How do you like your Redhawk?

[Bountyhunter]

How long have you had it? How many rounds thru it? Any problems at all? I'm not talking about the Super Redhawk.

I'm wondering if they are still a better deal than the S&W 44Magnums.

 

[Rumrunner]

I have had mine for about 14-15 years. It has a 1983 birthdate. I have fired 300 and 240 grain XTP factory and reloads. Very accurate. One ragged hole at 25 yards with a reddot sight. I have fired 270gr Speer Gold Dot reloads with very good accuracy, and the same with 240 Federal American Eagles. It is the 7.5" version with Ruger Rings.
I have had 2 Super Redhawks and neither one shot as well. I have had no problems with mine. I had a 5.5" model and it also was trouble free and shot well. I just couldn't shoot it as well with iron sights.
The factory grips were small for me so I tried Hogues, but they dont cover the backstrap. Ended up with Pachmayr Decellerators.
I have dry fired this one a lot as well as shooting it and the action is pretty decent, without changing any springs or doing any work. I also sold my 4" S&W 629 as I didn't like it as well as the Redhawk. I just bought a custon 4" Redhawk from a forum member, but wont be able to get it until next week.
I dont think you will be dissapointed with a Redhawk.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Well the one in my avatar is a 45Colt and I'm disapointed with that one. I just picked up a 44Magnum 5.5" blued one, and am now wondering if I should have paid a little more and got a S&W. After tons of research and thinking I had the misfires in my 45 all figured out and fixed, I find out I'm wrong. I'm now thinking it has something to do with the transfer bar, because of a very old thread I read here. I'm scared now that the 44 will act the same way eventually. Ruger won't even look at the 45 cause I shortened the barrel and had the cylinder milled for moon clips. They said that maybe that was the problem, but the colt loads sit exactly like they did Before the work, and they will misfire once in a while too. DA misfires a lot and SA misfires less. Frustrating at best. :?

I put a brand new main spring in it too.

 

[Gutshot]

Had both a 7.5 and 5.5 liked the 5.5 better and have been shooting it for over 20 years, lost count after 10K reloads {was saving the primer boxes}
finally last year I sent it back to Ruger for a tune up after I started getting missfires. Ruger sent me a list of things they "tuned up" including a new transferbar and firing pin. Overall I know that I have gotten more than my monies worth out of this gun, I still love it and still shoot it more than any of my other revolvers.

On another note, Bountyhunter, Hamilton Bowen will install an extended length firing pin in your Redhawk if you are looking for a for sure fix.

Jeff

 

[Snyd]

Well the one in my avatar is a 45Colt and I'm disapointed with that one. I just picked up a 44Magnum 5.5" blued one, and am now wondering if I should have paid a little more and got a S&W. After tons of research and thinking I had the misfires in my 45 all figured out and fixed, I find out I'm wrong. I'm now thinking it has something to do with the transfer bar, because of a very old thread I read here. I'm scared now that the 44 will act the same way eventually. Ruger won't even look at the 45 cause I shortened the barrel and had the cylinder milled for moon clips. They said that maybe that was the problem, but the colt loads sit exactly like they did Before the work, and they will misfire once in a while too. DA misfires a lot and SA misfires less. Frustrating at best. :?

I put a brand new main spring in it too.

Have you measured the headspace and firing pin? Bowen installs extended firing pins in the Redhawks.

 

[gulfdaddy]

I am considering another redhawk myself. I had a 45 with 5 1/2" bbl that shot great but traded it off in a weak moment.
Looking at the Bud's Gun Shop web site, they display a Redhawk 7 1/2" in two configurations. One with grooves for scope mounts in the bbl and one with out. Never knew that was an option. The grooved variety I did not locate on the current Ruger web site. One of these old Ruger guys should know more about that.

When I first got mine, I cycled the action a couple of thousand times and that helped to smooth things up a lot. The redhawk is a solid weapon that takes a lot of abuse and stays reliable. I had a S&W 29 once and was always afraid I would mar the beautiful blueing. It shot great, wonderful trigger and accurate.

