The idea is kicking around to purchase a Redhawk. Then send it off for a 5 shot .45 Colt conversion. Does anyone have experience with this Gentleman's work? Sean

Good afternoon, no experience but love the pictures at his web site. My thinking is that my 45 colt redhawk is heavy, compact, and strong as it leaves the factory. With +P loads, 300 grain wfn at 1250 ft, it's sort of a poor man's "mountain gun" with a bigger punch. Although the redhawk grip fits my hand very well, I don't know that I would want to regularly shoot a 5 shot version. I was toying with sending my bisley for the 5 shot conversion, again 45 colt, but am now considering a conversion to 480 Ruger. I've been seduced by the .480 loads at the Hodgdon web site. good shooting

I don't have, and haven't handled a bowen gun. My understanding is that the top echelon of revolver smiths are Bowen, Linebaugh, Stroh and Huntington, though not necesarily in that order, they all do great work. A buddy had Huntington build a 500 Linebaugh on a super redhawk, the workmanship was outstanding, the gun was actually too tight when he first got it, so he sent it back, and Jack made it right.

I agree about the stiff loads being a bit much in a DA frame. The std six shot 45 colt redhawk can already be loaded to levels that are uncomfortable, not much gained in going to a sixshot. The redhawk cylinder is massive, much more metal then the blackhawk, and offset cylinder notches.

If you really want the most out of the 45 colt, the 5 shot bisleys or bisley/vaqueros are the way to go, or get a FA 454 with a 45 colt cylinder.