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Post by cjdun1234 on Jul 31, 2019 8:40:42 GMT -5
Greetings everyone,
I'm looking into purchasing a Ruger single action revolver, and cannot decide which one to purchase. Is there any difference in the frame strength of the current production new Blackhawks or Vaqueros? I’ve heard that the Blackhawks may be able to handle higher pressure loads than the Vaqueros? Is this correct? Another question I have is, are the grip frames and trigger guards made of steel or aluminum? I’ve heard that on the stainless guns, the grip frame and trigger guard is stainless steel, whereas on the blued guns the grip frame is aluminum. Could anyone verify this? Also are stainless guns weaker than blued? Thanks!
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Post by sackpeterson on Jul 31, 2019 9:07:17 GMT -5
Answer is somewhat nuanced.
The hot whole 'hot load - frame strength' thing with Ruger SAs is usually a discussion about the .45 Colt only. The power considerations of the other Ruger revolver cartridges don't really hang on frame size in the same way. And if you are not a reloader pushing the envelope on .45 Colt, you dont need to give it that much thought though its good to put this peice of wisdom in your memory as you go on with Ruger single actions.
The 'old Vaquero' 1993-2005 has a conventional 'large frame' thats as big as the conventional frame New Model Blackhawk. You can contemplate 'hot load' .45s in the 'old Vaquero' the same way afficionados contemplate them in the conventional frame Blackhawk. Conventional New Model Blackhawks have a mild hump sight protector on the top strap. Conventional New Model Blackhawks in blue usually have an alloy grip frame.
Blackhawks with flattop top straps are medium frame revolvers with a more traditional Colt-ish sized cylinder diameter, and you don't contemplate these in terms of hot loads though they also may be .45s in some cases. Flattop blackhawks have steel grip frames even when they are blue.
The Ruger 'New Vaquero' 2005-present is built using the Flattop dimension frame, so, no 'hot load' reload .45's there.
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Post by contender on Jul 31, 2019 9:07:22 GMT -5
Ahh,, the proverbial confusion concerning Ruger frames & such. I'll preface my response saying I'm more familiar with the OM Rugers, (3-screws,) than the current crop of NM's. BUT,,, a Blackhawk, that is NOT a Flattop, has the largest frame size. There are Flattop models which are made on the "mid-sized" frame, and as such,, not quite as large. The same goes for Vaquero's. There are older, full sized frames,, which use the same frame size as a Blackhawk, then there are the mid-framed ones. NORMALLY,,, if you get a Vaquero with the serial number starting with a 2-digit prefix, it will be the large frame. If the serial number is a 3-digit,, it can be the mid-sized frame. But there are exceptions to these guidelines. There are full sized Vaquero's in 44 mag,, so the water is a bit muddy when selecting your firearm of choice. So, to answer your question,, you need to determine what caliber you are going to get. AND,, if it's a Flattop version.
Generally speaking,, if you buy a normal adjustable sight Blackhawk, with the rear sight area having the "protected ears" portion, you will get the full sized frame, & can handle the "Ruger only" ammo.
Grip frames. Depending upon the model, the gun can come with either an alloy g/f or a steel one. Again, a lot depends upon your choice. The Super Blackhawk, in 44 mag will have the steel dragoon style g/f. BUT,, some of the other guns also have a steel g/f. Some models come with an alloy g/f. IF,, If you get one with one or the other style g/f & don't like it, you can easily swap one around.
Stainless & blued guns are both plenty strong.
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Post by savit260 on Jul 31, 2019 16:36:39 GMT -5
Also add into the mix that all Bisley models have steel grip frames regardless of frame size, blue or stainless. There are no aluminum grip framed Bisley's.
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Post by kings6 on Jul 31, 2019 17:57:31 GMT -5
And remember that there were at least models of new model flat tops built in the large frame. The 50 year anniversary 44 mag and the very limited 41 mag flat top. I know, clear as mud!
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Post by needsmostuff on Aug 1, 2019 11:32:27 GMT -5
If confined to full sized Blackhawk or Vaquero guns (to assure strength for hot loads) I would base my decision more on your need for sights. Proper fixed sight(Vaquero) shooting often requires a certain amount of mystic Voodoo magic. Adjustable sights (Blackhawk ) are the way to go if more that 1 bullet ,1 load is to be considered. To me , what the grip frame is made of is secondary and can easily be changed.