Good luck. Gary

 

[stantheman86]

I only have a .357 Redhawk, no .44 yet but I want one badly. My .357 is a great gun, probably the strongest .357 on the planet, and the RH .44's are known to be the most durable .44 Magnums ever made, maybe next to the Super Redhawk. There's a reason the handload manuals have "Ruger only" loads, and not "S&W only".

If you're having misfires in your RH I would be calling Ruger for a return label and not accept it back until it works 100%.

I never liked the look of the standard Redhawk with the scope mounts on the barrel.......if you're looking to scope a DA Ruger you need a Super Redhawk, a scope on a SRH is like a hand in a glove, those things are made to be scoped. I turned away a blue 7.5" .44 Redhawk because I didn't want the ugly scope mounts on the barrel.

I do have a S&W 29, an early 70's vintage. It's a gorgeous gun, a masterpiece, really. The action is perfect, it feels perfect in the hand, and it is a relic from when S&W employed skilled craftsman and master assemblers, instead of CNC machine operators. Truth be told I stumbled on it in my local gun shop for a price too good to walk away from, and I'm not about to leave the most famous revolver in the world, Dirty Harry Callahan's 6.5" S&W Model 29 .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world that will take your head clean off, laying in a gun shop for $450!

I shoot all of my Rugers and S&W's, but the 29 was almost new when I got it, and me and my Dad only took it to the range maybe 3 times for a handful of rounds. It's more of a "cool factor" piece than something I bought to shoot a bunch of rounds through. It's tight as a drum and I see no need to use it as a "shooter"........I have a .44 Super Redhawk and will get a 7.5" Redhawk to take the duties as shooters 8)

If you're looking for a heavy shooter, to run 1,000's upon 1,000' of hot .44 rounds through, the Redhawk and SRH is the only way to go. The S&W 29's are more collector pieces and "status guns" these days, unless you find a beater or a basket case, in which case you'll have to spend $ to get it back in shooting shape anyway. I have seen 29's that have been shot too loose to ever bring back, without a complete overhaul.

The S&W 629 and "Classic" 29 look good, but for over $700, you're still not getting a gun as durable as a Redhawk.

 

[Bountyhunter]

I appreciate all the input. I feel a little better now.

Ruger won't touch the gun because it's been customized.

I did think about Bowen's firing pin. How much does he charge to change out the pin? Anyone know? It would probably take a year to get it back too. :? :lol:

 

[stantheman86]

I would think about having Mark at Pinnacle look at it.......you send him a deposit and he lets you know when your turn in the "queue" comes up and to send you gun and remaining payment in. You keep your gun until it's ready, rather than having it sit at his shop for months.

 

[63November]

I've got a 5.5" Colt chambered Redhawk. It's one of the last guns I will part with by choice. Mine has been perfectly reliable through untold hundreds of rounds; it's in the thousands somewhere. I have burned several pounds of W296 among those rounds behind 300 grain bullets. It never misfires.

 

[Three44s]

On the Ruger .net forum there is a member who I believe is a founder by the name of Iowegan.

He produces a book called the IBOK ...... Iowegan's Book Of Knowledge.

Good pictures and instructions.

Misfires in the RH and SRH line of revolvers can be either a light hammer strike, a short firing pin ............ OR a long hammer nose. The hammer nose is very easy to overlook but very easy to fix.

Basically, the hammer nose is striking the frame and limiting the amount of energy transfered to the transfer bar. Caution: If you file off too much off the nose, the transfer bar will begin to be "pinched" between the frame and the lower portion of the front of the hammer.

Three 44s

 

[GAR]

I have all four calibers that they came in. Three of them are in the "Hunter" configuration with rings and one is not. All wear 7 1/2" barrels.

Would not get rid of them. Only problem ever encountered was with the one chambered in 45 Colt. The cylinder throats were way to small and the cylinder was sent to Bowen for correction.

I love the stregth of these revolvers.

None of the handguns have fired a commercial round. They are all fed a diet of heavy for caliber bullets.

