Colt shopping turned into a 1985 Redhawk.

[Petander]

I went to take a look at a Colt Sheriff. Well it's a collectible,not a shooter. Even the manual warns about the value loss if fired - and it was fired,dirty and leaded already.

Then they showed me a Redhawk... I had NOE expander plugs to check the throats, they were .432" !!! A clean gun from the 80's. Just feels right,like a real gun. No S&W SA trigger but no S&W problems either. Price was 1/4 of the Colt...

I've never had a Redhawk before , only a SBH, so I couldn't resist, this followed me home. My collectible Colt plan turned into a practical shooter. And I don't collect anything,I shoot.

Now I've cleaned carbon from the cylinders and copper from the .430" (slugged) barrel. Waiting for some daylight to go shooting my .432" bullets... I already load .432" for a 629 and a 29-3 ... I didn't feel any barrel constrictions when tapping the slug through. There is quite a bit of rifling left,even the forcing cone tool marks.

https://i.postimg.cc/BZDt2S8Q/IMG-20201221-142725.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/xjtHXjBJ/IMG-20201221-204217.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/rwttZ1sx/IMG-20201221-204245.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9MX02Zmx/IMG-20201221-204330.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9QVrb635/IMG-20201221-204429.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/nrBhYk0h/IMG-20201222-062316.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/9fDVYbfH/IMG-20201222-074802-035.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Vk6czgn0/IMG-20201222-074728-516.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/Hxbq6hDR/IMG-20201222-070455-780.jpg

Now some daylight,please.

[samari46]

One thing I learned from my Redhawk those skinny factory grips allow the trigger guard to really whack your finger on recoiling. I ended up getting a set of Pachmayer Deaccelerator grips for it. Made a big difference. Now it sits in my safe since I bought three different S&W N frames in 44 special. Frank

[Petander]

I only tried my soft lead mild loads 255 grn / 1070 fps. All good.

Feels like a 22. Clean barrel, absolutely great luck with throat/barrel sizes.

Quite a bit of solid tool-like gun for the money! SA trigger is just fine for winter/gloves use,accuracy was reasonable on paper to start with. Like ten shots in 6" / 25 with bad surprise backache...

https://i.postimg.cc/RV606Tnj/IMG-20201222-112906.jpg

[Bigslug]

NICE!

The trick to triggers on DA Rugers is to strip the gun down per instructions, flush out the guts with Gun Scrubber or brake cleaner, excessively lube everything with CLP, then reassemble and dry fire the beejeezus out of it. After a few hundred to a thousand "clicks", repeat if necessary, then re-lube more sensibly and enjoy. The result isn't quite a Python, but it's not ashamed not to be one either. No need for spring kits.

[remy3424]

Looks like the shot to the chrony was not fatal, you would think those rods would be harder to hit. What is the "325" on the chony screen, was that what was recorded on the shot that winged it? I have the same Ruger, need to get a powder to shoot the "tamed-down" loads, what powder do you use? Looks like the first owner treat it as a collector. Good find if the price was right in this environment.

[Petrol & Powder]

He's in Finland - that 325 is Meters per Second, not feet per second.

[Petrol & Powder]

I've always been a fan of Ruger DA revolvers. They are well made and good values.
A little judicious polishing/cleaning/lubricating of the action will do wonders for most of them. Occasionally spring kits and shims will be helpful.
Some of the Redhawks had a slight issue with barrels departing the frames due to some assembly issues but Ruger corrected that. It's complicated but it was the result of a particular assembly lube used at the factory, an overzealous employee and corrosion cracking. The problem was addressed and Ruger will make it right if you have an issue.

[Petander]

Thanks everyone.


Looks like the shot to the chrony was not fatal, you would think those rods would be harder to hit. What is the "325" on the chony screen, was that what was recorded on the shot that winged it? I have the same Ruger, need to get a powder to shoot the "tamed-down" loads, what powder do you use? Looks like the first owner treat it as a collector. Good find if the price was right in this environment.

That chrono hit happened many moons ago,it was a 22 LR @ 100 meters.

325 is meters pers second,equaling 1060 fps.

