friend just brought over a New Model that he recently added a Wolff reduced power trigger spring to, and not being an expert, I really couldn't tell much difference between his NM trigger, and my OM trigger.
Others may disagree, but I have owned several of both types, and I prefer the OM's for a different reason.....("click" "click" "click" "click")

I really don't think you could go wrong with ether one IMHO.

Paladin SWS · January 5th, 2011, 05:40 AM

My NM Blackhawk has the SBH trigger and hammer. The trigger has been worked and is exceptionally smooth and light. I haven't owned an older model, but have handled some and some other newer models and can tell you that with the mods, mine feels much better.. What I'm getting to is that the NMs even if you were to find one with a not-so-smooth trigger action can be made buttery smooth with a small amount of work. (and I far prefer the SBH trigger and hammer to the originals)

Welcome!

1evil57 · January 5th, 2011, 06:19 AM

Welcome Old Sully

I have a New Model .357 6 ½ barrel that I polished the trigger up on and installed aftermarket Wolff SHOOTER'S PAK 40-17 kit, I know it was that kit because I had to look it up again for my friend who wanted his Hammer and Trigger like mine.
Owning the new model just wanted me to go find a older three screw which I did find a 1966 in excellent condition, it had already been reworked in fact the trigger was a little to light for me had a couple of AD’s before swapping out the trigger spring.
Anyway other than the loading and unloading and keeping the hammer over an empty chamber I really found no difference in the way the older and newer model fired.
They’re both great guns, I don’t think you can go wrong with either

Just My .02

Chas. · January 5th, 2011, 05:26 PM

I like to operate by rote. I've never been in competition, but I'm sure that I wouldn't always want to have to think "is this my new model" or "is this my old model" in my hand. I don't even want to have to think about it at the range without competition. Nothing wrong with the new model, but I'd want them to be the same - either 2 old models, or 2 new models.

Old Sully · January 5th, 2011, 07:15 PM

Thanks, gentlemen. Sounds like a new model will be at least as good as the old, or can be made that way with little work. I do need to handle one and see how the loading differs, if at all. As Chas pointed out, in competition you don't want to take time to think about which one is in your hand and how they differ. Simply shooting them isn't much of an issue, I suspect, but having to shoot, reload, shoot might be frustrating if they're not identical in that exercise as well.

Should be a fun exploration !!

BuddyG · January 6th, 2011, 04:22 AM

I notice the fit and finish on the new ones is better than the old ones. I think maybe CNC, or something like it has improved the quality of production.