Ruger Revolver Purchase

[luckybaer]

I've been looking to make a Ruger purchase, but they've been hard to find.

I've found a shop with a Redhawk in .44 mag with the 4.2" barrel and a GP100 in .357 with either a 4.2" barrel or 6" barrel (I can't remember now).

I currently own three 9mm semis (including my beloved SR9c) and a S&W Model 629 (.44 Mag) and S&W Model 686 (.357 Mag). I don't have a specific plan for what I'd use the new revolver for - probably some target shooting and it would get into my home defense rotation, but that's it.

Given my circumstances, and given that the $150-$200 price differential between the two weapons is not a hurdle, which would you buy if you could only justify buying one?

I know .357 Mag ammo is cheaper. I know the .357 handgun is more "practical." Is there a reason to go Redhawk over GP100 - i.e. Redhawk will hold its value or the Redhawk is a much better weapon than the GP100, etc. Both guns look good, but I give the Redhawk an edge.

I just like revolvers, and owning a couple of S&Ws, I think I should own a Ruger, too (I'll probably end up with 2 Rugers, just like 2 S&Ws).

Thanks for allowing me to wonder about this out loud...

 

[Sam Johnson]

I would go for the Redhawk . If you ever want to play with full house loads the Redhawk is the one for that. Home defense, bigger is better..

 

[luckybaer]

I would go for thee Redhawk . If you ever want to play with full house loads the Redhawk is the one for that. Home defense, bigger is better..

I have the suspicion that the Redhawk will be sold by the store before the GP100. One line of thought tells me to buy the Redhawk now and to wait and buy the .357 later on down the road.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The Redhawk is a quantum leap in power and weight over a GP. You can shoot 'specials' in either gun for practice.

 

[TiteGroups]

One of the GP's. Lower operating cost for target practice if you don't load your own ammo.

 

[woodsy]

GP100 in 6" barrel.
If it's a good one, don't be surprised if you lower your sense of worth about S&W.
I have a 6" blued GP .357. Its SA trigger is flawless. And the gun was beyond the term "bargain", brand new.

 

[luckybaer]

GP100 in 6" barrel.
If it's a good one, don't be surprised if you lower your sense of worth about S&W.
I have a 6" blued GP .357. Its SA trigger is flawless. And the gun was beyond the term "bargain", brand new.

I'm open-minded and not a S&W fanboy. I love my S&Ws, and I'm sure I'll love any Ruger revolver I get my paws on even more than I love my SR9c.

 

[Lee Martin]

Redhawk all the way. That 4.2" version is extremely versatile. Plus you can download 44 to 357 power levels.....you can't upload 357 to 44 Magnum.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

Limiting to your choices I would get the redhawk 44. But if it were myself I would have them order a 45 colt in my opinion that's the top caliber and they can be ordered in the redhawk. I'm a single action guy and have many SA rugers and the 45 colt is a fine gun I currently own 3 blackhawks in 45 colt and would buy another without a thought it is a awesome caliber with a wide variety of loadings and reloading I can go from mild to wild loads. I like the 45 colt better than the 44 mag.

 

[don44]

44 Magnum all the way! You won't be sorry!

 

[donut757]

Redhawk for sure.

 

[Nowata]

Redhawk...44 all the way. Way more versatile

 

[Buckeye!]

John Gallagher Custom Ruger Redhawk .44 Mag - 3 1/4 Barrel

 

[Kanook]

I would tell the owner I wanted both and see what kind of deal they would do.

 

[ChiefTJS]

I have both although my 4" Redhawk is a .45Colt, I'd say the GP-100 is a more useable gun for general shooting and defense. The Redhawk is a BIG gun, I love it but it is a handful of gun to be sure. Both great guns and both will last more than a lifetime, if you don't need the big bore for woods use, the GP in .357 will handle 99% of all handgunning needs very nicely.

 

[luckybaer]

I would tell the owner I wanted both and see what kind of deal they would do.

I like your thinking, and I may give that a shot.

 

[41manor44]

I want to cast my vote for the Redhawk. Everything has already been said but I found the 4.2 Redhawk to be much harder to find than the GP. Plus I think Ruger will produce more GPs per year than Redhawks. Both excellent firearms but I personally would go with the Redhawk. Good luck making your choice.

 

[MikeMcD]

I have both. 5.5" RH and 4.2" GP100. If I had S&Ws and was entering the Ruger world now: I would go with the Redhawk now and then go for the GP100 ASAP. Lee Martin has a good point: the versatility, especially for a reloader, is amazing. If the money is not a problem, get both like Kanook says.

 

[gramps]

luckybaer, you see what a bunch addicts we are, enabling you to buy two guns. Good luck, but be careful, your next purchases may include blackhawks, super blackhawks, and super Redhawks. As you see there is a theme here.
gramps

 

[Knuckles]

Other than the choice of grips the Redhawk is a winner!