Blackhawk barrel length and finish question

[Crow Hunter]

I realize this is probably more of an individual question that I should answer myself but I thought I would ask the group who likely have more experience than I do and could lend some insight.

I am getting ready to purchase myself a Ruger Blackhawk Lipsey's Flattop convertible in 45C/45ACP.

I am stuck on trying to decide between the 4 5/8th and the 5.5 barrel length and the finish.

Finish:

I like the stainless because it is easy to care for and I wouldn't be as "particular" with it, but I don't like the look as much. It doesn't really have as much "soul" as a blued one.

I like the blued for looks, especially if I pair it with some elk horn grips but it will be more susceptible to the elements and I know I will wind up babying it like I do all my other pretty guns.

Which would you choose, and why?

Barrel length:

I like the looks of the 5.5 more. I also like the slightly better balance. But it is nearly as long as my old S&W 686 Power Port which doesn't get carried much due to it's length.

I had flattop 357/9mm that I just got rid of that had the shorter barrel and I didn't really care for the balance. But I believe the 45 will have a different balance. (It was the stainless version)

I have an old Single Six with 5.5 barrel that I really love but it really isn't apples to apples comparison since it is much smaller.

I do want to be able to use this, not just as a range toy. It will likely get used often riding around in the woods on my SXS and it will likely get used as a anti-snake tool when my brother and I go wandering in creeks. I think I would feel more comfortable with a 45 Colt snake shot and a few follow ups than my G19 and a sometimes feed when an aggressive cotton mouth decides he wants to try and slither up my leg.

So what says the group?

My mind says Stainless 4 5/8th but my heart says Blued 5.5.

No, unfortunately, I can't do both.;)

[1911Nut]

I had a similar decision to make back when I bought a (then) limited edition .45 Colt/.45 ACP Ruger convertible way back in 1994.

I promptly sent it to Jim Stroh at Alpha Precision in Georgia, where he performed his "Accu-throating" procedure, adjusted the barrel/cylinder gap, headspace, and cylinder end play, recut the forcing cone, recrowned the barrel, and performed a stellar trigger job on the revolver and lightened the hammer, resulting a very, very sweet shooting "packin' pistol".

I have carried and shot the revolver on and off over the past 25 years without a hitch.

I purchased 4 5/8" model in stainless, as I intended pack the gun while getting in and out of Jeeps, ATV's, and UTV's, and have done exactly that. It still looks near new.

But . . . . . I think the 5 1/2" models in blue look prettier, so I guess I'm no help, now that I think about it!!

[03RN]

I like how shorter barrels handle. Longer barrels hang better and seem to shoot better. I always go for shorter barrels myself.

My blued 4 5/8 .45 Colt handles well. Even with the aluminum grip frame. It's also my most carried handgun in harsh conditions. It's been on multiple month + canoe/backpacking trips. Sure some bluing is worn but there's no pitting and it still shoots like a laser.

[BN]

My heart and mind both say 4 5/8" blue because it has more soul. :)

[mmc45414]

My blued 4 5/8 .45 Colt handles well. Even with the aluminum grip frame.Is the blue one a couple ounces lighter? Might be a factor if you can't decide :)

[M2CattleCo]

I actually have a 4 5/8" 357 and a 5 1/2" 45LC flattop. These Lipsey's flattops (stainless and blued) are built on steel XR3 grip frames, same as the New Vaquero.

I greatly prefer the 5 1/2" 45. Balances better because of the thinner barrel and I shoot a longer sight radius better. It could be my imagination, but I think the 5 1/2" is less flippy and blasty than a 4 5/8" with full boogie loads. I have a 4 5/8" 45LC New Vaquero to compare.

I carry a revolver in a pretty high ride holster to get the cylinder mostly above the belt line and the longer barrel guns carry a lot better. Same as a government vs commander 1911 to me.

