Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk in .44 Remington Magnum Review.

The Ruger SBH is a fun pistol to shoot and own. The .44 Magnum is an extremely versatile round, capable of rat and snake busting when using light loads or shot-cartridges, up to Odocoileus virginianus (whitetail deer) when slinging 240gn jacketed soft points. When you first put your hands on one it feels akin to a strong handshake with an old friend. My smallish hands prevent me from liking certain pistol grips (Glock) but the plough-handle grip of the SBH fits my hands wonderfully.

The 7 1/2" barreled SBH weighs in at 3 pounds, and while the weight is noticeable, it is easily managed and welcome when shooting heavy .44 Mag loads.

Being a single action revolver, for it to fire one must first cock the hammer. This feature makes it a wonderful style of pistol (single action revolver) for someone just being introduced into the world of pistols. Although if you use the SBH to introduce someone to pistols I would strongly recommend using .44 S&W Specials (4.5lbs of felt recoil) instead of full power .44 Magnum rounds (up to 22.6 lbs of felt recoil http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_recoil_table.htm). After all, there is nothing like a barrel smack to the face to deter someone from the shooting sports for the rest of their lives. There are no safeties to worry about, if the hammer is not cocked it will not fire (While still being sure to abide by the 3 rules of gun safety http://training.nra.org/nra-gun-safety-rules.aspx).

The Ruger New Model SBH uses a transfer bar system instead of having the firing pin directly affixed to the hammer like an old SAA Colt. Because the firing pin doesn't rest on a chamber when the hammer is down there is no half-cock position for the hammer.

Instead, to turn the cylinder, you must open the loading gate which unlocks the cylinder. It's a revolver so you don't have to worry about making loads too light when reloading for it as there is no action to cycle, as long as they are not so light as to induce squib loads.

    If the trigger is released while lowering the hammer the transfer bar slides down so that the hammer cannot contact the firing pin.

This allows owners to carry 6 in the cylinder without having to worry about the hammer being bumped and setting a round off into the owners leg or foot. 

                                                      Be safe, and God bless America.