Found an Interesting Gun

[rbrthenderson]

So I was over at a friend's house and got to talking to her mom about guns and she told me that she had a gun that she'd had for years. I asked her what kind it was and she told me she had no idea. She went into her room and brought out this....

From what I can see, it's a Ruger .357 Blackhawk. I don't really know anything about it but I told her I could clean it for her. I had a few questions about it and I figured the place to go would be here.

1 - I understand a .357 can fire both .357 and .38 special. Is there any advantage to using either caliber?

2 - Is there anything special I need to do to it as far as cleaning or lubricating?

3 - The bullets she had in the gun are crusty on the outside. I'm going to get her new bullets but my question is what would have happen if she would have fired a bullet with that corrosion on it? Would the gun still fire properly or would it do nothing?

4 - Is there any way to tell when this gun was made? How much is a gun like this worth?

Anyway, just a few questions. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[dice dealer]

The differance between shooting the .38 and the .357 is the .38 shoots at about 850 fps while the .357 is about 1600 fps ...
Probably not accurate on my figures ...but just to give you an Idea ....

The way to find out the age of the gun is go to rugers website ....and do a search of the serial Number ...

as far as value ...depends on the year ...Old model, New model ?

Some of the .357 Blackhawks came with an extra cylinder that allowed it to shoot 9MM ...

Great guns ..
As far as what would have happened if she would have shot the "CRUSTY" bullets.... Probably would have went bang ...
Personally I wouldn't have shot them but you'd be suprised some of the Crap I have seen people shot through guns and nothing happened ..

Hope that helps ya some ...

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

That'd be a great gun for target with .38s in it, and .357 for hunting or personal defense. Good looker.

 

[451_Detonics]

That's a new model so it was made 1973 or later. Value is $300-350. If the old ammo went bang it wouldn't hurt the gun most likely but I would toss that ammo.

 

[muncie1]

That's a new model so it was made 1973 or later. Value is $300-350. If the old ammo went bang it wouldn't hurt the gun most likely but I would toss that ammo.

I know this may be trivial, but how do you dispose of corroded ammo?

 

[scottka]

Yelp 451 D is right... New Model

 

[OAK]

Throw it in a fire!



I would Take it to a range and put it in the FTF bin.

 

[UncleMike]

It could be an Old Model that's had the Interlock Conversion. I couldn't tell for sure without looking at it.
Ruger had a huge advertising campaign in the mid 70's trying to talk everyone into having the "safety" conversion done on their Old Models.
Having grown up reading Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, Bill Jordan, and the like, I was comfortable with "five beans in a wheel", so I kept my Ruger original.
Mike

 

[451_Detonics]

A converted Old Model would still be a 3 screw...that has 2 pins therefor it is a new model...no question on that.

Old ammo? Throw it in a river or pond.

This is a pre-73 Old Model...you can see the three screws. Post 73 guns have two pins as in the OP's pic.

 

[rbrthenderson]

Thanks for all the info guys! I'm gonna clean it out and pick up some ammo for it tomorrow. She's gonna use it for home defense so I'll probably be picking up some .357 for it. It looks like a great gun and doesn't have any rust or damage anywhere.

 

[UncleMike]

A converted Old Model would still be a 3 screw...that has 2 pins therefor it is a new model...no question on that.

Old ammo? Throw it in a river or pond.

This is a pre-73 Old Model...you can see the three screws. Post 73 guns have two pins as in the OP's pic.

Yup.
You're right.
I didn't look close enough.
Mike

 

[steve666]

.357 Magnum Ammunition Stopping Power Comparison Chart
Remington 125 gr JHP 431 414 96% 0.58" 12.3" Federal 125 gr JHP 641 615 96% 0.74" 11.1" CCI 125 gr JHP 183 170 93% 0.69" 13.1" Remington 110 gr JHP 71 63 89% 0.65" 10.9" Federal 110 gr JHP 280 251 89% 0.71" 11.2" Winchester 145 gr ST 100 87 87% 0.64" 14.2" Federal 158 gr HS 78 68 87% 0.66" 13.8" Winchester 125 gr JHP 101 88 87% 0.72" 10.4" Federal 158 gr Nyclad 76 64 84% 0.61" 13.5" Remington 158 gr JHP 65 53 82% 0.64" 14.7" Winchester 158 gr SWC 120 93 78% 0.49" 16.2"

 

[cosermann]

2 - Is there anything special I need to do to it as far as cleaning or lubricating?

3 - The bullets she had in the gun are crusty on the outside. I'm going to get her new bullets but my question is what would have happen if she would have fired a bullet with that corrosion on it? Would the gun still fire properly or would it do nothing?

4 - Is there any way to tell when this gun was made? How much is a gun like this worth?

Cleaning and lube - be careful not to damage the rifling at the end of the barrel when you clean it or the back of the frame. Here's a page that may be of some help. The trick of tying a rag around the back of the frame/hammer to prevent damage from the brush banging into it is a good one.

How to Correctly Clean Your Revolver Gun | The Art of Manliness

Bullets - the "bullet" is strictly the little piece of metal at the end of the brass case that flies out the end of the barrel when fired. That's it. The whole assembly (bullet, case, primer, and powder), before it's fired is a "cartridge," or a "round." So, you want new "cartridges" or "rounds", not new "bullets."

Age - If you go to ruger.com, click on "customer service," select "instruction manuals and product history," then click "show all" to the right of "revolver instruction manuals ...," you can eventually find your way to a page that will help you date this .357 Blackhawk by it's serial number. Of course, you can also download a PDF copy of the manual if she doesn't have one (AND it will also have some information on cleaning and maintenance).

 

[muncie1]

How to Correctly Clean Your Revolver Gun | The Art of Manliness

thanks cosermann, the pictures here were very helpful. I liked the sock, I have been doing that wrong, but will change!

 

[XtremeVel]

Might ask her if she ever saw anything in a red ( more commonly ) or blue felt bag. I don't know the percentages, but some did come as " convertibles " and included a 9mm cylinder.

 

[pig957]

Throw it in a fire!



I would Take it to a range and put it in the FTF bin.

VERY funny (I like).

 

[22rssix]

You can call Ruger and they can give you a MFG date, and also tell you if it came with a 9mm cly as well. you just need the serial number.

Also 38spl +P would be a good option for a older lady.

 

[snapping turtle]

I have one of the pre 1973 3 screws . Nice accurate revolver. A bit on the heavy side.

Mine likes federal hydra shock 38 ammo. It shoots those very tight. A 357 at night is like a flashbulb going off in the dark. Depending on barrel length can be blinding. If i carry my 2 inch 357 at night it always carries the 38's over 357.

Shoot one of the 357 at night and see.

 

[SSGSAD]

You can call Ruger and they can give you a MFG date, and also tell you if it came with a 9mm cly as well. you just need the serial number.

Also 38spl +P would be a good option for a older lady.

Yes, if she doesn't shoot, .38 spl., +p's... IMHO...