The Original Ruger Hawkeye: A Handgun That Didn't Fly

[Talyn]

The single-shot Ruger revolver-ish pistol

The Original Ruger Hawkeye

 

[HansGruber]

See these from time to time at shows. Up until a few years ago, they were actually pretty cheap...

 

[papa]

I had never heard of these. That or I just forgot about them.

If they had chambered the gun for a more conventional cartridge it might have worked for them.

 

[Bassbob]

I can’t imagine why anyone would want a single shot pistol that resembles a revolver. At one point I had a Thompson Contender but that’s a break action target pistol with interchangeable barrel/ calibers.

 

[jumpinjoe]

I can’t imagine why anyone would want a single shot pistol that resembles a revolver. At one point I had a Thompson Contender but that’s a break action target pistol with interchangeable barrel/ calibers.

Actually the Hawkeye was a breech loading handgun very similar to the Contender. The breech block, looking like a cylinder would open to the side and allow the shooter to insert the cartridge directly into the chamber in the barrel. Much like the Contender, with no cylinder gap it led to a very accurate handgun. Unfortunately the caliber chosen for it was not a good choice. I've never owned one nor shot one, but have seen one in use.