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Post by buckelliott on Aug 1, 2019 22:16:59 GMT -5
In larger calibers, particularly (.44 or .45), frame "strength" is of much less concern than cylinder strength. The only primary frame failure I've seen was in a Seville-type revolver, chambered for a .375 Super-something, that blew out through rhe standing breexh, seriously injuring the shooter On inspection we found the recoil shield consisted mostly of paper-thin pillars and partitions, which caved in, sheared or blew out under high pressure. That was in 1985, and I have not seen anything similar, before or sunce, and I deal with a lot og gents who tend to push the envelope on occasion.
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Post by buckelliott on Aug 1, 2019 22:37:54 GMT -5
On the other hand, over the years, I have seen nearly three dozen "indestructible" SBH recliners with cracked, split or blown cylinders, some with bent, cracked or blown top straps, accordingly . I have seen any number of "lesser" guns wurh bulged or blown cylinders and top straps.. I have on my shelf, three b lown SAA frames - Ll from the same shooter. I know he had AR least two blown Colts rebuilt, and I was with him one Dat when he KA BOOMED a beautiful, 5 1/2", engraved Peacemaker..
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Post by Rimfire69 on Aug 2, 2019 8:52:03 GMT -5
Sounds like you hang out with a rough crowd Buck.
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jt
.30 Stingray
Posts: 113
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Post by jt on Aug 2, 2019 8:54:51 GMT -5
On the other hand, over the years, I have seen nearly three dozen "indestructible" SBH recliners with cracked, split or blown cylinders, some with bent, cracked or blown top straps, accordingly . I have seen any number of "lesser" guns wurh bulged or blown cylinders and top straps.. I have on my shelf, three b lown SAA frames - Ll from the same shooter. I know he had AR least two blown Colts rebuilt, and I was with him one Dat when he KA BOOMED a beautiful, 5 1/2", engraved Peacemaker.. Were they all 45's, all this variety of revolvers that were being damaged?
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Post by buckelliott on Aug 4, 2019 20:58:00 GMT -5
On the other hand, over the years, I have seen nearly three dozen "indestructible" SBH recliners with cracked, split or blown cylinders, some with bent, cracked or blown top straps, accordingly . I have seen any number of "lesser" guns wurh bulged or blown cylinders and top straps.. I have on my shelf, three b lown SAA frames - Ll from the same shooter. I know he had AR least two blown Colts rebuilt, and I was with him one Dat when he KA BOOMED a beautiful, 5 1/2", engraved Peacemaker.. Were they all 45's, all this variety of revolvers that were being damaged?
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Post by buckelliott on Aug 4, 2019 21:14:23 GMT -5
The vast majority were .45s, with a few .44 thrown in, and one hapless Uberti .38-40, that blew through the cylinder notch, and popped the top strap loose at the rear end.
I know from experience that an OM SBH will stand up to 57,000 + psi, when rebuilt to .45 Colt, loaded with H-110 and a hard cast 315 gr billet. I set the .45 Ruger barrel, and John linebaufg did yhe b honors, rechambering the SBH cylinder..
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Post by buckelliott on Aug 5, 2019 20:59:32 GMT -5
Sounds like you hang out with a rough crowd Buck.
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Post by buckelliott on Aug 5, 2019 21:09:20 GMT -5
When you work in and a round the gum business, you get to see and hear things most folks aren't aware of. You would literally not believe some of the dumb thing people do - accidentally on purpose - that bring them to within a shade of serious injury or self destruction..
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,104
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Post by edk on Aug 5, 2019 21:15:21 GMT -5
I know from experience that an OM SBH will stand up to 57,000 + psi, when rebuilt to .45 Colt, loaded with H-110 and a hard cast 315 gr billet. I set the .45 Ruger barrel, and John linebaufg did yhe b honors, rechambering the SBH cylinder.. an OM SBH will stand up to 57,000 + psi, when rebuilt to .45 Colt rechambering the [ Ruger Factory 44 mag?] SBH cylinder. Am I reading that right? Not an oversize replacement cylinder but the factory 44 cylinder reamed to minimum spec 45 Colt?
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