Blackhawks

[Mikey]

Cknight:  howdy do old pard.  Nope, they never came in the 4 and 5/8, that I know of.  I think when I got mine (couple of hundred years ago) they only came in the 7.5", but then later on came out with the 5.5".  

For close range thick brush hog hunting the 4&5/8 sure would be nice, although I think the recoil would be similar to that of any 4 inch 44 mag out there.  Also, I doubt you would lose much velocity with the 4&5/8, and it sure would look cool.  I saw one like that the other day and they do look nice.  HTH.  Mikey.

[BlkHawk73]

Yes, they are available in both the 4 5/8" bbl and 5 1/2" bbl although only w/ the round back grip frame.  The 4 5/8" configuration has the unfluted cylinder while the 5 1/2" model cylinder had flutes.  The 4 5/8" model was introduced in '94 while the 5 1/2" model was out since '87 (ss in '89) A high gloss ss 4 5/8" model was also avail for a while beginning in '94.   A color case finsh is avail on the Vaquero models in the bbl lengths as well.  
   There's plenty of them around used but a new one shouldn't run you more than $400.  Look around or just ask your local dealers to price thm out for you.  
    They are a great little packing SA.  Mine sports a shortened bbl whcih brings the BBl length to a total of 4" (measured from front of cylinder) recoil is manageable even with hot hornady loads.  
   

[myronman3]

you guys must not have had your coffee today.  yes they are available and yes you can get them in 4 5/8, 5 1/2,  7 1/2, and 10 1/2.   they used to make them with the square trigger guard and now they went to a normal round one (which i like better).   i just bought one off gunbroker for $308.  havent got it yet, about next week i think.  my bud has one in 45 colt and with hot handloads it aint so bad.  if you watch the auctions sites you can get a used blued one for around 270; stainless around 325.  new- i have seen the lowest bluled as 315 and stainless 370-ish.   my dealer quoted me a price of 400; i decided i could do better without much effort and i was right.  in less than a week i got my s.s. 4 5/8 for 308.

[Tom W.]

I got mine many moons back, in S/S with the fluted cylinder and rounded trigger guard. It has what is termed as the XR3-RED frame, which is the same size as my 3  year old Blued B/H, both with the 5 1/2 inch barrel. The SBH shoots quite well with heavy loads. I can't tell you much about the recoil, I'm not affected much by it untill I get into the 75-100 round sessions.