Redhawk poll

[targetshootr]

I've been looking around for a 45 Anaconda barrel to put on a Redhawk since forever and finally found one but can't decide what length it should be, 6 1/4" or 4 1/4". We don't have a min length for hunting so that's not an issue. I can mull over this kind of thing for weeks so I'd like to know what youse think before I send it off. Here's how a short one would look except the cylinder would be factory.

http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/NEW/images/RH%20w%20Anaconda%20bbl.jpg

[Trey45]

I have a Redhawk 45 Colt 4", bought new last year. Flawless performance thus far.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y243/SimonLegree/Redhawkinred.jpg

Here's the funny thing, in your poll, I voted for the 6 1/4" Barrel instead of the 4 1/4" one, only because I have a 4" already and a 6 1/4" would be the next logical step.

[targetshootr]

Nice gun. Any idea how many pounds on the single action trigger?

[Trey45]

I don't have a trigger scale, but a conservative guess would be between 6 and 7 pounds. You have to mean it when you squeeze one off. Isn't that fairly typical of Redhawks anyhow though? a heavy single action trigger?

[targetshootr]

Yeah, the one I traded away wasn't very light in single action. I've heard the best you can get em is 3 - 3 1/2 lbs. In DA, it was really sweet.

[yondering]

I say 5"-6". It's not like they are lightweight packin' guns anyway, the extra inch or two of barrel is going to help the shooting a whole lot more than it will hurt the carryin'.

[targetshootr]

I like how the 6" Anacondas look. I had one once but the action was rough so I sold it off. I thought it was going to be like a large Python. Uh-uh.

[Bass Ackward]

You really need to answer this for yourself. And it isn't that difficult if you analyze it based upon what and how you are shooting which you do not mention.

To reach a certain velocity level, the shorter barrel will have a smaller powder selection, a harder acceleration curve, and a lower bullet weight limit than a fella with the longer tube.

If you want to shoot 260 grain and less lead bullets or go strictly jacketed, then you can go the 4.25"er. If you want to shoot PB and maybe softer lead then go with the 6.25"er. More possible powder selections will permit you to reach that magic velocity level which means more good loads from which to pick a great load.

If you want heavier than 260 grain, then I would definitely go the 6.25"er. If it is a hunting piece, then I would go longer.

You simply have to spank harder and faster with the shorter tube or accept a lower velocity limit with the same bullet weight. Sounds like a recipie for gas checks and harder lead.

[targetshootr]

The upside of 6 1/4" is that it can always be shortened. This is going to be agonizing.

[mike in co]

hunting gun, longer sight radius....no brainer...go long

[targetshootr]

Tonight I'm leaning toward long but whenever you sell most any gun, people seem to want it short and seem willing to pay more.

[2ndAmendmentNut]

A 45Colt RH in my opinion would make a poor CC gun for all but the coldest areas, regardless of barrel length. So if it where me, I would use it for hunting, target, and back woods protection. For my uses I believe I would be better served by a 6 ¼” barrel. But you are not me, so in the end it is your decision. Either way you will have an awesome gun.

[9.3X62AL]

My Redhawk in 44 Magnum has the factory 5.5: barrel, and it is about right for me. I wouldn't want it any shorter, but 7.5" was too much of a good thing. I really like hunting revolvers with 5.5-6.5 inch barrels. The 4" carries a bit easier, but as Bass stated I think they are better suited to medium-pressure loads like a 44 Special or 45 Auto Rim, and the powders that do their best work inside that pressure envelope. A .452" 255 grain SWC does not need 1400 FPS to take deer humanely and reliably.

[Snyd]

I have a 4 inch redhawk in 45 colt as well. I bought it for the packability AND for the wallop one can get in a 45 Colt. 360gr Cast Performance + 21gr H110 = 1155fps average for 6 rounds. It's as accurate as I can shoot and a 360gr cast at 1155 will go clean through anything in north America at handgun range. I carry it for bear protection here in Alaska and will not hesitate to lower the boom on moose out to 50+ yds depending on the situation and how good I've been shootin!

[Frank]

Snyd's right. The 4" Ruger Redhawk likes heavy boolits and H110/296 at moderate to full power. Same loads as the 5 1/2 and 7 1/2" Redhawks. Short barrel affects only sight radius and barrel rise is alittle quicker. :Fire:

[GLynn41]

I have 2 5.5" and they great

[fivegunner]

I like them all ! .I have 2, 6inch 45colts and 1 ,4inch 44mag. plan on getting the 4inch 45colt soon. all I can say is they are big and strong.:Fire::grin:

[Poygan]

I have a Redhawk in .44 mag with the 5.5" bbl and like that. I have a 29-2 in 4" and another in 8 3/8" and of course always wanted one in 6 or 6.5". Generally I prefer the 6" range.

