Ruger .357 50th anniversary
 

I am thinking about purchasing a Ruger .357 Anniversary edition pistol. Does anyone have any experience with this particular gun? Any suggestions, recommendations are appreciated!

Re: Ruger .357 50th anniversary
 

Absolutely wonderful gun! I bought both of the Blackhawk 50th Anniversaries. The .357 Magnum FT in the medium size frame and with a 4 5/8ths barrel. And the .44 Magnum in the large from with a 6.5" barrel. Both have the old style smaller grip frame that I prefer.

I enjoy shooing both. But I tend to like smaller frames and shorter barrels. So the .357 gets shot a lot more. In my hands it earned the nickname "the finger of God." Just because it seems to naturally point exactly where my eyes are looking. And the shot always seems to go just exactly where I want it to go. Mine is totally stock. Well, except I took some Shooter's Choice and removed the gold lettering on the top of the barrel. I bought it to use it not to admire it!

CDNN has both versions for cheap, cheap! Far less than they are actually worth. You can order and pay with a credit card directly and then have it shipped to your FFL dealer. That will save you sales tax. Just pay your transfer dealer his $20 fee and walk off smiling. The .44 Magnum is $389.99 plus $12 shipping. The .357 is $379.99 plus shipping. You can even get a boxed and matched serial number two gun set for $799.99!!

One final thing you need to know. Ruger finally listened to all the people (including me) who sent them letters begging for a medium frame Blackhawk in .44 Special. They took the .357 FT and made it in .44 Special. Smaller and lighter than if they had used a .44 Magnum size frame. Just feels somehow better in the hand. .44 Special will do just about anything most of us need to do with a handgun. The only downside to the new Lipsey .44 Special Flat Top is that they are darn difficult to find anywhere!! I'm still looking for one. They are making them all this year (at least) and in both 4 5/8ths and 5.5" barrel lengths.

Gregg

Re: Ruger .357 50th anniversary
 

The OP sent me a PM asking about CDNN. I'm answering here in case somebody else needs to know.

The url is: http://cdnninvestments.com/

True, you won't see any guns listed there. You have to download the catalog to see guns. And then it won't show the prices for handguns. But you just need to make sure you have a transfer dealer locally who will deal with you. Have the name and address for CDNN so they can check and see if they already have that dealer on file. (Otherwise you can still do it but it will take longer. Your dealer will need to send his FFL to CDNN.)

Then call the 1-800-588-9500 phone number to order. Have your credit card ready. As long as they still have them in stock.... you are good to go!

Gregg

Re: Ruger .357 50th anniversary
 

I've had a .357 security six with a six inch barrel and pacmeyer grips for a looooong time.

I had the barrel 'ported' many years ago also.

I really like this gun.

It is a work horse and I can actually hit pretty small targets with it.

Never had the urge to replace it although it is a bit heavy.

Re: Ruger .357 50th anniversary
 

I've got a Security Six as well but the OP asked about a Blackhawk. So the comparison doesn't really help him any! A modern double action compared to a vintage style flat top single action! Very, very different kinds of guns. Both Rugers and both .357 Magnum but that's about it.

Gregg

Re: Ruger .357 50th anniversary
 

What he is looking for would look like this:

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/1278790...x926196390.jpg

A Security Six would look like this one:

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/1277010...x687099937.jpg

Both images are lifted from current Gun Broker auctions. Not my guns or photos!

Gregg

Re: Ruger .357 50th anniversary
 

Gregg,

That is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks for the info and the picture!

Jim