Gaterskiner

I am looking to get A Blackhawk in.45 colt. I will be experimenting with heavy loads So I want A large frame gun. I have read that the new ones are built on the medium frame. How do I tell the diference? I have no ruger experiance except for the single six that has served me well for about 30 years now. It's still going strong.

Scotch827

I am sure the Bisleys will handle the "Ruger Only" loads. I have a Lipsy's 45 colt convertible that takes standard loads only. It's does get a little confusing, at least it did for me. Probably someone will post all the correct information.

TMB

The Bisley grip is much better for heavy loads. IMO

gunjunkie

Welcome from the Texas Panhandle.

bwinters

The bisley is a heavy frame and will take ruger only loads as will the blackhawk and the original vaquero.

Quiet 1

I'm 99.99% confident that all Ruger Blackhawk's are built on the "Full Size" frame which will handle the "Ruger Only" loads.

The only exceptions are the LIPSEY BLACKHAWK FLATTOP CONVERTIBLE models which are built on the "New" Vaquero "medium" frame.

Yes, it is a bit confusing and Ruger's marketing department should not have called it a "Blackhawk" Flattop. Simply calling it a Flattop model would have been wiser IMHO.

Welcome to the forum! I know you'll enjoy your Blackhawk .45. I own both a Blackhawk .45 convertible with a 5 ½" barrel and the above mentioned Blackhawk Stainless Flattop .45 convertible with a 4 ⅝" barrel
and really enjoy shooting them both in both .45LC and .45acp

BlkHawk73

NOT all have been built on the large frame. There have been some on the medium flattop frames. If you want a BH for the heavy loads, simply go with one of the regular cataloged models, or at least one that's not a flattop. Simply being a Bisley doesn't mean it's ok for the "Ruger only" loads. It's all dependant on the cylinder/cylinder frame not the grip frame. Personally, if one feels the need for needing the over SAAMI spec loads go with a more powerful chambering from the get go rather than overloading a lesser cartridge.

Scotch827

I am using 8.5 grs of Unique with a 255 Keiths style Missouri bullet and thats recoils enough for me I feel that will cleanly harvest anything in PA if I do my part. People have different needs so if you can safely load them, go for it.

Gaterskiner

Is there A way to tell the diference visualy or by measuring. or am I overthinking this.
I seriously do not want A medium frame revolver.

Scotch827

I think if you called Ruger. they would help you out. I have been told I can shoot the Ruger only loads out of my Lipsy's Convertible by some people (it's a Blackhawk) but I can not. I am actually getting some Trailboss powder for reduced practice loads. Ruger can give you a definite answer so you can load safely. If I wanted to shoot the Mag loads I think I would call them myself. I have heard to many different things to be certain.

punkinlobber

Buy a "New Model" Blackhawk. The Lipsey's are a little more expensive. The new models frame is the same size as the super Blackhawk. I love mine.

rclark

The medium frame .45s have NO ears around the rear sight (not a flattop). If it has ears, it's a large frame .45. Simple as that. Easy visual clue. Also if you are holding one, the serial number of the medium frames will start with three digits xxx-xxxxx.

All the BHs, SBHs, Vaqueros, New Vaqueros, flattops, are New Models since '73 .

Gaterskiner

Thanks for the replies. gunshow this weekend hopeing to find A nice used gun. not A used one around here in stores. I have looked in A bunch of them so far.

Scotch827

Thanks for posting. I think I am finally "unconfused"

opos

The gun on my avitar is the Lipsey 44 special flat top...it's a Blackhawk but is built on the smaller frame that the original 357's were built on as I understand (if anyone else has more knowledge on the matter chime in)..If memory serves me the Lipsey 45 is also built on the "smaller frame"..I am told that the big standard New Model Blackhawk with the "ears" (not a flat top) are the hot load kings and that the smaller frame Lipsey style (I think Ruger sells them as a 44 and are the same size as the Lipsey as I understand it)....I load light from an arthritic hand standpoint but have loaded heavy once in a while just for the fun.....My standard 45 Colt New Blackhawk (I have 2 ) will take about anything I'd ever want to throw at them....I'd probably look carefully at the Lipsey...I'd sure look at the Ruger only loads as possibly too hot for the smaller frame Lipsey if I read the information correctly but certainly nothing for the standard New Blackhawk when loaded in the New Model Blackhawk. I also have a Vaquero Bisley in the bigger frame Vaquero (not New Vaquero or current Vaquero with the smaller frame) and I'd not be concerned with any loads (within published data) for the "ruger only" situation...I'd be leery of the Ruger only loads in the New Vaquero or the newer ones just called Vaquero but on the smaller frames (thanks Ruger)

Again, the Lipsey is my Avitar picture (added grips) and the 2 pictures are of the New Model Blackhawk in .45 Cal .... Rugers are all stout but I think the full size frame is the one that's called out for the "ruger only loads, etc. The "ears" are easilly visible in the pictures while may be hard to see just the flat top without ears in the Avitar.