Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! The Ruger Blackhawk in .30 Carbine, introduced in 1968, marked the first commercial revolver chambered for this military rifle round. Based on Ruger’s modernized Colt Single Action Army design, it features a 7.5-inch tapered barrel and uniquely overbuilt cylinder to handle the cartridge’s higher pressures. Though considered an oddity, the Blackhawk .30 Carbine offered surprisingly mild recoil despite launching 110-grain bullets at around 1400-1500 fps from its handgun-length barrel. The gun’s main drawback stems from its rimless ammunition, which can cause sticky extraction and feeding after moderate use due to powder residue buildup on the headspacing ledge. While technically still cataloged by Ruger at an MSRP of $879, production effectively ceased years ago. The gun remains a fascinating example of adapting a rifle cartridge to a revolver platform, following historical precedents like Colt’s frontier-era experiments with Winchester rifle rounds. Modern examples feature Ruger’s transfer bar safety system and adjustable sights, with the 46-ounce weight helping tame the unusual cartridge.
“Manufacturer: Ruger
Model: BlackhawkType: RevolverGauge: 30 CarbineBarrel: 7 1/2 inch roundFinish: blueGrip: walnutWith factory box hand numbered to match and papers. Provenance: The Collection of Ernie Rice”
Lot 85: First Year Production Ruger Blackhawk Revolver in .30 Carbine – First Year Production Ruger Blackhawk Single Action Revolver in .30 Carbine with Box. (n.d.). Rock Island Auction Company. photograph. Retrieved December 11, 2024, from https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/2060/85/first-year-production-ruger-blackhawk-revolver-in-30-carbine.
The post POTD: A Unique Single-Action Experiment – Ruger Blackhawk .30 Carbine appeared first on AllOutdoor.com.
