I have a Ruger Redhawk in .44mag spotted in a shop. Is there any reason to pass it up and look for a Super Redhawk?
I plan on using it as a pig gun.
What would be a reasonable price on one that was stainless and with an either 6" or 7.5" barrel?

Thanks,
Jim

The Redhawk is smaller and easier to carry. Depends on what you plan on using the weapon for. The Super Redhawk (SRH) is available in .44 mag, .454 Casull, and .480 Ruger (discontinued in this caliber but there are lots out there). I like them both and both are very robustly built and can take a pounding. All SRHs are stainless steel, but the .480 and .454 versions came in a target gray finish. SRHs are also only available with a 7.5 and 9.5-inch barrels, save for the Alaskan models that came with a 2.5-inch barrel.

Both are fine guns but the RH is more of a knuckle buster and not as pleasant to shoot. If your hands are small it is fine. They really need a different grip for large hands.

BFR that is the kind of info I was looking for.
Is there a way to tell by holding it if it will be uncomfortable?

Jim

I've got big mits and the RH doesn't bust my knuckles at all. I will post a picture of the RH grip and the SRH grip (I have both). Here it is:

I have a RH in 44 and SRH in 454. Pachmayr grips on both, couldn't really say why but I prefer the RH, it just feels better to me.

But my real favorite is the Super Blackhawk. It is the most accurate of the three and does everything I need for hunting. I only hunt in SA and the trigger is finer on the SBH.

If you were closer I'd try to make you a deal on either the RH or SRH.

I am totaly new to this ,but I did just go thru this process....

I looked at 20, give or take, used Rugers....

Did buy a RH in 44,with aftermarket grips already installed.This one was blued (1986),which was my preference.In very good condition,no papers or box etc.,for $350 (asking at a dealer $399).

Saw many stainless,and going rate both here in NY and on some gun auction sites is about $400 with no scope to $600 with scope and rings mounted....used SRH 7.5 barrel....

I'd love to show you photo's,but I'm still waiting for my new license and coupon to pick it up.


Hoping to use it for the AR handgun forum hunt!





Dan

Pepperbelly. I have a large knuckle and the back of the trigger guard bangs it.
I do agree the SRH is more accurate and has a better trigger.

quote:

Originally posted by bfrshooter:
Pepperbelly. I have a large knuckle and the back of the trigger guard bangs it.
I do agree the SRH is more accurate and has a better trigger.

Jim, that you have a large knuckle is an understatement of epic proportions!

well i own both the rh and srh in 44 mag 7.5 and love them i think the srh balances better but mine is about to be converted to 500 linebaugh so the rh will stay my deer gun

i have big hands never had any knuckle problems and as far as trigger they both need to be worked on

Its smiple for me it your going to scope it super redhawk if not redhawk.

Either one will be a great handgun, the Redhawk looks more appealing than the Super Redhawk to me. I have owned both in the 44 Mag, and I did not notice any real difference in how they shot. I have not noticed any knuckle busting what so ever, from either.

I like Ruger Redhawks....

I know the SRH has a mount for a scope built in, but is it hard to scope a RH?
I don't remember if it has fluted cylinders or not. I would prefer non-fluted, but does the fluted cylinder make a real difference? I know the non-fluted can be loaded a little hotter, but enough for a practical difference?

Jim

Some standard redhawks are machined for ruger rings and some are not. I believe it depends on the year of manufacture. In the standard redhawk I think the 5.5" barrel balances best, 7.5" on the super. They are both great. I've owned six or seven of them. The redhawk was also chambered in 357mag, 41mag,& 45colt. If you decide to go with the 480ruger in the super, try to find a 5 round cylinder vs. the six.

The 5-shot .480 never made production. I understand a couple of Alaskans might have been sold, but the 7.5 and 9.5-inch barreled versions never were. According to my conversations with Ruger, it was a marketing decision to kill the .480. There's nothing wrong with the 6-shot .480s. I've had two of them and they have served me well and I never had trouble with sticky extraction (this was a machining issue). If you can find one snatch it up, and if you don't, let me know and I will!

I am not looking around for one. I came across this RH in a pawn shop.

I am trying to decide if it's worth getting or not.
Jim

quote:

Originally posted by pepperbelly:
I am not looking around for one. I came across this RH in a pawn shop.

I am trying to decide if it's worth getting or not.
Jim

It's definately worth getting, unless it's over priced

I have not seen your question addressed in the manner so I'll ask you to approach your decision like this:

Do you plan on putting a scope on this handgun?
-If so, buy a Super Redhawk.
-If not, buy a Redhawk.
-If you don't care either way, buy whichever you find the best deal on.

Redhawks were made to be carried like an old Smith Model 29 and shot with open sights. You can scope them, but its not terribly easy and neither is it inexpensive. Plus, you'll most likely loose the rear sight if you do scope it.

Super Redhawks were made to be carried in a shoulder holster, scoped, and hunted with. Moreover, they come from the factory with excellent one inch rings and are a snap to scope correctly. They're also moderately more ergonomic than a regular Redhawk and very robust. Plus, they're pretty popular and you're more likely to find a good deal on a used one than you would a Redhawk.

I had my choice and I went with a Super Redhawk. I have a red dot sight on it and carry it in an Uncle Mike's shoulder holster. Its a great big heavy thing, but its easy to shoot and accurate as hell. I find it quite comfortable to shoot and it digests any load I feed it. I really like my SRH...

quote:

Originally posted by pepperbelly:
I am not looking around for one. I came across this RH in a pawn shop.

