Any cogent preference between Ruger Redhawk and Super Redhawk 45 Colt?

[Naphtali]

Before my hands became the problem they are, I owned and hunted with Ruger SRHs in 480 Ruger and one Freedom Arms Model 83 in 475 Linebaugh.

A close woman friend, who woods wanders and will be hunting with me, will be acquiring a double action 45 Colt revolver that will comfortably handle my "heavy" ammunition. Our area has a larger population of large non-human predators of several types than - probably - anywhere else in the continental 48 states. Having disposed of my big revolvers more than ten years ago, my judgment by memory of an SRH in different caliber and much shorter barrel is worthless. And I have neither shot nor examined a Redhawk.

Ruger is the default double action revolver because American-built Rugers are overbuilt. And they are more likely to safely handle my ammunition than, for example, an S&W "N" frame 45 Colt (My thoughts would be a 45 Colt "Mountain Gun" were the revolver to safely handle my ammunition.) I am comfortable with these alternative revolvers. So I request those who hunt with either revolver or who have long-term exposure and, perhaps, use to evaluate smaller nuances of the revolvers. My experience with the 480s and 475 revolvers is too far back in time to be useful. But I remember how "picky" I was because they were right at the edge of my ability to control them for ten rounds of factory loads.
***
When evaluating Ruger large frame double action revolvers, what are your strong preferences in:

1. Overall strength of mechanism to withstand "heavy" or Plus-P 45 Colt ammunition. (For my Freedom Arms Model 97 45 Colt, my "heavy" load is 300-grain Saeco SWC-CG chronographed at 1175 fps ± 50 fps)

2. Grip comfort and utility for women's hands. (She is a large woman, about 68 inches, 145-150 pounds, large-for-a-woman hands, and an aggressive gardener)

3. Smoothness of (trigger-cocking) double action's trigger action when in OEM condition.

4. Potential of improving (trigger-cocking) double action's trigger action.

5. Crispness of single-action mode's trigger release when in OEM condition.

6. Potential of improving single-action mode's trigger release.

7. Ease of maintenance when cleaning and lubricating.

[Wheelguns 1961]

I like the 2 spring system of the super redhawk, as compared to the single spring redhawk. Either will handle tier 3 pressure loads.

[edp2k]

What is an "aggressive gardener"?

FYI I have never seen or heard of a SRH in 45 colt.
There are of course SRH in 454 Casull which can shoot 45 colt.
There will be a weight difference between SRH and RH.
On the topic of weight difference, common SRH are either 7" or 9" barrel.
There is the 454 Casull SRH Toklat which is a 5" barrel.

As already mentioned, the RH uses the mainspring for both a mainspring and trigger return spring,
which supposedly makes getting a lighter trigger a challenge/problematic.
I have no personal experience on that.

The SRH uses a separate mainspring and trigger return spring thus, as I understand it, it is easier to
get a good trigger out of it.

Ruger makes a 4" 45 colt RH.
You may want to consider having her try the weight of that and see what she thinks, as a SRH 5" Toklat will be a bit heavier.

[onelight]

Will her handgun be used for hunting , or will it be mainly carried for defense against dangerous animals ?

[megasupermagnum]

Strength is equal. Frames are more or less the same, obviously the super has an extension for scope mounting. The cylinders are the same, not just close, they are the same part. Grips is always subjective. I think she could find something great with either one. Personally I like the Redhawk grip frame. The trigger reach was a bit short for me, as every handgun is, but I really like the shape. The super redhawk normally comes with a hogue grip, which runs a bit large. The super redhawk shares the same grip frame as a GP100, so a whole heap of grips to choose from. The trigger setup is very close to a GP100, same 2 spring set up. It's a great trigger. The spring change is one thing, the double action setup is another. The SR or GP100 can have a great smooth double action, even out of the box. The redhawk double action stacks. It's not bad, but it's not as good, and can't be made as good. The single actions on both can be made to be very light if wanted. It is a simple matter of polishing sear. The redhawk, I would not mess with lighter springs. You can get away with a lighter trigger return spring in the SR, and possibly the hammer spring as well.

The physical weight differences between the two models is really nothing to concern about. The only difference would be the frame extension, and I'm not sure it is even an ounce. Actually a quick glance, Ruger specs the 7.5" barrel super redhawk at 53 ounces. They spec the 7.5" standard redhawk at 54 ounces. Both are stainless. I still would not worry about any weight difference.

