Which .44 Mag to Get?

[StonewallRuger]

I have it narrowed down to the 4" Redhawk and the 4 5/8" Super Blackhawk. Which one for hunting/packing/big-bore plinking, etc.?

I already have:

SRH 9.5" .44
"OM" Vaquero Bisley .45
SP101 .357
GP100 .357
Single Six Hunter
Bearcat

I like the looks of both of them. I'm more interested in the shooting characteristics of the two. I've heard that the Redhawk's action is not the best (compared to the SRH or the GP100), but I've never shot one. I'm sure the SBH is smooth and be made even better by a gunsmith I know.

Thanks.

 

[CraigC]

Well, your present array of sixguns is three single actions and three double actions. Which type do you like best? The issues that would affect me are that the SBH needs to be a Bisley to be comfortable to shoot and the Redhawk punishes my palm.

 

[Stoots]

As always, it depends on what you prefer.

Myself, I prefer a single action. The 4 5/8 SBH is my favorite revolver. I've never shot a RedHawk, so I can offer no comparison.

:D

EDIT to add: I had a SRH, but most of the shots I took with it were SA. And I feel less recoil with the SA's 'roll' in the hand.

:wink:

 

[WESHOOT2]

I still have my 5.5" 44 Redhawk (and one 7.5" 357; had and sold 5.5" 357, 41 Mag, and 45 Colt versions). I love them (and kept those) for their sweet sweet DA triggers; I don't shoot DA guns SA.

I also use both for USPSA Revolver Division (yes I gotta lotta speedloaders) and concealed wear.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I like the 4 5/8" SBH for the purposes you mentioned. It is a handy field pistol. My SS version was often an outdoors companion until being recently eclipsed (somewhat) by the Lipsey's 44 Special. Redhawks are great guns if you like DA. I have a 5.5" one in 45 Colt, but it doesn't seem quite as easy carrying to me as the SBH. If you already know how to shoot a SA correctly to allow it to "roll" in your hand, you are ahead of the game there.

 

[2 dogs]

Well I will say that I am a dedicated single action man. I have to say that the 4" RH is a superior sixgun. Mine is fast becoming a favorite and would probably be the last to go........its just that good.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

both great guns and have more then one of each but for a packing pistol the super blackhawk is the one to buy. the redhawks are good guns and very stout but even a 4 inch redhawk in a belt holster is a bit heavy and tends to drag pants down. I was born without a but so heavy guns and belt holsters just dont work for me. My favorite 44 is a 4 5/8s super stainless that i fitted with an aluminum grip frame and ejectory housing and scalloped the loading gate and recoil shield and then bead blasted.

 

[2 dogs]

Lloyd is one of my dearest friends but we are polar opposites. I got more ass than a mule farm......

 

[Rclark]

Only you can make the 'choice' . My choice is a no brainer. :) . SA .... All the way...

 

[jimbo1096]

Mainly defensive purposes, I would get the Redhawk. If you want a fun shooter and overall trail gun then the short barrelled Blackhawk would be the choice. Those are my picks and both would be in stainless.

 

[kooz]

Just an idea, there are a lot of 50th .44mag guns out there for cheap, you could pick one of those up and chop the barrel back to 4 5/8".

I know you said .44mag, but the .44spl flat top guns are much easier to pack than the two you have mentioned and ACRYLICTNK is selling the stainless ones for $499 shipped over on the classifieds right now, pretty much the perfect packing pistol if you like single actions. Loaded with a good 250-260gr LSWC bullet and a max charge of 2400 they are at the same level as many of the factory .44 mag loads.

 

[CraigC]

I got more ass than a mule farm......

You and me both, ole pard! ;)

 

[StonewallRuger]

Yeah, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of the Super Blackhawk. It will still take me a while to decide. I also have a Cimarron Lightning, S&W 10, and a Colt Police Pos. Sp., so it's not that I need another gun, but I'd like to have a .44 to "plink" with and just carry on the trails.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Yosemite Sam]

I tend to get more enjoyment out of my single actions than my doubles. I've got a 4" Redhawk, but my only .44 mag BH is a 7.5" Hunter. Of the two the Hunter is considerably more accurate and more fun to shoot, though the RH has it's moments, too.

-- Sam

 

[41manor44]

I like your choice of a 4.2" Redhawk. Good luck finding one. They aren't to be had in my area (midwest). To bad Ruger dropped the 41 Redhawk...it would be a great choice. The Alaskan in 44 would make a nice trail gun.

 

[piratedude]

While I prefer to shoot single action revolvers, and do use them for pack guns on hikes, there is something that I really like about the 4" Redhawk. Its a very nice gun. I think that if I were just going to buy one, that I would get the Redhawk. You can always add another BH down the road.

 

[chris_]

I have a 4" Redhawk and the grips are big, almost too big for me to comfortably shoot the same super hot stuff I shoot out of my Alaskan. I'd handle one before you decide you're hung up on it, the grips are very different than the SRH grips.

 

[StonewallRuger]

I have a 4" Redhawk and the grips are big, almost too big for me to comfortably shoot the same super hot stuff I shoot out of my Alaskan. I'd handle one before you decide you're hung up on it, the grips are very different than the SRH grips.