Tom

 

[Bountyhunter]

I would think about having Mark at Pinnacle look at it.......you send him a deposit and he lets you know when your turn in the "queue" comes up and to send you gun and remaining payment in. You keep your gun until it's ready, rather than having it sit at his shop for months.

Mark did the work that was done on it. It may go back to him. He tends to be forgetfull. Last time I sent him the gun and was promised a 2 week turn around, it was with him for almost 3 months.

 

[Bountyhunter]

Three44's, I have the Iboks. Got them from Gary way back. Changing a firing pin is not something I want to try. It's well outside my comfort level.

Sounds like most of the Redhawks are great guns. I'm going to run down the street after work tonight and put a dozen rounds thru the 44, just to check that it functions correctly. I'll feel much better when it goes bang 12 times in a row. Although my 45 did when I first got it.

 

[gunman42782]

I have owned several over the years. I think I remember 1 or maybe 2 misfires in all that time. As I reload, this could have been a primer not seated deeply enough, or a hard primer. As I routinely use CCI primers, this is very possible, as I have read they have the hardest primers. I love the Redhawk. My only complaint is the grip. The standard wood grip feels good until I shoot the gun, then it nails my middle finger. The full size Houges are way too big. The smaller Houges they put on the 4 inch models puts my hand down too low. Have never found a grip that suits me. I ordered a Tyler T grip, but I guess I will never see that, as there is another thread saying they have been shut down.

 

[Rumrunner]

Bountyhunter,
You said your 45 fired fine when you first got it, was this before it was customozed. Did you buy it new or was it already customized when you bought it? Starting to sound like the custom work is the problem.

 

[5of7]

Bountyhunter....If I were you, I would get a feeler gauge from any well equipped hardware or auto supply store and check the headspace.

Just load some brass into the clip and put it into the cylinder, then see how much space there is between the standing breech and the head of the case.

That just might answer your question about why you are having misfires.

If the headspace is under .006" it ain't because of headspace and you probably need a new longer firing pin. If the headspace is .012 or more, then excessive headspace is likely your problem.

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

I have an 80's era stainless Redhawk Hunter. I have had it since last August (about 8 months). During that time, I have put a couple thousand rounds through it and have not had any malfunctions with it.

I feel it is very very accurate and have been real pleased. It is part of my "Never Sell These Guns" list.

 

[don44]

My Redhawk is a real fine revolver.... Had it for about 15 years now.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

I have an 80's era stainless Redhawk Hunter. I have had it since last August (about 8 months). During that time, I have put a couple thousand rounds through it and have not had any malfunctions with it.

I feel it is very very accurate and have been real pleased. It is part of my "Never Sell These Guns" list.

I'll second that, Jeff. I like shooting it and I love the accuracy I get from it especially since I have far less experience in shooting compared to you.

 

[Thel]

Three44's, I have the Iboks. Got them from Gary way back. Changing a firing pin is not something I want to try. It's well outside my comfort level.

Sounds like most of the Redhawks are great guns. I'm going to run down the street after work tonight and put a dozen rounds thru the 44, just to check that it functions correctly. I'll feel much better when it goes bang 12 times in a row. Although my 45 did when I first got it.

A moon clipped revolver requires more energy to fire a round than a non clipped revolver. It is not great but from what I can gather on a Smith N frame it needs about a 1/2 to 1 lb. heavier mainspring tension. It was one of the factors I think for the C&S extended firing pin. Three .44's mentions some causes. If the gun worked before the conversion then something must have transpired since then. The headspace should be 0.0060 - 0.0066" and I would check this. Also, check endshake as if it is excessive it could also absorb hammer energy. One other thing Iowegan mentioned that could absorb hammer energy is the rounded corners in the frame casting in the hammer slot next to the recoil shield. I think he suggested dressing them square so the hammer could go all the way forward in its travel. I seem to recall on a forum sometime back someone had a Bowen built RH that began misfiring after quite a few rounds and sent it back and the transfer bar was replaced. I guess with extended use they develop a divot around the firing pin causing a loss of some hammer blow energy.

However, if the gun was working before the conversion I would think something occured due to the conversion.

