Just picked up my Redhawk

Smaug · September 8, 2008, 12:47 AM

I'm hoping to go deer hunting this season. I just picked up my Redhawk this morning. I can't wait to take it to the range (maybe tomorrow) and get it zeroed.

It came with the Pachmayr presentation grips, the original "cowboy" grips, the manual, old orange cardboard box, the Leupold 4X EER scope, and rings. The rubber grips shown in the photos wrap around the backstrap, which I believe is unusual for Redhawks. I think this gun was the direct predecessor to the Super Redhawk, as it has the dents machined into the top of the barrel, even though it is only a Redhawk.

I got it for $575.

The single action trigger is not quite as good as the S&W 29 I had a few years ago, but very close. The double action is much better than the 29s was. It feels like it is a lot more substantial in construction than the 29.

Smaug · September 8, 2008, 12:48 AM

Swampghost · September 8, 2008, 01:08 AM

Shoot it as a single action and you'll be a lot more pleased with the trigger pull.

I'm a big fan of Ruger big bore pistols (Super Blackhawks) and a good gunsmith can make them something unforgetable. I guess that I'm just against double actions. In autos, the 5-6# pull is only on the first round. On revolvers it's every round.

Smaug · September 8, 2008, 01:18 AM

Swampghost - I agree with you on this gun. This was designed to be a hunting gun, so I will probably do 90% of my shooting with it SA. DA would only be used just to keep in practice in case I found myself being charged by something, such as a rabid squirrel, when I happen to be carrying this.

crowbeaner · September 8, 2008, 09:03 AM

What's the funny looking black thingie on top? Kinda hard to see the sights with that thing in the way! Anyway, it looks real clean from what I can see. No carbon staining on the chamber faces, and not too much ring on the cylinder from the bolt. I had the gold bead and V-notch rear sights on mine. You'll want a holster that will clear the scope so you can sit down with it on unless you plan on carring it in a shoulder rig; I always belt carried mine. They do get heavy at dark when you carry them all day hunting and hiking. Mine shot several loads well, so you can stuff it with whatever you have loaded; it shot best with Nosler 240 JHPs and the RCBS 44-240-SWC gascheck bullet over 24.0 and 25.0 of WW 296 respectively.

Kreyzhorse · September 8, 2008, 11:01 AM

Nice looking revolver. Looks really clean and well taken care of. Good luck during deer season.

CraigC · September 8, 2008, 11:40 AM

That's a good choice. Though you may find the 4x scope to be a challenge. Might end up wanting to swap it for a 2x. I don't know which was introduced first but the scope-ready Redhawk and Super Redhawk have been produced concurrently for years. The Redhawk is still offered by Ruger with rings. I should've bought a blued one when they were still available.

Quarterbore · September 9, 2008, 07:37 PM

Wow how things change after one round, huh?

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=310125

Smaug · September 9, 2008, 08:34 PM

Yep, and everyone who didn't start posting 2 days ago had already noticed.

September 8, 2008, 12:47 AM	#1
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	Just picked up my Redhawk I'm hoping to go deer hunting this season. I just picked up my Redhawk this morning. I can't wait to take it to the range (maybe tomorrow) and get it zeroed. It came with the Pachmayr presentation grips, the original "cowboy" grips, the manual, old orange cardboard box, the Leupold 4X EER scope, and rings. The rubber grips shown in the photos wrap around the backstrap, which I believe is unusual for Redhawks. I think this gun was the direct predecessor to the Super Redhawk, as it has the dents machined into the top of the barrel, even though it is only a Redhawk. I got it for $575. The single action trigger is not quite as good as the S&W 29 I had a few years ago, but very close. The double action is much better than the 29s was. It feels like it is a lot more substantial in construction than the 29.

September 8, 2008, 12:48 AM	#2
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	two more...

September 8, 2008, 01:08 AM	#3
Swampghost Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: Florida, east coast Posts: 2,106	Shoot it as a single action and you'll be a lot more pleased with the trigger pull. I'm a big fan of Ruger big bore pistols (Super Blackhawks) and a good gunsmith can make them something unforgetable. I guess that I'm just against double actions. In autos, the 5-6# pull is only on the first round. On revolvers it's every round. __________________ NRA Patron Member

September 8, 2008, 09:03 AM	#5
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	What's the funny looking black thingie on top? Kinda hard to see the sights with that thing in the way! Anyway, it looks real clean from what I can see. No carbon staining on the chamber faces, and not too much ring on the cylinder from the bolt. I had the gold bead and V-notch rear sights on mine. You'll want a holster that will clear the scope so you can sit down with it on unless you plan on carring it in a shoulder rig; I always belt carried mine. They do get heavy at dark when you carry them all day hunting and hiking. Mine shot several loads well, so you can stuff it with whatever you have loaded; it shot best with Nosler 240 JHPs and the RCBS 44-240-SWC gascheck bullet over 24.0 and 25.0 of WW 296 respectively. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

September 8, 2008, 11:01 AM	#6
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 12,463	Nice looking revolver. Looks really clean and well taken care of. Good luck during deer season. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

September 8, 2008, 01:18 AM	#4
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	Swampghost - I agree with you on this gun. This was designed to be a hunting gun, so I will probably do 90% of my shooting with it SA. DA would only be used just to keep in practice in case I found myself being charged by something, such as a rabid squirrel, when I happen to be carrying this.

September 8, 2008, 11:40 AM	#7
CraigC Junior member Join Date: November 28, 2001 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 4,300	That's a good choice. Though you may find the 4x scope to be a challenge. Might end up wanting to swap it for a 2x. I don't know which was introduced first but the scope-ready Redhawk and Super Redhawk have been produced concurrently for years. The Redhawk is still offered by Ruger with rings. I should've bought a blued one when they were still available.

September 9, 2008, 07:37 PM	#8
Quarterbore Junior Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Posts: 5	Wow how things change after one round, huh? http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=310125

September 9, 2008, 08:34 PM	#9
Smaug Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2004 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 3,210	Yep, and everyone who didn't start posting 2 days ago had already noticed.