kingstrider
01-23-2016, 07:54 PM
While there are other reviews of this gun out there, I thought I'd post my own since 99% of what I shoot is cast. As such I thought it might be of interest to others here..
I have wanted a 4.2" Redhawk in .45 Colt for a long time but it was never really high on my "must have" list. Furthermore, the last 3 years were spent in a residency program that left me with limited time or finances for new toys. Fortunately that is behind me now and when I found out about model 5032 chambered in both .45 Colt and .45 ACP, I couldn't resist any longer. I've read mixed reviews about reliability but figured I'd take my chances, hopefully I got a good one. Current MSRP is $1079 which is actually the same as the regular 4.2" version in .45 Colt (model 5027) as well as the 4.2" version in .44 Magnum (model 5026), both of which come with black rubber grips. Actual street price is considerably less and I paid just under $760 shipped.
This is actually my first Redhawk but I have owned quite a number of Ruger revolvers over the years. Overall the gun appears very well made though the fit and finish is not as nice as some of my older Rugers with light residual machining marks being evident in some areas. Although lockup is nice and tight, the action is not as smooth as expected but I think this will even out with some use. One interesting note is the box included an extra set of sights that appear to be meant for a Super Redhawk. Hopefully someone isn't out there wondering why their gun doesn't have sights...
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6462.jpg
This is one of two new Redhawk models available with a round butt frame and one of my favorite features about the gun. But unlike the smooth grip panels on model 5028, this gun features a tasteful combination of checkering and stippling.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6470.jpg
Other than caliber, the only barrel markings are hidden on the bottom of the barrel lug in small type. This is a welcome change over older models that left them in plain view on the side of the barrel.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6473%20mod.jpg
The wood to metal fit is good but the grips themselves sit a little proud of the metal in places. Overall the grips and frame fit my hand very well though but I envision shooting heavy loads for extended periods would not be very comfortable.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6477.jpg
This gun was purchased primarily for shooting medium .45 Colt loads as well as occasional heavy loads. Truth be told, I envision shooting .45 ACP to be somewhat of a hassle due to chamber fouling but the ability to shoot two types of ammunition has a lot of appeal and is probably worth the extra effort in keeping the cylinder clean.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6471.jpg
The gun is supplied with 3 moon clips that are proprietary to the gun since more common (and cheaper) S&W moon clips are purported not to work in this model. Most shooters will want more than a few moon clips on hand but they are costly if you buy them from Ruger, about $15 for a 3-pack. I found mine online from a third party retailer for under $10 per pack so it pays to shop around. To prevent bending or breaking the clips, I also invested in dedicated loading and unloading tools from TK Custom who specializes in machining Ruger and S&W revolvers to use moon clips.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6554.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6555.jpg
After field stripping the gun I found the cylinder throats measure between .451" and .452" which is typical of the other Ruger .45 revolvers I've owned. My plan is to have the cylinder reamed out but want to test the gun first for a before and after comparison. I wound up buying a couple of new molds so have been casting and loading test rounds. Stay tuned! :grin:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6485%20mod_1.jpg
I have wanted a 4.2" Redhawk in .45 Colt for a long time but it was never really high on my "must have" list. Furthermore, the last 3 years were spent in a residency program that left me with limited time or finances for new toys. Fortunately that is behind me now and when I found out about model 5032 chambered in both .45 Colt and .45 ACP, I couldn't resist any longer. I've read mixed reviews about reliability but figured I'd take my chances, hopefully I got a good one. Current MSRP is $1079 which is actually the same as the regular 4.2" version in .45 Colt (model 5027) as well as the 4.2" version in .44 Magnum (model 5026), both of which come with black rubber grips. Actual street price is considerably less and I paid just under $760 shipped.
This is actually my first Redhawk but I have owned quite a number of Ruger revolvers over the years. Overall the gun appears very well made though the fit and finish is not as nice as some of my older Rugers with light residual machining marks being evident in some areas. Although lockup is nice and tight, the action is not as smooth as expected but I think this will even out with some use. One interesting note is the box included an extra set of sights that appear to be meant for a Super Redhawk. Hopefully someone isn't out there wondering why their gun doesn't have sights...
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6462.jpg
This is one of two new Redhawk models available with a round butt frame and one of my favorite features about the gun. But unlike the smooth grip panels on model 5028, this gun features a tasteful combination of checkering and stippling.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6470.jpg
Other than caliber, the only barrel markings are hidden on the bottom of the barrel lug in small type. This is a welcome change over older models that left them in plain view on the side of the barrel.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6473%20mod.jpg
The wood to metal fit is good but the grips themselves sit a little proud of the metal in places. Overall the grips and frame fit my hand very well though but I envision shooting heavy loads for extended periods would not be very comfortable.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6477.jpg
This gun was purchased primarily for shooting medium .45 Colt loads as well as occasional heavy loads. Truth be told, I envision shooting .45 ACP to be somewhat of a hassle due to chamber fouling but the ability to shoot two types of ammunition has a lot of appeal and is probably worth the extra effort in keeping the cylinder clean.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6471.jpg
The gun is supplied with 3 moon clips that are proprietary to the gun since more common (and cheaper) S&W moon clips are purported not to work in this model. Most shooters will want more than a few moon clips on hand but they are costly if you buy them from Ruger, about $15 for a 3-pack. I found mine online from a third party retailer for under $10 per pack so it pays to shop around. To prevent bending or breaking the clips, I also invested in dedicated loading and unloading tools from TK Custom who specializes in machining Ruger and S&W revolvers to use moon clips.
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6554.jpg
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6555.jpg
After field stripping the gun I found the cylinder throats measure between .451" and .452" which is typical of the other Ruger .45 revolvers I've owned. My plan is to have the cylinder reamed out but want to test the gun first for a before and after comparison. I wound up buying a couple of new molds so have been casting and loading test rounds. Stay tuned! :grin:
http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t138/kingstrider/gun%20stuff/IMG_6485%20mod_1.jpg