[C/O]

My dad is considering buying a .44 mag.

Which do you guys recommend the Ruger Redhawk or the Taurus raging bull? Why?

Is there a significant difference in recoil with a 4 inch barrel vs. longer Barrel?

[MCgunner]

Neither....Blackhawk.

While I like Taurus revolvers, I'd have to swing to the Redhawk. The Raging Bull is WAY heavy. The Redhawk ain't light, but it is a stronger design. I'd rather carry a Blackhawk/Super Blackhawk than either, though.:D:D

There are other Taurus .44s I like, the Trackers. I guess it'd depend on what he wants the gun for. If he wants it for hiking in bear country, I'd choose a 4" tracker for the light weight. If he wants it for hunting, a SRH or just a Redhawk would be my choice. I wouldn't get the titanium Tracker, though. That thing is too light, would be painful with heavy loads.

[Plain Old Bill]

Neither...get a Dan Wesson.

[Walkalong]

Redhawk (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=6&variation=Satin%20Stainless&bct=Yes&type=Revolver)

It is brute strong, reliable as heck, backed by RUGER, accurate, and just plain good looking. :)

They come in 4" as well (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5026&return=Y), but the 5.5 (http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5004&return=Y) balances soooo good. Yep. I like um. :D

[def4pos8]

REDHAWK

My experience confirmed Elmer Keith's opinion that, once properly broken in (at least 1,000 rounds) this was the best .44 Magnum produced.

[C/O]

Thanks for your opinions. I think he is going to go with the Ruger.

[springmom]

I have the SRH in the looooonnnnngggggg barrel (the 9 1/2 inch). The longer barrel gives you better accuracy and absorbs recoil better. Obviously, it's only for hunting, but I have arthritis in my hands and a short barrelled .44mag would be a nightmare for me.

I had one issue with the SRH right out of the box...the cylinder jammed up. Sent it off to Ruger and they took care of it. (Note: IF you need to send your Redhawk back for repairs, talk to them ahead of time about how they will pay for the shipping. It was about $100 to ship that thing back east, and if I'd asked up front I probably could have gotten a prepaid shipping label from them. Lesson learned, for the next time.)

Springmom

[Gustav]

Ruger Redhawk any day over the Taurus the Ruger is built like a tank and will take allot of use and abuse.

The Taurus may hold up but I for one would not bet that it would take the same amount of heavy loads or high round counts as any Ruger revovler.

As a personal observation a good friend of mine has a Taurus .44 Magnum he has had it sent back twice to the factory for major repairs.

Rugers will take a licking and keep on ticking.:neener:

A Taurus me be cheaper and some may say as good as a Ruger or a S&W but no one will say a Taurus is truly equal or better than either of those two American made firearms.;)

Also years from now if you ever need repairs or parts which would you rather have?

[Lafeswede]

While I don't own a Redhawk, I've had a ruger GP 100 for 17 years. It is an everlasting item. I also own a Blackhawk in 45 LC; super accurate and strong as anything on earth. Both guns are very versatile and very very accurate.

Sail safe
Lafeswede

[macadore]

I owned a four inch 44 magnum for a very short time. It was very unpleasant to shoot and I will never own another one. The recoil was a minor part of the unpleasantness. The noise and the muzzle blast were brutal. Don’t shot it at night. Six inches is the minimum I will own and the 7 ½ is my favorite length in 44 magnum.

There is nothing wrong with Ruger handguns, but I don't like them. They look and feel like artillery pieces.

[George Hill]

Dude, no question here.... It's all about the Redhawk.

[Bear41mag]

I vote Redhawk, While I'm not a big fan of the 7.5 inch model, I love the 5.5 inch model and have been shooting the same one for years. After "several' Thousand rounds of full power 240 thru 310 grain bullets, not one breakage, the action is smooth as any gun on the market today, and its put meat on the table on more than one occasion.

You will not be sorry if you go with the Redhawk.

[ronwill]

Personal preference is the RedHawk. Should go with what's more comfortable with him since both guns shoot well with little difference in recoil. Barrel length should be based on main purpose of the gun. Hunting/ recreational shooting and keep at home go with a 6" or slightly longer barrel. If any consideration is being given to using it as a concealed weapon stay with a 4" barrel. Just my recommendations.

[jpwilly]

Rugers are TANKS! Taurus is good but not best!

[ReadyontheRight]

Redhawk in stainless with the 5.5 inch barrel. Very fun to carry and shoot. DA gives you more options than the SA Blackhawk.

[DC3-CVN-72]

I vote REDHAWK !! I have one in .45 COLT with a 5 1/2 in. bbl. S.S. and I love it !! :)

[Hunter0924]

I will add to the growing number of Ruger Redhawk votes. I have had a Redhawk about 13 years and she has been a great revolver.

[wuluf]

got a 4" and it's pure fun to shoot.

[glockman19]

ALWAYS a S&W or Ruger over a Taurus

[Chief-7700]

This is a no brainer RUGER..........................
Chief-7700