Ok, I should have done more research before buying but was surprised to find an aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing on my new Ruger "New Model" Blackhawk. Ruger's website, under specs, reads "Material: alloy steel". Well, I guess it's MOSTLY alloy steel but I still think it's misleading. I've since installed a steel Bisley conversion kit and ejector rod housing from Brownells and NOW it's a heck of a nice gun. Just thought folks should know the "New Model" Ruger Blackhawk is not ALL alloy steel.
The Blackhawks have been that way for years. If you want a steel grip frame buy a Stainless model, or else a Super Blackhawk. Both have grip frames made of steel. Bill T.
It is very dissapointing to see so much plastic used in todays firearms. A Glock is designed around the material it's produced from. Trigger guards, etc. are done for cost cutting. My first BB gun had a steel trigger guard.
Originally posted by billt: The Blackhawks have been that way for years. If you want a steel grip frame buy a Stainless model, or else a Super Blackhawk. Both have grip frames made of steel. Bill T.
Alloy, steel, aluminum....what I am admiring are those nice legs...
"When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all." Theodore Roosevelt
if its a large frame new model blued blackhawk it will be aluminum. It its the newer small framed gun it will be steel.
quote:
Originally posted by Jon: Ok, I should have done more research before buying but was surprised to find an aluminum grip frame and ejector rod housing on my new Ruger "New Model" Blackhawk. Ruger's website, under specs, reads "Material: alloy steel". Well, I guess it's MOSTLY alloy steel but I still think it's misleading. I've since installed a steel Bisley conversion kit and ejector rod housing from Brownells and NOW it's a heck of a nice gun. Just thought folks should know the "New Model" Ruger Blackhawk is not ALL alloy steel.
Posts: 1404 | Location: munising MI USA | Registered: 29 March 2002
Originally posted by Jon: The current "New Vaquero" blued models are ALL steel, including the ejector rod housing. I have one in 45 Colt and it's a beautiful gun.
That's good to know. I'm glad they went to an all steel gun. Bill T.
The "New Vaquero's" are all steel. The New Model Blackhawk's will continue to have aluminum grip frames and ejector rod housings. I don't think there is really anything "cheaper" about the aluminum parts. After all, aluminum is more expensive than steel. Maybe Ruger feels some folks like a lighter gun?
Originally posted by Jon: I don't think there is really anything "cheaper" about the aluminum parts. After all, aluminum is more expensive than steel.
It isn't the cost of the material, it's the cost to machine it. Steel is much harder and tougher than Aluminum is. It requires more extensive fixturing to machine, and tooling costs are far greater. It also takes a lot more time to machine, as well as hand finish simply because it doesn't remove as easy. That is the reason you see so many guns made from Aluminum today. It cuts like butter. Bill T.
billt...I agree with you about the machining issue except Ruger grip frames, and most other parts, (alum. and steel) are investment castings, from Pine Tree Castings (A Ruger company) and come out of the molds so perfect they just need a little clean-up, probably by unskilled labor. What you say about machining was very true in the past...and still is with small custom makers. I still do a bit of lathe and mill work in my garage and know the difference between machining alum. and steel. The worst is machining stainless! There is no way Ruger could sell a SS gun for the same price as carbon steel if not for investment casting. If not for the casting process I sure would not have been able to buy a very nice new Ruger Vaquero for just $400.