Yeah, I would definitely change the grips out on either of the two. I like wood grips, and (for the SBH) I like a Bisley frame, so I would just "Bisley-ize" it. :D

BTW, has anyone made a 4 5/8" SBH into a Bisley?

 

[Donaldjr1969]

I like your choice of a 4.2" Redhawk. Good luck finding one. They aren't to be had in my area (midwest)

Hardly ANY 44Magnum Redhawks can be found anywhere. All the major distributors such as Lipsey's, Davidson's, etc did not have any in stock in any barrel length save for SRH 9.5" models. And from what I was told about Ruger not doing RH/SRH production runs until their distributors get enough orders to meet their minimum amount for a run, it could be a very long wait. I was lucky to find a 7.5" SRH at a gun show a little over 2 weeks ago.

 

[captainkirk]

I have a 4" Redhawk and the grips are big, almost too big for me to comfortably shoot the same super hot stuff I shoot out of my Alaskan. I'd handle one before you decide you're hung up on it, the grips are very different than the SRH grips.

Yeah, I would definitely change the grips out on either of the two. I like wood grips, and (for the SBH) I like a Bisley frame, so I would just "Bisley-ize" it. :D

BTW, has anyone made a 4 5/8" SBH into a Bisley?

page 2 of this thread: http://www.rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=99444&start=15

 

[Vod Kanockers]

I went through this same decision making process this summer, and I chose the 4 inch RH. I have previously owned a SBH with a 6 inch or so barrel....and I decided that my next big handgun would be a double action...it is what I am used to (I carry a Smith and Wesson Model 58 at work) and a variety of other DA revolvers.
I am very pleased with the RH. It is more accurate than I am, carries well in a relatively cheap Galco Wheelgunner holster, and as others have said, a .44 will do anything I need to do with a handgun (hogs and deer, or targets)
Quite frankly, the RH isn't much to look at in my opinion, but pretty is as pretty does..

 

[chris_]

Quite frankly, the RH isn't much to look at in my opinion, but pretty is as pretty does..

Hey now...

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I kinda have both. I have a 7.5" redhawk one of the earlier ones before the scope mounts and also a 4 5/8" super blackhawk. Both are great shooters. I personally prefer the sa super blackhawk for everyday use. I have a bunch of single action rugers and a few double actions. If I'm serious about hitting what I shoot at the shot is made single action with whatever I have. Thumbing back the hammer is a natural thing for me and it's done without thought. My redhawk has a awesome trigger. I have felt others that were horrible but mine is fine around 3 lbs in the single action mode. The choice is yours but try both before you decide for feel. I think the single action will win out.

 

[MikeMcD]

Been waiting quite a spell for a Redhawk. One sent from Ruger got diverted at the distributor to some other customer. Now I am told everything is back to square one.

Any news about a "run" soon at Ruger?

Also, does anyone like the factory wood grips on the RH? The Pachmayer and Hogues seem to alter the geometry of the grip quite a bit. The size change seems significant. I have not fired this 44 with either grip. It would seem that the original may appeal to some hands out there.

Anybody have a thought?

 

[WESHOOT2]

Yes.

I installed Pachmayr Decelerators on my 5.5" 357, 41, 44, 45, and 7.5" 357 Redhawks.
Because I shoot them double-action, and on occassion I launch ludicrious handloads.

(still have the 5.5" 44 and 7.5" 357)

 

[Stoots]

Quite frankly, the RH isn't much to look at in my opinion, but pretty is as pretty does..

Hey now...

Wow!

Great pic!

:D

 

[captainkirk]

Been waiting quite a spell for a Redhawk. One sent from Ruger got diverted at the distributor to some other customer. Now I am told everything is back to square one.

Any news about a "run" soon at Ruger?

Also, does anyone like the factory wood grips on the RH? The Pachmayer and Hogues seem to alter the geometry of the grip quite a bit. The size change seems significant. I have not fired this 44 with either grip. It would seem that the original may appeal to some hands out there.

Anybody have a thought?

I like the wood grip with a Tyler-T grip installed. I have tried Pacs, and oversized wood, but for me the Tyler T and factory wood work the best. I probably have "medium" sized hands.

captainkirk

 

[gramps]

I had a Redhawk 7.5 inch barrel with wood grips. An extended range session left me with a right handed "palsy" for a month afterwards(a glove might have helped?). I now have a 4inch Redhawk with the Hogue bantam grips, and have never had an issue shooting it(still no glove). For looks it has to be wood. For function the rubber grips rock. IMO
gramps

 

[Vod Kanockers]

I got my 4 inch Redhawk by calling Ruger, and telling them I wanted one. I waited a month for it after prepaying for it at my FFL, who actually placed the order.
I don't know if it will work for you, but they were very helpful over the phone....the ONLY thing they insisted on was that they had a PAID order for the handgun in advance of building it. Ruger had the use of my money for a month or so before they shipped it.
I didn't like it, but I could live with it.

 

[41manor44]

Quite frankly, the RH isn't much to look at in my opinion, but pretty is as pretty does..

Hey now...

Wow!

Great pic!

:D

Wow just doesn't cover it!