A Black Friday tale of 2 Blackhawks - - PICS UP

[Streetstar]

Well -- i wish i had pics but i got Brady delayed

But years ago i had a Ruger New Model Blackhawk in .45, 7.5" barrel -- Bright stainless and i had some nice faux pearl grips ---- I was heavily drinking the Colt KoolAid at the time (still sipping, but not guzzling anymore ) so when one of my contractor buddies took a shine to it , i made him the deal of the century -- Although this man has repaid me and my family so many times in other ways . After all , i had a Python and a couple of NRA Centennial SAA's - what did i need the Ruger for

Fast forward 14 years and most of the Colt's are gone - i shared the story with you gents then but i was raising money to finish the kitchen on my new house and it was time for the final touches and it was getting expensive. In the wake of "Walking Dead" hysteria, it was easy to offload the Pythons for a solid profit and one of our members here from North of Tulsa took a 7.5" SAA off my hands. Another member scored a Sig 220 with factory Rosewood grips chambered in .38 Super with a European heel mag release -- and again, i forget screen names , but remember the deals

Always wanted another one of those big Blackhawks but just never made it a priority as prices inched up into the 8 and $900 range for new blued guns. - I used to think -- Shoot i can have a New Frontier for a couple or 3 hundred more, why do i want one of those? (those were the days)

Local fun store usually has a Black Friday and New Years sale of 15% off its used guns , and they had one that with discount was a price i could live with --- basic blued New Model Blackhawk but in the 7.5" barrel as i remember it was such a sweet shooter with the big, slow .45's i favor and will be a great companion to my .45 Trapper

Thats all i have to say about that one --- but 2 shelves down was another Blackhawk that looked like it had a bit more mileage and tire wear on it -- also being a 4 3/4" barrel and a .357, i wasnt that interested but asked the old gent who was helping me to grab it so i can look at it too.

Lo and Behold, -- just stamped Blackhawk, not New Model Blackhawk -- and no transfer bar safety. I didnt have time to post a thread and wait for you guys' opinions with a sale going on -- and i didnt really have enough cash budgeted for both- so i verified i could layaway a used gun --- paid a deposit and put the big newish .45 on hold , but paid the full freight for the old .357

Delayed by the feds but the rest of the drive home i was thinking -- "DDang it , of all the times to NOT take a picture"
and "Could that have been one of the coveted 3 screws since it is a pre transfer bar , or do i just not know what i'm looking at with the old ones" and on and on

Anyway -- with Uncle Sam's blessing, pics will be forthcoming in a few days or less

- and thats my black friday story -- and thanks to a generous sale -- 2 Blackhawks for right around 1k , one basically new and the other not so new --- a buddy told me that sounded high, but i reminded him - prices arent ever going to go back to 1997 , 2005 or even 2012 levels and the biggest expense all the way around is going to be ammo over the lifetime of any of 'em anyway

[Walt]

Congratulations, Streetstar! Wonderful guns, I hope you never have to part with them. Thanks for the story.

[Streetstar]

False alarm on my part

Brady delay came back in a few hours and I picked up my new prize

The older 357 is post ‘73, not a 3 screw and I am used to the transfer bar being a contrasting stainless on newer guns - this one was blue and I literally couldn’t see it without my reading glasses - 2 click hammer also

Plus the reason I was delayed was I filled out the 4473 (this operation does it on a computer) with last name in the first name column, vice versa for the first name and with the Jr. in the wrong place— of course you’d think the SSN would supersede all that

But a lesson to not go to the gun store again without my reading glasses

Next time I may bring home a raven R22 thinking it’s a Walther PPK. Or I will get the deal of a century on a Hi-Power Only to discover later, it is a Highpoint

[Walt]

Don't leave home without 'em.

I'll bet both your new beauties will shoot just fine.

[Streetstar]

And --- looking at it in direct sunlight -- in smaller script than the newer offerings -- "New Model Blackhawk "

I was sure excited about my lucky "vintage " Blackhawk find the other night

I'm thinking -- a Blackhawk for $400 in todays economic climate is still A-OK (the .45 i put in layaway was more but oh well) and i cant wait to throw some lead downrange --- already ordered up a plain Bianchi holster for it to go with my new Bianchi gunbelt


I'm excited all over again ---= since i havent set up a reloading station in my new house yet -- .38's will be a lot cheaper to shoot than .45's for now, and i have plenty of back stock of those

[Streetstar]

And - the 357 is joined by big brother , the .45

Am going to have to ready the reloading room again to keep a .45 fed , but all part of the fun

[Bill in Oregon]

They look like a lot of wonderful fun to me, Doug.

[Streetstar]

They look like a lot of wonderful fun to me, Doug.

Found half a can of Trail Boss in my rummaging around - and a whole bunch of once fired brass . Going to need a rainy day or two , but winter's coming - even here in Oklahoma

[OldWin]

Very nice!
The very first 45 Colt I owned was a 4 5/8 NM Blackhawk. It had had some smoothing by someone. I put a set of "aged" Tru-Ivory grips on it and packed it everywhere. Sadly, I let it go (kept the Tru-Ivory grips). I still miss that one.

Don't let them go!

[LeverGunner]

Nice story, and nice guns. I'd have been all over that New Model Blackhawk, as short barrel, pre warning label 4 5/8" New Models are my preference for a sixshooter. That's a sweet score!

Don't forget about the Lee hand press. It'd do well to run you off some ammo before you get set up proper.

I'm working on a couple batches of smallbore currently myself, for my 1894 Cowboy.

[Bill in Oregon]

That Lee hand press has intrigued me, especially now that the Lyman 310 tong tools are getting scarcer -- and I don't know when I will be able to set up a loading bench again.

[2ndovc]

That Lee hand press has intrigued me, especially now that the Lyman 310 tong tools are getting scarcer -- and I don't know when I will be able to set up a loading bench again.

Useful critters. I haven't even started on the new reloading room yet. Going to fire up the Hand press for another batch of Cowboy specials soon. I have some time off Christmas week and it would be fun to make 100 rounds or so.

Doug,
Can't go wrong with a Blackhawk or two.
Have fun!

jb

[Scott Tschirhart]

Nice story, and nice guns. I'd have been all over that New Model Blackhawk, as short barrel, pre warning label 4 5/8" New Models are my preference for a sixshooter. That's a sweet score!

Don't forget about the Lee hand press. It'd do well to run you off some ammo before you get set up proper.

I'm working on a couple batches of smallbore currently myself, for my 1894 Cowboy.

I sure like that reloading kit. Very portable!

[Steve in MO]

That Lee Hand Press served my well when I had to transfer to Ft. Lewis. I brought it and left my main reloading gear to get brought to me by the Army. I loaded a ton of ammo using one, and still have it.

[Ysabel Kid]

I sure like that reloading kit. Very portable!

+1

[Streetstar]

Kind of funny how this Blackhawk re-ignited my interest in reloading again -- I really think that field expedient setup is cool

I don't shoot major caliber rifles enough to make much of a dent as i am still stacked pretty deep with .223/5.56, .30-.30, and .45-70

But my recent fondness for 10mm and now this .45 is sure to get expensive and the case of .38's i bought a bit earlier in the year also wont last long.

[LeverGunner]

Thanks for the kind comments on my kit. I've got it stuffed full right now with several more batches of brass I'm working on.

Because I have my camera gear set up in my small reloading room, I've gone completely portable. When I change calibers I just exchange the dies and brass for the next variety.