RH Backpacker

[JackBull]

Any chance the Backpacker in 44 will come back? I waited in case one was mace in 45 C or ACP and missed out.

 

[contender]

Never say never with Ruger. They can easily build them again. The question will be; Will they? And I'll bet the answer will depend upon how many they think they can sell.

Lots of good guns get introduced. Yet,, SOME of the people who want one,, think; "I'll wait and save money" or whatever. Well, I learned long ago,, if something comes out,, and you like it,, I buy one!!!!!
As such,, I have watched some guns that quickly disappeared from their offerings,, and have NOT returned. Then the prices of the existing ones skyrocket.
Examples;
Blackhawk .357 Maximum
Single-Six hunters in 17HMR/.17 Mach2
The Blackhawk .327 8 shot
Single-Seven's in .327 Mag
The Single-Nine
The Single-Ten
SR-9's
Some of the Bisley Hunter models
MANY distributor exclusives

Procrastination can be a PIA if you want something. It's one thing if you can't afford something when it's introduced. But if you wait to "get a better deal" or "I'll wait until they get the bugs worked out," or any other excuse,, you may lose out.

 

[Uncle Howie]

EXCELLENT post, contender!

A Single-Six Hunter in .17HMR/.17HM2 Convertible was “too big a stretch” for me, at the time.

In retrospect… I should’ve bought TWO!

I could’ve sold one after the recall, and paid for them both!

I sometimes wonder whether any of the recalled/returned .17HM2 cylinders made it home in a lunch bucket…

I imagine a five-gallon bucket sitting at Ruger, half-full of returned .17HM2 cylinders!

 

[hittman]

And not even 1 double action on that list
I wonder if Ruger has any potential for loss or do the “exclusive” distributors buy up front?

Still the problem of exclusivity hasn’t been addressed and apparently will never be. Those of us in rural areas who would like to see a new SP or GP or Redhawk in our local store are SOL.

 

[arcticruger]

I love the Kodiak Backpackers.

There’s at least two of them on GB right now. One had rubber grip and front sight was swapped. Looks like original grips are with it the box, maybe sight is as well.

Backpacker 44 showed no results.

Search: Ruger redhawk 44, and use quick filter: used

Good luck

 

[Track14]

don't forget the Super RH Alaskan. It has a 2-1/2” barrel, so it is a small yet heavy package that shoots very well. I changed the sights on this one so my old eyes could see them.

 

[Timbo23]

don't forget the Super RH Alaskan. It has a 2-1/2” barrel, so it is a small yet heavy package that shoots very well. I changed the sights on this one so my old eyes could see them. View attachment 94758

and the Super Redhawk Alaska is chambered in 454 Casull which will also chamber 45 Colt. It also will take any grip for the GP100 so more choices than a standard Redhawk.

 

[Uncle Howie]

I wonder if Ruger has any potential for loss or do the “exclusive” distributors buy up front?

I have always assumed that the Distributors paid up front when ordering a special “Distributors Exclusive” product.

They’re ordering something that Ruger doesn’t seem to think is viable in the mass market… so I just assumed that Ruger would require payment up front.

My $0.02.

 

[Hankus]

I was at a gun show today. The largest dealer there, Shoot Straight, had THREE new SRH Alaskans on their table. Two were .454 Casull, and the other was .480 Ruger. They were priced at full MSRP.

 

[NH Rugerman]

Ruger has been producing the Alaskans again….lately.

 

[arcticruger]

don't forget the Super RH Alaskan. It has a 2-1/2” barrel, so it is a small yet heavy package that shoots very well. I changed the sights on this one so my old eyes could see them. View attachment 94758

Here’s a pic between the two for comparison:

 

[cee_Kamp]

I acquired mine here on the Forum in a trade deal. Then a Ruger Forum Member shipped me an assortment of grips.
I do like it and carry it frequently on my rural land during blueberry season, which is just about the only time we see bears.

IMG_20240127_190540830_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20220825_130430110_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20220825_130634991_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

 

[JackBull]

Here’s a pic between the two for comparison:

View attachment 94817

The Kodiak BP and Alaskan appear to be the same size, it that correct? How does the weight differ? Thanks

 

[JackBull]

I acquired mine here on the Forum in a trade deal. Then a Ruger Forum Member shipped me an assortment of grips.
I do like it and carry it frequently on my rural land during blueberry season, which is just about the only time we see bears.

IMG_20240127_190540830_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20220825_130430110_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

IMG_20220825_130634991_HDR by cee_Kamp 32ACP, on Flickr

I love upper state NY.

 

[contender]

"I wonder if Ruger has any potential for loss or do the “exclusive” distributors buy up front?"

If I recall correctly,, a distributor has to guarantee a complete purchase to get Ruger to build something.

 

[Timbo23]

The Kodiak BP and Alaskan appear to be the same size, it that correct? How does the weight differ? Thanks

Ruger's website says that they both weigh 44 oz.

I like Redhawks as you can see from my Avatar. I only have 5.5 inch models though. I do have two Super Redhawks Alaskan that I also like but only shoot plinker loads in them (.44 Spl level and .45 Colt level).

 

[arcticruger]

The Kodiak BP and Alaskan appear to be the same size, it that correct? How does the weight differ? Thanks

They are very similar. The Alaskan has a 2.5” bbl verses the RedHawk with a 2.75” bbl. They definitely shoot and feel/handle different, not bad just different.

Here is a pic how they look when they leave the factory and their weights.

Alaskan Super RedHawk .44 magnum = 43.0 oz
RedHawk .44 magnum w/2.75” barrel = 42.7 oz

 

[Laserbait]

I'm honestly a bit shocked that they're that close in weight. I was thinking it was going to be a lot more.


Hornaday had a Redhawk Backpacker for their Wheelgun Wednesday

 

[balin]

I have both the backpacker and Alaskan in .44. With max loads I much prefer the Alaskan. The backpacker is fun to shoot but the Alaskan is far more accurate for me even at a distance.