I am trying to decide if it's worth getting or not.
Jim

Does it feel good when you handle it? Does it point well? The RH is definitely easier to pack and carry on a belt holster. The .44 mag makes for a fine pig hammer, so if it is priced right, I would say get it.

i'm thinking this comes down to price if that redhawk is a good price buy it.the differences is not worth waiting to find a deal if there is already a good deal in front of you

OK, what is a price I shouldn't pass up? What is an average price for one in good condition?

Jim

A friend of mine recently paid $450.00 for one that was in exceptional condition. What is the asking price at the pawn shop if you don't mind me asking?

I have both in 44 Mag, a 9.5" SRH and a 7.5" RH.
So far the SRH out shoots the RH, but then I have shot a lot more test rounds out of the SRH.

It may just be me but I have found one modification to propose with the factory RH grips that matches S&W and most any factory grip I have ever used. I find if one will take the grips off, screw them together and throw them as far as you can that, that is the beginning of the perfect modification.

The go buy some Hogues or Pachies and you will have a gun worth shooting

Whitworth all I remember is that it was less than that.
I will check tomorrow, and hope he doesn't read the boards. I got bit that way once a few years ago.

Jim

That would be a pretty good deal if you ask me....... Don't wait to long! You can always flip it if you don't like it. JMHO

I called the pawn shop today to check on the barrel length, etc. It is a 7.5" barrel.
I swear when I saw it the other day it was priced under $400.00. I remember thinking that I could talk them down to $350.00 or less if I was really good.
Today when I called they said they would take $475.00. This isn't the first time I have found a firearm, asked around the boards, then find the price has been raised. The same manager worked at another shop years ago when this happened last. I can't be sure he checkes the boards but I know he sets his prices by what some auctions highest starting price is. He did that to me once, in front of me. I was looking at a Swede M38 rifle he has. I knew what it was worth, but he looked one up on AA and quoted me a price that was the highest starting bid on the site. He still has that rifle 1.5 years later, still for $529.00.

I will keep looking around. I passed on a SRH last year and I am kicking myself now. It was a 7.5" .454 Casull with dies and brass for about $550.00.

Jim

Jim, if it's in nice shape, $475.00 is pretty good. Maybe you could get it down even lower, but it's a really great revolver in my opinion and it will serve you well.

i would go 450 or under you can find them on gunbroker lately for around the 400 mark i paid 450 for my rh with luepy scope and then bought the srh for 415 no scope that one from gunbroker

I have no dog in this fight, but for my money, low-ball the guy and watch him squirm... I am reminded every time I go into a pawn shop how they take advantage of someone down on their luck. They offer a pittance, and then convince the guy to "just pay the interest, I know you are good for the loan". Then the guy gets in a bind and the firearm is the shop's for a song...

I would tell him: "I figure you have at most $200 in the revolver. I will give you a 75% return on initial investment." Offer him $350 out the door and be prepared to walk away. They are out there, and you will find one.

Doubless that is exactly what I had in mind.
I have a small rep as a thief, but they don't understand that I just don't buy or trade unless it is a very good deal.

Jim

Knowing the nature of pawn shops, you know that they didn't pay top dollar for it, but even at $400.00, it would still be a good deal. I found a .480 SRH in great shape for $400.00 last year and was really pleased, but to suggest that this is the norm, would be misleading. Jim, what kind of condition is it in?

Whitworth I have also learned how pawn shops work. I have found several real deals and some that I walked away from.
This manager used to work in another shop years ago. He always tells someone getting a loan that their stuff is junk, but when he sells it it is rare and priced very high. That Swede is $150.00 to $200.00 higher than anywhere else. he has had it for at least a year and I think it's been there for longer. He still hasn't lowered the price and won't deal on it. He can keep it.
I will try to get up there soon and try to deal for it. If I can't get it down to what I am willing to pay it won't be the first or the last I pass up.

It is in good condition, but I didn't look it over closely. I will before I decide.

Jim

quote:

Originally posted by pepperbelly:
Whitworth I have also learned how pawn shops work. I have found several real deals and some that I walked away from.
This manager used to work in another shop years ago. He always tells someone getting a loan that their stuff is junk, but when he sells it it is rare and priced very high. That Swede is $150.00 to $200.00 higher than anywhere else. he has had it for at least a year and I think it's been there for longer. He still hasn't lowered the price and won't deal on it. He can keep it.
I will try to get up there soon and try to deal for it. If I can't get it down to what I am willing to pay it won't be the first or the last I pass up.

It is in good condition, but I didn't look it over closely. I will before I decide.

Jim

Keep us posted, Jim. Also, go to Gunsamerica (www.gunsamerica.com) and look at the Redhawks and Super Redhawks-- there are a bunch and their prices range from outrageous to really reasonable. Take a look.

Thanks Whitworth, I will. I also go to Auction Arms.

Jim

Here's my view FWIW. If it's mostly for hunting, you'll likely put a scope on it. A scoped revolver is too bulky for regular carry so you'll only carry it hunting in an appropriate shoulder rig. That being the case, you might as well get the more robust revolver that's easiest to mount a scope on(SRH). A little extra bulk won't matter. I have one in 7.5" and love it. I think the 9" is too bulky in any rig.

If your carrying it regularly (woods loafing), you won't want the bulk of a scope and probably won't need full .44 Mag. rounds. Go with something lighter and handier. I went with the S&W Mountain Revolver.

Seems to me the RH is betwixt and between. That said, it's a fine revolver I'd be proud to own.