[smkummer]

I bought a used sheriff model colt a few years ago before the pricing went crazy. It’s a fun shooter for cowboy action matches and with light cowboy loads in 44 special.

[marek313]

Ever since I got my Ruger GP100 MC (357), large bore revolvers have been calling my name. Cant decide between 44mag / 45LC / 454 / 460. Its more like lets see how much money I can save up.

[contender1]

I own a few Redhawks,, and you have found a good one. KUDOS!!!!!!!!
They are shooters.

And the quote; "Some of the Redhawks had a slight issue with barrels departing the frames due to some assembly issues but Ruger corrected that. It's complicated but it was the result of a particular assembly lube used at the factory, an overzealous employee and corrosion cracking. The problem was addressed and Ruger will make it right if you have an issue.'

I'm the guy that had the very first barrel separate form a frame. Caused a lot of serious study, confusion etc at first. It also caused Ruger to develop the Super Redhawk,, thinking the frame needed beefing up.
But,, it was the lube,, being applied to the threads of barrels,, then left sitting,, for an extended period,, that caused the issues. It took a few years of study to figure that one out. LUCKILY,, very, very few of these guns had barrels treated that way.
But to show you how comfortable I am about it all,, the back story on my gun a bit.
Gun shop got in 4 Redhawks. (2) in 44 mag, and (2) in 357. My buddy & I bought 3 of the 4, as the 4th, a 357 was spoken for. I had my 44 barrel separate, and I've shot my buddies .44 a lot. No problems. And, the replacement .44 is just fine. I also still have & shoot that 357.

[Targa]

Great looking gun...I would say I am jealous Petander but as you know, I picked up my Redhawk about a day before you...:bigsmyl2:

[mattw]

Looks like the shot to the chrony was not fatal, you would think those rods would be harder to hit. What is the "325" on the chony screen, was that what was recorded on the shot that winged it? I have the same Ruger, need to get a powder to shoot the "tamed-down" loads, what powder do you use? Looks like the first owner treat it as a collector. Good find if the price was right in this environment.

I replace the metal rods with wood dowel rods so a hit does not kill the housing. I always wanted a 41 mag redhawk, never found one.

[Silver Jack Hammer]

Interesting. I put a Colt Anaconda down and picked up a Redhawk, the Redhawk felt better. The Anaconda and the Redhawk are in the same category. I’m a Colt’s fan but that Redhawk is the greatest.

I have a relative that is an engineer, he can build a factory from the ground up and program all the CNC machines to manufacture any part the Boeing Aircraft Company could order. He went shopping for handgun and decided on the Redhawk.

[earlmck]

That looks just like my favorite handgun. Bought mine in 1991 (used) at a gunshow. It had some silly phony ivory grips that I replaced with some pachmyers. I liked this one so well I bought a second one in case I wore out the first one. Unfortunately the second was the "super redhawk" and although it has exactly the same cylinder (.432) and bore (.430) dimensions I just don't like the looks as well as the real redhawk. And I don't seem to be in any danger of wearing out the first one -- still as tight and nice as the day I bought it and for the first ten years I owned it it got only full-bore (plus a little extra) loads.

Congrats on acquiring the perfect big-bore handgun.

[smkummer]

Is it only with the super red hawk that the forcing cone can be changed? That’s the first part of a magnum barrel that wears out with continual magnum usage.

[Prairie Cowboy]

Congratulations. I owned one back around 1984. A fine revolver.

Long before Ruger quality control went into the toilet.

[Petander]

I bought a used sheriff model colt a few years ago before the pricing went crazy. It’s a fun shooter for cowboy action matches and with light cowboy loads in 44 special.

I was thinking CAS as well. This was s 45 LC.

But there isn't hardly any rifling or forcing cone and the trigger was horribly creepy. No CIP proof stamp either.

They wanted 1850 € for it, you can get five 80's Redhawks for that. Of course they are completely different guns but I prefer shooters. That Redhawk just jumped on the desk saying "Take me home with you".

[Mk42gunner]

I suddenly have a desire to finally replace my 5½" Redhawk that I foolishly let go for some non remembered want.

Robert

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Nice score. I would have bought it too.

