[Nightcrawler]

http://www.clementscustomguns.com/handguns/images/1.jpg

A custom option from Clements Custom Guns (http://www.clementscustomguns.com/handguns/ruger.htm). Why Ruger doesn't offer a factory Redhawk like this is beyond me, but such a gun in .45 Colt would be the PERFECT sixgun for me; small enough to pack, strong enough to really take advantage of .45 Colt...

And oh, if you've got $1100 to blow on a completely customized revolver...

http://www.clementscustomguns.com/handguns/images/2.jpg

A 5-shot .44 Special GP100. Make mine with the fixed sights and the smaller grip, but other than that...coool.....

[Nightcrawler]

Oh, can anybody recommend other reputable custom shops that'll do a barrel shortening and possibly an action job on a Redhawk?

[Baron Holbach]

Gary Reeder?

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/

[hardcorehunter5]

why spend $1100 on a custom redhawk, when you can buy a s&w mountain for half the price with similair barrel length??

[Nightcrawler]

Converting a GP100 to .44 Special costs $1100. Getting a Redhawk's barrel shortened will likely be little more than $200.

But why that over a S&W Mountain Gun? A few reasons.

-Smith stopped making their Model 25s in .45 Colt back in 1991. They're hard to find. My 6" 25-5 is the first one my dealer had seen in 20 years of selling guns.

-Perfomance Center or Custom Shop guns can be found in .45 Colt, but they're even harder to find and cost a lot more.

-The Smith .45 Colt mountain guns are much less robust than the Rugers, or even their .44 Magnum bretheren. They can't handle the powerful, modernized hunting loads available in .45 Colt.

-Smith & Wesson decided to put an internal lock on their guns, whereas Ruger did not. Taurus also has similar locks, but they've located them so as to not look so obvious and on a $400 Taurus I really don't care. They just look poor on a Smith, being placed behind the cylinder button.

I could, of course, buy a brand new S&W Mountain Gun in .44 Magnum, but it's not what I want.

[KMKeller]

Gary Reeder Alaskan Survivalist:

http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revolvers/images/Alaskian_Survior_Ruger.jpg

My kinda pistola! It's a 3 inch in 44 Magnum or 45 Colt.

[Nightcrawler]

Ooooh....that'd make a nice glove box or backpack gun, too...

[KMKeller]

It sure would. They also offer the same gun in a highly polished version...
http://www.reedercustomguns.com/revolvers/images/Alaskan_Survivor.jpg

I think I've found my newest acquisition!

[41mag M&P]

I recently got a single action back from Gary Reeder a few weeks ago. He did very good work on the revolver. I've not had much chance to shoot it yet though. Still haven't worked up a load.

He's been very busy lately, and has limited his DA work to the Alaskan Survivalist that was posted above.

[Kahr carrier]

Those are some nice Redhawks.

[WESHOOT2]

The 5.5" barrels provide much better leverage when using the gun as a hammer. :scrutiny:
The 7.5" is just a wee bit too long for best balance.

[Kahr carrier]

Better leverage when using the gun as a hammer Yikes Ruger are tough but as a hammer.:p

[charleym3]

Very nice pics of the custom guns. I sure do wish that Ruger would take the hint.
I just got a 7.5 inch. After I see what I can make the old Colt round do, I'll think about making the barrel shorter. I got the 7.5 because it was reasonably priced not because I wanted to carry a 4 lb revolver. But I bet it will be really tame to shoot even with stout loads.
I wonder what it will do with a 185 gr Flying ashtray? 1400+ perhaps. Bet that would be seriously cool in a gallon milk jug.

[boo586]

45 Colt Mountain Guns

I don't know if they are still there, but I saw two Mountain guns in 45 colt at a local shop here in Indianapolis about two or three weeks.

Boo586

[J Miller]

Nightcrawler,

I like that 4.5" Redhawk. I would only make one change to it though. I would want to retain the factory interchangable front sight.

