Redhawk vs Super Blackhawk

[Thumbcocker]

Is there any significant difference in accuracy between run of the mill examples of these two models. Anything to check or watch for wit the Redhawk?

[jeo22]

I have a Redhawk .44 Mag. for about 29/30 years now and love it. I've put may thousands of rounds threw without a hitch.
It came with Ruger's intrical scope mount on the barrel and rings. I have shot it with a 2X leupold , but prefer the Williams fire sights these days.
It balances a little different from the Super Redhawk , a friend of mine has one and I have shot it ,but like my Redhawk better, but that's just me, nothing wrong with either one.


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/PlinkerXXII/024.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/PlinkerXXII/media/024.jpg.html)

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/PlinkerXXII/Goodone-1.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/PlinkerXXII/media/Goodone-1.jpg.html)

[dualsport]

I've heard the Redhawk is stronger than the Super Blackhawk but don't know for sure. My old 7.5" SBH is able to hold about 3" at 50 yds. with me holding. I'm a little shaky.

[dubber123]

Barrels made by the same company, I doubt you will find much difference other than the normal sample to sample variances. I find the SBH more comfortable with heavy loads.

[44man]

Only thing I found long ago between the RH and SBH was the RH preferred H110 over 296 but the SBH wanted 296. There was a tad of burn rate difference long ago even though they are the same powders.
I never liked the spring setup in the RH and prefer the SRH or SBH for trigger work.
The RH is super strong.
I shoot hunting loads and my old SBH has well over 76,000 heavy loads through it. I would not worry about either. The standard diet of my SBH is a 330 gr boolit at 1316 fps. Drop in the bucket for a RH.
My choice between the two is going to be the trigger.
Every SRH I shot would do 1/2" at 50 yards with NO trigger work at all. SBH needs some. RH will drive you nuts. Great gun but one spring for both hammer and trigger doesn't buy it for me.

[jonp]

I have owned both. Other than the obvious double vs single action trigger pull I did not notice much difference. For some reason I prefered the super bh but I can't tell you why.

[44man]

Barrels made by the same company, I doubt you will find much difference other than the normal sample to sample variances. I find the SBH more comfortable with heavy loads.
Ruger makes their own barrels and have for a long time. BFR uses Badger barrels. Rest of the gun is cast by Ruger's pine Tree facility.
Ruger had trouble long ago with using other barrels so they make their own. MUCH BETTER.

[Fergie]

I own a 5.5" Redhawk, and owned 10.5" SBH.

While the the SBH had a much longer site radius, the damn thing was too heavy for what I liked. The RH on the other hand is a revolver that I do not mind shooting every time I take it out.

Aside from shooter skill, I saw no difference in accuracy given what the two pistols were.

[Thumbcocker]

The Redhawk I bought was made in 1985. Should be in later this week.

[denul]

I got a 7.5" Redhawk when they first came out, decided the long barrel wasn't for me, had a good friend in gunsmithing school cut her down to 5.5", and they very day I got it back, Ruger announced the 5.5"version! Still have it and like it; it does have a heavier barrel than the factory 5.5, because of the slower taper of the 7.5". I prefer the Redhawk to the SBH, or the Super Redhawk, but I still really like the SRH in 480.

[jeo22]

The Redhawk I bought was made in 1985. Should be in later this week.

Mine was made around that time, I put a spring kit in it from Brownells back then and have never had any problems.
Kit comes with 3 or 4 different springs, same spring operates the hammer and trigger. Switched them around tell I found the one that felt the best and am still shooting it.

[DougGuy]

I have owned the same 7 1/2" .44 Magnum SBH for nigh 25yrs. It was always accurate with j-words and put more Bambi in the freezer than any other single firearm I own.

For shooting cast, you need to check a couple of things and may need to even out the cylinder throats, and size your boolits accordingly but with that little amount of work, a recut 11° forcing cone and a poor man's trigger job, you will have one of the most accurate and consistent single action revolvers made.

[rintinglen]

IME you are slightly more likely to find a good shooting SBH than a RH, but I prefer the feel and double action of the RedHawk. I don't like the Super Redhawk--it's just to heavy, but a scoped gun belonging to a friend of mine is outstandingly accurate

[Hunter]

I have both as well and though I have not been able to tell much difference I too prefer the Super Blackhawk. Even with the adjustable sights and only 2 clicks when cocking the hammer I still feel a little like a cowboy when I shoot it.
I know that is a bit silly but it is the truth.

