Chief Redhawk 357 Has Arrived!

[Bayou52]

Guys -

I was lucky enough to acquire a Redhawk in 357. In 357 caliber, these are rather uncommon as they were produced for only a couple of years in the early 80"s from what I've read. This one has a born-on date of Oct. 1984. Below are a couple of pics. In one pic, Chief Redhawk is next to its little brother, the Security Six.

Shooting the RH at 100 yards (benchrest with open/iron sights) is pure fun. Using 14.5 grains of 296, well under max as per the Hornady manual, and pushing a 158 grain projectile, the trajectory is substantially flat. That was a great surprise to me.

The RH in 357 is heavy, overbuilt, over engineered and uncommon. Perfect for me, but perhaps not for everyone. I couldn't be happier with the Chief....

I've replaced the factory wooden handles with Pachmayr Presentation grips which fit me much better. Also, I've replaced the front sight with a Hi-Viz fiber optic sight.........

Bayou52
http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg578/Bayou413/IMG_20160502_182340_zps55nep7xp.jpg


http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg578/Bayou413/IMG_20160502_182555_zpsrplrya6n.jpg



http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg578/Bayou413/IMG_20160502_181633_zpsuujaeqzm.jpg

[Tatume]

Very nice!

[Tatume]

Since you brought up the "Chief" reference, here is a link to Chief Walter "Red Hawk" Brown, who lives near me.

http://1619makingofamerica2012.sched.org/speaker/chiefwaltredhawkbrown

[Artful]

I have a friend trying to collect the whole set - I think he's missing the 41 mag now.

[Skooterr]

Very nice. What's the barrel length?
Were they all stainless? I occasionally look on GB and see a few in stainless.

[Bayou52]

Very nice. What's the barrel length?
Were they all stainless? I occasionally look on GB and see a few in stainless.

In 357, the Redhawks were produced between 1984 and 1985 in two barrel lengths - 5.5" and 7.5". My specimen is the 7.5" pictured next to the Security Six in 6" barrel length. Yes, to my knowledge, the 357 Redhawks were only offered in stainless for that short period of time. (at least, I've never heard or read of a blued RH in 357).

Thanks!

Bayou52

[Bayou52]

Since you brought up the "Chief" reference, here is a link to Chief Walter "Red Hawk" Brown, who lives near me.

http://1619makingofamerica2012.sched.org/speaker/chiefwaltredhawkbrown

Very interesting, Tatume! Chief "Red Hawk" Brown sure sounds like an immensely interesting fellow with an impressive background. Would love the chance to meet him one day. Have you met him by any chance?

Bayou52

[kmw1954]

Sweet. Load it up with some hot loads and you should be able to hunt hogs with it.

[Skooterr]

In 357, the Redhawks were produced between 1984 and 1985 in two barrel lengths - 5.5" and 7.5". My specimen is the 7.5" pictured next to the Security Six in 6" barrel length. Yes, to my knowledge, the 357 Redhawks were only offered in stainless for that short period of time. (at least, I've never heard or read of a blued RH in 357).

Thanks!

Bayou52

OK Thanks B52
I figured the S6 was a 6"er, thanks for the info.
Very nice gun, enjoy.

Skooterr

[Tatume]

Very interesting, Tatume! Chief "Red Hawk" Brown sure sounds like an immensely interesting fellow with an impressive background. Would love the chance to meet him one day. Have you met him by any chance?Bayou52

No, I have not had the privilege.

Take care, Tom

[Mica_Hiebert]

I saw 3 different 357 red hawks within a week last year, wish I had known how rare they where Def would have snatched one up.

[FergusonTO35]

Very nice! If I ever decide to get a big wheelgun it's gonna be a Redhawk in .45 Colt.

The Redhawk continues to be made alongside it's would-be replacement, the Super Redhawk. Yet, the Sixes were discontinued a couple of years after the GP-100 came on line. What I don't understand is, why did Ruger keep the standard Redhawk around but not the Six series? The Sixes always sold well, certainly better than the Redhawk. I've read that Bill Ruger always claimed to have never made a penny on the Six series. I could believe that on the original Hawkeye and Deerstalker, maybe even the Number 1 and 3. I don't believe WBR was inept enough to sell hundreds of thousands of Sixes for almost 20 years and not make anything on them. The lack of a six shot .38/.357 revolver that doesn't weigh a ton has been a yawning chasm in the Ruger lineup ever since.

[deepwater]

In the .357 mag Redhawk, what barrel length do you guys prefer, the 5.5" or the 7.5"?

deepwater

[jrayborn]

Good lord I wish they would make these again. I crave one badly but never seem to find one I can afford...

[Bookworm]

Well... we learn something every day. I never knew these things existed ! I would certainly purchase one given the chance. An extra-large frame .357 Mag ? Absolutely !

IMHO, the Super Redhawk is on of the homeliest revolvers I've ever seen. The Redhawk is not displeasing to my eye.

Now I need to keep an eye peeled for one to buy. Just another on the list...

I hate you guys....

[Tatume]

IMHO, the Super Redhawk is on of the homeliest revolvers I've ever seen. The Redhawk is not displeasing to my eye.

I thought so too, until I owned one for awhile. Now I have two Super Redhawks, and I'm planning to buy another. They grow on you. When you shoot one for awhile and realize just how well the gun performs, you can't help but learn to like it.

I like my Redhawk too.