 

[Bountyhunter]

I should add that the 45 colt rounds still sit where they did before the conversion and they misfire too. I didn't have a lot of rounds thru it before I sent it off for conversion, but had no misfires. I also can shoot multiple rounds of acp and colt and not have a misfire. It misfires much more often in DA than in SA. Maybe I'll replace the transfer bar and see what happens. If that doesn't help I'll look into a longer fire pin. I have to get some gauges to check head space first. I'll try to get some tonight.

 

[41manor44]

I presently own 3 Redhawks, 1 in 44 and 2 in 41. I have never had one problem with them in any way. I've never had a miss fire. I purchased the 44 new in '83 and the 1st 41 new in '84 or '85. The 2nd 41 was purchased used last year and per Ruger's web site was manufactured in '84. All three will be passed on to the next generation and if I could pick up one in 45 I would. All 3 sport the 7 1/2" barrel and I've put several thousands of rounds through the 2 I purchased new. Never a hiccup. A very pleased owner. Sorry about your problems Bountyhunter. The one in your avatar is very pleasing to the eye.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I like mine in a SS 5.5" 45 Colt. Plenty of capability to load it up to a significant power level, it carries nicely for a big DA and delivers the accuracy I expect. I had a 7.5" one in 44 Mag with the scope rings and as much as I liked it I found that I just didn't use it that much anymore, preferring other more compact 44 Mags (4 5/8" ss SuperBlackhawk and 4" S&W 629-4) so traded it to get a second Lipsey's 44 Special BH. It was a real tackdriver and a good gun, but I don't particularly miss it because I'm having more fun with the pair of 44 Specials and the 45 Colt fulfills my RH needs quite well.

 

[Bountyhunter]

I still haven't gotten any gauges but am off to look for some. It may be sent back to Mark. I'll have to look and see if I can get a longer firing pin from Mr. Bowen. Anyone else making these?

 

[hittman]

My Redhawk is only 2 or 3 years old and in .41 Mag. Believe it's one of the last .41's and sports a 5.5" barrel and stainless finish.

I've run probably 500 rounds through it without a hitch. Half factory loads and the other half mild wad cutter hand loads.

Took me a while to find a grip I liked. The factory wood seemed "slick" to my touch and a little hard to hang on to so ..... I moved to Hogue wood finger-groove grips that were just too big for my hands. Next I installed a Tyler T-Grip with the factory wood that that was great until I found a set of Butler Creek / Uncle Mike grips. THOSE are the keeper grips on the Redhawk for me.

I would highly recommend anyone own one; they're hell for stout; probably more rugged than any S&W.

 

[Bountyhunter]

I have a set of those Uncle Mike's too. They rock.

 

[planetcat]

I bought my Redhawk .44 mag 4" barrel (model 444) a little over a year ago. Probably have a few hundred rounds through it, mostly at the range. Killed a nice hog with it last summer. Smooth, reliable, accurate, and very comfortable to shoot. It's my sidearm when hunting in bear country and while pig hunting. The only other S&W I'd buy over it would be the lightweight scandium alloy one, but it's a good $400 more and much less pleasant to shoot. I have a blackhawk .41 mag and GP100 .357 mag. All quality firearms.

 

[Smee781]

I have a 45 with a 7 1/2 barrel SS that has the scope ring cuts and it has been great, I also picked up a 41mag 5 1/2 SS that I just picked up last week and have not shot yet but if its as accurate as my dry firing results are then I will be a happy camper.

 

[Thel]

"It may be sent back to Mark. I'll have to look and see if I can get a longer firing pin from Mr. Bowen. Anyone else making these?"

I had a RH with an extended Bowen firing pin that the local gunsmith obtained from
Bowen so Mark should be able to get them. What he could do before doing that is check
headspace, endshake and firing pin protrusion to try to locate the source of the problem.
On my RH the gunsmith set firing pin protrusion with the Bowen pin at 0.055". As Ruger
does not divulge what it should be he used the middle of the range specified by S&W of
0.050 - 0.060" . Elsewhere on the other Ruger forum I think Iowegan mentioned not to use static but dynamic firing pin protrusion but have no idea what the measurement should be.