Here is the short version of your questions

1. No difference
2. I like the redhawk grip frame, and think she will too. Both have good aftermarket grip options.
3. This goes to the super redhawk. Smoothness is variable between guns, but the SR design is more suited to double action. The Redhawk will always stack (get slightly harder) near the end of the stroke. Some people like that though.
4. Hands down super redhawk.
5. Again, variable between guns, but as a whole I find little difference between them. My redhawk has about a 4# single action trigger, and I never did anything to it. The SR's have about the same.
6. Springs have a small effect, but the big determinant of single action is the sear to hammer fit. Both can be can be polished by a good gunsmith to equal levels.
7. Both disassemble in similar manners. No difference.

In the end, I bought a standard redhawk. Certain redhawk models can be found for about 2/3rds what super redhawks go for. I liked the model, and I liked the trigger. As already been stated, I've never heard of a 45 colt super redhawk, although 454 casull models work just fine.

[Naphtali]

Fantastic! Every reply was no nonsense informative.

I was unaware that the SHR was not available in 45 Colt. Obviously, the 454 Casull is satisfactory for intended use. The single conclusion I reached is that while her use will be primarily as a "companion," the revolver will be capable of use as primary hunting handgun if she can demonstrate satisfactory accuracy control at 50 yards. (Our prime hunting area is extremely dense vertical forest. Handgun hunters and bow hunters are essentially not equipment handicapped.) So if I must furnish payment, I'll insist on shopping by price on a mechanically sound SRH or Redhawk. If there may be a carrying weight problem, I'll merely limit the search to five-inch barrels and shorter. At worst, the revolver will have too short a sighting base for primary hunting handgun. It would remain satisfactory as "companion" piece.

Again, thank you all for your assistance.

[onelight]

I had one of the Red hawk 45colt / 45 auto 4" and I really liked the gun except I am spoiled to better triggers with the sp101 and gp100 I have been able to get really nice triggers .
With the RedHawk I had light strikes on 45 auto right out of the box the spring setup would not let me reach a satisfactory conclusion for either caliber.
Another thing to keep in mind if she is not a hand loader the 45 colt leaves her dependent on some one else for ammo in the power range you are talking about .
44 mag or 454 gives her the option of powerful factory loads.
Just a thought.

[Naphtali]

I furnish the power range for my FA 97s and whatever she acquires. Reloading for 45 Colt is easy, straightforward, and precise. An entire set of reloading equipment is isolated for that one job. And, yes, I have sufficient consumables for my lifetime. . . . Well, maybe another 500 cases, 5000 CCI magnum primers, and another jug of H110?? I'll give it some thought.

I had one of the Red hawk 45colt / 45 auto 4" and I really liked the gun except I am spoiled to better triggers with the sp101 and gp100 I have been able to get really nice triggers .
With the RedHawk I had light strikes on 45 auto right out of the box the spring setup would not let me reach a satisfactory conclusion for either caliber.
Another thing to keep in mind if she is not a hand loader the 45 colt leaves her dependent on some one else for ammo in the power range you are talking about .
44 mag or 454 gives her the option of powerful factory loads.
Just a thought.

[dkf]

I wanted the 5.5" barrel in .44mag so I had to go with the regular Redhawk. It is more than robust enough for hot .44mag or .45LC so I am fine with that. I always preferred the more traditional look of the regular Redhawk anyway. Stock trigger is more than serviceable for carry or hunting. Plenty of different grips available for both.

Ruger has a 5" SRH in .454casull out now as a Talo exclusive but to my knowledge they never made a SRH that length in any other caliber.

[Naphtali]

I had one of the Red hawk 45colt / 45 auto 4" and I really liked the gun except I am spoiled to better triggers with the sp101 and gp100 I have been able to get really nice triggers .
With the RedHawk I had light strikes on 45 auto right out of the box the spring setup would not let me reach a satisfactory conclusion for either caliber.
Another thing to keep in mind if she is not a hand loader the 45 colt leaves her dependent on some one else for ammo in the power range you are talking about .
44 mag or 454 gives her the option of powerful factory loads.
Just a thought.

From information in this thread, the Redhawk's action sounds very much like Colt's revolver lockwork from the 1890s through the end of Pythons' production - with a single coil spring replacing a single "V" spring and a strange appearing pivoting slice of steel. While Colt revolver specialists are few, is anyone aware of Redhawk specialists? I find factory repair shops tend to identify restoring a mechanism to OEM specifications to be a successful repair/restoration. While Freedom Arms works to a higher standard, their ability to willingly accommodate non-invasive "personalizing" work is nil, with zero flexibility.

[Three44s]

I owned both a RH & a SRH 44 Mag until I traded my 9.5” SRH 44 Mag for a 7.5” 480 Ruger

I had my local gunsmith tune both 44’s and both came home producing light primer strikes. I found that red box Federal primers in standard and magnum persuasion gave me reliable ignition inspite of the lighter springs.

