RDA-32H?

[RoninPA]

It definitely has a heavy barrel as compared to my other RDA-32 (different year of manufacture, don't know if that affects it). Your thoughts please.

Here are the pictures and s/n's:

The heavy barrel (?) is 159-752xx (1983)
The other one is 151-726xx (1975)

I still have to get it lettered by Ruger, I have about 6 more to do and then all my Rugers will be done (until I buy some more )

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Well, I'd like to say that they had to go to thicker barrels to get more surface area to cram that warning paragraph on there, but actually at some point around 1980, Ruger standardized on the heavier barrel stock. All the 4" guns we H models after that point through the end of production, but they never (to my knowledge) used the H designation on the snubbies since it was just the norm at that point.

 

[RoninPA]

That's what I wanted to know. I perused the RENE book pretty hard and couldn't come up with anything specific, that's why I asked (plus I haven't sent the s/n to Ruger yet). Thanks for the info.

 

[Terry T]

I've also noticed on the fixed sight guns that have the scalloped recoil shield, that the top strap is thicker. I wonder if the top strap is thicker on your later gun and if that explaines some of the difference in front sight hight and configuration.
The heavy barrel is more noticeable on the 4" and 6" guns because the ejector rod shroud has a different contour.
I've noticed the ejector rod shroud change on some 2 3/4" fixed sight guns but not so much on the adj. sight guns.
Might be a toss up if Ruger has added the 'H' to the model. Please let us know what Ruger says.
Terry T