All single action revolvers should be blued with wood, bone, or horn grips. ;)

[JonInWA]

I prefer stainless for a wilderness/hunting revolver, but blued really isn't that hard to take care of, either. A good wipe-down with a Sentry Solutions impregnated cloth applies a good protectant weather barrier to the blueing.

In terms of aesthetics, I prefer a 4.62" barrel, while on a fixed-sight Vaquero I prefer it in the 5.5" barrel. Both just seem "right" to me.

Best, Jon

[41magfan]

From a practical (objective) standpoint, the stainless guns make (user performed) sight changes pretty straight forward since the front sight blade is pinned. The blued guns have the sight blade constructed integral with the base, so any changes must involve the entire front sight body - which is usually soldered in place.

[mmc45414]

From a practical (objective) standpoint, the stainless guns make (user performed) sight changes pretty straight forward since the front sight blade is pinned. The blued guns have the sight blade constructed integral with the base, so any changes must involve the entire front sight body - which is usually soldered in place.Gads, am I glad I read this before I ever inadvertently bought one ASSuming the sight was pinned...

[Totem Polar]

I currently have two medium frame flattop Blackhawks, and both are blued, 4 5/8", and dead sexy. JMO, for my own money.
:cool:

[Crow Hunter]

From a practical (objective) standpoint, the stainless guns make (user performed) sight changes pretty straight forward since the front sight blade is pinned. The blued guns have the sight blade constructed integral with the base, so any changes must involve the entire front sight body - which is usually soldered in place.

Oh, wow!

Excellent information.

Especially since my not so young eyes often need more help.

I knew asking here was in my best interest. :cool:

[Crow Hunter]

I actually have a 4 5/8" 357 and a 5 1/2" 45LC flattop. These Lipsey's flattops (stainless and blued) are built on steel XR3 grip frames, same as the New Vaquero.

I greatly prefer the 5 1/2" 45. Balances better because of the thinner barrel and I shoot a longer sight radius better. It could be my imagination, but I think the 5 1/2" is less flippy and blasty than a 4 5/8" with full boogie loads. I have a 4 5/8" 45LC New Vaquero to compare.

I carry a revolver in a pretty high ride holster to get the cylinder mostly above the belt line and the longer barrel guns carry a lot better. Same as a government vs commander 1911 to me.

All single action revolvers should be blued with wood, bone, or horn grips. ;)

Excellent information.

Which holster do you recommend/prefer?

I would want to get something that would make it easier to slide in and out of a truck/SXS but still be readily accessible. I had actually been thinking about a crossdraw but I think I would prefer a RH hip holster.

[Crow Hunter]

I prefer stainless for a wilderness/hunting revolver, but blued really isn't that hard to take care of, either. A good wipe-down with a Sentry Solutions impregnated cloth applies a good protectant weather barrier to the blueing.

In terms of aesthetics, I prefer a 4.62" barrel, while on a fixed-sight Vaquero I prefer it in the 5.5" barrel. Both just seem "right" to me.

Best, Jon

None of my blued guns are rusty, but I am much more particular about them than I am my stainless guns.

That is my only fear about getting the blued one. I fear that I will be super particular about it and dread getting a scratch or worry about taking it out when the weather might turn bad.

I am that way about my beautiful BL-22 and my Dad's old BPS. I shoot them, but I don't "use them" the way I do my stainless guns.

[Hambo]

For carry I prefer 4 5/8". I dislike the look of 5 1/2" barreled SA revolvers so much so that I sold the only one I ever owned. 4 5/8" or 6 1/2"+.

FWIW there's no difference between .44 mag and heavily loaded .45 Colt in a 4 5/8" barrel.

[OlongJohnson]

We don't know where you live and where you tromp in the woods. Super-humid climates are not blued-friendly. Freckles are only a good thing on red heads and some blondes.

FWIW, I haven't gone down the SA rabbit hole yet, but I do have a stainless GP100 Match Champion and a blued five-inch Lipsey's half-lug GP100.

"Get both" is a serviceable plan.

