Factory repair of new, unfired Redhawk.

[andyo5]

Seven weeks ago, I purchased a new 45 Colt Redhawk on Gunbroker. When it arrived, I removed the rubber grip and found what appears to be a casting flaw on the front of the grip (see photo).

Ruger agreed that it was a new gun and asked me to send it in. I assumed they would replace the entire gun. Today, I spoke with them and found that they "repaired" the gun and are ready to ship it back to me. No information on exactly what they did to it.
Frankly, I am apprehensive since I don't see how this frame could be repaired to be as good as new. They will have to reduce the width of the frame to eliminate the gouge. The only other thing they could do would be to replace the frame. But this would require stamping the new frame with the old serial number, in order for it to be a "repair" and not a "replacement".
I want to fit wooden grips and I'm concerned that they may not fit properly. Frankly, I don't think they should have let this one out of the factory. What do you think?

 

[G. Freeman]

Show us some pics when your gun arrives. I'm very curious.

 

[WESHOOT2]

Perhaps they simply welded it up and remachined it (or even just used a file...).

 

[Chief 101]

That looks too shiny for to be a casting flaw tho it certainly could be. Easy fix none the less. Not to worry as it surely can't effect to ability of this gun to shoot straight. Chief aka Maxx Load

 

[nn]

Looks like tool marks.

 

[J Miller]

Looks like impact marks from banging around in a bin with other things.

A defect that I would probably ignore if the gun shot well.

Joe

 

[63November]

The nick in the frame does not look like a big deal unless you intend the revolver to be a display piece. On the other hand, the fact that the frame appears "proud" in relation to the trigger assembly, that would be an issue with me.

 

[Rclark]

A defect that I would probably ignore if the gun shot well.

Me too. Polish it up if it was sharp enough to bug the fingers though.....

 

[andyo5]

Well, I got this gun back yesterday. I don't know how they did it but if the serial number didn't match I'd swear it was a new frame. The mark is completely gone, but there is no evidence of machining. It looks like an as-cast grip frame. It makes me wonder if they simply stamped my old serial number on a new frame and kept quiet about it. My wood grips fit perfectly and look great. In addition, they "fixed" some things that I hadn't even complained about, such as the barrel/cylinder gap.
The gun looks like a million bucks and shoots well to boot. Many thanks to Ruger customer service. I called them yesterday to thank them. I just love happy endings.

 

[psyclone66]

U gotta luv a happy ending. b4 and after pics pleez.

 

[G. Freeman]

Sometimes Ruger can still get it right when they want to. Actually, I was quite pessimistic, and Ruger surprised me on this one. Pics please!

 

[Knuckles]

:twisted: PIC'S PLEASE!

 

[andyo5]

This is how it looks after return from Ruger.

As you can see, the tool mark or whatever it was is gone.

 

[Racklover]

What was the turn around time on the repair?

Glad they did you right!

 

[REP1954]

You did the right thing. Cant inmagine having wood grips and then a banged up frame showing.

 

[andyo5]

What was the turn around time on the repair?

Glad they did you right!

They quoted me 6 weeks, and that's exactly how long it took.

 

[smoke-eater]

Those are the best pics I have ever seen of a 4" Redhawk. You did a great job with the photography. They really make me want to seek out a set of wood grips for mine.
Glad Ruger took care of that little problem. If it were mine, I'd have sent it back too.
I bought a new stainless Vaquero (no, not a "New Vaquero") about 10 years ago with a strange blemish on the topstrap, a very noticeable raised 'bump'. Had my dealer send it back to Ruger, and in 4 weeks, it came back looking perfect. One of the reasons we keep buying from them!

Jeff

 

[andyo5]

Here is a photo of the grip frame after repair. New frame? I don't know but it is hard to see how you could go from A to B without replacing the frame.
Whatever they did, the gun is fine now and shoots great with the wood grips. I always believed that S&W's round frame was a mistake. This gun feels more like a square frame S&W, and I don't need rubber grips to handle it.