Opinion on Redhawk Stainless 4"

[actionflies]

How's the trigger on this gun with the single spring for DA/SA and the weight to handle 44 magnum load? I'm thinking about buying this for the range since I already have the super blackhawk hunter and I love the accuracy of the 44 magnum load.

 

[Sharp Shooter]

You know Actionflies, it's kinda hard for someone else to say whether or not a gun is heavy enough to handle the recoil for you. I can say this - compared to other 4" .44 Magnums, the 4" Redhawk is relatively heavy, and the gun itself is stout enough to handle full-house .44 Magnum loads for a long, long time.
On the other hand, how do you handle recoil from full-house .44 Magnum loads? I myself don't handle them well anymore - I'm 62 and have tendonitis in my right elbow. I've had both a 4" .44 Magnum Redhawk and a 4" .45 Colt Redhawk. I couldn't handle the recoil from very many full-house loads in either gun. But light and mid-range loads were real pleasant in those guns.
That said, as far as I'm concerned, a Super Blackhawk beats any double-action .44 Magnum for recoil absorption. And a Bisley gripframe beats a Super Blackhawk in that regard. You have to remember though - that's MY opinion, based on MY recoil perception.
Is there any way you could test fire a 4" .44 Magnum Redhawk? That would be the best way to tell how the recoil is for you.

 

[Redhawk4]

The trigger pull on my 4" is excellent particularly the double action. This seems a common experience with the 4" Redhawks I've even read a couple magazine tests attesting to this. I read Jeff Quinn's Gunblast write up before I bought mine and would agree with what he wrote having owned one for 18 months. You might find the article useful if you haven't read it, as he addresses your points.

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-Redhawk4.htm

Recoil is very subjective, but the Redhawk is certainly heavy enough to keep recoil in sensible bounds. My favorite factory range ammo is the 240 gr Magtech at about 1180 fps, relatively mild recoil and very accurate. Obviously, you can go a lot "hotter and heavier" and recoil increases accordingly. For 99% of what I use the gun for something around the Magtech performance will get the job done. 300 gr Hornady XTP's worked well for me as well, with recoil that was not too much worse than the Magtech.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

Id dont have a 4 inch but do have a custom 3.5 inch 44 and its a fluffy kittens cat to shoot even with heavy loads. Still probably weights as much as a 7.5 inch super blackhawk.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I have a 4" Redhawk. I used to own a 4" Taurus .44 mag, and the Redhawk is definitely heavier and tames the recoil a bit more with the same loads.

I will say, if you're looking for range gun, why not look at a longer barrel? That will absorb even more recoil and be more pleasant to shoot at the range. Magnums love longer barrels, as it gives the powder a chance to burn, and really kick up the velocity.

That said I really do like my 4" RH. It has a lightened mainspring in it, and its double action pull is right up there with some of my nice, older S&Ws. Because of the trigger system the SA pull is never going to be as light, but really, it's good enough as it is. Not every gun can or should have the "2.5lb glass rod" action of a tuned 1911.

-- Sam

 

[deanodog]

My 4 inch redhawk also has an excellent double action trigger. I wish the single action was as good in comparsion. I also shoot a super blackhawk 7 1/2 and find them both excellent shooters. I reload so I download a little for the range. I am not a hunter and do not need full mag. loads. I find the 4 inch barrel handy when handling.