The transfer bar
Traditional single-action revolvers, like the original Colt Single Action Army, rest the hammer's firing pin on the cartridge below it. Dropping one with a round under the hammer could fire it, so the practice was to load five and leave the hammer on an empty chamber. Ruger introduced its New Model single-actions in 1973 with a transfer bar: the hammer can only reach the firing pin when the trigger is held back. Our load-five article explains the history and which guns still need it.
Blackhawk
The Blackhawk is Ruger's standard centerfire single-action with adjustable sights. It is offered in several calibers, including .357 Magnum and .45 Colt. The .357 version fires .38 Special for cheap practice; the .45 Colt version suits cowboy-style shooting and, with appropriate loads, hunting.
Ruger Blackhawk .357 6.5"
.357 Magnum · 6-shot
Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt 7.5"
.45 Colt · 6-shot
Super Blackhawk
The Super Blackhawk uses a larger, stronger frame and a distinctive square-back trigger guard. It is best known in .44 Magnum. The catalog listing is a .44 Special version with a 4.63-inch barrel, which gives you the big frame with milder recoil. Our .44 Special article covers the cartridge.
Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 Special
.44 Special · 4.63"
Wrangler
The Wrangler is Ruger's inexpensive .22 LR single-action with a Cerakote finish. It is a fun, affordable way to learn single-action handling, and .22 ammunition is cheap. See our .22 trainer guide.
Ruger Wrangler
.22 LR · 6-shot
Comparison
| Wrangler | Blackhawk | Super Blackhawk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame | Small, alloy | Medium/large steel | Large steel |
| Calibers | .22 LR | .357, .45 Colt and more | .44 Magnum, .44 Special |
| Sights | Fixed | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Best for | Learning, plinking | All-round single-action | Big-bore hunting |
Loading and unloading
Single-actions load and unload one chamber at a time through a loading gate. It is slower than a double-action but simple. Practice with an unloaded gun and dummy rounds until it is smooth.
Which caliber?
- .357 Magnum: the most versatile, with cheap .38 Special practice.
- .45 Colt: classic, great for cowboy action and, with the right loads, hunting.
- .44 Magnum / .44 Special: for the most power, or big-frame shooting with milder loads.
For a wider look at single-actions from other makers, see our best single-action guide.
Bottom line
Start with a Wrangler to learn cheaply, choose a Blackhawk in .357 for versatility, and step up to a Super Blackhawk if you want a big-bore single-action.
Frequently asked questions
Can you carry a Ruger Blackhawk with six rounds?
Modern New Model Ruger single-actions use a transfer bar and can be carried with all chambers loaded when used as designed. Older Old Model guns should be carried with the hammer on an empty chamber.
What is the difference between the Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk?
The Super Blackhawk has a larger, stronger frame and is best known in .44 Magnum.
Is the Ruger Wrangler a good first revolver?
It is an inexpensive way to learn single-action handling with cheap .22 LR ammunition.
Which Blackhawk caliber is best?
.357 Magnum is the most versatile because it also fires .38 Special.
Keep reading
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