[dh2]

I've heard the Redhawk is stronger than the Super Blackhawk but don't know for sure. My old 7.5" SBH is able to hold about 3" at 50 yds. with me holding. I'm a little shaky.
my Super Blackhawk is in 454 Cassull I do not see how it could not be stronger

[DougGuy]

Who build your .454 SBH? Pics maybe?

[Cornbread]

Who build your .454 SBH? Pics maybe?

I second these requests. A five shot, 454 on a super blackhawk frame is a personal "have to have" for me eventually.

[MT Gianni]

I had a S&W 624 and a SUper Blackhawk. I Picked up a 5.5" Redhawk for a song and soon sold the other two. The Redhawk outshot the S&W by quite a bit, the BHawk was no longer needed.

[9.3X62AL]

My Redhawk "history" is much like Gianni's. I bought mine (5.5", blued) in 1999, and it soon displaced a S&W 6" and Super Blackhawk 7.5". I do admit to a bit of hankering for a 4" Model 29 of some sort, and for one of the Bisley BHs in 44--but the current Redhawk does everything I need a 44 caliber revolver to do. If a revolver stays with me for 15 years, it does things well and works in a variety of venues.

[historicfirearms]

After a 629, SBH, SRH, and 4" RH, I've settled on a 5.5" RH. Very accurate and solid as a bank vault.

[rking22]

Another 5.5 RH fan. I've owned a half dosen SBHs over the years .... and just one Redhawk. Did'nt dislike the BHs just did'nt like them well enough to turn own a profit :) Now the Redhawk was one I really didn't want, bought it from a friend I worked with in 1984 for 200$. Supposed to be for trade material. Ran a coffey can of misc sillewet loads thru it to reclaim the brass and was hooked! Only 44mag pistol I've owned since then. The SW 69 does appeal but the RedHawk stays. Whole bunch of really tough accurate gun that still fits in a holster. It sure is sweeter to shoot than that first gen TC with the octagon bbl in 44, good grief that thing was unpleasant to shoot!

[Mohillbilly]

I too have a small stable of .44s . A SRH , and 3-4 Blkhwks . I 'm not good enough to tell the difference in which model is most accurate . The SRH IS alot heaver and I can shoot heavy loads all day (rubber grips. and heavy ) . The SHR is too heavy to carry all day in a hip holster . BLKHWKS are easier to tote on your belt ,but kick a little more . Both guns are winners .

[Thumbcocker]

Got the Redhawk. It is a 7.5" blue model and it flat out shoots. Dimensions are good. I think it will be happier with the barrel bobbed to 5" with a different front sight. DA pull is very smooth. I am happy.

[44man]

if you ever hurt a RH, you are an absolute nut case. I don't like the spring set up or the grips with my hands but we did get to 1/2" at 50 meters. A little metal work on the sear surfaces worked wonders. I would not lesson hammer fall.
Damned good gun.

[41mag]

Got the Redhawk. It is a 7.5" blue model and it flat out shoots. Dimensions are good. I think it will be happier with the barrel bobbed to 5" with a different front sight. DA pull is very smooth. I am happy.

I have one in a 41, & 44mag, and one in a 45 Colt. All of them are of the 7.5" SS models. I have run the 41 and 44 through literally thousands of top end loads. Like 44 Man pointed out they are tough guns and WILL hold up to most all of the book listed loads pretty easily. Your holding up to them might be the weaker link.

You didn't mention what caliber you got it in?

I have looked VERY hard at picking up the 357 to finish up the set, but I simply can't bring myself to spend the money on what they want for them. I lucked out when I got the 45 Colt a couple of years ago for only $650. It was still greasy and wrapped in the plastic bag, in the original box, and if it had been fired it could not be seen even using a bore scope. Now if I could get a deal on the 357 like that I would be all over it.

[Thumbcocker]

It is a .44. I already have a place in line with the gunsmith to get the barrel cot to 5". I need to figure out what front sight to put on but I have a month to think about it. This one is a keeper.

[kelbro]

You need both! I have been through many Blackhawks, Super Blackhawks and one Super Redhawk. All fantastic guns. Didn't dislike any of them and never had a problem with one.

Picked up a Redhawk 5.5" SS in 45 Colt and it's the sh@t. I may have finally found (my) perfect pistol. Shoots mild to wild. Balances great. Looks great. Fits my grip. Nice double-action. Real nice single-action. Deadly accurate at 25 yds (first time shooting it today). I'm loving it. I have been looking for a 357 Redhawk for a couple of years now. Not sure why as my Dan Wesson is an incredible shooter but I've always wanted the 'Strongest 357 in the World'. Funny thing is now that I can afford one, my desire to shoot the rafter-rattling loads has diminished :)

[Rompin Ruger]

Years ago, I bought a 7.5" SS Red...and already had a 7.5" blue SBH, both in 44.

