Picked up my new .44 today

[TwoNiner]

After 10 long days in the California prison, I took possession of my first .44 today. I christened her 'Montana' because that's where she's going first (this July).

I had to special order this gun so I was a bit nervous at first. Turns out the bore cyl. gap is .003" and it locks up like a New York bank vault. It is noticably tighter than my other revolvers and a few other Redhawks I've handled when shopping consignment racks.

 

[B24]

Tis a thing of beauty.

Any plans/inclination to put some "glass" on it?

Nice long barrel, crisp single-action break, kick-arse cartridge... I'd like to have that with a red dot sight. Quick target acquisition and ability to focus downrange rather than on the front sight (as you probably already know).

Enjoy...

 

[TwoNiner]

B24,

I specifically bought the gun without rings (this is the standard KRH-44 Redhawk as opposed to the Hunter KRH-44R model) because I didn't want to glass it. The price was about $50 less, plus I think the barrel looks cleaner if you're going to go that route.

 

[rocinante]

as my toddler would say thats a BIGGA GUN. I got a S&W 29-3 a few days ago but didn't have to spring it from any jail. I handed the seller cash and he handed me the gun, shake hands, adios amigos. Just like buying a used boom box at a garage sale.

 

[Georgia Shooter]

Gotta love those cash transactions!

Twoniner, that gun's a beauty! Congrats!

 

[Eightball]

Depending on how many full house .44s you're planning on sending through that pipe, you may wish to get more cushy grips.

 

[BullRunBear]

That is a nice looking piece. When shooting for fun, try some 44 specials with it. I have the same size Redhawk in 357 magnum. It easily handles anything in that caliber but does a great (and more comfortable) job with 38 specials, even my wadcutter reloads. If you try the 44 specials, let us know how they do. Congrats on the new baby.

Jeff

 

[pageophile]

Very nice addition to the family you got there 29'er

Agree with you on the cleaner look w/o the ring provision.

The Redhawk doesn't fit my paws so I had to spring for the SRH. Not anywhere near as pretty.

Have fun in Montana

 

[OregonJohnny]

I have the 4" Redhawk, and like it. Not quite love. The double-action trigger pull on mine is great, and feels lighter and smoother than on my GP100 that has thousands of rounds through it. The GP100 has a nicer single-action pull, however. The rubber Hogue grips it came with sucked, so I put on factory wood grips. They fit my hand much better and improved the looks by 100%.

I reload, so it's nice to shoot 200-grain lead plinking reloads through it, but those wood grips, short barrel, and exposed backstrap make it no fun to shoot full-power factory loads, at least not more than 12 or so.

For some reason, the pivot pin that holds the rear sight into the frame walks out to the left after shooting a few cylinders. It hasn't ever come all the way out, so I don't know if it's enough of a problem to inform Ruger about, but you may want to keep an eye on yours.

 

[Walkalong]

Love that Pic OregonJohnny. I copied it to my "Redhawk Pics Misc" folder. It makes agreat desktop pic too.

 

[OregonJohnny]

Walkalong,

Thanks! I couldn't wait to get the hideous Hogue grips off of this thing so it would look more like a "real" revolver!

 

[NMGonzo]

Awww ... she is so cute!!

I was thinking of selling mine ... but I just can't.

 

[Walkalong]

I like the stock grips too, not just for looks, but for shooting. Redhawks

 

[BCRider]

29'er, your picture makes the gun look SOOOOO much nicer than the Ruger factory website pics. The shaping of the barrel and lug are especially nicer.

OregonJohnny, you ain't helping me to resist either....

Although I love the look and general design of my other S&W revolvers I'm seriously thinking of Ruger for a .44Mag just because of their reputation for rugedness. I figure it'll come in handy for shooting those serious "Ruger only" reloads along with all the rest of the fun filled, big fireball rounds I want to play with.

 

[TwoNiner]

OregonJohnny,

I have experienced the pin walking issue on my 6in GP 100. After about 100 rounds it protruded from the frame maybe a quarter an inch and I just thumbed it back in. That pin just holds the sight in right?

BullRunBear,

I'd like to try out some .44 specials, but sourcing it right now is rather futile. My favorite website (ammo to go) doesn't have any .44 specials in stock at all!

 

[TwoNiner]

pageophile,

Is the grip on the super redhawk larger, or is it the butt of the frame that is larger? I am thinking about bringing a pair of rubber grips with me on my trip to swap out if the wood grips are too harsh.

 

[OregonJohnny]

TwoNiner:

That pin just holds the sight in right?

Yes, I believe so, but it doesn't happen on my other 2 Ruger revolvers with adjustable sights. It doesn't seem to effect anything, and it has never come out all the way, but I'd feel a little better if it stayed put.

My futile search for inexpensive (or even simply available) .44 Special ammo led me to reloading a couple years ago. I started out with an RCBS kit, .44 steel die set, AA No. 7 powder, a little box of 100 primers, some 240-grain Hornady XTP bullets, and about 20 empty 44 Mag cases. After some painstakingly slow learning, a lot of practice and research, and a shelf full of different components, I can now reload 2 or 3 dozen 44 lead "cowboy" plinking loads in about an hour. It has turned my Redhawk from a "once in a while" range gun, to an "every trip" range gun.

 

[NMGonzo]

My sights also "walk"

I need to zero it and locktite that ["baby," "thing," "pin," "doohickey," or otherwise less exuberant slang term].

 

[pageophile]

Hi 29'er

I've got a Hogue rubber grip on my SRH, it's way bigger than the Hogues I've seen on the Redhawks.

The grip frame on the Redhawk and SRH are completely different though, the SRH shares the same "spike" frame as the GP100 so those grips interchange. The Redhawk's grip frame is more traditional and for me too small.


Hope that helps,

Page

 

[CH47gunner]

Not a .44 but, I like your choice of backgrounds.
I'm originally from Montana (Whitefish/Kalispell) but, my folks retired in Missoula, so I'm up there every year fly-fishing the Blackfoot.
First pic is of my M19 I shot a couple years ago, second shot is my carry gun when I'm in the sticks.

Bruce

S&W Model 19-6 2 1/2"


S&W Model 629-4 3"

 

[TwoNiner]

Thats a fine pair of Smith's you have there Bruce.

 

[gearchecker]

TwoNiner,
Where in Montana are you headed? Have you been there before?
I would love to hear the story.
Sorry, the only .44 I own is a Magnum. Does shooting .44 specials in it count?

 

[gearchecker]

Looking for .44 Special ammo?
Try these guys. They have 3 stores to pull from and they carry just about everything on the market and in stock. I hope this is allowed!

Black Sheep Sporting Goods
308 W Seale Ave,
Coeur D'Alene, ID 83815
(208) 667-7831

 

[messerist]

A Redhawk is certainly on my "to git" list. Great looking revolver there. Good luck!

 

[HOWARD J]

When I had a Redhawk I put a Packmeier grip on it---then I could shoot all day.
My youngest loved that gun.At the range the folks always said" better take that gun away from that little kid--after 10 minutes he had a crowd around him while he gave
lessons in use of weapon.
Have fun.........................