[Crow Hunter]

We don't know where you live and where you tromp in the woods. Super-humid climates are not blued-friendly. Freckles are only a good thing on red heads and some blondes.

FWIW, I haven't gone down the SA rabbit hole yet, but I do have a stainless GP100 Match Champion and a blued five-inch Lipsey's half-lug GP100.

"Get both" is a serviceable plan.

West Tennessee.

So humid and muggy about half of the year.

I would love to get both, but I don't have that much play money around. :)

[JonInWA]

From a practical (objective) standpoint, the stainless guns make (user performed) sight changes pretty straight forward since the front sight blade is pinned. The blued guns have the sight blade constructed integral with the base, so any changes must involve the entire front sight body - which is usually soldered in place.

I never realized that; checking on the images of blued and stainless Blackhawks at Ruger.com verify that you're absolutely correct. Thanks for pointing this out; I learned something new today.

Best, Jon

[Totem Polar]

Honestly, for Tennessee summer, I’d get the stainless 4 5/8". You can always get it cerakoted or some such ionbond down the road for a unique piece if you grow tired of the in the raw look. JMO.

Also, look at Barranti leather

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/mb111263/3393EC33-8160-4F16-8E44-46C2BE30741B-620-00000056C623369C.jpg

https://1s18w12tqveh1xfywp1ulx42-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/Holsters-2-655x1024.jpg

Or Mernickle, just for kicks...

https://gunblast.com/images/Mernickle/Mvc-002f.jpg

[41magfan]

I never realized that; checking on the images of blued and stainless Blackhawks at Ruger.com verify that you're absolutely correct. Thanks for pointing this out; I learned something new today.

Best, Jon

I think some of the blued rimfire single-actions still have a (screw) removable front sight (blade made integral to the base), but that's never been the case with the blued centerfire revolvers to my knowledge.

[Poconnor]

Get both

[willie]

My heart and mind both say 4 5/8" blue because it has more soul. :)

I agree. Difference in length will not effect ballistics. However, some states may require the longer barrel for use in hunting.

[JonInWA]

Minimum in Washington state is 4" so I'm good with my 4 5/8" stainless...

Best, Jon

[Crow Hunter]

Thanks everyone!

I have decided that I want the Stainless 5.5.

Now I have to decide if I will really get any use out of it or if it is more of a cool factor toy.

I have been unloading/thinning out my stuff recently and it feels kind of nice to simplify.

But having a new toy....:cool:

[M2CattleCo]

I prefer the 5.5" barrels myself.

A Blackhawk is a good all around handgun. I've been shooting single action since I was a little kid and have always had one.

[Hambo]

Honestly, for Tennessee summer, I’d get the stainless 4 5/8". You can always get it cerakoted or some such ionbond down the road for a unique piece if you grow tired of the in the raw look. JMO.

Also, look at Barranti leather

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii125/mb111263/3393EC33-8160-4F16-8E44-46C2BE30741B-620-00000056C623369C.jpg

https://1s18w12tqveh1xfywp1ulx42-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/Holsters-2-655x1024.jpg



Those pics are going to cost me $130.

[Totem Polar]

Those pics are going to cost me $130.

Yeah. That’s just the tax one pays for digging both SAs, and IWB holsters. No off-the-rack kydex for the wicked...

[CTX44]

I've got both. The 4 5/8" is only a tad shorter but it's about 95% easier to pack in the field. The 5.5, unless you're a huge guy, will be digging its barrel into the dirt if you sit down in the woods anywhere.

I love my stainless one but the loading latch is a lot stiffer and rougher and more difficult to open. I'm going to try getting a softer spring for the latch. Blued rugers tend to be smoother.

[Crow Hunter]

I've got both. The 4 5/8" is only a tad shorter but it's about 95% easier to pack in the field. The 5.5, unless you're a huge guy, will be digging its barrel into the dirt if you sit down in the woods anywhere.