I had the Red magna-ported and worked the trigger.

Outfit by the name BOWEN does custom work...he claims that the RED has an issue with a short firing pin and something else... and has a "fix" for that. Says it will eventually 'misfire'...saw my first one today at the range... light dimple in the primer... very early blue Redhawk... FTF on a primer. I've shot a LOT of rounds thru my Red and never had a FTF or light strike on a primer.

Other than that... my Red, with a 2x Burris on it shoot tiny groups with 22.5 gr. of 4227 or 22.5 of H110 pushing a 250 gr. GC or varied 240 J-word types... into small clusters...

I always thought the Super Red looked, well..."uncircumcised"...and rather unattractive... :-(

I had the 7.5" SBH cut down to 5 5/8" "Bat Masterson special" length years, and years ago... now, as age come on, iron sights give me fits... so perhaps one day the SBH will have to find a new home w/ younger eyes!

Accuracy was excellent from both "in the day".

Good shooting!!!

[tja6435]

I have a .44 mag 7.5" Redhawk. I will get ftf due to light primer strikes when SLOWLY firing in double action. I'm talking about rolling the cylinder with the trigger to just before the hammer will fall and holding it until the sights line up as wanted then with as light as pressure as it will take, squeeze and the hammer will fall and not fire the cartridge. I have read about the short firing pin situation, but this revolver is close to 30 yrs old, so I picked up a new spring from Ruger (when I also ordered everything to replace the guts in my MKII Govt Target pistol) but haven't got around to installing the new spring or seeing if it fixes the slow fire light strike problem I've been getting.
Now, in single action or faster double action operation I have been unable to get any light strikes. My Speed/Service Six's and my GP's have never had the slow fire light strike

[Rompin Ruger]

Interesting tja...

Given my set ups are totally dedicated to hunting (varmint to deer) I never tried that double action deal...I know S&W shooters claim their guns do that magnificently!

I trust the Bowen shop to know what they're talking about... they've a great reputation. Mr. Bowen went so far in an email to say something to the effect that he won't let a Redhawk out of the shop w/out working the trigger, and replacing the firing pin with the longer version... fwiw.

I didn't know Ruger sold ANY gun parts individually? My Gunsmith, when I was smoothing my trigger, warned in very direct tone, not to screw it up cause he can't order parts, the gun goes back and all my parts, would come back stock!

Interesting that you could get any part... The short pin part was also tied to the transfer bar in some way that was beyond my scope of understanding. It's on the Bowen site.

[tja6435]

Go check out Ruger.com or shopruger.com. All sorts of parts. I bought an ambi safety for the sr1911 from them as well as springs for my gp's and MKII. Got a set of new old stock oversized walnut target grips for my Security Six for $10 last winter

[Rompin Ruger]

Thanks, TJa,

Maybe he was talking specifically about TRIGGER parts...ever since that woman climbed on her drunk hubby's chest with a 44 BH and slapped him awake and the gun went off, their triggers have been hell-for-stout and they're rather persnickety about parts on triggers!


Go check out Ruger.com or shopruger.com. All sorts of parts. I bought an ambi safety for the sr1911 from them as well as springs for my gp's and MKII. Got a set of new old stock oversized walnut target grips for my Security Six for $10 last winter

[DougGuy]

thumbcocker let the smith put you an 11° forcing cone on the barrel when he gets it, they work great for cast and ESPECIALLY good for the 310 Lee boolits.

http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb374/DougGuy/44%20Magnum/DSC01739_zps53352b7c.jpg (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/DougGuy/media/44%20Magnum/DSC01739_zps53352b7c.jpg.html)

[Rompin Ruger]

Listen to ole Doug...A) he does super work on throats and I see he's expanding into other type work... and B) he knows his chit!

[Thumbcocker]

I was concerned about a Redhawk shooting as well as SBH's. This one does. If it shoots as well with a 5"barrel I will be one happy fat white boy. [ATTACH=CONFIG]

[Rompin Ruger]

Nice group!! I shot my RH for a while iron sights, but then slapped a 2x on top and it's wore it since...

The Red and Black with iron sights off sandbangs would cluster into tight, tiny groups... even after I had my SBH cut down to 5 5/8"...

Great guns, but that forcing cone ream job Doug mentioned will really help!!!

[kelbro]

I was concerned about a Redhawk shooting as well as SBH's. This one does. If it shoots as well with a 5"barrel I will be one happy fat white boy. [ATTACH=CONFIG]

Hold a little more to the right :)