I wasnt even looking but yesterday I came across a new Ruger 44 special blackhawk. I thought they were all pre sold but a gun store in reno had one so I snatched it up. A very charming piece indeed, fit and finish are not remarkable but certainly good for ruger.
The gun has several of the best features of ruger sa's. The exellent XR3 grip frame is made of steel now and balances perfectley ala colt. The elector housing is also made of steel and kicks the brass all the way out. The 44 special caliber saves cylinder and barrel weight and really does balance beautifully and lighter than the 357 flattops. The cylinder indexes on the click like the new vaquero. One thing I havent seen mentioned yet is the larger 44 cal shell in the smaller frame requires more index than the 357 to eject so the click is a definate plus. Barrel billboard is of the current style nicely hidden under the barrel making a photogenic gun from either side. While I'm not sure, mine may contain the reduced power wolf springs as its very easy and smooth to cock. Trigger was horrid but crisp with little overtravel. After the PB trigger job, breakfree, and some dry fire its pretty good now. The micro sights are very sturdy with sharp even edges making an exellent sight picture unlike many rugers. The grips are the classic checkerd plastic style, very slim but giving a possitive grip and reto look.
Being quite the 44 magnum fan I wont be driving the gun hard at all. In fact I'm on kick right now shooting all calibers at original performance levels only. I thought about using the skeeter 7.5gr unique load but according to the ballistic calculator it only offers 15yards flatter tradjectory. So 6gr unique it will be as I'll only use it for small game and targets.
I took it out to the desert today and we have a winner! I barley had enough downward sight adjustment for the slow 240gr rn's but got it zeroed. Conditions were overcast (a good thing), high wind, shot off the top of my truck, no breakfast. I'm pleased to report it cut a one inch hole at 25yards, and a joyess 3 inch group at 50! The target was a white box with a hand drawn 3 inch black square.
In summary, with all the aformentioned qualities and accuracy this may be finest ruger SA yet. I wish they'd do a little more polishing but the fit was great. I also wish they'd just add it to the lineup as the Flattop in 357,44,45. In sixguns Keith mentions the new ruger blackhawk and says it will soon be availible in 45colt and 44special, and yet again Elmer was right!