I love my stainless one but the loading latch is a lot stiffer and rougher and more difficult to open. I'm going to try getting a softer spring for the latch. Blued rugers tend to be smoother.

I am definitely NOT a huge guy.

You bring up yet another good point.

Thank you.

I would be spending quite a bit of time sitting in a SXS with this thing on and having it digging into my ribs or popping out of the holster wouldn't be much fun.

If I go 5.5, I might need to look at a crossdraw style rig.

I wish someone around here had some that I could check. I went gun scouting yesterday but didn't see any. Only one shop had a couple of Single Sixes and a Rough Rider.

Almost everything around here is black plastic bottom feeders, only one place has any number of revolvers and they are almost all S&W/Ruger.

[Malamute]

Ive had a number of 4 5/8" guns, they carry very nicely. Ive literally forgot I had them on on many occasions after wearing them in the mountains or cutting firewood all day, in and out of the truck, sitting in chairs, whatever. I carried them mostly in threepersons type holsters, a Lawrence 120 I believe.

I had one 5 1/2" 44, I carried it some, but didnt warm up to it compared to the 4 5/8" guns. I had it cut to 4 5/8" and feel it was money well spent, otherwise it would have sat around unused for the most part.

A 45 Vaquero with the Lawrence 120 holster.
38745

[Flashman]

Flattops weren't available when I obtained a 4 5/8 Stainless New Vaquero 45 Colt. For me the size, balance and weight (39 ozs) seemed perfect but my 5 1/2 Super Blackhawk seemed barrel heavy and more problematic to carry. However, the big downside of the NV was shooting in bright sunlight with those freaking fixed sights. I rubbed off the shine on the entire gun with Scotchbrite, opened the rear sight channel and narrowed the front sight. The rear sight channel (most of the top of the receiver) was painted flat black and the front sight orange. It took a year to get it where I like it but it was a struggle. Had there been a Flattop in 45 Colt with adjustable sights I would have jumped on it. I didn't come around to preferring blued guns for shooting until after the NV experience.

[JonInWA]

Ive had a number of 4 5/8" guns, they carry very nicely. Ive literally forgot I had them on on many occasions after wearing them in the mountains or cutting firewood all day, in and out of the truck, sitting in chairs, whatever. I carried them mostly in threepersons type holsters, a Lawrence 120 I believe.

I had one 5 1/2" 44, I carried it some, but didnt warm up to it compared to the 4 5/8" guns. I had it cut to 4 5/8" and feel it was money well spent, otherwise it would have sat around unused for the most part.

A 45 Vaquero with the Lawrence 120 holster.
38745

That Vaquero has seen some good honest wear and use-nice patina.

Best, Jon

[Inkwell 41]

Ive had a number of 4 5/8" guns, they carry very nicely. Ive literally forgot I had them on on many occasions after wearing them in the mountains or cutting firewood all day, in and out of the truck, sitting in chairs, whatever. I carried them mostly in threepersons type holsters, a Lawrence 120 I believe.

I had one 5 1/2" 44, I carried it some, but didnt warm up to it compared to the 4 5/8" guns. I had it cut to 4 5/8" and feel it was money well spent, otherwise it would have sat around unused for the most part.

A 45 Vaquero with the Lawrence 120 holster.
38745


Malamute Is that a one piece grip on that Vaquero? How did you manage that?

[M2CattleCo]

Power Custom makes 'em.

[Malamute]

Malamute Is that a one piece grip on that Vaquero? How did you manage that?

I think I had about 11 hours of welding, cutting, filing and shaping to get the grip frame to take one piece grips. I did two of them about 20 years ago.

I cant find the complete setup on the Power Custom site. Was curious what they charged for their setup.

[Inkwell 41]

I think I had about 11 hours of welding, cutting, filing and shaping to get the grip frame to take one piece grips. I did two of them about 20 years ago.

I cant find the complete setup on the Power Custom site. Was curious what they charged for their setup.

I learned something new today. Thank you.

And by the way, best looking Vaquero I've ever seen.