After picking up my BFR in 500 JRH I now have the single action bug! Ive only had CCW handguns and a single shot hunting pistol until now. I would like to get a Ruger Blackhawk in 45 LC to wear around the property and out on the 4 wheeler for snakes / 2 & 4 legged predators. This will basically be my working gun get a lot of holster time and shooting both. Something I can scratch up and not feel bad because it is a tool for life on the property. I ran across the 3.75in bisley talo that comes with the 45acp extra cylinder. Is the short 3.75in barrel going to dramatically decrease velocity or accuracy? I typically carry and shoot a Ruger LCR in 357 so im ok with the short sight radios and not worried about recoil. Just don't want to cause the 45LC to be a poor performer by reducing the barrel too much.

Thanks,
Mitch

MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE IS A 5 1/2 INCH BISLEY, VERY SHOOTABLE AND EASILY CARRIED.

My 4 5/8th Black Hawk is my favorite woods carry gun. Aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing make it quite a bit lighter than my 5 1/2 in Bisley and light on the belt with a good holster.I carry mine cross draw.

JMHO.. jump on it. ya all ready got the BFR fire breather. what do you want this to do. easy carry, easy and fun to shoot, knock about gun. Officer model 1911s have 3-3&1/2 inch barrel. Even with the cylinder gap how much vel. do you think you need:) As for accuracy thats up to you.

The 4 5/8" Blackhawk in 45 Colt can be handloaded to any power level you like... Here is a winter boar I took with a 280gr cast SWC with mine

I have an old model 45 just like James that is a great packing gun that can be loaded with a large number of different bullet/load combinations. Anywhere from very mild target loads to moose thumping loads. I also load shot shell loads using a card wad cut from empty primer containers over the powder, then enough #12 shot to almost fill the case, then a plastic wad cut from a plastic lid, this is done with a sharpened 45 ACP case. Then I apply a light crimp, Bingo, a nice snake load or defensive load if you had to whack some one in the kisser with it. Shoots a very good pattern is 5-6 steps.

Dick

Another vote for the 5 1/2" Bisley, I like the balance and look...and pretty handy to carry. I use a El Paso saddlery 1920 crossdraw holster. I also had mine was worked over by John Linebaugh over 20 yrs ago, with his small conversion at the time so its still a "sixgun". I use one of John's favorite loads and now mine...24 grs. H110 under a 265 gr hardcast. Nice shooting, accurate and deadly on the other side.

First question Artemiss444 is DO you handload? If you do not load then I would suggest get a 44 Special since they will do just about everything a 45 will do with "Factory Fodder" and they are usually lighter than the Magnums. If you load, then go for the 45.

You do not need to worry about the Short Barrel Ruger being a poor performer. If it shot well from the factory then it will shoot good with the right ammo. You may have to search a little but this is the case often with a handgun. I have several short barrel pistols. The choice between Fixed sights and adjustable could be a determining factor for many people.


You could consider where you live as a factor as to what you buy. If I lived where long shots were the norm and a possibility of bears then My choice would be different than if I was in West Texas for example, where there are no bears.
A Uberti is a lighter gun than the Ruger and you will be restricted to a smaller choice of ammo. But if you do not need Mega Power then this could be a consideration. Also for the price they wont make you cry if it gets scratched up. 5 1/2 is a good balance. Its light weight compared to a heavy Ruger, and depending upon ammo, you really are not that handicapped.

Almost as important as the choice of weapon would be the choice of carry. A chesty would get in the way while a shoulder holster or a waist setup might be handier. Especially when it is a crossdraw. If you get in and out of a vehicle or on and off of a horse or 4 wheeler, crossdraw is nice.

The things I look at are handling of the gun and weight and the comfort of the Holster. These being the most important since I will be carrying it all day 10-12 hrs. Loads can be tailored.

Thanks for the input guys. I am currently trying to start hand loading. Our biggest problem critters are snakes and coyote. Followed up by day walks of the two legged kind. I'll have to look into the Uberti. The reason I like the blackhawk is the conversion cylinder for ACP. I am pretty set on the short barrel. It just calls to me.

An aluminum framed full size NM Ruger BH in 45 Colt, 4 5/8" barrel will weigh approximately the same as the Uberti if weight is a factor. It will have adjustable sights and can handle the "heavy" loads that Rugers are famous for. The blued BH's can often be found used for a very good price.

For the "one gun" to carry and shoot anything revolver it is hard to beat a short barreled Ruger 45.

Dan

Another thing to consider about the Uberti, the one I had shot soft lead very well, but anything jacketed wouldn't consistently hit a 5-gallon bucket at 10 yards. I took it to a gun guy that was much more knowledgeable than I, and he told me the Uberti / Cimmeron Arms et al were sized as the old original 45's were, and the soft lead would expand and fill the rifling, making it accurate. The jacketed stuff would not expand. Now, I don't know. I sold it, and never got another. There are others on here that are much, much more qualified to give answer to this. It may be an old wives thing (this was way before the internet) but it did give an answer to my accuracy problems with jacketed ammo.

I think I am set on the 3.75 in convertible. I like the idea of being able to put in 45 acp cylinder and blow thru some bulk ammo. I am stuck on this size and love the look.

Hello, first time posting and just saw this thread. Is the current lineup of 45 Colt Blackhawk accurate and decently good qc? I remember a few years back there were reports of cylinder throats being too small

SMALL THROATS CAN BE FIXED AND CUSTOMIZED TO ONE'S NEEDS FOR A NOMINAL CHARGE. OVERSIZE THROATS CAN BE A PROBLEM, AND YOU CANNOT MAKE THEM SMALLER.