I just got a new Ruger Blackhawk .45LC (with the convertible 45ACP barrel), took it out to the range, and I am really disgusted with the gun. The cylinder rotates perfectly, it locks down in a position where the empty shell can not be ejected nor can a live round be dropped into an empty cylinder. To load/unload, the cylinder has to be held in position between "clicks" and the ejector rod used at the same time. If the cylinder is allowed to rotate even a fraction of an inch, it "jams" the round between the frame and the edgy of the cylinder. Since it won't rotate back once this happens, it is a BIG hassle to unload the gun.

Matter of fact, it made firing this gun so unpleasant that I put it back into the case and went back to shooting my Taurus .45LC for the rest of the evening. Whether this is a screw-up or the way the gun was made, I've VERY disappointed in this gun. I definitely regret purchasing it now!

My question for you guys out there is "Is this normal?" or "Do I have a gun that doesn't work properly?" I plan to call Ruger on Monday to see if this is adjustable or what.

Thanks for anyone's advice/suggestions/info!
KJ

Hi there KJUN,

Just to make sure, I pulled out my Blackhawk to compare. Your 45 Blackhawk is functioning correctly. I think it's just a matter of not being used to this quirk. I have lived with it for so many years that it's not even an afterthought. I would suggest practicing different ways to control the rotation of the cylinder (this is during the loading and unloading process) with one finger on the opposite hand that is either puching the ejector or loading the cylinder. After a while it will become second nature.

Good luck............ Bill

you're the man, bill.

KJUN,

Your just described the number one gripe I have the New Model Ruger Single Actions. I can live with the transfer bar, but why they got a burr up their butts and designed the no half cock loading system I'll never know.

Old models are built right, but there arn't that many out there. I guess you could put a Power Custom hammer and trigger in it. That would replace the half cock loading system.

Joe

My first revolver was/is a New Model Blackhawk in 41Mag so I never knew different. I also have a Single Six 22LR/22Mag that the same way.
When I load/unload I always keep the pistol in my left hand (i'm right handed).
When loading, I face square down-range, the pistol pointed down-range, and my left hand positioned as if I'm pretending to read a book. That way, I just rotate the cylinder with my thumb while my fingers (underneath) keep pressure on the cylinder so it won't rotate unless I move it with my thumb.
To unload, I turn 90° to my left (left...FACE! ;) ). I keep the pistol in my left hand and pointing down-range (i basically rotate myself 90° around the pistol, left hand still as if i'm reading a book). My left hand does the same thing as when loading, but now my right hand has easier access to the ejector. I do it this way because I reload and my left hand catches the cases.
My hands are a bit bigger than average and I have long fingers, so it might be easier for me.
Just thought I'd pass on some quick info for you. Hope you find a good way for you to it so you can get to enjoying that new revolver. ;) Good luck.

PS-Not sure what there is for literature out there, but if you want, I can send you some pics to show what I do if you want. Anything I can do to help someone enjoy the sport. :)

KJUN,

Your revolver is operating perfectly; the way it was designed. I know how you feel. I have a Blackhawk 38/357. I also agree that it is a bit strange as to why this type revolver was designed to function like that. Face it, it's not a gun for speed loading and unloading. If you shoot it often, you will get use to it. I hope you don't give up. If you do, you should have no problem selling that particular gun.

P.S. DON'T GIVE UP!

Kjun,

I have your revolver with a Bisley grip frame. I hold the revolver with the butt/hammer in my left hand, with the barrel pointing up, and spin the cylinder with my thumb and finger, working the ejector with my right hand. I catch the empties in the palm of the left. Takes about six seconds to empty it.

To load, again hold in the left hand controling the cylinder with the thumb and finger, while dropping the fresh rounds with the right hand.

If you're still disappointed with your Ruger, post it "For Sale", I know folks who will take it off your hands.

Lobo in West Virginia

taurus can do half cock or quarter cock so that shooter can rotate the cylinder to the location they want. this is why i am able to set my my gun to:

1st round to be .357 magnum hollow point
2nd round to be .357 magnum soft tip
3nd to 5th round to be .38 special + hollow point
6th round to be .357 magnum soft tip
7th round :>)

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I had kinda figured it out on my own the next day loading and unloading the gun, but the suggestions offered here helped refind my "technique" a little further. I'm not COMPLETELY disgusted with it any longer. Matter of fact, it is starting to grow on me a little bit now. (My Taurus Tracker .45LC is still my favorite of the two by a LONG shot, though.)

I don't think I will ever accept what I consider as a design flaw to be a good feature of this gun, though. Honestly, I wanted to put a scope on this one and get the .357Mag/9mm interchangeable one to shoot without a scope. That sounded like a neat pair to me, but I don't think I'll spend more money on the .357Mag/9mm if it works the same way as this one does. Yuck. Not my thing. I don't necessariy regrtet getting the one I've got now, but I'm not sure if I would have bought it if I knew then what I know now.

