Ruger Super Blackhawk 4.62" .44 Mag Review: The Short Hunter

A big frame, a short barrel and a cartridge that forgives gentle handloads. The 4.62-inch Super Blackhawk is the one that actually fits in a pack.

The in-between Super Blackhawk

The Super Blackhawk is usually pictured with a long barrel and a scope or a hunter's belt. The Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk with a 4.62-inch barrel is the other version: the one that fits in a chest holster or a belt rig and goes where a bigger gun would be a burden. Retail listings show a six-shot, satin stainless revolver, chambered for .44 Magnum, with the large-frame Super Blackhawk design.

What you get

For weight, sight configuration and grip details, use Ruger's current specification sheet. The Super Blackhawk is built on a frame larger than the standard Blackhawk's, which is one of the reasons it handles .44 Magnum so calmly. Our Blackhawk lineup guide explains the family relationship.

Why shorter is attractive

A 7.5-inch single-action .44 Magnum is a beautiful thing at the bench and a clumsy thing in the woods. The 4.62-inch version gives up sight radius and some velocity, but it gains:

• A shorter profile on the belt. It is easier to sit with, climb with and move through brush with.
• Quicker handling. The muzzle moves more readily and the weight sits closer to the hand.
• A more manageable feel in a chest or belt holster. Long single-action barrels are the first things to catch on branches.

Shorter barrels also generate more muzzle blast and a bit less velocity from the same load, which is the honest cost. In a gun this size, hearing protection is mandatory, not optional.

Big bore, small habits

The best thing about a .44 Magnum revolver is that it also fires .44 Special. That is a milder, lower-pressure cartridge, and in a gun with this much steel it is genuinely pleasant to shoot. A sensible routine looks like this:

1. Start with .44 Special. Learn the hammer, the trigger and the sights without the pain.
2. Add .44 Magnum slowly. Notice how the gun moves. Notice what your hand tells you.
3. Keep a log. Different loads group differently, and a 4.62-inch barrel may prefer a particular bullet weight.
4. Practice the load you plan to use. If the magnum load makes you flinch, your accuracy and your safety both suffer.

Our big-bore recoil management guide covers grip, stance and technique. For magnum ammunition, browse the .44 Magnum ammunition category at Ammunition Depot, and consider .44 Special as a regular practice load.

Holster realities

This is where the shorter barrel earns its keep, with caveats. A large-frame single-action revolver is a bulky shape, and holster choice affects both comfort and the gun's finish:

• Leather belt holsters made for large-frame single-actions with 4 to 5-inch barrels are the traditional choice.
• Chest holsters can be a good fit for field use, especially under a pack hip belt.
• Crossdraw and shoulder rigs are less common but available.

Always check that a holster lists your frame size and barrel length, and test the fit with an unloaded gun. Our holster roundup covers carry styles, though you will want to confirm compatibility with this specific frame.

Hunting, backcountry and bear talk

A .44 Magnum has a long reputation in the backcountry, and that reputation is part of why this gun exists. We want to be careful here. A handgun is a last resort, not a plan. Wildlife agencies and local rules govern what you may carry and how you should behave in animal country, and a firearm article is not the place to substitute for that guidance. Our bear defense guide discusses the cartridge conversation honestly, and the big-bore hunting guide looks at hunting-specific considerations.

If you are planning to hunt, check your state's rules on handgun cartridges and permitted game, practice with the exact load you will use and do not assume that a revolver suits every situation. The network's .44 Magnum lever gun article is a useful read if you are considering a rifle and revolver in the same cartridge.

Single-action habits

Single-action means a slower rhythm, and a slower rhythm demands a clear routine. Read the manual for your gun and follow it exactly. Our single-action loading guide covers the five-round rule that applies to guns without a transfer bar. Modern New Model Rugers use a transfer bar, but you should still confirm what your specific gun requires before relying on it.

Who should buy it

Pick this gun if:

• You want a packable .44 Magnum for the field, with the single-action feel.
• You like the idea of mild .44 Special practice and magnum loads when needed.
• You value stainless construction and a robust frame for years of use.

Look elsewhere if:

• You want the fastest possible reload. A double-action .44 with speedloaders is faster.
• You want a long sight radius for bench work. The 7.5-inch version is better for that.
• You are recoil sensitive. A .44 Magnum is a serious cartridge even in a good gun.

A sensible first session

A .44 Magnum revolver deserves a deliberate first outing. Bring hearing protection that is rated for serious noise, eye protection, a stable shooting position and a box of mild .44 Special. Read the manual before you leave the house and practice loading and unloading with the gun empty and the muzzle in a safe direction.

At the range, fire a few cylinders of .44 Special to establish a grip and see where the sights print. Add .44 Magnum slowly and stop if your hand or your focus begins to suffer. Take breaks. Fatigue in a big-bore session shows up as flinching, and flinching ruins accuracy and makes handling less safe. If you are shooting with a friend, agree on range commands before the first shot.

Stainless steel is more forgiving than blued finishes, but it is not maintenance-free. Clean the barrel and cylinder after a session, and pay attention to the area around the cylinder and forcing cone, where powder residue gathers with heavy loads.

Verdict

The 4.62-inch Super Blackhawk is the practical member of the family. It brings the strength and calm of the large frame, the economy of .44 Special practice and the capability of .44 Magnum into a package you can actually carry. It asks for respect, good hearing protection and a deliberate routine. If that fits how you shoot, it is one of the easiest big-bore revolvers to live with.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.