Question: Ruger Historians

[Bullcamp82834]

I'm a Ruger fan but not well versed in Ruger history.

I have a new model Blackhawk 357 , 4 5/8 barrel, stainless.
It is one of the guns built on a 44 frame with lots of cylinder metal around the chambers. (Lots)

Is this an early new model? Can anybody tell me roughly when this gun would have been made?

(Or anything else about those particular Blackhawks)

I kind of like the extra weight when I'm shooting it. Not so much when carried in a holster but I still use it a lot.

Thanks

[Old Stony]

To the best of my knowledge, in the Blackhawks they only make one size frame.

[Bullcamp82834]

OK, but I've owned 357 Blackhawks that didn't have the overly massive cylinders. It's clear that they took a 44 size cylinder and drilled 357 chambers.

Not a bad thing IMO. Just odd looking.

[Pahoo]

Can anybody tell me roughly when this gun would have been made?

If you go into the Ruger website, there will be a tab and you can go in, reference your serial number and it will give you the year of manufacture. If you have a problem finding this tab, get back to me and I will provide the specific link. ...

Be Safe !!!

[Old Stony]

There are two sizes of the Vaquero's that could be stainless. Are you sure you have a Blackhawk? Adjustable sight?

[Bob Wright]

The original .357 Magnum Blackhawks, the Three Screw models, were made on the medium frame, the MR (Magnum Revolver) frame. This was roughly equivalent to the Colt SAA frame. When the New Models were introduced, the .357 Magnum was built on the MR-44 frame, same as the other magnum calibers. For Ruger's 50th Anniversary, the medium frame was reintroduced for the .357 Magnum and .44 Special, and the .45 Colt, all as Flat Top models. The Flat Top .44 Magnum was built on the MR-44 sixed frame.

On second thought, I'm not too sure about the .45 Colt Flat Top frame size.

P.S. It's easy to tell the Blackhawk from the Vaquero. It's written on the side of the frame.

Bob Wright

[Bullcamp82834]

Oh, it's most definitely a Blackhawk.
Bought used in about 1986 or so.

And thanks to Pahoo for the info. I'll check it out.

[laytonj1]

Starting serial for each year. New model 357 Blackhawk.
32-33639 1974
32-66489 1975
33-03854 1976
33-51451 1977
34-06008 1978
34-59110 1979
35-07904 1980
35-55902 1981
35-93851 1982
36-22705 1983
36-39399 1984
36-66388 1985
36-73330 1986
36-82139 1987
36-95212 1988
37-01082 1989
37-09149 1990
37-17217 1991
37-20595 1992
37-24885 1993
37-30015 1994
37-35815 1995
37-39105 1996
37-48501 1997
37-53908 1998
37-59304 1999
37-63438 2000
37-68506 2001
37-73673 2002
37-76050 2003
37-78003 2004
37-82021 and 520-00001* 2005
37-85022 and 520-09778 2006
37-89462 2007
37-93245 2008
37-96392 2009
38-00675 2010
38-07433 2011
38-15393 2012
38-22039 2013

Jim

[newfrontier45]

The new mid-frame came about with the 50th anniversary .357 Blackhawk but the .44Spl didn't come along until 2009. It became a regular catalog item in 2010.

The flat-top .45's are also on the medium frame.

There was also a run of large frame flat-top .41Mag's.

[Bullcamp82834]

Thanks Jim

I knew somebody would have it.

[rclark]

The new mid-frame came about with the 50th anniversary .357 Blackhawk

Which was 2005 for those that don't know. In 2006, the large frame 50th 44mag flattop was made. Anyway, be nice if Ruger would put the peanut .357 back on the medium frame for good as the large frame is 'way' overkill for this cartridge.... I know, I know, it did 'simplify' the manufacture process having all calibers on same large frame.... But now we have the medium frame flattops again and the New Vaqueros... Why not?

[Old Stony]

We live and learn....that's the beauty of these forums...