I am contemplating the purchase of a Ruger Super Blackhawk (.44 Mag). I want the 5 1/2" barrel, but I was wondering if that isn't too short. Even though I'll probably be shooting .44 specials mostly, I'll be shooting .44 mags from time to time as well.
My question is, are the ballistics of the .44 mag wasted in such a short barrel? Seems to me I'd be burning a lot of the powder outside the barrel. Does this length barrel give off a super big muzzle flash with .44 mags? I really like the look of the 5 1/2 barrell -- the 7 1/2" version seems a bit too long. Looks like more of a target gun than workhorse sixshooter.
Important note: I will not be using this as a hunting gun. If I was, then I would definitely get the 7 1/2" barrel. This gun is strictly for fun and learning single action fundamentals.
GF. I prefer the 4 5/8 & don't see much difernce, but have never chronyed it. My preference is mostly as I wear it while riding and it doesn't get to rubbing on me or the cantle. Considering you are contemplating 44 special loads I doubt you will notice.
I bought a 7.5" SBH back in 1977 and had it shortened to 4 5/8" a few years ago. Lost less than 100 fps velocity with 240 gr heavy loads. The 7.5" barrel seemed too cumbersome for my liking. I like the way the 4 5/8 tube carries in a Bianchi Lawman holster.
Most of the time I like to load and shoot the 240gr cast Keith style SWCs around 1000 fps for a user friendly but fairly powerful load.
MM
G.F.
What the other two just said. 4 5/8" or 5 1/2" will do just fine. If you need more power, go get your rifle.
Also, with the 7 1/2", or even the 5 1/2", everytime you go and sit down either in a car seat or on the ground, the butt of the gun will jab you in the ribs. After awhile, they become a Pain-in-the-A$$, unless you put them into a crossdraw holster.
Prospector
EVERY TUB HAS TO SIT ON ITS OWN BOTTOM.
MM,
When did you get back? Or are you just visiting from Iraq?
Well If you are home .... Welcome back!!
If you are still there .... Godspeed!
Not home yet, still on the high seas. I put a post on the campfire section with some more etail.
MM
To all -- thanks for the interesting comments. I hadn't even considered that the 5 1/2" barrel would get in the way, especially by jabbing the butt of the gun into my ribs. Shows my inexperience I guess. And if less than 100 fps is lost going from a 7 1/2 to a 4 5/8, well, I'm just not going to sweat it.
The 44 looses 25-30 fps/inch in handgun barrels, 5 1/2" will loose all of 50 fps over a 7 1/2" tube. At the distance the trajectory makes a difference, it's way to far to shoot with a hangun. If a 240 gr @ 1500 fps or 300 gr @ 1250 fps isn't enough, just get something bigger, like, oh, a 480 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
I just purchased a Ruger Super Blackhawk, 44 mag, 7 1/2 inch barrel made circa mid 80's, hardly shot, no blueing wear, tight cylinder, etc. I purchased it mainly for hunting potential, and like you, I want to also shoot alot of 44 special loads thru it, except when I am hunting, etc. Now I have to get a cowboy belt, and holster (left handed) for it. I couldnt pass this one up, it was in great condition, and the price was fair.
faulgur -- sounds like one sweet gun. I like the idea of a longer barrel, there's a lot of positives associated with it, I just thought it might be a bit awkward in the holster. I, too, look forward to buying my first cowboy belt and holster for my future Super Blackhawk (I'm waiting for my paperwork to go through). I may look into getting the 7 1/2" barreled Ruger Bisley, maybe in .357 mag. So many choices, so little $$.
Gun Fever, I am waiting for the 10 day waiting period to end for me so I can pick it up. I thought just us Californians had these wacko gun laws. I had a Ruger Single Six many years ago, so I am excited about getting this blackhawk. I'll just see how the barrel length goes. I like what I am reading about the 44 special. I've shot a 44 mag before, alot of horsepower. Good luck with your single action search.
One thing you have to consider is that the 7 1/2 " Super BH weighs right at 4 lbs. Thats a lot of weight to carry around on your belt all day. It is accentuated by the fact that you have nothing on the other side to balance it. It will sure make a difernce if you have back trouble also. Insteadof a belt carry, you might consider front of the shoulder rig. It puts more of the weight on your shoulders instead of your waste.
faulgur, trust me, you Californians are not the only ones who have wacko gun laws. In fact, many states have much worse laws than CA. Living in New Jersey, every time I want to buy a handgun, I have to submit a bunch of paperwork to the local police dept., then the police send a questionnaire to two of my friends, who must fill out this questionnaire (vouching for me, in effect) and send it back. After all this is completed, and if everything checks out, then I need to make an appointment with the city police chief (who only makes these appointments certain times during the week - during my working hours, of course) to pay for the handgun purchase permits, and have him sign-off on all the paperwork. Of course he's eyeing me during this appointment to see if I seem to be up to any evil doings. It is all very demeaning, if you ask me. I wish that I only had to wait 10 days for this process to go through. It usually amounts to more than a month, sometimes two if one of my buddies doesn't fill out the form and send it back out right away. And all this is only possible after you get your non-handgun firearms permit. That process takes several months, as they do the FBI fingerprint check, they take mugshots of you, the whole nine yards. Don't even get me started on the new "smart gun" legislation that the New Jersey State legistature passed. I'll stop now, I'm ranting.
On another note, I'm liking what I read about the 44 Special cartridge myself. Seems it can be loaded down to fun cowboy plinking, all the way up to beyond .45 ACP power. I'm looking forward to learning about all this firsthhand.
I don't mean to brag, but I am spoiled here in TN. With the instant background check you are usually out of the store with your new handgun or rifle within ten minutes of purchasing.
Sure beats the 15 day wait I had to endure when I lived in the Socialist Republic of Calif. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Ya, there are several differences here in CA, but you are wrong, the waiting period is 10 days, most gun stores make you wait 11, to make sure there is no problem.
Lived in your neck of the woods also, glad I am here.......
Why 44 sp and not 44 mag ?
The 44 mag has a rainbow trajectory as it is. 44 sp would be a lot worse.
I like the Federal 44mag 180 grain hydra shock rounds. The leave the muzzle at 1500 fps! The are perfect for jack rabbits and coyotes which is what I use them for.
I like the idea of the .44 Special because it is a big bore cartridge without the heavy recoil of the .44 mag. Plus it's got an interesting history. I like the .44 mag as well, don't get me wrong. I plan to shoot them as well. I just figured I'd work my way up to it slowly.
sothrdnk -- I am totally jealous of your ability to get the gun you want, when you want. Too bad I could never convince my wife to move to a different state for 2nd Amendment reasons. I'll just have to jump through my hoops here, and continue to support the NRA, and hope for the best.