You Will Shoot Your Eye Out

When sixgunners enter the “wide, wide world” of Ruger single actions, over time they are faced with a tough decision. Most fledgling sixgunners start with the more commonly available New Model Blackhawk, or Super Blackhawk, as their first thumb buster because they’re easier to get at local neighborhood gun shops.

Something Old, Something New

New Models came out in 1973. This was also the year traditional sixgunners mourned the loss of their beloved “old model three-screw.” The original three-screw Blackhawk came out in 1955. Bill Ruger made the decision to bring out the New Model single actions because of frivolous lawsuits filed by three-screw owners shooting themselves while carrying their guns with all six chambers loaded.

When three-screws are carried with all six chambers loaded, a blow to the hammer will discharge the cartridge under it. This happens when the gun fails from the holster, or some other inadvertent hammer blow occurs, and the carrier is shot with their own gun. It didn’t matter that the negligent gun carriers broke the golden rule of traditional single-action six-guns: NEVER CARRY YOUR GUN WITH A LIVE ROUND UNDER THE HAMMER!

Safety First

The New Model addressed this issue with Bill Ruger’s transfer bar safety. Now the gun could be carried with all six rounds loaded, and the firing pin couldn’t strike the cartridge primer unless the trigger was pulled. Hammer blows, from whatever cause, couldn’t make the gun discharge. Ruger even offered conversion kits for three-screw single actions to make them safer for those wishing to carry with all six chambers loaded.

Observant sixgunners knew something was afoot when Ruger added the billboard on their guns with a warning label stating “read warnings in instruction manual available from Ruger” in 1978. Sixgunners were insulted by this implication of ignorance and lawyer-proof buffoonery!

Ruger was trying to protect itself from lawsuits. Either way, traditional shooters didn’t appreciate it, yearning for the good old days when the only writing on a barrel was the company name and cartridge.

The Differences

Ruger three-screws were the original single-actions for Ruger. Their actions were much like Colt’s Single Action Army, having four distinct clicks while cocking the hammer. The second click was the cocking notch, allowing the cylinder to be turned while loading. The guns were obviously sans “warning labels.”

Guns had to be carried with 5-rounds, hammer resting on empty chamber for safety reasons. Every kid growing up watching westerns while eating their morning cereal knew the rule of loading one, skip one, load four more, cock your gun, and slowly lower your hammer.

When these eager shooters finally got a chance to shoot their first single action, they knew what to do. Unfortunately, over time, the gene pool seems to have dissipated, and people learned not to take responsibility for their actions. When something bad happens to them, they seek compensation, even when it’s from their own negligence.

Sixgunners are a traditional lot and miss the days of good conquering evil, people striving to do the right thing, and taking responsibility for their actions. Older sixguns are an absolute reminder of those days. People didn’t need silly reminders roll-marked on the barrels of their guns telling them to read an instruction manual.

Ears?

The first Blackhawks had flat tops, hence the name Flat Top Blackhawk. Here’s where the peculiarities of sixgunners rear their undecisive heads. When shooters cranked up the rear sight, it was unsupported on the sides and vulnerable to side-to-side shifting. Ruger responded by adding protective ears to the sides of the rear sight. This continued with the Super Blackhawk and New Model versions.

The next wave of sixgunners looked back to the history of Blackhawks and wanted Ruger to bring back the Flat Tops. We always want what we can’t have, right? Ruger eventually relented by releasing both mid-frame and large-frame single-action Flat Tops. Ruger even started putting the unsightly warning label on the bottom of the barrels, so it’s not as pronounced.

Hammers

I’ve got to admit; there’s nothing sexier than the side profile of a Ruger three-screw hammer. The sleek, flat functional surface just looks right. While the transfer bar safety was a stroke of engineering genius, the stepped face of the hammer just screams of a lawsuit-proof mechanism made to thwart lawyers’ frivolous attempts to obtain money from an innocent manufacturer.

I guess old-school cool never goes out of style? Having an intact, non-converted, three-screw Ruger is owning a piece of unblemished Americana, displaying simpler times and the way things are supposed to be.

What To Do?

The first thing to do is to relax! Today is a great time to enjoy Ruger single actions, whether they’re new models or three-screw old models. Both are great and fun to shoot. Sure, shooting the older three-screws scratches that nostalgic itch, but shooting a new model is just as fun, plus it can be safely carried with all six chambers loaded. Custom sixguns are made with both new- and old-model Blackhawks.

I have three-screws in both flat-top and protective-ear configurations and enjoy shooting them equally. In the same breath, I have several new models I dearly love just as much, some maybe more than three-screws. I have a few new model customs that’ll knock your socks off from John Linebaugh, Ronnie Wells and, of course, Bobby Tyler that are near and dear to me. These great builders had no problems using new models for their donor guns.

Modern Day Fidget Spinner

Shooting single actions is as relaxing as it gets. There’s the slower cadence of loading; remember, it’s load one, skip one, load four, cock the hammer and slowly let it down. I do this even with my new models to stay consistent and reinforce the rule. Cocking the hammer for each shot keeps the pace less rushed and more relaxed.

Even emptying your cylinder takes more time, which is fine, because we’re in no rush. Then it’s back to loading again. Sure, it takes longer, but we get to savor our range session longer. And that’s a good thing. Whether new model or three-screw, take your sixgun out and have some fun.