[big dale]

In the past I have owned a couple of 44's and one 41 that all had a 5.5 inch barrel. I loved them all. They all found homes with some good friends. This last one is the Super Redhawk with a 7.5 inch barrel and it works fine, but I kind of feel like I need a 3/4 ton truck to haul it around. I suspect the next one will be another with the 5.5 inch barrel.

Big Dale

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

PPP here. Perfect Packing Pistol: factory Anaconda 45 LC, 4" barrel.

Rich

[Bucks Owin]

My avatar shows my leanings in a hunting sixgun, sight radius and velocity! :neutral: (And ANY sixgun packs better than a rifle...) But yeah, not so good for CC!!! (Good head knocker ala Wyatt Earp maybe).......Dennis

[targetshootr]

Lots of good reasons for each length. Dern it.

[aaalaska]

Mine is 7.5, I've shot an carried all different lengths the difference in weight is not much, as was stated earlier their not light weights. The 7.5 just feels right in my hands is fun to shoot even with heavy loads, and is deadly accurate.
Alex

[targetshootr]

I'm 90% sure it'll be 6 1/4" but I'm surprised it got so many 6 1/4 votes. I figured it would mostly get 4 1/4. Now we need to turn loose a few Cape Buffalo around here.

[Dframe]

I'm not really a ruger guy but have to admit that redhawk looks REAL good with the anaconda barrel.
I think I'll just stick with my anaconda though. Good luck with your redhawk.

[targetshootr]

I'm not really a ruger guy but have to admit that redhawk looks REAL good with the anaconda barrel.
I think I'll just stick with my anaconda though. Good luck with your redhawk.

You know what else I've been thinking is a flat top strap to give it more of an Anaconda & flat top Ruger look.

[Ekalb2000]

get the longer one.

[Four Fingers of Death]

All of the ones I have seen out here were stainless and had seven and a half inch barrels as they are all to be used as silouette guns (ain;t allowed to handgun hunt here :( ).

I always fancied a blued one with a four inch odd barrel and ivory grips. I should order one in I suppose. Can you stil get blued ones?

[targetshootr]

It went to David Clements last week to be made 6" with a flat top strap and a rear Micro sight, for something a little different. Whenever it comes back I'll post pics.

[Three44s]

By Four Fingers Of Death:

"Can you still get blued ones?"

I am sorry to report that I could only find SS versions ..........

There are plenty of used blued ones here but I would imagine it would take Parlimentary action for a citizen to transfer one?

As to the barrel length:

I don't have ANY experience with .45 LC .......... no flies on it ...... just my situation.

BUT ......... I find NO back seat with my four inch in .44 ...................

However, with the intended use as HUNTING ........ I voted for the longer tube.

My guns: a Smith MG (4") ......... a 7.5 Redhawk ....... and a ............. NINE point five in SRH!!

I LOVE'M ALL!!!

The Mountain Gun is no slouch with it's four inch tube. My one concession is that 2400 is about as slow a powder as I use in heavy loads ...... H110 just does not do anything for my sweetie.

With the longer tubed Rugers, I have the full range and use it.

If I had to chose ...........

JUST ONE REVOLVER!

I would go for the factory 5.5" Redhawk.

Three 44s

[Four Fingers of Death]

There are plenty of used blued ones here but I would imagine it would take Parlimentary action for a citizen to transfer one?

We can import them to a dealer or if you are a dealer you can import them. A lot of folk buy guns while in the Ststes and have them sent out. With all of the cost and fiddling about, it is not really worth it, best off going to the shop and just buying one. It is worth it if you want something that is not readily available out here, like a blued Redhawk with a shorter barrel. There are a few Smith and Wesson 44Mags kicking about here and that would probably be the better way to get a blued gun. I probably would never shoot it loose, got too many other things to shoot.

I have often thought that an N frame S&W Highway Patrolman in 357 is a pretty readily available gun out here. A new Bbl and cylinder (or a reaming) would leave me with a nice 45Colt DA Handgun. I loveeeeeeeeeeee plonking those big shells into the gun. Finished off with Tru Ivory grips to match my USAFs would be nice,

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I have owned a n-frame in 6 & 1/2, and 7&1/2 & 5&1/2 Redhawks. The 5&1/2 , & the 6 &1/2 rode fine in belt holsters cross draw while in truck or car. ALSO THEY WERE EASY TO DRAW ON ETHER SIDE. I put 1,000's of rounds through them.
The 7&1/2 was best in a shoulder rig Galco leather, or a cowboy holster. Cowboy was definitely faster, and I qualified with it easily shooting a 98% on the old law enforcement PPC course so I could carry it off duty. Did the same with the 6&1/2 S&W. That is the only pistol I regret selling.
For hunting I definitely like the longer barreled 7 &1/2".
Much preferred the longer tubes to the standered issue 4"+/- guns. Witch I could shoot just as well.

[Dframe]

Generally speaking I'm not a big fan of long barrels. I find that if I do my part, I shoot just as well with 4 inch barrels and they're a BUNCH handier to use and carry.