I'm looking for a hunting side arm and considering getting a Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk in 44 mag with 5.5" barrel. I own a Dan Wesson 44 mag with 8" barrel and I love shooting it, but it's very impractical as a side arm due to its weight and length. I'd like to stay in 44mag.

I like the look and reliability of the ruger single actions, so I'm really interested in the super Blackhawk. But...

My question is, what's your experience with those single action grips, you know, that gunfighter style grip? How does it feel when it rolls back on your wrist?

Thanks.

Everybody handles recoil differently. I couldn't handle the full power 44 mag recoil with factory grips. I put some bigger grips on it but just never liked it. I ended up with a Thompson Contender with a 14" bull barrel in 44 mag. Much more fun to shoot for me.

I have large hands, I felt cramped up shooting a Superblack hawk. I wish it had bigger grips that were slung a bit lower.

Redhawk ftw.

I had one in 44 but sold it. The 90 degree angle on the back of the trigger guard always "bit" me on full power loads; not to mention that full power loads out of a 44 are not the most fun things to shoot.

Like others above me I put on some aftermarket grips (hogue) but it was still a bit difficult to really grip correctly. Although I've never owned one, I think a Smith 629 would be about perfect if I were going to shoot the 44 mag again, but again thats just me.

If I could ever get over the looks of the grip frame, a 44 mag Ruger bisley would probably be a pretty good shooter.

You want the 6.5 barrel. The Hunter
Just about right length

I like mine

If it hurts you're not holding the revolver right
Try clasping both hands and lock shoulder then lean into the gun

Ruger makes a great pistol - and rifles too - I have a safe full of them!

Good choice.

Ruger makes excellent guns but my favorite is the Colt Anaconda. You can get them in 4",6" and 8" barrels. Check out gunbroker for the colt Anaconda. They are price but well worth the money.

I have smaller hands and it is comfortable to shoot with full house loads. The roll for the recoil is the best that I have shot. The worst was a Hi Standard 44 Auto Mag with 8 or 10" barrel but it was accurate and I only shot five rounds. Those supposedly didn't break in till about 500 rounds so, there could have been a getting use to period. It was a harder straight back recoil with a little twist to the right at least for a right handed handgunner. Mine was the 7 1/2" version with and without a 2x7 Redfield and was comfortable on the side or in an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster. I was thinking about the 10" version but I was also deliberating plus 100 yard shots. What's wrong with the Dan Wesson, that's a fine weapon. It might not be able to handle the load that the SBH can, but most all published loads. Can't you change the barrel down to 6" on that model?

Theres not many people who can say they've put more rounds through a Blackhawk than me, I've hunted with them for over 40 years and shot competition with them for about 20 years. You won't go wrong with a 5 1/2 inch 44 thats the shortest barrel I use and the only one you can comfortably wear on the hip. Most of mine are 7 1/2's but I carry them in a crossdraw holster, it keeps it out of the way lets you bend and move easy. With a crossdraw you can even get in and out of the truck with ease. As for the grips I stick with factory, I've found none better they let the pistol roll in your hand and thats important. Extended, rubber or Bisley style grips transfer allot of recoil back to the hands, with a big bore single action you have to let it roll. While you say 44 you might want to look at the 45 Long Colt with the 45 ACP cylinder they are handier than hell and the 45LC when loaded up gives away nothing to the 44.

My only complaint on the Blackhawks and SBHs is the trigger pull. It can be dealt with, but a perfect trigger on the New Model is not easy to attain. Improvement is not so hard, but perfection without compromising the timing is another ball game. I can think of no other shortcoming with these revolvers and they are brute tough!

I have a Super in 44 Mag and the standard Blackhawk in 45 LC with the 45 ACP cylinder. I had to put the Hogue rubber grips with the finger grooves on the 44, it made a world of difference, the factory grips were to slick and small. The 45 still has the Hogues on it too. Both guns have the 5 1/2" barrels and are pleasant to shoot with the different grips on them, plus they are accurate and easy to carry on the hip.

I'll 2nd Hwy Man's opinion on the 45LC. I shot a friends Vaquero and was thoroughly impressed.

Sweet round and recoil was a non issue.

Just curious...isn't the Bisley suppose to be for better shooting? Better grip and trigger reach?

That can be bought in .45 colt with a .45 acp cylinder.


Shane

I can fix allot of that in less than two minutes. The Redneck Ruger action job! I've done it to every Ruger I've owned, I've never bought a spring kit.

In lighter calibers it's fine but the big bores really need to roll.

I'll bet a dollar you're talking about lifting one side off the trigger return spring of the stud under the grip. That will improve the pull weight but it won't eliminate creep.

I love my dan wesson. Great shooter, super accurate. I have a cross draw for it too. But i'm looking for something to carry on my hip and this one just doesnt work well with me for that. I've shot s&w's with 4" barrel but the recoil was killer on my hands. The recoil on that 8" barrel is manageable. So i think the 5.5" should be ok too. It's just those grips that i have zero experience with.

After I threw a cheap pachmayer grip on my 44mag super blackhawk I could shoot it all afternoon with no problems whatsoever. I'll do it again if I ever get another

"Needs to roll". What does that mean?

Sorry for my ignorance.

Shane

Letting the recoil take the barrel back almost 90 degree's, keeps allot of shock from going back into your wrist. The Bisley style grips are long enough to bring the little finger into play and that makes it harder for it to roll. Rubber grips grab and do the same thing. I want my grips about factory size and slick where they don't bind up on anything. I'm not talking about limp wristing it but you just don't put that death grip on it that so many do. Do that and after about 50 rounds of shells designed for hunting or knocking dowm rams at 200 yards and you'll hurting. With so many shooting autos now and the different gripping style to make sure we don't get a FTF we forget about the lowly single actions and the best way to shoot them. 23 grains of 2400 behind a 260 grain hard cast out of a 7 1/2 inch Blackhawk will give your wrist a workout. I'd shoot about 100 of them every tournament. Plus I was shooting one handed.

Thank you...I get it now.

Learn something new every day.

Shane

I'll second hwy man on this- I've owned T/C's, Smiths, and Rugers and the 5.5" SBH is my favorite all around pistol. The smaller grip allows the pistol to move in your hand and rolling 45 oz of steel soaks up a lot of energy.

The shorter SBH and the Hunter have the round trigger guard. I had a 10" with the square back and without a houge filling that area I would only fire light loads. Smacked my knuckle too many times. .44 mag will drop about anything in Texas, especially porkers.