That said, the gun isn't going to go anywhere. The .45ACP is fun enough to shoot out of it (I've put about 200 rounds through it in the last week or so trying to get used to it) for me to want to keep it - and I'm getting MUCH faster and better at loading/unloading it. Practice, practice, practice.

Sooooo, does anyone know if the .357Mag/9mm works the same way as the .45LC/.45ACP?

...and thanks for the suggestions and help everyone!
KJ

Yep, it works just like the 45, except the holes are smaller - less margin for error when lining them up. I'd shoot that one a while longer and see what you think, then make a decision.

KJUN
If the cylinder quirk of the Ruger single actions get the best of you, how's this.

There exists a replacement cylinder pawl kit.( that which rotates the cylinder, prevents it from rotating backwards and creates the annoying "misalignment" when it clicks) This kit will allow for a free rotating cylinder in both directions, no clicks. It's available through brownells. www.brownells.com Your gunsmith could install this easily. If he's familiar with Ruger single actions.....he could modify the existing pawl to do the same thing.

[QUOTE=KJUN]I just got a new Ruger Blackhawk .45LC (with the convertible 45ACP barrel), took it out to the range, and I am really disgusted with the gun. The cylinder rotates perfectly, it locks down in a position where the empty shell can not be ejected nor can a live round be dropped into an empty cylinder. To load/unload, the cylinder has to be held in position between "clicks" and the ejector rod used at the same time. If the cylinder is allowed to rotate even a fraction of an inch, it "jams" the round between the frame and the edgy of the cylinder. Since it won't rotate back once this happens, it is a BIG hassle to unload the gun.

Matter of fact, it made firing this gun so unpleasant that I put it back into the case and went back to shooting my Taurus .45LC for the rest of the evening. Whether this is a screw-up or the way the gun was made, I've VERY disappointed in this gun. I definitely regret purchasing it now!

My question for you guys out there is "Is this normal?" or "Do I have a gun that doesn't work properly?" I plan to call Ruger on Monday to see if this is adjustable or what.

Thanks for anyone's advice/suggestions/info!
I have a new model Blackhawk in .357 Magnum. As far as I know, yours is working the way it was designed to do. You can remove the small pin in the rear of the cylinder which provides the "click" and prevents two way cylinder rotation. I found it a bit stange but don't mind it now that I'm used to it. I've considered buying the .45 convertible. Is it accurate?

thanks and good luck!

[QUOTE=KJUN]I found it a bit stange but don't mind it now that I'm used to it. I've considered buying the .45 convertible. Is it accurate?!


Except for the way the cylinder works (which I still don't like, but it is slowly becoming second nature), I love it to death. Great gun, fun to shoot, etc. As far as exact accuracy goes, I'm not sure. I haven't done much paper shooting with it because I have trouble shooting blued handguns. (I can never seem to get the front site in focus - even if I paint it - on a blued one.) My Taurus .45LC gets shot a LOT more since it is stainless. I bought this one more for my girlfriend to hog hunt with than me (since I have my other .45LC and want a .454 for anything that is too small for). I'm thinking about putting a scope on that one and getting her a .357Mag to hunt with open sites. The gun is just plain more accurate than she is with open sites at any range, so it deserves the scope. She isn't a bad shot, but distances still syke her out some, I think.

Anyway, we had a bet and shot the gun (slow fire) at a cowboy action range at a steel plate maybe 10-15 yards away. We were waiting to see who would miss first using .45ACP one evening. When it got too dark to see the plate, we called it even and stopped. Doesn't tell you how accurate the gun is, but it tells me it has to be accurate enough at the very least for hunting situations in SE Texas.

KJ

KJUN
If the cylinder quirk of the Ruger single actions get the best of you, how's this.

There exists a replacement cylinder pawl kit.( that which rotates the cylinder, prevents it from rotating backwards and creates the annoying "misalignment" when it clicks) This kit will allow for a free rotating cylinder in both directions, no clicks. It's available through brownells. www.brownells.com Your gunsmith could install this easily. If he's familiar with Ruger single actions.....he could modify the existing pawl to do the same thing.

I just installed Power Custom's Free Spin Pawl im my SBH Hunter. I ran into a problem that stumped me for a couple of evenings, but it turned out to be in the machining of the part, and once I figured out the problem the fix was easy. I fixed it with a file and stone, and it works great. I also flex-honed the cylinders so the empties would fall out of the loading gate. I'm not a gunsmith, so all of these things are really pretty simple to do. What a great gun!!!

I agree with those who are frustrated with the new model with no half cock. I have a first generation Colt SAA 38-40 and it is a dream to use compared to the ruger. Obviously nowhere near as strong but a much nicer balance too. It actually locks up tighter at 93 years old than my brand new blackhawk.

Eric