A neighbor has a Ruger Blackhawk SA pistol for sale. It looks pretty nice. What should I examine to make sure it's in good mechanical condition and safe? Any problems with these guns to watch out for?
2007-02-10 07:55:14 · 4 answers · asked by ___ 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
SA guns are a lot easier to check out because there is no complex double-action to worry about and fewer moving parts. Timing checks should be minimal because SA guns are manually ****** in a very affirmative way. Unless one has been fanned (which Ruger does not reccomend) timing should not be an issue. The "steps" on the rear of the cylinder (or "teeth" as one responder called them) should probably be ok, for the same reason the timing should be ok. But check anway. They will be worn down some if the gun were shot substantially, but that is normal. The forcing cone ("stub") should be crack free. What is of vital imp[ortance is how secure the cylinder rod is when locked into the frame/cylinder assembly. This is the achilles heel of an SA gun. On all revolvers, (SA,SA/DA,DAO) the area of the frame right below the barrel is the focal point of the most pressure when the gun is fired. If the rod is too owrn or the hole in the frame has been widened by wear, the cylinder will have a real loose feeling. Check for this. The rod should not be hard to get out of a well used gun, but it should not be "too easy" to get out either. Lastly, check the trigger/sear/hammer area of the gun to make sure the gun is safe. Also you can look down the barrel (after gun has been "cleared" for live rounds) and check chambers for any damage or improper care. Don't worry about the grip so much, you can get a new one. Same for the sights. They are good guns, but I hate the aluminum grip frame deal. Unfortunately Ruger won't wise up and make a Vaquero with adjustable sights! That would wipe out the Balckhawks.
2007-02-10 15:56:05 · answer #1 · answered by david m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check for looseness in the cylinder, does it wiggle forward and back or side to side? Take the cylinder out, and check the back were it has what look like teeth. This is were the cylinder hand turns the cylinder when you cock the gun. This area gets a lot of wear. Check the barrel stub were it comes through the frame at the front of the cylinder. Look for chips and cracks. This area gets pounded pretty hard buy high pressure super hot gases from the powder. Look down the barrel. Check the rifling rust and pits. Check for dark rings inside the barrel. This is a sign of barrel bulge. Final if the neighbor will allow it, test fire it. Take it to the range. I have owned countless Ruger products and several of the Blackhawks. I never had problem. They are excellent weapons.
2007-02-10 11:15:00 · answer #2 · answered by David L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look for any looseness, signs of wear. Ruger makes excellent firearms that seldom break or wear out. Look in the barrel for brightness or pitting. If he takes normal care of it, it should be fine.
Rugers are sold without a warrenty, but they will repair anything wrong with it, usually for free. They have good customer service.
2007-02-11 08:00:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main thing to look for in any revolver is the cylinder timing. If is shows no signs of abuse it is probably ok.
2007-02-10 13:02:36 · answer #4 · answered by johndeereman 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