Ruger Blackhawk vs Super Blackhawk
- Thread starter Bullwhip
- Start date
bob21bobby
Regular
Have both. 3 screw BH in .357 for 40++ years, had thousands of rounds through it and still not a squeek or shimmy, and the .44 mag SBH that is only 22 years old, and the only thing that has happened to it is that under the loads I shoot the screw holdong the ejector rod housing has come lose and had to be locktited into the aluminum housing. (The ONLY thing I don't like). The supers are just tougher to handle the more powerful rounds in the higher calibers. Taken everything i can put through it, including rounds that I have had to leave an extra 1/8th inch of lead out of the case and shave the nose to get them into the cylinder. ( LOTS of Blue dot) 
SBH originally had a steel frame, dragoon trigger guard, different hammer and was in 44 mag only. The scope rings thing and the other caliber (357 Max) came along later. - dan
Are the factory sights the same? I picked up a SBH a few months ago and saw the sights are HUGE. I tried some quasi-long distance plinking (about 50 yards), I was using a "actual size" groundhog target and when I lined up to shoot, the sights were blocking the whole target and I had to use the cardboard visible around the target for a guide.
Depends on which SBH you're looking at. The 10" barreled silhouette models have thinner front sights. The rest are rather clunky, but easy to replace, and they are sturdy, which is the point, I think. - dan
Here is my .2 cents; if for casual shooting, loads up to 357, 44 Special and 45 LC, the only thing that matters is how it fits your hand. Saying that, I would also pay attention to Bisley. Now, if you want shoot some heavier loads, starting with standard 44 Magnum or heavier loaded 45 LC, you SHOULD at least try Bisley. Some folks (minority) objected that SBH handles better, but I would like to add that some custom smiths WOULD NOT build 475 or 500 any any other handgun than Bisley. I tried them all and found that Bisley handles better than anything else. Also, do not buy the stories that Bisley is for large hands only. I have medium size hand and Bisley fits me better again. If the trigger reach is the issue, just reduce grips' thickness, you will be surprised how small modification could alter the fit in your hand. Good luck.
Last edited:
Onty,
Thanks for your observation but I have a 7.5" Bisley .45 already and agree with you on the grip as I prefer it to the plowhandle. I have medium-large hands and it does feel & fit better. I had gotten an itch for a shorter barreled stainless .45 so as to have some fun working up target and heavy loads for both this winter.
However, finding a stainless Bisley is a special order proposition which I couldn't justify (although some of the pics here on CGN on those who own them look superb).
I can find stainless BH's and SBH's locally but I was just a bit foggy on the BH vs SBH differences. Obviously, the big factor I missed which Dan pointed out was SBH=44mag. D'oh.
Oh well, I broke down and bought a new 4 5/8 SS BH on Saturday. Still trying to stop grinning; looking forward to load development and some fun this winter!
Thanks for your observation but I have a 7.5" Bisley .45 already and agree with you on the grip as I prefer it to the plowhandle. I have medium-large hands and it does feel & fit better. I had gotten an itch for a shorter barreled stainless .45 so as to have some fun working up target and heavy loads for both this winter.
However, finding a stainless Bisley is a special order proposition which I couldn't justify (although some of the pics here on CGN on those who own them look superb).
I can find stainless BH's and SBH's locally but I was just a bit foggy on the BH vs SBH differences. Obviously, the big factor I missed which Dan pointed out was SBH=44mag. D'oh.
Oh well, I broke down and bought a new 4 5/8 SS BH on Saturday. Still trying to stop grinning; looking forward to load development and some fun this winter!
