Been looking at one for a general packing gun while I'm fishing or even to use as a hunting handgun. Any thoughts from those who shoot one? Compare to the SBH in same length. I shoot .44mag exclusively at the moment. Thanks.

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God, Guns and Gibsons...doesn't get much better than that!

never owned one I really dont care for the double action big bores that much but I shot my freinds 5 1/2 inch and it shot beautifully.

I have a 5.5 red hawk shoots great for general back packing its heavy. But so is every thing else you carry. You have to make up you mind if you carry the red hawk or somthing lighter and another days supply of food. I been thinking about a Titanium taurus in 41 mag about 25 oz. Very close to the 44 in preformance and a lot lighter. For years I carryed a 6 in 36 oz 357 when ever I go back packing.
Every gun is to heavy when you carry it for a week or more but non are to big if your defending your self against a mad bear. Sometime you have to make a trade off in size power and weight.

Carried one all weekend. Never noticed it.

One inescapable fact is that bigger calibers come in big guns. When I tell friends that I carry one during the summer months when outdoors, they invariably ask about weight.

My reply is, that it's a LOT lighter than the pistol, magazines, radio, handcuffs, nightstick and all the other folderol that used to hang off my belt!

Purely a matter of what you're used to, I guess. It's easily covered by an untucked flannel shirt, so it makes a useable albeit LARGE carry gun. Makes a nice prybar or hammer, too!

Redial

Redial: What's your favorite holster for your 5-1/2" RH?

My CRS is kicking in, but I believe it's a Don Hume, strongside with a slight forward cant. The model number escapes me but I recall they're about $110. And STIFF. Your basic well stitched gun-bucket. I'd have to go home and read it to verify. Lefty, too!

My mistake - it's a Milt Sparks, stamped RH44 on the back, with only a brass tension screw as a retainer.

Spendy, but worth it. I've learned the cheap holster lesson almost as many times as I've learned the cheap boot lesson - usually the hard way.

I've shot a RH for about 5 years now and my admiration for it continues to grow. I know it's strong, but just read this week in Handloader mag, that it's been tested for 50,000psi loads. That's on the heels of the .454. I regularly shot 335 grains at 1,250 to 1,300 ft and can't imagine a need for more.
It's heavy, but appropriate to this use and well balanced. And I swear, this load is more comfortable to shoot than factory .44 mag out of my mod 29. I use a holster from Black Horse Leather for hunting carry. It provides good trigger and hammer coverage and security with a thumb break top strap. Check their web site.

Patrick: 5-1/2" 7-1/2"? Just wondering.

Bus,
I carry a 5.25" RSB. It was done up for me by Mag Na Port. I've carried it all day during fishing trips and just recently for a 3 day bear hunt here in Alaska. It was loaded up with some 330 grain cast bullets loaded up over 20.5 grains of H110. I personally like the single action, seems to carry better.

When just knockin' about out in the woods I carry the same gun that a carry in town, a 4" Mod 29. I know it ain't a long range gun but up close and personal it works great. During hunting season though I carry a SRH 44 with a 7 1/2 barrel. Like everyone says, it's what you get used to. I have always carried big revolvers and have just grown accustomed to them. Then I sling that Encore around my neck and things really get heavy. Good thing I don't have to travel fast when I am hunting. Slim

Gents: Just picked up a sweet 5-1/2" SS Redhawk with a tuned trigger and action. I love the looks of this gun. Was used, but barely, and the guy obviously put some money in it. Very smooth in SA and DA. Through in a nylon holster but I think I'd like a leather one some day, maybe crossdraw. Anyway, I've always liked DA's and finally got one with a little respect. I'll keep it with me often and it will grow to be my companion. I can't afford a bunch of guns so I love what I got and make it work. Shoot safe...shoot often. BP

Bravo!

You'll love that gun - forever, since it's not likely you can wear it out! Built like an anvil.

Cheers

Redial

What are you carrying your 5-1/2" Redhawks in for packing or hunting? Leather, nylon? Cross-draw?
Company?

have a ruger redhawk myself with the 5.5'' barrel. only way to go!!

Buspilot,
I shoot a Redhawk 44 mag and it is the most accurate gun I own. It is a pleasure to shoot. Mostly 240 grainers at 1350 fps. I could shoot all day and not have a problem with the recoil and still remain accurate.