Custom Super Redhawk

[bearmn56]

A number of years ago, I bought a .44 Redhawk with a 5.5" barrel. Loved the gun, but the steel backstrap really pounded my hand. Especially with the 300-350gr Cast GC bullets. I tried several grips that just never tamed the beast. A friend bought a Super Redhawk 7.5" and suggested that I try it out. The SRH grip was just perfect for my hand and really tamed my favorite loads. Needless to say, I bought a used SRH the next week. I played with it all one summer and though everything functional was just right, the gun was just too long and heavy. This got me to thinking about a hybrid.....a SRH with the frame extension cut off and a 5.5" Redhawk barrel installed. I contacted a local pistolsmith and we started on the project. The finished result was better than I expected. It looks basically like a 5.5" Redhawk....except that it has the good innards and good grip of the SRH. I am including some pics.... I am also considering build another one using the SRH Alaskan as the new platform. The top of the Alaskan's receiver is smooth, without the scope ring cuts and would make a slik conversion. Certain Ruger parts are factory only installed. They won't sell to an individual. However, I have managed to get another 5.5" barrel and will keep looking for a used Alaskan. My pistolsmith is ready to go when I get all of the parts together.:-D
Bearmn56
Montana Territory

[dpaqu]

Nice.

How does it group?

[bearmn56]

Dpaqu,
The gun seems to like everything 240 gr and up. I can get 2" groups at 25 yds with the 350gr LGC @ 1100fps. It also likes the 330gr plain base at around 900fps. I like it because it carries well, is heavy enough to minimize recoil and very accurate with the ONE RAGGED HOLE rear sight and the Ruger factory bead front.
Bearmn56
Montana Territory

[Naphtali]

I recently had an SRH 480 altered to become nearly beautiful while significantly improving its utility. Here are not-great graphics. I think you'll get the idea. Barrel is 4.75 inches. Inferior "Target Gray" finish has been replaced by brushed hard chrome. Standard SRH for reference.

Graphics are of my SRH.

http://s1d3.turboimagehost.com/t/1140924_gun-angle-rt.jpg (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/1140924/gun-angle-rt.jpg.html) http://s1d3.turboimagehost.com/t/1140925_gun-angled-left.jpg (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/1140925/gun-angled-left.jpg.html) http://s1d3.turboimagehost.com/t/1140926_gun-flat-right.jpg (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/1140926/gun-flat-right.jpg.html) http://s1d3.turboimagehost.com/t/1140927_gun-from-top.jpg (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/1140927/gun-from-top.jpg.html) http://s1d3.turboimagehost.com/t/1140923_2-hand-guns.jpg (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/1140923/2-hand-guns.jpg.html)

The next post contains grahics from which I began my project.

[Naphtali]

Here are graphics from which I began my project. These are much clearer, but the job doesn't compare favorably with mine. This is a 454. Shortest barrel is 110 mm. Then is 130 mm. Standard SRH for reference.

http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/719987_110mm_454__1.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/719987/110mm_454__1.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/719988_110mm_454__4.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/719988/110mm_454__4.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/719989_110mm_454__7_front_sight.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/719989/110mm_454__7_front_sight.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/765419_top_view_5.5-inch.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/765419/top_view_5.5-inch.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/765418_5.5-inch_close-up_side.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/765418/5.5-inch_close-up_side.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/765417_5.5__7.5_inch_SRHs-2.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/765417/5.5__7.5_inch_SRHs-2.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/765420_5.5__7.5_inch_SRHs.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/765420/5.5__7.5_inch_SRHs.JPG.html) http://s2d1.turboimagehost.com/t/765421_110_mm_5.5-inch_7.5-inch.JPG (http://www.turboimagehost.com/p/765421/110_mm_5.5-inch_7.5-inch.JPG.html)

[SCIBUL]

Guys your guns sounds like "dream guns to me"! I especialy like the bearmn56's one but the other are fine too. I'm impressed !

[bearmn56]

Naphtali,
I really like the 480 conversion of yours! This is an excellent conversion as a Redhawk 480 barrel is unavailable. I happen to prefer the brighter polished look too. It seems that under heavy holster carry/wear that the grey finish would soon look kinda thin in places.
Bearmn56
Montana Territory
Ps....Just a thought...I wonder if anyone can rebore and rerifle a .44 Mag Redhawk barrel? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

[Naphtali]

Naphtali,
I really like the 480 conversion of yours! This is an excellent conversion as a Redhawk 480 barrel is unavailable. I happen to prefer the brighter polished look too. It seems that under heavy holster carry/wear that the grey finish would soon look kinda thin in places.
Bearmn56
Montana Territory
Ps....Just a thought...I wonder if anyone can rebore and rerifle a .44 Mag Redhawk barrel? Hmmmmmmmmmm.Sorry I did not write more clearly. The revolver was originally a stock 7.5-inch barrelled 480. Bob Cogan in Alabama altered the barrel without removing it from the frame -- some SRH 480 barrels cannot be removed without destroying them, and he chose to not risk it -- plus the remainder of the job. I think, but I'm not positive, that Bob threw in action smoothing and tightening.

Altering via reboring an existing six-shot SRH, that did not start life as a 454 or 480, to a six-shot 480 is an unsafe idea. Ruger uses different alloys for cylinders and barrels in these revolvers. And I'm not certain about the 454 using the superior materials.

[bearmn56]

Naphtali,
I was thinking....just thinking...about how one could take an original SRH that is already in 480 and using the Redhawk barrel that wasrebored/rerifled to .480 on it.
I like custom anything and am always brainstorming ideas...
Bearmn56

[Naphtali]

Naphtali,
I was thinking....just thinking...about how one could take an original SRH that is already in 480 and using the Redhawk barrel that wasrebored/rerifled to .480 on it.
I like custom anything and am always brainstorming ideas...
Bearmn56I just noticed that you are also in Montana. If you're within driving distance, I suggest you take a good look at mine, shoot it if you want. Then you may reach conclusion that avoids jumping through hoops.