One of the mechanical objects that has been very successful in the marketplace is the multi-tool.  That success derives not so much from the fact that it is the best tool for all sorts of tasks as it does from the fact that it can do many things adequately.  A tool that has those attributes is indeed a handy device.  Handgun enthusiasts may have different handguns for different uses, but it is possible that one handgun can serve several purposes.

            What are handguns used for?  First and foremost handguns are used for recreational shooting in various ways.  In some cases, that activity may be shooting at paper, steel plates, or steel silhouettes of animals.  A handgun may be carried for the comfort it provides when someone is camping or hiking in remote places.  At home or in a camper such as where this is being written, a handgun may be placed near the bedside for potential use as a deterrent or for protection.  In cases where it is legal and the owner is authorized to do so, a handgun may be carried openly or concealed.  Finally, there are many dedicated hunters who engage in their sport using a handgun.

            For me, a handgun that can function as the multi-tool for almost all of those uses is my Ruger Blackhawk Convertible.  That handgun is marketed with two cylinders, one chambered for the legendary .45 Colt cartridge and the other for the .45 Auto.  I think that the concealed carry function can be omitted for this handgun, but for the other uses it is a true multi-tool.  Ammunition in .45 Colt caliber is sometimes difficult to find and when found the price of even lead cowboy action loads is approximately $1 per round.  Ammunition for a .45 Auto is much more abundant and ordinary hardball loads cost about half as much as .45 Colt loads.  In each caliber, there are several types of personal defense loads and those cost roughly twice as much as lead or hardball ammo.  As a result, having a cylinder for each caliber provides a lot of sense. 

            Both the .45 Colt and .45 Auto are versatile calibers.  In factory .45 Auto ammunition, bullet weights usually range from 185-230 grains with options ranging from hardball to hollow points to other specialty defense loads.  My favorite is the Winchester 185 grain Silvertip that provides excellent expansion.  Ammunition in .45 Colt caliber usually features a 250-255 grain lead bullet that is similar to the original bullets used in the caliber or lighter bullets in the 185-230 grain range in defense ammunition.  Most of the lighter bullets are hollow points or of some other construction to facilitate expansion, and they would make excellent varmint and predator loads.  Shot cartridges for dispatching small pests are available in both .45 Colt and .45 Auto calibers.  For those of us who handload ammunition, the versatility can be exploited even further. Although the use of autoloading handguns may be illegal in some situations or areas, a .45 Colt revolver is generally legal for hunting and can hit harder.

            The Ruger Blackhawk Convertible is a revolver that accommodates the versatility of both of the .45 caliber cartridges.  Moreover, this handgun incorporates some safety features not incorporated in older designs.  It features a transfer bar that rises to a position behind the firing pin only when the hammer is cocked.  As a result, when the hammer is in the lowered position, it rests against the frame and not on the firing pin so a blow to the hammer cannot fire a cartridge.  This safety feature makes it feasible to carry a Ruger Blackhawk with all six chambers loaded.  Older single action designs often had the firing pin mounted on the hammer face so that if the hammer were struck or the gun dropped, impact on the hammer could be transferred to the cartridge causing an accidental firing.  Although a safety notch on the hammer provided some protection, it could easily be overcome if the hammer was struck.  Therefore, it is advisable to carry revolvers of the older type with an empty chamber in front of the hammer.

            To load a single action revolver, the loading gate must be swung open and each chamber loaded as the cylinder is turned.  In the case of the Ruger, the loading gate can be opened with the hammer down and the cylinder rotated to insert cartridges.  Original single action revolvers have a half cock position and the hammer must be withdrawn to that position to free the cylinder so it can be rotated for loading.  In such cases, loading is accomplished with the hammer (having the firing pin on the face) in a partially cocked position, which is not as safe as in the case of the Ruger.

            My Blackhawk is the model having a 4 5/8 inch barrel.  In addition to the excellent handling characteristics of such a single action revolver, the Ruger has excellent sights.  The front is a square-topped post that has serrations on the rear face.  A fully adjustable rear sight is provided with a movable blade that has a square notch.  These sights make it possible to obtain an excellent sight picture and to sight in the gun with a particular load.  This is important because the point of impact would be different for the two calibers.  Such capability makes the Blackhawk a good choice for hunting applications.  Using only a rest for my hands, I can group five shots in about four inches at 50 yards which is adequate for most hunting situations.

            The Ruger Blackhawk Convertible is comforting while hiking in remote places or by the bedside in the camper.  Except for perhaps small species, it can go hunting predators with me.  Are there better choices for specific uses?  Of course, but with its versatility, I really need no other handgun than the Ruger Blackhawk Convertible.

PHOTO CAPTIONS

Even though it has traditional styling, the Ruger Blackhawk Convertible has several modern features.

These cylinders contain .45 Auto (left) and .45 Colt (right) cartridges. 

The Ruger utilizes a transfer bar to transmit the hammer blow to the firing pin.  Note the excellent adjustable rear sight.

The front sight mates well with the square notch in the adjustable rear sight.

Among the defense loads in .45 Colt is the Hornady Critical Defense that gives outstanding expansion.

As shown by these few examples, there is no shortage of defense loads for a .45 Auto.

The expansion of the .45 Auto Silvertip is compared to a recovered 230 grain hardball.  The Silvertip would be an excellent choice for use on predators at handgun ranges.