wingspar

While looking at revolvers on the Ruger site just now, I found that the Blackhawk comes in convertible versions. I thought that only happened with .22 and .22 mag. I was surprised to find the Blackhawk comes with .357 - 9mm cylinders. I am seriously thinking about adding another Single Action in .357, but to be able to shoot 9mm out of the same gun would be awesome. This would be getting 3 guns in one. .38 Special, 9mm, (Would shooting +P ammo with .38 and 9mm be ok?) And .357. This seems too good to be true, and I don’t know why I’ve never noticed this model before.

I already have an older .357, but like the fact that I can shoot .38 Special out of it also, and of course, I own a few 9mm handguns and a couple of carbines and buy 9mm by the case. This seems like a perfect acquisition for me.

For those that own these, how do you like them? Pros and cons?

sgthostile

I just bought one (6.5" barrel) a couple of weeks ago for my wife for her birthday. We took it to the range two weekends ago and put about 100 rounds through it, mostly 357. I love the fact that it will eat 9mm as well because it's certainly the cheaper of the three. I don't regret the purchase one bit.

If you want to call this a con, it does weigh in at 45 ounces, but you need that weight to combat the recoil of the 357. Of course, it didn't help that it was 100 degrees outside and palms were very sweaty. I haven't warmed up to the fact of wearing gloves while shooting, but I may need to in the summer time.

Good luck and ENJOY, if you get one

Hans13

Passed the convertible up. I could have waited a few more weeks and gotten a SS convertible but only had to wait one for the non-convertible. Needless to say, I have no patience. I've been kicking myself ever since!

wingspar

The 6.5" barrel is what I would go with. I don’t know if I could put 100 rounds of .357 out of any gun an one time. I have a S&W 19-3 with a 3-1/4" barrel, and it’s not that much fun shooting .357 out of it, but .38's are a blast. After a half a box of .357, the checkering on the grips will start to blister my pinky the way it wraps around the grip. My other half has the 19-4 model with a 5 ½" barrel and nice fat smooth grips, and it’s much nicer to shoot.

45 ounces is heavy, but our 19-4 weighs in at 40 oz. The 45 oz Blackhawk would only be another 5 oz, so I’m thinking the extra 5 oz and an extra inch of barrel would help in recoil. I would replace the grips with some nice rosewood or ivory grips. Maybe ivory cause I just ordered some rosewood grips for my most recent purchase, a Single Six in .17 HMR. The 9mm cylinder is the real selling point for me. Thanks for the input.

When you get older, you will realize that waiting a few more weeks is nothing, and always worth it.

SnakeChief

Interesting perspectives. This has GOT to come down to the grips. I do not own a SA revolver. I have been thinking about getting one (yes the 357/38/9). I do have the SP101 in 357. I have shot many rounds through that gun at one time in 357 and never had a problem whatsoever with my Pachmayr grips. It must weigh 20 ounces or so less than either of the guns you mention. I have heard people complain about CT laser grips on the LCR, and others say the regular gun shoots fine. I know rubber is uglier than wood or ivory, but it DOES seem to work (for me anyway) to control/manage recoil. Not sure if rubber exists for Cowboy-style SA guns, but if you are hunting or going on extended range duty, it may be worth a short term trade out. Afterwards you can display the gun or use it for limited shooting with the pretty grips.

BudmanOH

I have the .357/9mm in 5.5". Nice gun, although I haven't got to shoot it much due to ongoing foot problems. I also have the BH in .327 magnum, haven't shot it yet to compare the difference between the mag's and the .32 longs. Beautiful gun in stainless.

wingspar

I’m not a big fan of rubber grips, tho they are nice for handling a gun, they are ugly to me. I have rubber grips on my Kel-Tec Sub 2000 and it improved the grip and made them feel beefier, but that’s a different style gun altogether. I wouldn’t consider rubber grips on a Blackhawk. My experience with a .357 is that fat wood grips work well. Gloves would help too, but I will be shooting .38's and 9mm a lot more than .357 out of it. The weight of the Blackhawk will help too.

phonejack

Could not be any more happy with mine!

wingspar

Would I be correct in thinking that the Blackhawk convertible will handle the hottest .357 loads?

I know there are some .357 loads I can not shoot thru my S&W Model 19.

terry_p

It will handle any 357 loads that are SAAMI specs for that caliber.

moakes58

This gun & the SR1911 are on my list.
I have bought 5 guns in 7 months & some think that's excessive. I consider it efficient power buying!

wingspar

Thank you. That’s all I would put thru it. I can’t put the 125 grain loads thru my Model 19 and I don’t reload.

Both those are on my list also, tho I can not afford 5 guns in 7 months. It will be some time before I make another purchase, but I’m thinking it will be the .357/9mm Blackhawk first.

By the way, the way you have your gear strapped to your bike is pretty much how I did it. Cloth saddle bags, and everything else strapped to the back seat and sissy bar and the front forks. Rode to Sturgis from Oregon twice.

kz1000

I love the idea of a convertible. Someone told me that the 9mm cyclinder shoots all over the place with this gun and that it was not worth having. What is everyone finding? I would really like to get one of these too.

Ruger Redhawk

Don't overlook the 45Colt/45 ACP convertible.

dcmiller48

I don't really notice any difference in accuracy between the .357/.38 and 9mm cylinders. If there is any difference, it is well within my accuracy and not noticeable. I wouldn't use the Blackhawk if I were in some accuracy based competition anyway. Shoot a .22 if you want pinpoint accuracy.