Slim Pigguns
Bearcat
I am looking at buying a .44Mag Redhawk which its serial number indicates it was made in 1980, according to yhe Ruger website. Is there any problems with these first year Redhawks I should look for?
Pete
Pete
Any problems with early production .44 Redhwaks ?
- Thread starter Slim Pigguns
- Start date
contender
Ruger Guru
No.
I own 1982 mfg and had only one issue: brass hung up in one of the chambers.
Don't know if that was the same brass or same chamber, only happened 3 times.
Although the chambers looked clean, thorough cleaning with nylon brush and Butch bore shine solved the issue.
The chambers on mine are very tight, but that's reloader's dream, isn't it?
Don't know if that was the same brass or same chamber, only happened 3 times.
Although the chambers looked clean, thorough cleaning with nylon brush and Butch bore shine solved the issue.
The chambers on mine are very tight, but that's reloader's dream, isn't it?
Sam Johnson
Blackhawk
NO, Have two, sn 500-06147 and 500-6148 no problems at all, several thousand full house loads of 21 grains of 2400 and a hard cast Keith 240 grain.Now in my senior years I have reduced the loads to more fun levels.
Somewhere back in the 80s Ruger did experience some issues with barrels cracking off on some Redhawks.
The issue was attributed to a single machinist using the wrong lubricant on the barrel threads and overtorqueing the barrels. The overtorqueing resulted in excessive stress and the incorrect lubricant caused stress corrosion cracking right at the barrel shank. I am relatively certain that Ruger issued a recall on all of the affected serial numbers and they were repaired under warranty.
All that being said, I wouldn't hesitate even for a second to pick up a Redhawk. I have a 5 1/2" stainless one and would be hard pressed to find a gun with the versatility that one has.
The issue was attributed to a single machinist using the wrong lubricant on the barrel threads and overtorqueing the barrels. The overtorqueing resulted in excessive stress and the incorrect lubricant caused stress corrosion cracking right at the barrel shank. I am relatively certain that Ruger issued a recall on all of the affected serial numbers and they were repaired under warranty.
All that being said, I wouldn't hesitate even for a second to pick up a Redhawk. I have a 5 1/2" stainless one and would be hard pressed to find a gun with the versatility that one has.
Gutshot
Single-Sixer
Picked up a Redhawk in 81, the first one my LGS had in stock. When shooting heavy loads the hammer link {hook} would "jump" off of the mainspring lever. The hook was atrtached by going under the mainspring lever cross bar, don't know why the made it that way. Sold the Redhawk and years later picked up a 5.5" model. From what I remember the hook now goes over the mainsprign lever bar and stays connected. Of course this all happened 30+ years ago but that is the way I remember it.
Jeff
Jeff