[Nightcrawler]

Bring this thread back from the dead. All should see, and Ruger should take a friggin' hint. :cool:

[RWK]

Nightcrawler,

With respect to you, my old friend, your statement “Smith stopped making their Model 25s in .45 Colt back in 1991” may require some amplification. Smith currently produces a four-inch, tappered barrel .45 Colt Mountain Gun, their 625-9. I have one and it is terrific: accurate, beautiful, with great fit, finish and quality, and as reliable and durable as any N Frame.

So, if you want a current production “long” Colt Mountain Gun, they are available.

Image of the S&W 625-9 is found in: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?threadid=43205.

Best regards.

[Nightcrawler]

1991 is the year my dealer told me his book listed as the last year of production for the 25-5.

As for the mountain gun...according to Smith's website, they don't even list a single gun in .45 Colt. Not one. Not even performance center.

So, I don't think a .45 Colt mountain gun is currently in production. If yours has that stupid internal lock, it's very recent production, but if Smith is making them they sure as heck ain't advertising them.

Besides, a Mountain Gun still has all of the shortcomings of my 25-5, as far as I know.

[Brasso]

The heck with the .45, I want ruger to use that new fangled steel of theirs and make a .41mag GP100. That would be cool.

[Nightcrawler]

I would be ALL OVER a .41 Mag GP100. Big bore in an L-Frame package.

Wondering if they could FIT six .41 Mags in the GP100 cylinder, though...

[WESHOOT2]

Forget the 41 Mag GP; think it will hold six moon-clip-fed rds of 10mm?

Ruger? Are you paying attention? S&W 610?

[Preacherman]

For the ultimate "Things That Can Be Done To/With A Redhawk", I think no-one can surpass Hamilton Bowen (http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/Default.htm). Talk about works of art! How about this (http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/gallery2.html) conversion to resemble the 1917:


http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/images/1917_r1_c1.jpg


Or this (http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/gallery3.html) conversion to .50 A.E.:


http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/images/alpine_r1_c1.jpg


Or this (http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/gallery5.html) conversion to .454 Casull with a S&W 686-style barrel:


http://www.bowenclassicarms.com/images/454lframe_r1_c1.jpg

[Nightcrawler]

I'm liking that pseudo-1917....thanks, Preacherman!

[Tamara]

As for the mountain gun...according to Smith's website, they don't even list a single gun in .45 Colt. Not one. Not even performance center.

Here's another option, the 625-7 3", circa 1998. :)

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=412269

A modern 625 will shoot all but the very, very, very heaviest .45 Colt ammo; ie, stuff that nobody in their right mind would launch out of a 3" round-butt gun anyway... ;)

[Nightcrawler]

Yes, but you must understand. I have access to one small gun store and one small Gander Mountain. If I can't order it, odds are I ain't gonna find it. The two N-Frames I've snagged are flukes; the 25-5 was the first one my dealer had ever seen, in 20 years of selling guns. For example.

And I'm a little uncomfortable still buying a gun off of the internet, from an auction site or whatever. I like to inspect used guns before I buy them, for obvious reasons.

[Tamara]

I like to inspect used guns before I buy them, for obvious reasons.

That is why a three day inspection period is customary. If the seller won't give you that, then you shouldn't buy it.

[Nightcrawler]

Oh, God, look what I found on AuctionArms...

http://pictures.auctionarms.com/2123123512/ACFD872.JPG

Tamara...my long time, trusting...I mean, trusted friend....lend me about $500.00? I'm good for it! :uhoh:

*sigh* Stupid tuition bills/car insurance bills/having-to-save-money-to-move-to-Utah-next-summer, sucking up all of my gun money...

[Nightcrawler]

I honestly wouldn't mind a 625 in .45ACP, either. They're strong enough for .45ACP +P and Super, and are in a cartridge that I can afford to shoot lots of.

Moonclips are both a boon and a detriment, though, but livable. Could use .45 Auto Rim from Georgia Arms if I didn't want to use moonclips.

Actually, gimme two; a 5" and a 3". One for belt, one for CCW.

Neato!