Ruger Redhawk vs. Ruger Blackhawk

J

jeepster

New member
I am thinking about buying my first revolver in 44 mag. I am going with a Ruger but I am unsure of the model to choose. I plan on doing target shooting and maybe some hunting in the future. I don't plan on mounting a scope either. What is the advantage of the DA redhawk or srh over the SA blackhawks? Does it matter for target shooting? Can I shoot any other calibers from either gun w/o major changes?
I'd appreciate any advice you can give me.
Thanks
Jeepster
 
I've owned them both and now just own a Redhawk. Both are outstanding revolvers. I wouldn't hunt in DA so Its really just up to what you like. You can shoot 44 mag, 44 special and 44 russian( I Think) in all of them. If it is more for hunting I would go with the Blackhawk. Just my opinion though.
 
As far as hunting goes you would be better off with the Super Blackhawk if you are going to do a lot of walking due to the lighter weight. For target shooting by a Smith & Wesson or a Dan Wesson.
 
I'll probably be buying a Blackhawk myself, within a few months. Since it will be mostly a hunting sidearm, I'd probably buy a Blackhawk, even if Ruger offered a .30 Carbine Redhawk.
 
Get yourself a super blackhawk. The DA's are nice and very strong. However the SA is a ton of fun and plenty strong. Beware, if you get a SA, it will turn in to a project. There are so many things you can do to personalize, I just can't seem to stop. Either will work fine, and you can shoot .44 mag and special through both. Just decide if you are more like Dirty Harry or Wyatt Earp.
http://www.rugerforum.com/

so he cocked both his pistols, spit in the dirt, and walked out into the street.



[This message has been edited by whiskey (edited April 14, 2000).]
 
I've owned both in .44 mag. The Blackhawk had a far superior trigger. So much better that I don't have the Redhawk any more, and the Blackhawk is in the shop getting a 10 in barrel put on it.
 
I have had a couple of Blackhawks, one Redhawk and now I have the super Redhawk.I like it because of the swing out cylinder. It can be used with a speedloader and even without a speedloader, it is easier to reload.Another advantage is the SRH will handle hotter loads better and it comes with scope rings from the factory.Also, I beleive I read on TFL somewhere that the SRH has an adjustable Trigger , but I have never tried to adjust mine because it is fine from the factory.I don't think you could go wrong with any of the 'hawks but if I had my 'druthers, I'd druther have a SRH! :)

[This message has been edited by cplane (edited April 15, 2000).]
 
Id say go with the Super Blackhawk,I bought one a while back and it quickly became one if not my favorite shooters.I shoot better with the Blackhawk than i do with all my other handguns except maybe my Kimber goldmatch.It shoots consistant 1 inch groups offhand at 15 yards and recently i tried it at 50 yards and it shoots about 3 inches offhand.If you benchrest the gun it will then shoot one hole groups easily.I cant say enough about this round or gun I love it!


killer45auto
 
AS the proud owner of Redhawks in 357, 41, 44, and 45 I'd say get a Redhawk (5.5" stainless, of course).

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
I've never been able to figure the utility of a sporting pistol in double action. When would you use it? I have a friend that has owned several Redhawks in .41 and .44, and likes them as well as his Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk models. I have 8 Ruger single actions in the safe right now, but no DA's. I've shot my friend's guns, and satisfied myself that IN A PINCH I could shoot a DA .44 Magnum passably well. But the BH/SBH have much simpler mechanisms, triggers that can be tweaked to perfection if necessary, and they are just plain prettier than the gormy Redhawk and Super Redhawk, both of which have for me all the style and glamour of a pipe wrench. I can see a 4-inch N-frame Smith&Welcher as a dinosaur-stopper carry gun, for those willing to bear the burden. But for target and hunting, the SA just makes a world more sense to me. But whatever floats your boat...
biggrin.gif

--slabsides
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by slabsides:
I've never been able to figure the utility of a sporting pistol in double action. When would you use it? [/quote]

I've used my .44 Magnum Redhawk in bowling pin shoots. It worked well and was easy to reload between tables.
 
I didn't think of bowling pins, to be candid, since I've never shot that game. I grant that you CAN use a .41/.44 Magnum DA for the pins...or for Bianchi plate knocking, for that matter, if you have the gun, like it, and don't care about winning. Given a choice, I'd use my 1911 (or a .357/.45ACP Smith if I wanted to go with a revolver) for either of those games. When I use the term 'sporting revolver', I'm thinking mostly of game shooting, I guess. --slabsides

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If they take our guns, I intend to let my hair grow long and acquire the jawbone of an ass.
 
In large caliber wheelguns I have owned several DA's and SA's. It's kind of funny but I seem to shoot them all by cocking the hammer with my thumb. It is nice to have DA and not use it. But the triggers on a SA, I just like em better.

One cool thing, if it is an issue, is that you can load a double action and hands it to a complete idiot and say "Pull the trigger till it stops going bang!". This could be a good thing in a crisis situation.

I think if I was carrying a snubbie for Personal Defense I would have to opt for a DA.

The Super Redhawks have that monsterous frame and will probably last for ever and ever. Any of the Ruger wheelguns is a smart investment.
-ddt
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ddt4free:
In large caliber wheelguns I have owned several DA's and SA's. It's kind of funny but I seem to shoot them all by cocking the hammer with my thumb. It is nice to have DA and not use it. But the triggers on a SA, I just like em better.

One cool thing, if it is an issue, is that you can load a double action and hands it to a complete idiot and say "Pull the trigger till it stops going bang!". This could be a good thing in a crisis situation.

I think if I was carrying a snubbie for Personal Defense I would have to opt for a DA.

The Redhawks have that monsterous frame and will probably last for ever and ever. Any of the Ruger wheelguns is a smart investment.
-ddt [/quote]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ddt4free:
In large caliber wheelguns I have owned several DA's and SA's. It's kind of funny but I seem to shoot them all by cocking the hammer with my thumb. It is nice to have DA and not use it. But the triggers on a SA, I just like em better.

One cool thing, if it is an issue, is that you can load a double action and hands it to a complete idiot and say "Pull the trigger till it stops going bang!". This could be a good thing in a crisis situation.

I think if I was carrying a snubbie for Personal Defense I would have to opt for a DA.

The Redhawks have that monsterous frame and will probably last for ever and ever. Any of the Ruger wheelguns is a smart investment.
-ddt [/quote]
 
I bought a 7 1/2" SS Super Blackhawk last spring used. Paid $325, after a little cleaning with Flitz you have a hard time telling it from new.

Last fall at hunting camp, shot it (for the 1st time) & my friend's Super Redhawk. Honestly, for target & hunting I would go with the Blackhawk. I think it has a nicer trigger action and as far as loading & unloading is concerned, when you are plinking & hunting you seldom are worried about a fast reload. At at around $300 used, they are a solid value.

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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work"
Thomas Alva Edison
 
I appreciate all of your advice. I think I am going to go with the stainless blackhawk. I live in Mass so now I have to find a gun shop that is still in business and hope the price isn't gouged. Maybe Mass will be the new revolver state. I can't even buy a handgun in Maine anymore. I live in a state I love to hate.
Any holster sources for the 7.5 inch blackhawk?
Thanks again
Jeepster
 
Wow! Either gun is a quality firearm. I have both. Last year, I took an 8 point whitetail buck with my Super Redhawk. I do think the Super Blackhawk is better for hunting. Of course, I love single action. I don't think you can make a bad choice between these two.
Jim Hall
 
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