[Petander]

https://i.postimg.cc/fbcgD33H/IMG-20201223-171026-860.jpg

[memtb]

Ya done good.....Congrats! memtb

[white eagle]

I love the redhawk and the skinny grips too
tried different grips but alas they were not rite and accuracy suffered
so back with the originals

[megasupermagnum]

While Redhawks don't come with the best single action trigger ever, they can be tuned to be fantastic.

[Texas by God]

Great photos. I think I need to visit Finland; it seems like all the nice revolvers are over there!

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

[Petander]

Great photos. I think I need to visit Finland; it seems like all the nice revolvers are over there!

Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

Be my guest - semiautos are much more popular here. People don't shoot silhouette any more... I don't know why all this "more firepower" -thinking is growing but I'm fine with that,revolver demand and prices are low,especially these good,old guns.

I tried Mihec "Larsen" GC bullet without GC, might get a PB mold for this great bullet. Really good fit with appropriate thickness coating.


https://i.postimg.cc/43pY81jL/IMG-20201224-134610-904.jpg

https://i.postimg.cc/pdVDn4mQ/IMG-20201224-133232.jpg

[No_1]

My lone Redhawk is chambered in 41 Magnum. Originally scoped when received it now wears factory sights.

[Petander]

My lone Redhawk is chambered in 41 Magnum. Originally scoped when received it now wears factory sights.

41 is so rare around here, I've never even handled one.

Scopes have their uses,I've had a few scoped handguns but none right now.

[Dale53]

I have an early S&W Model 29 with 8 3/8” barrel that I scoped (a precision machine shop helped with that project) to hunt deer with. The Smith has been mire than satisfactory. However, in rainy or snowy weather I could just imagine that fine revolver rusting in front of my eyes.

Ruger released the Redhawk just about that time. I bought a 7.5”, did a much needed trigger job, scoped it and VOILA! I had my bad weather deer hunting handgun. I have taken several deer with mine and have close to ten thousand .44 Magnum loads through it. It is as tight as the day it was made. I shoot nothing but my home cast bullets through both of my “Deer Guns” and both of them have kept a smile on my face!

FWIW
Dale53
PS - nearly all of my handguns have Pachmayr grips and the .44 Magnums included, rdm

[Petander]

I hear you,I shoot all winter and very often it's either snowing or raining. Just like today.

I rather not soak my 29-3, stainless has its uses really.

[memtb]

41 is so rare around here, I've never even handled one.

Scopes have their uses,I've had a few scoped handguns but none right now.

Petander, When you “finish” (pun intended) playing with that .44, maybe you can start a search for a .41 of some make! Also, Merry Christmas to all of you “across the pond”! memtb

[Mk42gunner]

The Hogue Monogrips, either rubber or nylon worked better for me than any of the Pachmayr grips I tried in the late eighties. The stock service style grips really aren't bad either.

The most annoying thing for me was that the whole gun would torque over to the right and scrape the top edge of the trigger guard against my trigger finger. If I manage to get another, I will gently round that edge.

Robert

[Petander]

My loads have been mild and I've been wearing gloves. All good with the stock grip for now.

I tried two Mihec bullets today, the "Keith" SWC and 432-640. They are Hi Tek coated and the results look good at short distance. I was mostly checking for leading, there is none with .432" bullets.

Keith is looking particularly good. BHN 12.

https://i.postimg.cc/QdRBZwqX/IMG-20201225-150716-344.jpg

[onelight]

I would more than happy with those groups . Good job.

[lar45]

Very nice Redhawk. and good shooting.
I'm glad you like my boolit ;) I got my mold awhile back, but haven't cast any yet. I've been too distracted with Deer season...

[murf205]

Petander, that's one handsome Ruger and they are as tough as they come. I bought it's twin brother in 1981 and "thought" the trigger was too heavy because I was used to S&W triggers. So...I put a spring kit in it. The same spring that powers the hammer also powers the trigger and it would not reliably detonate a primer. I replaced the stock spring, cleaned and lightly lubed it and never looked back. I had 33 yr old eyes back then and those RedHawks like the one you have were/are as accurate as a lot of rifles. I have owned several of these and have a SRH now. IMHO, it they are the best hunting revolver ever made. I know you are a wheel gun guy and you did well rescuing that RedHawk. Congratulations.