Ruger 45 Blackhawk 3-screw

I have a chance to purchase a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 caliber with 7" barrel. Gun is in mint condition. Serial number puts it in 1971 manufacture time frame. It was not what I was looking for but don't want to let it go. It belongs to a friends dad, so I want to be fair with the pricing. Any thoughts as to price? This is obviously before the transfer bar. Thanks.

I looked on a few web sites for value and made him an offer and he took it. So now I own a mint three-screw 45 Colt 7.5" Ruger Blackhawk. Now to turn it into a good hunting revolver. I understand their were issues with these. I need to find out what they were and get it off to a good gunsmith for correction.

CESSNA: I HAVE A 3 SCREW 45 COLT BLACKHAWK THAT I USED AND ABUSED AND KILLED DEER WITH, IF IT HAD ANY ISSUES OTHER THAN ITS OWNER I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE.

The only thing that comes to mind might be the cylinder throats.

I have a 3 crew 7.5" 45. It is an amazing gun. The only "issue" with mine is the front sight is too short if I wanted to use heavy (300 gr.) bullets, which I don't. I've got others for that if needed.

Congratulations on a great purchase of a relatively rare gun. Not many OM 45's were made before the NM in '72.

Dan

Thanks for the information. It sound like it's going to be a revolver that's fun to shoot. I think the throat issue was what I had heard about. Sounds like I need to just shoot it and enjoy it. I get a chance I will post a photo of it.

The main issue with the "Old Model" 3 screw BH is that you CANNOT(!) safely carry it with 6 rounds loaded. You have to keep an empty chamber under the hammer.

You have a great Ruger and a collectors item...so please don't let some gunsmith "butch" it for you...just use it as is and only load 5.

The loading procedure is done by coming to half cock, Load 1, skip 1, then load 4, and then cycle the hammer to full cock, and lower it all the way. This will bring the hammer to rest on your empty chamber. This is the only way to safely load your old model!

I have a friend that shot himself in the leg in the cab of a pickup by not following this loading procedure! His thumb slipped, and BOOM(!).. 44magnum right in the calf!

The safety notch is easily broken if the gun is dropped or the hammer is hit. (like the butt of your rifle or a stirrup falling from a saddle seat)

The safety notch is also something to think about even when you load it properly with only 5...You do NOT want to use/leave the hammer in it's safety notch position. This will keep your nice collectors item ready for action..without risk to you, your friends, or your revolver.

FREEDOM475: THANKS FOR THE "CARRY 5" POST. OLD TIMERS MAY REMEMBER BUT THE NEWER GUYS MAY NOT REALIZE THE DANGER OF CARRYING 6 IN AN OM BLACKHAWK. I WAS HIRED BY RUGER AS AN EXPERT IN 2 ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING CASES WHERE A FULLY LOADED OM BLACKHAWK WAS DROPPED AND DISCHARGED. ONE INCIDENT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF THE GUY CARRYING THE 44 MAG WHILE THE OTHER WAS A SHOT IN THE LEG. I HAVE AN OM 357 THAT I AM RELUCTANT TO PASS ON TO A FAMILY MEMBER OR SELL TO ANYONE BECAUSE OF THE DANGER. HAVEN'T DECIDED WHAT TO DO WITH IT, BUT MAY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RUGER'S FREE CONVERSION THAT WILL ALLOW A 6 CARRY. MY OM 45 COLT WILL JUST HAVE TO STAY AS IS (FOR NOW).

The only issue with a three screw Blackhawk other than the necessity to load five instead of six would be the cylinder throats as already mentioned. Ruger's 45 Colt throats almost universally run undersized of their bores making for questionable accuracy with cast bullets. Doug Phillips (Cylinderhone on Facebook)can do a wonderful job of correcting your throats if the they need it. I had my Bisley in 45 done by him and have a 41 mag and 357 Max cylinder there right now being honed. Both were undersize of the bore. The 45 showed a marked improvement in grouping after honing. From 4" groups to 1.5-2" groups with cast bullets.

Congrats on finding a great gun.

Thanks I appreciate the help. In spite of being new to the 45LC I have used my three-screw 44 to hunt with for many years. I'll bet shooting yourself in the leg in the cab of a truck really smarted and did some damage. I have to be extra careful with my 44, years ago I had a trigger job done and it does not take much to fire it. I understand about passing it on 45MAN. Makes me really wonder if I want to.

Took the 45 out this morning shooting various loads. The trigger pull really seemed light (really light). In checking with my trigger gauge it has a hair under one pound trigger pull. In checking with the person I bought it from it has apparently had a trigger job. I admit I let that one get by me. is there any way to adjust this three-screw Blackhawk? I'm glad I bought it, but it really is too light for me to be comfortable.