Ruger Redhawk 7.5 - is this an issue?

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BadgerOne

Inactive
Greetings TFL!

I recently picked up two new wheelguns, a GP100 6 inch in stainless and a standard Redhawk stainless 7.5 inch. I'm a long time gun owner and shoot regularly but these are the first revolvers I've purchased, both new.

Fast forward to range day. GP100, all good. Shot super close to POA out of the box with both 38 Spl and 357. The Redhawk with 240 grain 44 mag....nice tight groups also....about 5 inches to the left of POA at 25 feet! :confused: The rear sight blade was centered from the factory.

Now I'll be the first to admit this could very well be a case of an issue with the Indian and not the arrow. That being said I noticed something on the RH I didn't expect. On the left hand side of the barrel nearest the muzzle there is a flat spot on the barrel about 3 inches long and 1/4 tall. You can feel it easily, and you can see it because there are fairly coarse horizontal extruding or machining marks on the flat spot, as opposed to the fine vertical satin polishing marks elsewhere on the barrel. It's pretty apparent that this is something they couldn't have gotten away with on a blued version, but is not as apparent or wasn't noticed on the stainless.

Thoughts? Should I send this back to the mothership? I realize the RH is more of a 'blue collar' revolver and I don't expect perfection, but it's still a thousand bucks list. Just wondering if it's really an issue or not. Thanks for any feedback.
 
Simple answer. If it's an issue with you, it's an issue. If purchased new, take it back to dealer, and have him return it to Ruger for repair. If purchased used, send it back yourself. Simply a sign of poor QC if new. If used, who knows what the original owner may have done.
Either way, if you don't like it, have it fixed.
 
I had an old Colt P.P. Special that shot as you describe. One day while running my thumb and finger over the outside of the barrel, I detected a very subtle bulge. When I had it re-barreled, the tendency to shoot a foot from point of aim at 16 yards was gone. Not seeing a picture, I can envision a previous owner bulging the barrel, and then filing-off the bulge, and then selling it. You stated the GP100 was new, but was the Redhawk? Some local gun stores are not above selling a used gun as new if it looks like it could pass for new.
 
Ruger fires guns to make sure they work, they do not zero sights...

As for the barrel, I agree...

We need pics to give you an answer...
 
What's the inside look like? The outside is mostly cosmetic, unless the flat spot has corresponding internal damage.
Mind you, I agree that a grand is a grand and there should be no flat spots, cosmetic or otherwise.
 
I have a 5.5 inch blued Redhawk in .44. I bought it because they're hard to find, and I love blued revolvers. If it had bought it new and had the kind of defect you're talking about, and an actual defect from the factory was what it was, I would definitely have sent it back. Half of my interest in handguns is the beauty of craftsmanship. Even though it's a Ruger and not necessarily up to the highest cosmetic standards, you should keep it in as good condition as it is SUPPOSED to be.

I'd send it back.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. Yes, I bought this one new (and it is definitely a new one, as there is no lawyer-proofing manifesto about reading the manual printed on the side of the barrel).

Since I made the initial post I haven't revisited the issue, but I am going to check it with my boresighter today. That should give a me a pretty good idea of whether there is a mechanical issue with the barrel.

I'll also try to snap some pics of the slab-sided spot.
 
BadgerOne

Look at the frame to barrel clocking & see if it`s all squared up , Rugers are known also for underclocked/overclocked barrels.

To clarify, the barrel reached torque spec before or after reachin square with the frame ,thus throwing the front site left/rte.
 
Winner winner chicken dinner! I took a closer look and see that the barrel is under clocked slightly (I assume that's the correct term for 'the barrel looks not quite tightened up until it's square'). I also looked at my GP100 and see that it's perfectly clocked.

I assume this will have to go back to Ruger, as I suspect they aren't fond of keeping things in warranty after they've gone to a smith.
 
Rather than go through an FFL dealer, it may be faster and easier to simply contact Ruger directly yourself. Their contact information is as follows:

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
Customer Service Department
411 Sunapee Street
Newport, NH 03773
Telephone: 603-865-2442 / Fax: 603-863-6165
(Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm ET)

http://www.ruger.com/footer/contact.html

While I've not had to deal with Ruger's CS personally, the general consensus is that it's among the best in the industry. If my dad's experience with them (trigger reset issue with a NIB LCR) is any indication, you can expect a prepaid shipping label sent to you and your repaired gun back in your hands within a couple weeks.
 
Send it back to ruger. You don't need an ffl for this, it is perfectly legal to send it to them, and they can return it directly to you.
As mentioned, contact ruger first, follow their directions. They should pay shipping.
Make sure when you send it that it's in a plain box. Pack it securely. When packing guns for shipment, I assume they will fly over the address, and kick it out the back as they fly over, and pack accordingly. I have yet to have any complaints.
 
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