Ruger Blackhawk Owners- question

[Whiterook]

Last year I bought a brand new Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk that was less than nice from the factory. The front sight was so canted I couldn't believe it made it from the factory. Anyway, I got that fixed(after 2 trips to Ruger) and it shoots fine. Question though...today after cleaning I noticed I can partially open the loading gate when the hammer is cocked. It opens enough to spin the cylinder but not load/unload. Is this normal? Anyone own one who can check?

[Manxdriver]

Last year I bought a brand new Ruger Bisley Super Blackhawk that was less than nice from the factory. The front sight was so canted I couldn't believe it made it from the factory. Anyway, I got that fixed(after 2 trips to Ruger) and it shoots fine. Question though...today after cleaning I noticed I can partially open the loading gate when the hammer is cocked. It opens enough to spin the cylinder but not load/unload. Is this normal? Anyone own one who can check?

Unload it, BE CERTAIN, then check for lint in the mechanism. I almost shot my daughter a few years ago with a Blackhawk that was fouled with lint.

[SgtRecon]

Id say it still has issues, my standard .41 mag Blackhawk mfg in 1981, when in full cocked the loading gate only moves about 1/32" and the cylinder stays locked up tight. had a super .44 with the 10.5" barrel years ago, that was a real hoot to shoot

[Whiterook]

Id say it still has issues, my standard .41 mag Blackhawk mfg in 1981, when in full cocked the loading gate only moves about 1/32" and the cylinder stays locked up tight. had a super .44 with the 10.5" barrel years ago, that was a real hoot to shoot

Interesting. Thanks. This thing has been incredibly disappointing. I emailed Ruger.

[abner13]

I've owned new model Ruger Blackhawks & Single Sixes for over 40yrs and have never even thought of trying to open the loading gate while one was loaded and hammer was cocked.

However , I did go thru the safe and pulled a half-dozen Blackhawks out and tried it. As you may know , the loading gate on a new model does interface with the lockworks and when opened , frees the cylinder to spin when hammer is down , which an old model or traditional SAA does not. Making sure they were UNLOADED the gates did open approx. 1/8-1/4.

[raxar]

Just checked my 80's era .45lc, opens about 1/8" and the cylinder does not move.

[Bang]

Not a Super Blackhawk, just a late model Blackhawk in .30 Carbine, so may be different. At full cock I can open the gate .206" and cannot budge the cylinder.

[abner13]

Not a Super Blackhawk, just a late model Blackhawk in .30 Carbine, so may be different. At full cock I can open the gate .206" and cannot budge the cylinder.

Since 1972 , New Model Blackhawks and Super Blackhawks use the same frame regardless of caliber. SBH has a non-fluted cylinder and larger steel grip frame. The .32s use the .22 Single Six frame , and Ruger has reintroduced their original mid-size Blackhawk frame in .44 Special.

[Boo Vuccla]

My 10.5" silhouette SBH partially opens the same as others mentioned above. It does not unlock or even remotely effect the cylinder when attempted. (Per SgtRecon above...............it is a hoot to shoot!!!

[marinville]

Alright, I checked. My 454 will spin. My 44 won't. I won't worry about it though. It's not something that's going to happen unintentionally. My advice... don't do that.