Ruger 44 mag red hawk

A

arthury

New member
Don't seem to be able to find any new 4" or 5.5" ones.
Ruger announced that they are accepting orders from distributors since 5/31. Do you think they will restart a new production cycle for these Redhawks?
 
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I'm sure they will as the 4" Redhawks seem to be big sellers. When is anyone's guess.
The majority of Ruger's guns are in high demand so it'll take a little time for the supply pipeline to fill.
 
I looked for one in 5.5” a few months back and had no luck locally. However, one LGS said they could order one and probably get it in a few weeks or maybe a few months. Only problem was they wanted money upfront and it was non-refundable. So, if they could not find the Ruger I was obligated to buy something else they had in stock. Not sure if this is normal or not, but I decided to buy something else somewhere else. I may give it another shot after the elections are over with and things settle down.
 
My other option was to buy a similar S&W, open it up to remove the internal lock and spend $26 to plug up the hole with a metal plug.
Lots of work even after paying more for a S&W but I can get one right now.
 
been looking for a 4" for a year now. good thing i did not need it right a way.
last 5.5" i saw was new about sept last yr.
good luck
 
Why worry about the lock? It doesn't make disassembly any harder, really. I don't foresee any reliability issues either. This isn't one of the Kimber/Schwartz safeties you see on 1911s...this requires a key to engage it.

I've no experience owning Rugers, but every time I look at them, they look bulky and unattractive to me personally. The amount of steel on the Ruger's is a lot more, and I've been told it's lower grade steel at that. I've also seen a Ruger .44 that had it's cylinder replaced from firing hot loads one time (due to expansion)...and a SW 629 fired the same loads for months and was fine.
 
There are more than one incident reported about the S&W internal lock issue, including Michael Bane, the host for Shooting USA.

My intended usage for this revolver is to use it as a backup self-protection weapon against very large bears in the northern woods. When and if I need to use it and if it fails due to the lock, I will not be around to send it to S&W to complain about it and the gun will become part of my estate, so to speak. If it's for plinking in the range, I'd be more forgiving.
 
Big and bulky. I don't think so. Here's my 5.5 incher.

Redhawk005.jpg


And my other two for comparison.

BigThree002.jpg
 
I had the same problem waiting for a new 4" SS. It turned out to be a blessing, I ran across a beautiful LN blued 5.5" for $425 with factory woods and Hogue rubbers manted which I like. The darn guy made me take the wood grips with the deal darn it.:confused::D
 
...I've been told it's lower grade steel at that. I've also seen a Ruger .44 that had it's cylinder replaced from firing hot loads one time (due to expansion)...and a SW 629 fired the same loads for months and was fine.
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I prefer S&W's for DA's but there is no truth in this nonsense. Don't believe everything you hear in a gun shop.
 
Super Sneaky Steve, if you're near Virginia, Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly, VA has a Clements Custom Guns Redhawk in 45LC with what appears to be a 4" slabside barrel. I don't know if it's a factory 4" that was modified or an older model. Price was $650. I didn't handle it, but CCG is a good shop.

Chris
 
Super Sneaky Steve, if you're near Virginia, Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly, VA has a Clements Custom Guns Redhawk in 45LC with what appears to be a 4" slabside barrel. I don't know if it's a factory 4" that was modified or an older model. Price was $650. I didn't handle it, but CCG is a good shop.

Chris
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Thanks Chris, If I can get my $50 deposit back from my LGS I'll look into it.
 
To the na sayers of getting this gun is easy, well, you find him one.

Of course any gun can be had, at a price, or do the search in do time. My and only my perception is, Ruger make a run of a RW44 only once in a while. Prove me wrong!

I had the same problem waiting for a new 4" SS. It turned out to be a blessing, I ran across a beautiful LN blued 5.5" for $425 with factory woods and Hogue rubbers manted which I like. The darn guy made me take the wood grips with the deal darn it.
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I waited for Bud's to get a 4" SS for around a year. Obviously I was not desperate. I ended up using the money for a better (At the time) investment.

Thank God for wants, not needs.
 
I predict those redhawks shall return........it's a question of priorities by the manufacturer I bet...........they know the sales will be there.

and the dealers are already whining for them..........

no lack of demand for those redhawks. they are too fine a piece at any price.........YO
 
I prefer S&W's for DA's but there is no truth in this nonsense. Don't believe everything you hear in a gun shop.
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While the steel part of what I said might be, the cylinder not handling hot loads is something I know to be true. Maybe is was a defect in that specific gun, but the cylinder needed to be replaced only after firing hot loads.
 
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The amount of steel on the Ruger's is a lot more, and I've been told it's lower grade steel at that. I've also seen a Ruger .44 that had it's cylinder replaced from firing hot loads one time (due to expansion)...and a SW 629 fired the same loads for months and was fine.
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More steel? Yes, stronger gun. Lower grade steel? Hogwash. Can't say anything about what you actually saw but that is contrary to thousands of others experiences. S&W advises against using max loads. The Ruger is one strong puppy and holds up to max loads very well.
Mine has had tens of thousands of hot loads through it and is as tight and ready to rock and roll as it was new.
 
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