In theory the SRH should have the best trigger since it has separate trigger return and hammer springs as opposed to one spring doing both jobs as in the RH. IN my case my RH ended up being the better of the two triggers. I would guess the gunsmith got a better scald on my RH sear compared to that in my SRH.

Grips are very important. As for the comparison my nod goes to the Super because there are more after market samples to try and the grip frame of the Super allows a more diverse range of sizes of grips.

The grip angle of the SRH is different than the RH and IMO reduces twisting of the wrist when compared to the RH. The grip on a SRH is about the same as that of a Smith & Wesson.

Sights

Same same between the two Rugers.

Strength

No major difference. A slight nod towards the SRH in that the barrel is even better supported than the RH but the difference as it relates to a owner is moot. I just do not seeing a shooter male or female ever getting a RH to loosen up there.

The cylinders of both revolvers have another advantage besides bank vault like strength and that is that the chambers of both are about .050” longer than their competition and that includes the tough as nails Super Black Hawk.

Given a boolit with the crimp groove closer to the base the RH & SRH offer more boiler room when seated to take advantage of that added 50 thou.

Three44s

[onelight]

The trigger on my 45 colt Red Hawk was not terrible it was just not as nice as I am used to .
I'm sure there are gun smiths that can tune them to be better , I improved it a bit but could not make it as nice as my Ruger SA guns or smaller Ruger DA guns .
And not even close to SA triggers on my S&W revolvers .
If you can handle one in a shop you and your friend can try it , or even better rent one. Let her handle a smith or any other gun that might fit her needs. Let her shoot yours with heavy loads.

[sixshot]

Or you could buy a SRH in 44 magnum & have it tight chambered to 45 Colt in the barrel length you want. Plus the barrel work.

Dick

[samari46]

And swap out the standard Ruger stocks for a set of Pachmayer de-accelerators.I have a Ruger Blackhawk in 44 magnum. And after the first 50 rounds of factory 240 grain ammo had a painful spot on my trigger finger from the revolver coming back so fast and whacking the finger. The grips mentioned are of a softer material and have some give plus part of them go up higher on the frame. Does make shooting more fun and less painful. Ask me how I know. Been shooting my 44 specials and having even more fun. Frank

[MikeN]

I have a couple year old Redhawk in .45 Colt with the 4.2" barrel. This winter it is going to Hamilton Bowen for his Ruger double action Basic package "RD-01". It includes a trigger/action tune, an extra length firing pin and different sights and other nice reliability and usability features. At $495.00 it isn't cheep, but he has an impeccable reputation. He only works on single and double action Rugers.
http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/cata..._packages.html
Good luck!

[Texas by God]

Unless she's dead set on DA lock work, I would let her try a Blackhawk 4-5/8" .45 Colt. Light, accurate. And the term "Ruger Only" loads was coined for it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Naphtali]

I like the phrase "dead set." I have a pair of Freedom Arms Model 97s in 45 Colt. As I keyboard, they are with John Powers having superb devices rendered as whatever is the next notch up - Bisely hammers, customized grip sets, one round butted from sight assemblies improved, and on, and on. I expect them at the end of September. Nevertheless, she does not co-ordinate smoothly with single actions.

Unless she's dead set on DA lock work, I would let her try a Blackhawk 4-5/8" .45 Colt. Light, accurate. And the term "Ruger Only" loads was coined for it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Wheelguns 1961]

Or you could buy a SRH in 44 magnum & have it tight chambered to 45 Colt in the barrel length you want. Plus the barrel work.

Dick

This is the ultimate. Some gunsmiths, I think Hamilton Bowen, are taking srh’s and rechambering and cutting off the barrel stub, and installing a python barrel. Check out his website for examples. You get the look of the rh with the 2 spring lockwork, and the grip selection of the super. Add in the accuracy advantages of a master tuned action job, and you have in my opinion, the nicest ruger dbl action .45c possible.
Edit; they use anaconda barrels and not python barrels.

[Paul105]

I've had both. Never could find a set of grips that felt comfortable on the Redhawk. Favorable OEM mechanics most likely will be individual gun dependent vs model dependent. If it were me, I'd get the Super Redhawk Toklat in .454 Cas and just shoot your heavy .45 colt ammo. The Super (for me) is much easier to find grips that I can live with. Aesthetics aside, I strongly lean towards the Super (still have a 7 1/2" .44 Mag and a 2 1/2" .480 Alaskan). FWIW, the Super is actually lighter (although only an once on 7.5") vs the redhawk. They are equal strength wise.

Paul