Blackhawk 44 Magnum

[Deaf Smith]

I was checking out my Blackhawk(ok fondling) when I was looking at the thickness of the cylinder and noticed there is plenty of steel between chambers but the cylinder notches are directly over the cylinder holes!
Just how deep are these notches and do they mark any weakness in the 44 magnum cylinder? Just how much steel is left inbetween the cylinder and the outside at the thinnest point at the deepest point of the cylinder notch? JUst wondering I doubt that the gun is in any way unsafe or even weak I just want to know. thanks
Jim L

[Mikey]

Deaf:  I wish I could give you the absolute specifics as to the thickness of the chamber walls on that Blackhawk where the notches are but I can give you the benefit of my experiences with those revolvers and after seeing them used and abused for a buncha years on the silly-wet range.

The benefit of my experience is that ya'll need not worry about those cylinders coming apart at all.  I shot the snot outta mine with the heaviest loads I could brew up, as did a ton of other guys, and even saw a few that had been reamed out for longer cartridges - and all without any problems at all.  I would have to say that I sincerely doubt that those notches mark any weakness in the Blackhawk cylinder structure at all.  HTH.  Mikey.

[Flint]

If you want to see thin, check the notches on a Smith & Wesson model 29 or 629, and they don't blow up either.

[Bullseye]

It is no different than any piece of metal with a hole in it (either all the way through or partially).  As long as there is enough metal around the hole the strength is still there.  Same principle as when you drill a hole near the edge of a piece of metal, you leave enough metal to give the piece strength.